Do I need a Rekordbox license?
Table of Contents
In short
Technically you always need a license, because you need a Pioneer account to activate Rekordbox.
But there are free licenses for the most important features.
Some advanced features require a paid license.
A paid license is recurring on a yearly basis.
A paid license limits the number of devices you can use Rekordbox on (depends on license how many).
Free features
Most features in the Export-Mode and the Performance-Mode are free.
Export Mode
- Analyzing tracks: Beat Grid, BPM, Key and Phrase
- Export tracks to USB
- Creating and managing playlists
- Set Cue Points & Hot Cues
- Set active loops (auto loops)
- Saving track matches/related tracks
- My Tag
- Editing track information like title, artist, bpm, artwork etc.
- Editing the Beat Grid
- Saving CDJ settings on USB
- Pro DJ link support (connecting CDJs to Rekordbox)
Performance Mode
- Music streaming support (via Tidal, Beatport etc)
- Mixing with 4 decks
- Applying standard sound effects
- Syncing BPM and Key
- Making loops
- Limited DJ gear support (for exceptions: see Hardware Unlock paragraph on this page)
- Limited mix point link (auto mix in-out points)
- Track separation (using stems)
Pioneer changes their mind regularly about what is free and what is not, so please take this list with a grain of salt.
Paid features
Here are the features you need to pay for
- Cloud storage for tracks (Dropbox)
- Analyzing tracks: Vocal detection
- Recording a DJ set (performance mode)
- DVS control (“digital” vinyl)
- Video
- Pioneer RMX effect device support
Hardware unlock
Some features (that normally would require a subscription plan) are available free of charge when you bought hardware.
This can be a standalone DJ player (like the CDJ) or a DJ controller.
On Pioneers website you can find more information about plans and which hardware unlocks free features.
Rekordbox hard?
Don’t worry, I created a step-by-step video training to teach you all the ins and outs of Rekordbox.
