The tables have turned — rekordbox DVS out now

The final piece of the puzzle has been put in place. Rekordbox DVS has been released today, but you'll need Pioneer DJ vinyl to run it.

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We first saw it at NAMM 2016, and now it’s here. Rekordbox DVS is available today to download, and while you can trial rekordbox DJ, you’ll have to buy the rekordbox DVS part, or sign up for the rekordbox subscription for a month to try it out.

The full words:

Even more ways to play: rekordbox 4.1 unlocks rekordbox dvs for low latency scratching with excellent sound quality

22nd March 2016: Introducing rekordbox™ 4.1, which unlocks new features of rekordbox dj performance software, including rekordbox dvs, to give you even greater flexibility and control.

Launched in October 2015, rekordbox dj is a Plus Pack that expands the potential of rekordbox, letting you play with CDJs, XDJs or controllers, all from the same rekordbox library. This latest update, rekordbox 4.1, features MIDI Learn functionality, and buying the rekordbox dvs Plus Pack means you can get low latency scratch control using the Control Vinyl (sold separately).

rekordbox dvs and the Control Vinyl work hand-in-hand to give you a smooth, low latency scratching experience with excellent sound quality. The software uses the same audio processing engine as our pro-DJ set-up to deliver a high quality sound, while the lightweight Control Vinyl is highly responsive. And you can use rekordbox dvs with all our DVS compatible mixers and controllers, so it will slot straight into your existing set-up.

Find out more or watch our rekordbox dj introduction video.

Download information

Visit rekordbox.com to download rekordbox 4.1 for free. Then you can:

  1. Buy rekordbox dj for €139, including VAT, and add rekordbox dvs for €109, including VAT. Or subscribe to rekordbox dj for €10.90 per month, including VAT, and get rekordbox dvs as part of your subscription plan.
  2. Buy the Control Vinyl (RB-VS1-K) for €15.99, including VAT.

The DDJ-RZ controller now comes bundled with rekordbox dj and rekordbox dvs. If you bought a DDJ-RZ without a rekordbox dvs licence key, you can get one free of charge here.

NEW FEATURES OF REKORDBOX DVS IN DETAIL

  1. Low latency DVS control of rekordbox dj with excellent sound qualityBuy rekordbox dvs and give highly responsive scratch performances with music in your rekordbox library. We’ve used the same audio signal processing that you’ll find in our pro- DJ mixers and players to ensure the highest sound quality. And we’ve finely tuned the software so it instantly reads the Control Vinyl’s time code to deliver low latency response you can count on.
  2. Absolute and Relative Modes:
    • Absolute Mode: replicate the experience of scratching with traditional vinyl.
    • Relative Mode: access digital features such as Hot Cues and Sync, and scratch freely – regardless of where the needle is on the Control Vinyl.Plus you can use rekordbox MIDI Learn to assign features to your controller for even more flexibility, while keyboard shortcuts give you quick access to Hot Cues and other tricks straight from your laptop.
  3. Auto configuration makes set-up quick and easySimply connect compatible equipment and press the button. Or you can tweak your settings in the Preferences screen. So you’re ready to play in seconds.

REKORDBOX SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Compatible OS
(Windows)

Windows® 10 / Windows 8.1/ Windows 8.1 Pro (the latest service pack)
Windows 7 Home Premium / Professional / Ultimate (the latest service pack)
Intel® Processer Dual Core 2.0 GHz or higher 4GB or more of RAM

Compatible OS (Mac)

Mac OS X 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8 (updated to the latest version)
Intel® Processer Dual Core 2.0 GHz or higher 4GB or more of RAM

Hard Drive

250MB or more of free space (not including space for storing music files, etc.)

Sound

Audio output to speakers, headphones, etc. (internal or external audio device)

USB port

A USB 2.0 port is used to connect a controller or a mixer, and export track files to a USB storage device such as a flash drive and a hard disk drive

Playable music file

ALAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF MP3, AAC

Internet connection

An internet connection is needed to create a rekordbox user account and to download and activate the software

Display resolution

1280 × 768 or greater

DVS IS HERE. BUT SOMETHING IS MISSING

To be clear — there’s a limited list of mixers that this can be used on:

  • DJM-900NXS2
  • DJM-900NXS
  • DJM-900SRT
  • DJM-850
  • DJM-750
  • DJM-T1

There is one glaring omission from this list, and that’s the new DJM-S9. Of all the mixers in Pioneer DJ’s hardware menu, this should be the one that it works with. I think it’s an easy answer, and that’s down to a probable clause they have with Serato that will be along the lines of “you can’t officially support anything else with the S9”. I am however now certain that we’re going to pretty quickly see a DJM-R9, a rekordbox version of the same mixer appear.

