It's not released yet but on paper looks good as they just copied SDJ then grabbed the best bits of traktor and added some other features that are always asked around these forums.

There selling point of super low latency and CPU and high quality sound Sure is a very good and if stands upto these statments shit is going to get interesting.

It looks good. But then so did the sl dz1200

Looking foward to this new RKB. I left Serato when DJ wouldnt load my library. RKB has not let me down yet. Over 3tb hard drive and not one issue. Let the games begin!

I just started using the RekordBox DJ trial and I'm immediately blown away by it's library management. In comparison, Serato doesn't have library management whatsoever; it's actually embarrassingly bad considering how old the product is.

Why is the library management better? Meta data; not duplicated files all over the place. Simple things like track ratings.. I mean seriously, how hard is that to implement? Tagging. Tagging has brought a whole new level to organizing my collection. For any situation, I feel with a few clicks I can drill down to exactly what I need. In order to do this in SDJ, I had to make several directories with files, sometimes multiple times, to match either multiple genres or situations.

I use a recent MBP with a modern SSD and SDJ struggled with managing the library that Traktor handled perfectly fine. I had to shrink my collection by about 75% to accommodate SDJ to not crash frequently. The ONLY benefit SDJ has right now is MixEmergency integration.. without it, it's dead in the water. (For me)

I wouldn't be surprised if RekordBox continues to delivery the unexpected; I'm super happy that it's compatible with my DDJ-SZ and I can eventually get rid of Serato altogether. I'm also done with Traktor as it seems to cater more towards EDM.

Sounds like smart crates would've done this for you?

Was thinking the same

How about a play count? That would be great and seems easy to implement

I would say Tagging is someway more powerful than smart crates because it's completely dynamic, no need to create the smart crates. Moreover you can combine tags very easily, with smart crates not really...

The other thing I like in Rekordbox is the track matching, instead of just having suggested tracks based on bpm, key...Etc you can manually match them so it's completely "personalizable" :) ... but for the moment, the matching can only be done in export mode not the performance mode (so not when you're really mixing)

I used Rekordbox DJ at a couple of gigs and this past Saturday, the play button stopped working on Deck 1... I had to re-start the software to get it to work. That's fun... not! I like Rekordbox, but I don't feel it's "ready for prime time". Last year, I used Serato DJ at 25+ gigs and never had a problem, especially a PLAY button not playing! That just shouldn't happen. I am sticking with Serato DJ.

It doesn't handle video, so, for now it's out for me. I go back and forth, depending on the gig. As a Mac OS X user, right now, that means I only use SDJ with the video plugin, and am trying out the latest version of Algoriddim dJay Pro. I don't keep my iTunes library on my startup drive, and, despite what their boards say will fix it, none of the recent versions of VDJ work for me, same as MegaSeg.

Until rec box does video it's not even a option for me. And until they do it right meaning more than just MP4 s. Want mpeg and mov mkv at least. Be nice to see DVDs and blu Ray to but Serato does not do that at this time. Ether way I like what I see from rec box. Serato should be worried unles they have plans with Rane to make a controller. I called Rane and asked them to make a controller and they told me "prob not it. Cause would cost 6000 dollars and I to them I would pay it cause I'm sure it would be right. But till then. I'm watching close to what rec box and Serato are doing. Hope Serato got something big planed cause pioneer does that's clear.

My smart-crate/smart play-list sidebar column is so long and cumbersome due to having to use them to deal with individual crates for BPM ranges. Something as elementary as searching for tracks with matching BPM's should have been added to Serato years ago, IMHO.
It's one of my biggest issues with Serato. The library management/tagging in Rekorbox is really appealing. I hope Serato does something to improve their library management soon.

... Everyone can use the ability to find a track that fits well quicker.

just switch over to rekordbox people have requested for years simple things like track ratings which serato ignored, play counts for tracks, serato ignored so it's time people started ignoring serato

IMO, Rekordbox is still not ready for Prime Time. My experience has been random crashes & lockups, laggy cue buttons and I think it's crazy that you cannot play an exported playlist from Rekordbox with Rekordbox Performance, which kills it's usefulness in not allowing CDJ based DJs plug in a Rekordbox flash drive and play. Getting ready to kill my monthly subscription, wait another year...

