Pioneer DJ rekordbox 4 plus pack software DVS video
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SOFTWARE SHOTS FIRED: rekordbox DJ announced

They said I was mad. Then they started to believe. And now it’s here. Pioneer DJ has finally taken the wraps off of rekordbox 4, and with it comes a plug architecture that will allow rekordbox to become whatever it wants, including DVS and video in time too. SHOTS. FIRED.

Here’s some words, but watch the video too:

Pioneer DJ is heralding a new era of choice for rekordbox users with the release of the rekordbox dj Plus Pack. Available as an in-software purchase from inside rekordbox 4.0, rekordbox dj means DJs can do all their set preparation in rekordbox – adding cues, loops and tags – then just plug their laptop into a controller and play. There’s no need to transfer their library into other software, and they use that same library to perform on CDJs or XDJs too.

rekordbox dj draws on Pioneer DJ’s deep understanding of DJs’ needs to deliver the industry’s fastest software. The software’s GUI precisely mirrors the layout of Pioneer DJ controllers, to give DJs instinctive, effortless control of rekordbox dj’s features.

Same rekordbox, additional features
rekordbox 4.0 (free of charge) has the same familiar layout and indispensible functionality DJs have come to rely on. But now in-software purchasing gives DJs the option to buy the rekordbox dj Plus Pack – with more Plus Packs to come in the future, including DVS, FX and video packs.

How to get rekordbox dj

  • From 1st October 2015, DJs can download rekordbox 4.0 (free of charge) from www.rekordbox.com. From inside rekordbox they can download the 30-day free trial of rekordbox dj or buy the rekordbox dj Plus Pack for €139, including VAT.
  • From December 2015, they can also choose to subscribe to rekordbox DJ for €10.90 a month, including VAT.
  • rekordbox dj will be bundled with the DDJ-RZ or DDJ-RX controllers for rekordbox dj, available at SRPs of €2,099 and €1,049 respectively, including 21% VAT.

rekordbox dj tour
From 20th October 2015, Pioneer DJ is teaming up with authorised dealers across Europe, Middle East and Africa to help DJs get to know rekordbox DJ. Dealers will host free training sessions where they’ll introduce the new software and give DJs a chance to explore it for themselves. Find out more and register from 22nd September at: http://www.pioneerdj.com/rekordboxdjtour

IN A NUTSHELL

Plain old rekordbox library manager just became rekordbox 4 with a plugin architecture that will allow you expand it with things like DVS and video, and also subscribe for €10.99 per month. So when I say shots fired, it’s not an understatement.

Pioneer DJ rekordbox 4 plus pack software DVS video

THE GAME REALLY DID JUST CHANGE

It’s easy to brandish around such hyperbole, but here’s the reality of this situation — rekordbox has grown from library manager to fully fledged DJ software, with a plugin architecture that in the near future will bring more effects, DVS, and video too.

Let me underline this if it’s not clear — rekordbox is now a direct and major competitor to Serato DJ, Traktor, VirtualDJ, MixVibes, and all the other DJ software out there. Pioneer DJ is now nose to nose with the industry in more or less every area. With this announcement, Pioneer DJ and Serato will be stepping toe to toe in a bid for your hearts, heads, and wallets. The Piosphere takes shape.

This is a developing story. More to come — so much more. And expect the Pioneer server to break under the pressure.

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Mark Settle
The Old Owner
I was the editor around these parts for the first two decades of the DJWORX journey. I’m on a creative journey at The Worxlab, and drop in occasionally here. Expect the odd article from me every now and again.
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71 Comments

        1. Not necessarily. Take this example: there’re plenty of smartphone competitors vs. Apple, and yet its pricing structure has remained essentially the same (though now they introduced the installment plan) and still Apple has increased its profits from selling iPhones. In fact, what Pioneer seems to be moving to is a similar hardwaresoftware ecosystem. NI tried it first, but has it really succeeded, or has it lost ground? Pio is in a different position as the dominant hardware joint in clubs and festivals.

          1. It’s also not closed it’s hardware off to other software which NI did – that’s where Pioneer have been smart. ‘Want our hardware and not our software? Check. Want our hardware and our software? Double check.’