But wait — the 900SRT is in the list, as if the venerable DJM-T1. The difference here is that both of those are discontinued, thus Serato or NI will no longer be making money from them anymore.

THE FINE PRINT

It’s always worth digging into supplementary documentation when the answers aren’t written down in PR. The setup guide throws up the missing details:

Control Vinyl (Control signal WAV file for CDJ/XDJ) Pioneer DJ Control Vinyl dedicated for rekordbox dvs:

RB-VS1-K
Please note: This is the only vinyl to control DVS feature in rekordbox dj.

Other control vinyls cannot be used.

So that’s confirmed — you cannot use any other control vinyl with rekordbox DVS.

Also, because most DJMs (the exceptions being the discontinued 900SRT and the new 900NXS2) only have two phone channels, DVS vinyl use will be limited to two turntables only. Well officially anyway, unless you want to convert a phono signal to line level (some turntables have a switch) to reach those other two channels. In this day and age though four vinyl decks is niche. It looks like you’ll still be able to hook up a pair of media players alongside vinyl decks and run the DVS signal from a CD or memory card.

SUMMING UP

For now, the DVS ability is limited to four channel mixers plus one old two channel mixer. And you’ll need to own rekordbox DJ (€139) and add rekordbox DVS (€109), or subscribe to the app for €10.90 per month which includes DVS. And to top it all off, you’ll need rekordbox control vinyl (RB-VS1-K) for €15.99 a pair. I note the K reference at the end of name, which screams that other colours are coming in due course.

Mark Settle
Mark Settle

The old Editor of DJWORX - you can now find Mark at WORXLAB

Articles: 1228

62 Comments

  1. I am really dissapointed in Pioneer. No 3rd party sound card support means you must invest a minimum of $1k usd just to have the hardware to support. THEN you must tack on another $215 usd to use the software with DVS. Definitely not worth the average raktor or serato user to make the switch.

    • You’re ignoring the number of Rekordbox compatible DJMs already out there in the world. There’s a lot of them!

      Traktor Scratch Pro has traditionally been $299 and then you still needed to buy an interface and a mixer (or a mixer that was TSP compatible) to use DVS.

      Serato DVS solutions have traditionally been even more expensive.

      I do agree it’s probably not worth it for most of us to make the switch, but if you want to, or are just starting out, you can get a DJM750 for about $800 and spend $10 a month for subscription and be set.

        • This is untrue.

          Traktor has always been a paid for software. Whether you bought a Traktor Scratch Certified mixer or an NI soundcard Traktor was not included (there may have been an LE version). You had to buy the software separately.

          Yes, there were Traktor Scratch packages that did include the software, but if you added it up it still costs about what you would pay if buying it all separately (there was a small discount, but not enough to make the software free). Yes there were occasional promotions where the basic Traktor software came with a piece of gear, or things like the Pioneer DDJ-T1 that came with a Pioneer branded version of Traktor, but the norm has been for the Traktor software to be extra.

          It may have seemed like SSL came with Rane Serato hardware but the truth is Serato Scratch Live is a free software, you didn’t ever pay for it. You could download it for free, anyone could, you just had to have a compatible interface or mixer to use it.

          When SeratoDJ came to be that changed. It is not a free software and you have to pay $99 for the most basic of versions. Adding DVS, Effects, or the ability to use it with some mixers (the Club Pack) are all INDIVIDUAL paid for add-ons.

          So no, traditionally neither has been given away if you buy a mixer or interface. Traktor has always been paid for. Serato used to be free to everyone, even if you never bought an interface or a mixer, but you basically paid for it in a round about way because the Rane-Serato interfaces were so much more expensive than any of the competition (even the software-hardware packages). And ever since SeratoDJ came out it’s pretty much exactly the same as what Pioneer is doing.

            • Like I said, yes there were packages that came with the full software, but for the most part that was the exception and not the rule.