I use Rekordbox 3.3. I would would like to use Rekordbox 4, but it is unstable. I love and own many of Pioneer Products and I have realized thaT Serato has had far Too many issues in the past. That's why I switched and I love It.

I have to agree with Taipanic Rekordbox is not ready for prime time also it does not
handle controllers well yet. Till then Im sticking with Serato...LM...

Disagree it works 100% perfext cdjs in hod mode infact it works way way way better than Serato does. Shame really as i still prefer SDJ. Heres hoping we get some advancements in serato soon.

I guess everyone has their own experiences with different software. I (knock on wood) have been using Serato DJ for a couple of years now and it runs rock solid. I had Rekordbox play button decide to quit working in the middle of a wedding, so it was back to Serato for me.

Own experiences and know issues limitations are a different thing. SDJ hid is very buggy and Rekordbox dj does not have one not even one of the issues/bugs that sdj has (while using HID mode) i can still use sdj and do every week but the issues are annoying. Serato have always made out its not possible bla bla then rekordbox comes along and nails it first time. Sure shows serato up.

Can't comment on HID mode. That's cool RB got that right. But, they did not get basic MIDI controls down. I'm not the only one who has had RB DJ play button on DDJ-RX quit working midway through a gig. That certainly does not show Serato up. It's downright embarrassing for Pioneer.

what's embarrassing is replacing your flagship software with a sup par version that after 3 years still can't match the original

I never used Serato Scratch so I can't compare. All I can compare are current versions of existing software. I LOVED using Rekordbox DJ until the damn play button stopped working. I had to reboot. And Pioneer's response was lame "we couldn't re-create the issue in 10 minutes" ... no kidding! I was hoping it was something they would iron out, but another DJ had the same problem in the most recent version, so I keep waiting & watching. I honest want to use it, but until I feel it's stable, I just can't take the chance, you know?

honest = honestly

For my use SDJ passed SSL a couple of years ago.

Yup. Me too. Haven't touched SSL in years and haven't had any major F-ups with SDJ either since the 1.7+ series (knocking on wood myself)

Rekordbox Dj works great for me with no issue now using 4.1.2. I continue to use it more and more as I get more comfortable with it at gigs. The related track column is great help for when you see yourself late into a song and don't know what to play next. It also helps you pick track the are more in sync with each (key,bpm, etc). In my opinion both software are great in their own way but, having something new to play with that elevates the way you Dj it always good.

Rez... well said! I too like to play with the "latest & greatest". Maybe I'll give RB another shot. For now though, Serato is working great.

Here is what I don't get, here we are on the Serato Forum Board commenting about Pioneer's Rekordbox and almost everyone is saying the same thing, it's better, it's the best, lookout Serato DJ etc.

How is it that the Serato clan is not seriously looking at this and working to get their product to the top of the heap! Rekordbox is the defacto standard for CDJ Jocks so why hasn't Team Serato gone head to head with them instead of allowing Pioneer to basically run the roost.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fanboy of RKB, I'm 100% Serato but honestly, RKB does better track analysis, shows me song suggestions and most important preps my music for use on a CDJ so at some point I'm going to have to seriously look at the other product and just throw in the towel.

My 2 Cents!

Personally I didn't find it better. Close but not better at least not at this point in time. However I agree, If I were Serato I would be busting my @$$ to step up my game. Who knows though maybe they are, least I'd like to hope they are. Would be nice to have a behind the scenes look into what is really going on. I love serato and just feel at home using it compared to the other software available plus have invested a lot of time into it.

I doubt I will be switching any time soon but who knows what tomorrow brings.

Just how would Serato benefit from making sdj a cdj prep tool? It would be nice to move crates, loops, grids and cues between, but rekordbuddy is already working on this...

Well, I MIGHT be flip-flopping my opinion. The "play button issue" appears to be resolved (worked with a couple of guys on Pioneer forum). But I started messing around more with RB DJ and I'm really diggin' it. There are pros & cons to both Serato & Rekordbox DJ for sure, but I'm gonna give RB a go at a few gigs and evaluate it further.