    2. Agree to some extent – I’ve recently started getting back into DJing (primarily music collecting and preparing mixes on Ableton for now) and have been using Rekordbox as my organisational software, and it’s pretty great – having BPM, key and the ability to quickly test a mix in the player section puts it head and shoulders above iTunes, and I like the idea that if I ever play out, I can easily just use CDJs with a USB stick with the same library, rather than having to lug my laptop around.

      However, having no way to sync my Rekordbox to Traktor (my usual DJ software of choice) is a bit of a showstopper – but Rekordbox acting as a fully fledged DJ software might be enough to switch me. The other alternative is I’ll build something to convert the Rekordbox export format (probably just the library, not loops etc) to either iTunes or Traktor format, but the path of least friction (and with more in common with CDJs, even without dedicated Pioneer controllers) seems appealing. Let’s see how it is – particularly interested in how will it will map to non-Pioneer MIDI controllers.

  2. It’s hard to take in the implications of this right now, and where it could end up. But I guarantee that there will be many meetings happening in the assorted HQs around the world, both for software and hardware companies.

  4. So basically I can have a compatible controller at home, to play and prepare my sets, and then put my songs on a USB thumbdrive, and use that to play out on compatible cdj’s?

    1. The question is does Pioneer DJ really need rekordbox to work with anything else but Pioneer gear? They dominate the booths, so it’s likely that people will go with rekordbox ready Pioneer DJ hardware so that they can play at home and at work with one software. That said, rekordbox DJ is a new revenue stream should they open it up, and then it definitely grabs market share from Traktor and Serato DJ.

      1. I am not sure I would like to be in a closed system tied up to one software/hardware manufacturer. The DJ world is evolving too fast, we can hardly keep up. Having a choice especially in terms of hardware means you can change your setup anytime you want to keep up with the next new thing in the market (from any brand), or add some modular units (from any brand) or strip down to the basics with just some decks, a mixer and of course the software(DVS).

        Software can tie you down to one vendor, but hardware should not. In as much as Pioneer would like to have a close knit system, opening up rekordbox DJ to other hardware manufacturers would give them a wider reach, and as you say, the much needed revenue.

        There are people who are frustrated by the current software offerings out there and would not mind trying something new. I for one would be attracted to rekordbox DJ coz of their mobile app (I am on Android). If I can prepare my tracks as I commute daily to and from my place of work, and in the evening sync up the data with the laptop, then that would be a big one for me. And of course that would depend on whether this would be possible without necessarily having Pioneer hardware.

        1. You can already do that with Rekordbox. I work on my Tab S and sync to my laptop, then sync to usb from laptop. What I’d like to see is official support for WiFi connections (so we can leave laptops and usb keys at home) and 64bit windows drivers for DJMs for people running Traktor, Cross or Live.

            1. That’s a rough one to figure out before the official release. Mac uses Core Audio (generic drivers for Mac), where Windows uses ASIO which is targeted to the hardware and manufactured by the OEM. I know that some software, like Traktor have a hex edit hack to add certified mixers to the list. Although I think that they maybe creating support only for the DACs in the CDJs themselves… it might be the reason that we aren’t seeing DJM support so far.

      3. I’m planning on leaving Traktor because most clubs here (Los Angeles) and pretty much everywhere else, are using Pioneer, and switching from Traktor, to Serato, to Rekordbox is a nightmare. A) No one is using Traktor (at the clubs here), B) It’s already Pioneer, and C) Unless you’re bringing your own equipment some clubs throw a tantrum(rightfully so) when you want to plug your own gear in (see Traktor issue). Every club I’ve been too has, at minimum, CDJs or XDJs, so having your music ready to play with Rekordbox on a couple USB sticks.. You’re good to go almost everywhere.

    2. Looking forward to seeing what Rekordbox DJ is like…I’m ready to ditch Traktor as there are annoying bugs which never seem to get fixed despite logging tickets with NI.

      However the hardware question above is important – having just ditched my DJM-900 for the infinitely superior Rane MP2015 I’m never going back to Pioneer mixers.