              The Z2, as far as I know, what the ONLY mixer that came with a full version of TSP2. Even the NI Kontrolers required a paid upgrade to Scratch Pro 2 (aside from some sort promotions periods). Even the DJM T-1 only came with Traktor Scratch Duo, and required a paid upgrade for the full software (outside of the aforementioned promotional periods).

      • You are correct, but not when the mixer is by Native Instruments. e.g., the Z2. The point you’re making is like when NI released the Z2 they made you buy the timecode software as well. Not the case. Z2 came packaged with the timecode vinyl and pro softer.

        Traktor charged for the timecode of $299 when dealing with traktor certified mixers (not by NI) or controllers not designed for DVS.

        To me the S9 should be a flagship scratch mixer with DVS. Just charge for the control vinyl. Especially $1699. Every serato rane mixer comes with that. They don’t Charge you an additional $125 or whatever to use it.

        • I don’t disagree that the S9 should come with the full DVS software AND control vinyl for $1,699.

          But that is just one mixer, Anthony was talking about RekordboxDJ in general compared to Traktor or SeratoDJ when used with Pioneer mixers. When in fact it is no different. But I don’t disagree Pioneer should give buyers of it’s mixers some sort of benefit if they want to also get RekordboxDJ/DVS.

    • I see an option to be universal : no need to bring my whole setup or a controler, just my laptop (or even my usb thumb drive)
      Serato this, Traktor that, VDJ there, Mixvibes too, what is great is that Pioneer is above all that : they are the most iconic and seen every where brand.

    • I totally agree with you Anthony, i brought the DMJ900SRT mixer for £1800, now if i want to move over the Rekordbox DVS, i have to buy it, for $99 + a pair of the control vinyl for £30. But i am happy with Serato DJ, the software is free plus i have brought extra plugin and add-ons, So Pioneer, if you want to be the new player in the DVS genre, then you have to drop your prices or why is there any reason to move over?

  2. Dear Mark,
    you wrote that the DJM 2000 is compatible with recordbox dvs, but on the recordbox homepage the DJM 2000 is not listed as a compatible mixer as well as the DJM 2000 NXS. Here is the link: https://rekordbox.com/en/support/link.php
    I would be happy, if you say could tell me what is correct, or if additional hardware is planed to be published, like serato and traktor dvs use.

    Kind regards
    Lukas

      • So is it too much to hope that the 2000nxs will see support? I’m snagging one shortly, and while it’s not something essential to my setup, I’d be surprised if it’s not included on that list eventually.

      • it seems Serato vinyl so due the code revealed in the NAMM beta it should be some kind of hex hack like enabling any soundcard in traktor “hex” hack. Anyways it’s a matter of time as you guys pointed in the article.

        • It’s not a hex hack. All you have to do is go into the software and assign the channels to the S9 input/output, then midi map the controls the way you want.

          • Are you talking about getting rekordbox DVS to work with the S9 there? Yes you can assign audio interfaces to channels in rekordbox, but getting it to recognise that the input is timecode is a different matter.

          • Did you noticed that’s Serato logo on the vinyl? Did you understood what we were talking about? Anyways… I said “some kind of” not “the same” to point:

            1) It is a nin supported hardware for dvs
            2) The timecode vinyl used is not the pioneer supported by actual dvs pack.

            So read again my first comment please to be on topic.

          • This won’t garantee that the input is connected to an audiodecoder nor that the timecode will be decoded.

            You need some kind of software switch to enable the feature. Usually the usb ID of the host is the key : are you on the list ? yes/no

    • So what we got here is Serato DJ, dressed in a Pioneer way, with support for older timecode (scratchlive ?).

      I have to say that the route that Pioneer have taken with that Serato core is not bad. I hope they won’t import the same bug.

      – Mixvibes library
      – Serato DJ core
      – Scratchlive time code
      – exclusive features they have paid for (hence the retail price)
      – Gizmo that can’t talk too much because he’s under NDA

      They could have made a bridge to import Serato related cues/loops/key/colors. Not the hardest part to do imo.

      Unfortunately I guess that Rekordbuddy will have a little more work now to make them crosstalk and that will increase the release date.

      • Pioneer DJ hasn’t told me anything about rekordbox or how it was created. Mixvibes told me that they were out of the development a long time ago, and other solid sources have confirmed for me that it’s nothing to do with Serato either. Rekordbox has become a purely Pioneer DJ project, possibly coded in-house or more likely developed by an external company.