Pioneer is throwing a lot of weight behind RekordBox. The rate at which it has been changing is impressive. Hopefully Rekordbox encourages Serato to open up the DVS plugin to any soundcard instead of locking Serato down to the vendors Serato chooses.

excuse my ignorance, but rekordbox looks and feel so much like serato...you would think that serato developed it.
would there be any truth in this rumour? or is it blatant patent infringement? or is it the other way around??

SDJ over RKBDJ i would rather use traktor

rekorbox is fine as a software of data management

I think probably the most interesting thing is the Rekordbox eco-system. The fact that you have one software that you can DJ your whole library with your laptop with most of the features you come to know in DJ software, and then can export music to use without the laptop......and I think it's only DJs that play in both scenarios often that will actually benefit from RDJ. They basically made a copy of the whole lineup of SDJ controllers and made them RDJ only just to sell new products. It's not really different enough from either SDJ or Traktor for it to move a smart move IMO. The same way it might be different from SDJ you could say the same for Traktor and vice versa.

It's a good software from what I've been able to test but I keep asking myself is it really necessary? You already had the best controllers for SDJ as far as a lineup of products going from beginner to pro which of course could also be mapped for Traktor. You already had products that everybody could use no matter what they using. Now they have a whole DDJ lineup that's RDJ only and I'm afraid of continued support of their CDJ/DJM lineup to work with other software which I think is at least one thing that needs to continue.

I don't want to be forced into a software that even though I think it's good I don't really care to switch over to mostly because of the work it would take to re-do my whole library. What's interesting is the fact that at least on the DVS side of things it's actually working with non-pioneer mixers and even Serato vinyl. Even with this being the case Pioneer even says themselves that if it's not a Pioneer product it's not supported even if it works. So for the DJs who are all excited about their Rane or Traktor mixer currently working when something goes wrong you have no support.....I'm not comfortable with that I like how Serato has a range of product from all different manufacturers that's supported. It's not hard to walk into a club and have a SDJ supported piece of kit, plugged into it, and just play. SDJ FTW IMO.

Not if you own a Rane mp2014, there's no win with Serato. So, not for the win unfortunately.

Not to mention SDJ is also incompatible with what is quickly becoming ubiquitous in the field which is DJM-900NXS2 and CDJ-2000NXS2. Both Club Kit and HID mode is worthless with the gear. This is a huge problem, especially in real world scenarios where rewiring NXS2 gear to run SDJ via DVS timecode/noisemap is not possible. Pioneer is providing solutions. Serato sadly is not.

Where are you located? I haven't seen or heard of any clubs in my area (SF Bay Area/Nor CA) installing either of those units. Most of the people I know that have bought them are the gear heads who must have the newest stuff.

Probably Pioneer got frustrated at not being able to control how things work on their hardware & paying licence fees to Serato.

More likely C-Level execs and shareholders wanting more excessive profit and where to get it from? Companies of this size are not happy making the same profit as the year before, it always has to be a (usually) much higher percentage. Example, a company I work for made $140 million profit last year but they projected to make $152 million. Q1 of the following year they eliminated $12 million in salaries by firing 150 people, based on years of experience and salary alone. The investment group that owns the company is happy again and the remaining workers better make those profit projections THIS year or it will happen again.

Cut throat but business is business.

I don't know exactly how it all works as far as having hardware work with SDJ but I expect you need support from both ends. Serato is doing I believe all they can because they have said several times on these forums that they have been in conversations with Pioneer to have support for the NXS2 system with SDJ. So that really just sounds like Pioneer just trying to lock down their hardware which doesn't really help.

As stated before RDJ doesn't offer much more than the current solutions so why would I spend my money to buy the plugins. Then spend a bunch of time going through my library setting cue points and loops that I already spent a lot of hard time doing in SDJ. Yes it may be "working" with other hardware but let's be real it's only really working with Pioneer equipment because that's the only stuff that's supported.