  7. Finally is finish the era of dictatorship of “Kim Jong-Un” Serato!

    Now : good hardware + a great (hopefully) software in-house specified for hardware= bye bye Serato!!!!

    This is the real universal Plug and Play. Nobody can beat with this concept now.

    2. This may come as a shock to you but the majority of DJs do not purchase exclusively Pio equipment. Whereas Serato will take a hit it will not be enough for panic in NZ.

  8. This is huge. I see this quickly becoming a popular choice for dvs djs. I know I’m gonna try it. I find their library management superior to Traktor which I’ve been using since Traktor Scratch. This now means I can use their software while continuing to use my old CDJs or my 1200s without the need to buy updated CDJs or XDJ 1000s. Awesome news!

  9. This looks pretty sweet. I love rekordbox already, and being able to use it 100% of the time and forgo serato or traktor is fine with me.

    I do think it’s kind of funny though, because it hasn’t been that long since Native Instruments basically shut out all the other manufacturers with their hardware/software. They were met with a ton of criticism for it (and allowed serato to become something more than a gimmick). It will be interesting to see how the Pioneer guys fare, though I think they will not face nearly as much scorn.

  10. wow those pad fx… unless i have misunderstood being able to assign different fx to different pads with unique parameters – now that’s special (to me anyway)

    Plus the recording of sequences – did serato flip just get overtaken…? cant wait to see some more demos

  12. what i wanna know more about is the dvs part. i guess they will come out with their own time code vinyl. wouldn’t think it makes much sense for them to support traktor or serato timecode. especially as they have their own decks now. but I would be curios if you will need a Pioneer mixer to use it or they will have a soundcard dedicated for this. I really love the sound and feel of my Ecler and wouldn’t want to change it for a Pioneer anytime soon.

  13. I would hold off on giving them praises without having used it just yet. The strong point I see here is the library management and preparation. Software/Hardware integration that is still to be determined in terms of reliability and bugs free. Look at NI, one-to-one integration yet there are bugs. Look at Serato, integration to various hardware and there are still bugs. If rekordbox dj can overcome this, they will see a lot of changeovers. Until then, I’ll reserve giving them praises.

    But one thing I am certain will put this to a skid if Serato and Rane team up with a new controller with DVS enabled. That will get people talking. :)

    1. It changed months ago, and we didn’t even realise. This announcement will have been planned for probably 12-18 months, and it’s only now that we’re beginning to see the implications. Even today, I’m already seeing people talking about leaving Traktor and Serato.

      1. Things are going to get pretty interesting soon that’s for sure :D Will be very curious to see how serato and NI respond. Wait – is that an email in my inbox from NI advertising some new controller now?

      2. I’m certainly considering leaving Traktor as much as I love it. And I am a huge fan and advocate however to have one software work with all of those various components you find in most clubs and venues they’re making a real business case for the change. They’ve aalso got some serious firepower under the hood of this software as it has a lot of features found in Traktor including upcoming MIDI mapping. If they make it like Traktor and allow people to map anything they want then Native Instruments and Serato will have a real problem.

        1. I can see it giving Serato and Traktor DJ a good run, but Traktor itself is a bit of a different beast… a controllerist set up with a couple X1s, D2s or F1s add almost a producer feel in play back, it allows you to do so much more as a loop station than just track playback.

            1. Hi Mark, I was just wondering if you were like myself and running Windows? If so, you may want to know that Windows users that own Pio gear are still waiting for 64 bit ASIO. It’s why I haven’t let go my my Z2, even though I take my DJM 850 to the station and gigs every week. If I’m going to give Traktor a good workout, I do it with 64 bit. The nice part is with my pair of NXS, they run rekordbox straight off usb. If I’m just going out to hammer down a set, I grab my cdjs and leave the laptop at home.

              1. I’m running Windows 10. I have a pair of CDJ-400’s that I am waiting for updated 64 Bit Asio drivers as well. I also have a Z2. I love it! I don’t understand why NI hasn’t made a stabdalone controller running Traktor DJ or some form of it? It would make sense right?