        I am under NDA for a little while longer, but even when that’s up I have no other info to add. Pioneer DJ hasn’t told me anything about rekordbox.

        I agree on the importing of Serato info though. It’s a matter of time before that happens, and probably others too.

  3. >>The final piece of the puzzle has been put in place.<<

    No, the final piece of the puzzle will be a rekordbox 'box' or audio interface if I may; similar to Rane's SL box or the new Denon DJ DS1. This will enable users who do not have DJMs to play with rekordbox dvs.

    A man can only dream.

    • It depends… Are they using rekordbox to drive sales of their gear? or are they looking to boost adoption of the software at any cost? There’s more profit in selling the mixers, turntables and CDJs they make. My guess is that rekordbox is just a vehicle to get people away from Serato and into the Pioneer closed ecosystem. Having an audio interface would reduce people’s likelihood of investing in a shiny new mixer.

  4. >>DVS vinyl limited to mixer phono channels
    Please Pioneer, soft RIAA in Rekordbox if not in the mixer firmware (i.e. DB4). Doubt they would bother, though, especially considering how cheap small-ish preamps are *and* the NXS2 has four Phonos anyway.
    Still beats carrying a DVS interface AND preamp(s).

  5. IMO the best thing about rekordbox was how it worked independently of a computer. Do we really need another DVS solution? I thoughrt traktor and serato worked fine.

  6. No mention of dvs capable controllers like the SX2 & SZ etc… Why not? Pioneer wouldn’t ever publicly announce it, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Serato & Traktor control vinyl ‘just happened to work’.

  7. Finally Some alternative to Serato!! We will wait for S9 compatibility now. It is expensive and whatever…But with Reckorbox You can interchange a lot of “standard” device. It is a revolution. Hope they will promote well with a scratch guys all around the globe, so finally Serato will be out of game (as too many problem..and too “close” software)

  8. With this you can use most of the DJM mixers, any Pio controlers (there is a whole lot of them !), the Nexus range without laptop, this give a lot of flexibility.

    A little bit more than what Serato was offering till now. I think I will take that new route since Serato is recently going wrong for me…

    [Personal case :
    I have midi issues with a DJM T1 and Serato DJ (encoders mapping will change from time to time) : they never fixed it.
    Since 1.8 they broke compatibility with older GPU : still not fixed.
    Now they are adding streaming and I’m stuck to an older buggy version (1.7.6/1.7.8).

    So yes, I will go somewhere else after buying every plugin SDJ has to offer. I guess they don’t care anymore because they already got the money into their pockets…
    End of rant.]

  9. Pioneer and it’s legendary shitty policy!!! I’ll stick to SeratoDJ, Mixvibes and will add Traktor Scratch Pro to my different dvs options. This is where flexibility is for sure!!!

    • It was a contentious and.. not well received article, even by his own admission.

      I’ll believe vinyl is the death of djing when I see a person that can scratch on CDJs (or something else for that matter) that doesn’t make me yawn and walk away.

      If anything is the death of DJing its the fucking CDJs that copy a design paradigm and don’t really offer anything to innovate..

      Vinyl is the root and terra firma of the art and skill of what we commonly refer to as djing..

      • Preach Brother, Preach!!! I’ll be honest… I love trolling, I mean rubbing it in (to whoever wrote that dumb article) whenever I see a post here about vinyl. We’ve seen post, after post, after post, after post, with some new vinyl based product. A product and medium that some fool thinks is killing dejaying. Guess the industry is now committing suicide by vinyl? lol!!

        • Quality trolling is an art. Although you obviously lack the intellectual capacity required, you’ve apparently still managed to convince yourself of being good at it – hence your recurrent attempts and utterly predictable failures.

          There is a scientific explanation for this behaviour. Unfortunately, the specimens exhibiting it are by definition incapable of grasping its principles, but I guess repeatedly banging your head against the rock you live under is not without consequences.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

          • You must be a friend of the guy that wrote that stupid article. LOL!! I am good at it because its getting under your skin. Even someone that lacks any intellect can see that. This is funny. This site keeps putting up new vinyl articles, with new products, not too long after you put up the dumbest opinion piece ever saying that vinyl is killing dejaying. You realize that every vinyl post you put up makes that opinion piece seem even more dumb? I’m loving this.