So I for instance have a Rane 62 so I could buy RDJ and the vinyl but if something goes wrong Pioneer won't help me because my Rane mixer isn't supported so I'm back to using SDJ anyways. Now I think RDJ is a great solution for guys who have already put in work into the regular Rekordbox system for use with CDJs and now they can stick with RDJ as a kind of all in one system. Me personally and I'm quite a few others like me just see Rekordbox as a good backup system if I go into a club that has CDJs and my laptop goes down then I play off USB if I put the time into analyzing some music.

Pioneer obviously brought out RDJ for the simple fact that a lot of DJs have got used to a laptop system and all the benefits it provides. I would feel handcuffed some trying to just play on CDJs on their own because of all the features that I use from software and I'm not even talking about from a controller because I use DVS. Pioneer I think realized this and instead of continuing to make hardware for SDJ they want a monopoly so released RDJ. Just Pioneer being greedy but that's nothing new for them.

Hey ya guys!
I just stopped using traktor after 6 or 7 years on it and I'm now looking to switch to serato/rekordbox

I think rekordbox would be really a good product but…I see many people talking about problems, crashes and stuff

Did you encounter any of that?

I started thinking about getting a ddj sx2; I've always used vinyls in timecode with a z2 or a6, switching to a controller since I got back problems and can't carry around my ttbls anymore :(

But then I checked and
-few effects…
-no pitch control if you don't buy pitch n time and if you buy it, still no "knob to control pitch" possibiliy

while rekordbox has
-tons of pioneer quality effects that I love like spiral, dub echo and many more
-sound color effects including gate/comp
-using rekordbox you DON'T have the hot cue problem when using cdjs and…even if I've never played with cdjs since I'm a "mobile dj" (weddings, birthdays and similar…)

What do you think? Did any of you serato native guys checked if reckordbox problems still persist? :)

Thank you
Cheers

??
Have you actually looked at Serato or even read any of the documentation? It does come with a bunch of effects, with additional Izotope FX available for purchase. It also has pitch control and and tempo control - P&T is a higher end Pitch plugin that sounds better for extreme pitch changes but not necessary for regular mixing.
Personally, I think the cueing system is much better in Serato than RB. RB is OK, I still think it needs some work. If you're switching over to a new format anyways, try them both and use the one that works for you best. With the right hardware, you can use both. I can use all the major players with my SZ - Serato, Rekordbox, Traktor, & VDJ

Yes I've read and looked and tried serato. I didn't mean that serato doesn't have fx or doesn't have the pitch (and with pitch I meant to say TRANSPOSITION)

I just like the rekordbox effects more than the serato ones and the fact that the transposition (with the "pitch" effect) in rekordbox can be controlled with a knob

Sorry, I probably didn't explain well

Serato DJ is free when you purchase the SX2. Try it out and see if you like it. If it doesn't work out then you can use it with Rekordbox. Problem solved.

Not gonna lie, if Serato doesn't support the NXS2's HID mode by the time Rekordbox comes out, I have no good reason to stay with Serato.

If I'm not mistaken the Denon MCX-8000 and MC-7000 come with vouchers for Serato DJ's Pitch N Time. The 8000 give you shift controls on the pads very creative stuff you can do with that. The 7000 has dedicated controls for changed the key up and down. I would look as these controllers and see if they might interest you over the SX. If you're still settling though between Serato DJ and Rekordbox then stay with a Pioneer DDJ S* controller as they will work with both software giving you a chance to try them both out.

Yeah you are correct about the PnT voucher...as far as a better controller I personally like the 8000 over the SX2 and if you have the time you could prob midi map the 8000 to Pioneer Rekordbox

Yeah I agree with this

Very interesting thread.

I plan to try out Rekordbox DJ myself. What are your latest experiences when using Rekordbox DJ in the club? Does it perform well? Any crashes? How is the HID compared to SDJ?

Any new feedback would be greatly appreciated. :)

HID is on a different level with rekordbox dj its solid and so smooth just feels like you are playing a cd or mem stick. So for HID Serato doesn't even come with in 5/10 for hid where rekordbox is 10/10

Ergh... Was planning to get an s9 soon to go with cdj 2000 nxs's and now you have me questioning if I should go with something else since it is not supported by rkb lol

S9 works with rekordbox dj you just have to spend time mapping it as as you say no offical mapping support. I also hope Serato will improve hid when they add the nxs2 fingers crossed. But pioneer have got hid on point

Im not looking to do a full switch but would like the option there incase I want to dabble in it.
What kinda issues you having with HID and with what cdj units?