                1. I thought I remembered running across you before. I haven’t done the upgrade to WinX on my laptop yet, I have it on my home server/beaterbox to get used to it so the switch isn’t a shock once NI officially supports it.
                  I recently traded my 900s in for a pair of NXS, due to an order error they sent a pair of 2000s. I must say that the firmware has improved alot, they no longer have conflicts when switching from USB to HID. As well as the loop station has been revamped. Adding quantization has helped alot, although I find that reverse is a bit laggy.
                  As for NI doing an all in one standalone… I’d like to see Traktor DJ gain an android client and be able to connect to an S2/4/5/8/Z1/2 using an OTG cable for midi and sound. It would make a bit more sense to use a mobile computing platform to run a stripped down dj software than having a unit with internal computing. I’m thinking price point, computer hardware degradation and processor outdating.

          1. Subscriptions never make sense long-term. As soon as the subscription amount paid passes the lump sum price, you start to lose money. In this case, that number is 13 months. Subscription services are a thing you sell to other people, never a thing you buy for yourself.

            1. Again think about a mobile DJ company with 10 different machines. If they can simply run a subscription and license it on all their machines wouldn’t they be saving quite a bit? Speculation of course, I have no idea how their plans will work, but that’s one case where a subscription would be more economical.

              1. No the same mathematics rule, if you have mobile DJ company and assume you have a stable staff then the costs add up and it goes over any price compared with a fixed cost.

                Just surprised Pioneer did this kind of second pricing model — I really hope they won’t switch over to that lease model as the one and only (like Adobe).

                Looking at Traktor 2.x that I purchased years and years ago and I’ve got free upgrades for years up to 2.9, it’s been a good deal. I suspect Traktor 3.0 will have an upgrade cost but I don’t mind paying that as a thanks for all the free upgrades for many many years.

                Also look at DJay, it’s a pretty smart system that makes DJ:ing very enjoyable. And it’s the cheapest of all these three.

  17. The video plugin is a good news … It will be cool to have the waveform on the CDJ/XDJ as usual, and only video and fx on the laptop (cpu less) … or even choose a different setup :)

  18. So in order to understand something. We have to pay 139 no matter what controller we have? So in case you have spend 1800 euros for a ddj-sz or 1000 euros for an sx or sx2 you have to pay the same amount with someone who has an sb? Not fair at all i think. A yellow card from me to pioneer as the new controllers include a free license. They had to do the same for the owners of the sz and sx 2000nexus and 900, 850 or maybe a discount.

    1. If you want to use rekordbox dj with the cheap prioneer controllers you will have to buy the licence. If you own any newer cdjs you can already use rekordbkx as is with just the music streaming to the cdj.

  19. So Rekordbox DJ is free for DDJ-R? controllers but comes at additional cost for the DDJ-S? series.
    What about all the other devices (CDJ, XDJ, etc.)?

    Another thing I didn’t understand:
    One can either spend €139.00 or €10.99/month.
    Does this mean that the ones who have the monthly fee will get the plug-ins for “free”? And what about the main software itself? If one choses to pay €139.00 does RBDJ 5.0, 4.5 or even 4.1 come in at an additional cost?

    I just can’t see the point of paying 10.99/month because after 12 months the full price will be paid… Very confusing…

  20. Looking at the pioneer gear at the end, it looks like Recordbox mobile software running on a phone and tablet. It looks like the doors are closing for both Serato and Algoriddim djay. Track prep on the go possibly?

  21. Woot! I’ll keep using maschine for live drumming, but I don’t think anything other than VST support could make me go back to Traktor. Rekordbox is everything I want, and nothing I don’t.

  22. How come nobody thought about that :
    This is Serato, different nane and layout, but still the same.
    Pioneer never actualy had a software of it’s own…
    So “Recordbox” for the pioneer gear, and Serato for the rest of the world.
    Why hiding it ? Simple, at the minute Numark/Reloop and the others will realise that, they will understand that Serato just back stabbed them, and will consider alternatives.

    Nice move Serato ;)

    1. Several mods on the Serato forums made clear Serato has nothing to do with Rekordbox DJ. I can understand your assumption though as this looks like a rip-off of Serato DJ.
      So actually it’s Pioneer stabbing Serato’s back.