Okay, so you’ve just updated to Serato 3.2.0, pumped everything up to dive into your next DJ set, and then – boom – no horizontal platters. Serato 3.2.0 not Showing Horizontal Platters,what’s going on It’s like showing up at a party and finding out they ran out of snacks before you arrived. Frustrating right?
If you’re like me, you probably like the look of a horizontal board. It’s fluid, intuitive and gives you a perfect view of the track, making it easy to capture those transitions. So you don’t see them in Serato 3.2.0? Yes, that’s a problem.
But before you go down the rabbit hole of reinstalling, googling random forums, or worst of all, consider getting angry (been there, no judgment), let’s talk about what could be going on and how to fix it.
First: Have you checked your settings?
Let’s not complicate things right out of the gate. Sometimes the simplest fix is the right one. Think about when your phone starts acting up and a quick reboot will get it back to normal. Same logic – look at the basics.
In Serato, horizontal platters are part of the virtual deck layout. If you’ve just updated your software, it’s possible that your settings got mixed up, which can happen with software updates more often than you’d think.
Here’s a quick guide to make sure you don’t have horizontal plates hiding somewhere in your setup:
Open Serato: If it’s not already running, launch it.
Go to Preferences: You can access this by clicking on the small gear icon at the top right of the screen.
Check the Display tab: This tab contains the settings for your virtual packages.
Select Horizontal Platter Display: See plate display options. If it’s set to vertical or something else, switch it back to horizontal.
It’s a bit like your car radio: sometimes the station presets change after a system update and you have to reprogram them. Once you check that, see if it fixes the problem. If so, great! Problem solved and you’re back in business.
If that didn’t work, it’s time to investigate
Ok so you’ve double checked the settings and still no horizontal plates. Now it’s starting to feel like something deeper is going on. This is where we have to roll up our sleeves and dive in a bit.
Serato updates usually come with a whole host of new features, improvements, and sometimes unintended hiccups. So software can be fun – it’s like trying a new recipe and thinking, “I followed the steps exactly, why doesn’t it look like the picture?”
What could be causing this problem? Let’s go through a few options:
Graphics or resolution settings issues: Sometimes a software update conflicts with display settings. It’s possible that after upgrading to 3.2.0, your system resolution or graphics configuration doesn’t play well with horizontal boards. Check your monitor resolution and adjust it to see if there is a difference.
Outdated drivers: If you are using an older controller or external hardware, your drivers may be out of date. Think of drivers as an instruction manual that tells your computer how to handle your device. If they are out of date, miscommunication can occur, leading to problems such as labels not being displayed. Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your controller.
Controller Firmware: If your DJ controller is behaving a bit strangely after an update, it may require a firmware update. Firmware updates are like the patches we see with software – they fix bugs, add new features, and fix potential performance issues. A firmware update can sometimes restore missing features such as board display.
Skin or Layout Compatibility: Some custom skins or layouts may not be optimized for newer versions of Serato. If you’re using a custom interface, try switching back to the default. It may sound boring, but it can solve the problem.
Sometimes it’s the little things
Funny story – I once spent almost an hour trying to figure out why some software wasn’t working until I realized I hadn’t plugged in the power cord all the way. I wish I were kidding.
So before you go full Sherlock Holmes, do a little quick troubleshooting:
Restart your computer: This is an old solution for a reason. Sometimes software just needs a fresh start.
Check your USB connection: If you’re using a USB hub, make sure it’s powered and working properly. A broken USB connection can cause all sorts of weird problems, including missing displays.
Serato Update (again): Occasionally, after a major update, the Serato team will release smaller patches to fix bugs that slipped through. Look for a version newer than 3.2.0 that fixes this issue.
Ask for help: The power of community
Here’s the thing: you’re not alone. DJ software has a huge community of users and it is likely that someone else has encountered the same problem. It’s like trying to assemble IKEA furniture – if you’re having trouble, a YouTube video will probably help.
Head to the Serato forums, Reddit or Facebook groups where DJs meet and share tips. I’ve found answers to some of the weirdest technical problems I’ve had just by browsing a few threads. There is something comforting about knowing that someone else has already figured out a solution to your problem.
And if all else fails, contact Serato Support. They are usually very responsive and because they know their software inside out, they can often quickly identify a problem.
Looking at the bigger picture: Is it time for a change?
Ok, let’s say you’ve tried everything and Serato 3.2.0 just doesn’t give you those sweet horizontal platters. Frustrating, I know. But here’s where you can take a step back and ask yourself: Is this a deal breaker?
Software updates sometimes come with new features that require a bit of tweaking. You may find that a new layout or feature in Serato 3.2.0 really improves your DJing once you get used to it. Change can be uncomfortable, but it often leads to better things.
If you’re absolutely set on horizontal boards and this update doesn’t do it for you, you can go back to an older version of Serato. I’ve seen DJs do this when they’re really happy with a particular setup and don’t want to deal with the hassle of adapting to new software.
But before you do that, consider experimenting a bit more with the new version. who knows You might discover a feature you didn’t even realize you needed.
In the end, it’s about the music
At the end of the day, whether your plates are horizontal or vertical, the most important thing is the music. DJing is all about creating an atmosphere, connecting with the crowd and making sure everyone is having a good time. Technology is there to help you, but it’s not everything.
If you can’t get the horizontal boards back, it’s not the end of the world. Sure, it might take some tweaking, but once you get back into the groove, you’ll be too busy listening to the music to worry about where your cymbals are going.
Final thoughts
Serato 3.2.0 not showing horizontal platters can definitely be annoying, especially if you’ve built your entire workflow around this display. But with a little patience, some troubleshooting, and maybe even a little help from the DJ community, you’ll get back on track.