Just the whole experience is better really. Even connecting them is simple with rekordbox not like serato where you need keep pushing and turning the scrol knob until it says the decks to choose.
The cue button stays when you set it unlike serato. Beat jump works unlike serato where it keeps jumping back. Cue points all work fine unlike serato where at times they jump back or wont set.
And there is loads vibration issues wjere the tracks jumps or your song selection in sdj jumps. Alot of users get where the track restarts to first cue pount out of nowhere.
None of these issues happen in rekordbox dj.

Hmm interesting. I am going to have to do some research on this. Thanks

So if I got the s9 and used the hot cues on that instead of the cdj's , do you suspect I would still have that issue?

Issues still there but at least easy to reset on the s9 with having cues infront of you. Should work fine at home or in a place with low volume/vibrations.

S9 is still not natively supported by Rekordbox...I'm wondering what the hell is the deal between Pioneer and Serato !!! All other DDJ S- line are supported by rekordbox!

IMO, there are only 3 explanations:

1. Serato was aware of Pioneer Rekordbox dj performance mode before the official launch so they've signed a exclusive contract for 2 or 3 years.

2. Rekordbox DVS is still not on point (that's was the case the last time I tried it, the sound was very digitalized when scratching with low buffering).

3. Pioneer is preparing a DJM R9 ...

I dont think an R9 would make sense because it would force DJ's to put aside their current mixer, pay $1500, and completely switch from SDJ to RB. The S9 is Serato's newest mixer, and arguable it's best. So it's probably an exclusivity thing between the two companies.

4. Maybe Pioneer is correctly assuming that most people that are into two channel DVS solutions i.e Hip Hop DJs are most likely Serato heads and they won't be able to force a R9 on them in Rekordbox current iteration. I will be not be surprised if rekordbox starts supporting the s9 when Serato starts supporting the newer Pioneer Nexus models.

best hypothesis

Supporting S9 in Rekordbox is not a big deal for Pioneer in technical point of view (less than one week of work). I think having multiple DVS software support is always a good selling point.

So for me the only valid hypothesis is the a special deal between Serato-Pioneer and maybe a strategic point because of DVS users.

The R9 is also a logical step because Pioneer would have not invest into a DVS pack and PLX turntables if a dedicated scratch mixer will not come (djm 450 is a first move).
Moreover a strong ecosystem is always better in terms of reliability and performance (i.e SSL and Rane).
I remember DJWORX's mock up of futuristic PLX + scratch mixer which a could be a game changer for Pioneer.

Pioneer have already said they can't offer offical support for the S9 due to the license agreement they have with Serato. No idea though if it is a timed license so so after x amount of time they can then go ahead and support it. But you can if you want now midi map it all your self and it will work fine with rekordbox dj.

So. I see this discussion is old.

What are people's views on rekordbox and it's latest software? I'm thinking of getting the ddjrb and the software comes with?

I've been away from music for a fair few years due to starting a family etc so just getting back into this and no idea where to start.

One love

I prefer Serato over rb... used both quite a bit. It's all personal preference though.

forums.pioneerdj.com

beta now supports s9

Pioneer puts out the S9 with Serato to sink Rane. Rane tanks, then Pioneer opens up support on the S9 to Rekord box. Then Pioneer discontinues the S9 in favor of the R9 but, if you want to use serato you need to buy that serato DVS license but Rekordox DVS on the R9 is free.

It's possible and I wouldn't doubt it if it goes down this way.

i highly doubt this scenario.

The S9 has been a major hit with pioneer. If anything they will make an S9MK2

rane was not sunk by the s9

+1.

You've always been a fanboy troll with the "I doubt it" lines. Go hibernate.

Pioneer won't really need serato one day like, Serato didn't need Rane. I'm just sayin'.

Can you elaborate on who I am a fanboy for? I currently own a Pioneer Controller and have owned many Rane mixers.