Rekordbox DJ Software – Full DJ Version from Pioneer

The Rekordbox DJ Software from Pioneer DJ has come a long way since it was first introduced. The latest version 3 is a logical and easy way to manage your music library and prepare set-lists before committing them to USB for performance on the CDJ2000nexus, CDJ900nexus, CDJ350 or XDJ-1000 media players.

Aside from simply dragging files into playlists you can customize a whole bunch of default settings so that when you plug your flash drive into one the aforementioned devices, the info that displays on the screen is exactly how you want it to be. You can also set up all your cue points, hot cues etc beforehand.

In a nutshell the Rekordbox DJ Software is a comprehensive music management application that creates a seamless transition between what’s on your laptop to performing on the Pioneer DJ media players.

In HID mode you can actually link your Rekordbox DJ Software directly to the CDJs and drag tracks directly from your laptop to the media player. And with the new Pioneer XDJ-RX controller, if you connect your laptop the unit, you can play directly from Rekordbox.

Read our Pioneer XDJ-RX review

In fact it was when I tested the Pioneer XDJ-RX that it became apparent that the next obvious step from Pioneer DJ would be to turn the Rekordbox DJ Software into a fully fledged DJ application like Native Instruments’ Traktor, Serato and Virtual DJ, to name a few.\

A new 1 minute teaser video released by the company has suggested exactly that!

The video announces the word ‘performance’ quite significantly and shows features like different FX modes (Hot Cue, Pad FX, Slicer, Beat Jump) and performance pads, a rotating slip mat (similar to Serato), and FX bank and what looks like two different channels with waveforms – all the criteria for a DJ app.

It’s the next natural progression for the Rekordbox DJ Software to be honest. The only thing that remains to be seen when it’s released is how it is applied and if it will only work with Pioneer gear or compatible with any controller.

Native Instruments have invested a lot of their time and effort into Remix Decks and their new Stems project having also made the bold move to dispense with jogwheels on their flagship Traktor Kontrol S8 controller.