            • Oh Tony — still playing that same old broken record? Allow me to walk you through why you need to move on.

              1. The original headline of that story was as previously admitted a tad too clickbaity, and not as representative of the story as I might have wished. But it is just the headline, and many hundreds of words appear after it. Have you seen them?

              2. Should you care to read past the headline, you’ll see (as explained to you many times since) that the point of the article is that constantly sticking to the two turntables with a mixer in the middle paradigm is holding back innovation and growth in DJ technology. And for the last time, that’s it.

              3. Frequent stories about vinyl do not prove your point at all, but do actually underline the whole point of the article. Manufacturers are in an uncertain time right now and playing safe, hence the glut of “new” (they’re almost entirely super OEMs thus the same) turntables appearing. Nobody is growing, nor are they putting out groundbreaking or even boundary pushing products. Everything is an iterative update, and super OEM turntable releases really don’t count as new.

              4. This rekordbox DVS is about how a company that changed the game with the CDJs, is now simply adding near decade and half old technology to their roster, which is nothing to do with innovation. And while Pioneer DJ might make some money from it, it’ll be at the expense of their competitors, thus no growth and just redistribution of the existing market.

              Why have I gone over all this yet again? It’s because I tire of the your constant posting of the same old off-topic thing almost 6 months after the original story. By your own admission, you’re trolling, and I don’t like trolls, and there’s not place for trolls here. The funniest thing? You’re just trolling yourself now because the author has moved on and won’t be responding.

              So fair warning — I’ll delete any more out of context comments relating to that story until I get bored of deleting them. I trust I’ve been clear. I will not tolerate trolling.

              • 1) I have seen the words.

                Here’s a quote:
                “I think it’s old and outdated, and I want no part of it. When I think about where we would be if the DJ industry as a whole hadn’t followed the luddites for the last 10 years and instead fully embraced new technology as it became available to us, it makes me sad.”

                That right there is some self serving BS.

                Another Quote:
                “It seems like the mentality out there is that DJs are too stupid for full blown live production solutions. And guess where that idea comes from? It comes from the mouth-breathing DJ masses that refuse to understand even the simplest of concepts (like gain staging) – let alone side chaining and MIDI clock. Got 2 turntables and an “Awww Fresh” sample? Great, you’re a DJ and you’ve progressed as far as you’ll ever get. Well I’m not cool with that.”

                That’s some more self serving B.S, while calling scratch Dj’s “mouth breathers’.

                2) it isn’t holding back innovation. There isn’t anyone working at Pioneer saying “We shouldn’t do that because it isn’t true to vinyl”

                3) Frequent stories means that there’s still mega interest in the medium. The entire Dejaying scene is on somewhat of a downturn and it has nothing to do with vinyl.

                4) No growth doesn’t have anything to do with Vinyl.

                And yes, I am trolling myself. The original author ran out of here with his tail between his legs.

                I’m done. You wont hear a peep from me anymore about that stupid article.

                • What i dont get, is if you disagree with what you quoted so strongly, why do you remember it so well?

                  Its like hearing someone repeatedly describe the worst meal they ever ate.

  10. Pioneer,
    Just make a single deck version of the xdj rx…With a motorised platter….do some videos explaining how great djing is when you remove the laptop(because it really is better)

    • really would like to know that… I just found that in the FAQ on Pioneers Site:

      “DJ Mixer for DVS Support:

       DJM-900NXS2
       DJM-900NXS
       DJM-900SRT
       DJM-850
       DJM-750
       DJM-T1

      ・DJ Controller

       DDJ-RZ
       DDJ-RX
       DDJ-RR
       DDJ-SZ
       DDJ-SX2

      DJ equipment other than those above are not supported for rekordbox dvs function even if it works on it.”

      So maybe the DJM 2000 Nexus will work although not being listed? If not, that would be really f***** ;) No love for the DJM2000N, no love for the new S9, I guess it is all about the money and contracts, so sad…

      https://forums.pioneerdj.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/206175476-REKORDBOX-DVS-DJM-2000?input_string=Rekordbox%20DVS

    • official answer: @Daniel > Unfortunately, per the rekordbox website, the DJM-2000NXS is not supported and I don’t have any information on its futures inclusion.

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