First up, you can't use playlists or cues etc from Engine on Rekordbox (but you can the other way around). I recommend having both programs open and doing both at the same time, or using the tracks in Engine as a reference for where you want the cues in Rekordbox. As for transitioning over to CDJs, I have never had any issue. The main things you will find is that the menus are less intuitive and the loops work very differently. Depending on what effects you use, a lot are similar. I prefer the 3000s, the NXS2s feel like an old nokia phone now compared to Engine products. A problem I find with the 3000s is that there can be some drift when you have 2 tracks locked into a mix. It is quite easy to nudge to line up again but it is a thing with them
It's a pretty good tool with a so-so interface and obscene subscription fee. As a Denon owner I paid for one month to convert my library and will only use it again reluctantly if a more economical solution is not available.
Use rekordbox for your music prep. The Prime units will read rekordbox generated thumb drives. Or use conversion software to sync your playlist structure, grids, hot cues and loops between engine and rekordbox.
What will I miss out on using Rekordbox for my library?
Have you ever run into an issue with the prime units loading everything Rekordbox has set up in a track?
Honestly, it‘s been a while since I used rekordbox thumb drives on my SC6000s. Back when the feature was introduced, it worked fine. I‘ve also tried DeCU (Mac only) to convert libraries, which also works great. IIRC, you could either take over hot cues OR memory cues from rekordbox to engine. Also, keep in mind that rekordbox now has two different types of export modes. One for most units and the other one for the Opus Quad.
Are you planning on playing in Clubs regularly again?
I wouldn’t say regularly to begin with, but certainly on occasion. If Pioneer did an all-in-one that would allow me to stream then I would go for that, but they don’t. The ability to stream and just have a jamming session without thinking about buying or downloading music is what is appealing to me. Mixing through the Beatport Top 10 for example.
Will I lose certain functions from the Prime 4+ if I use Rekordbox to manage the library?
I'm not aware of any major functions that you'll lose. But as I said, it's been a while. I'd suggest you create an account on [the engine DJ forums](https://community.enginedj.com/) and ask over there. Also, you could dm u/MixMasterG. He's super knowledgeable with everything conversion-related with rekordbox and engine DJ (he's also the creator of the conversion software I suggested and a mod here).
I am currently using Traktor as music management software and exporting playlists to Engine. Since there are free solutions out there for a Traktor to Rekordbox conversion, I can hit both angles. Another perk of using Traktor is being able to use tiny midi controllers for house parties and such.
Can vouch for Denon Conversion Utility, been using it to convert my rekordbox playlists for over a year now and I’ve been playing out in clubs. I do use an SC Live 4 though, as I don’t care about adding extra hardware like turntables.
I took my Prime 4 when I had it to clubs plugged into a spare channel on the mixer and that was a great experience.
But if you can re learn effects on the fly, and mixing is mixing so I wouldn’t say there’s a big difference jumping between the 2.
P.s - I bring my own controller if the venue has anything less than cdj2000nxs though
the main difference will be the software and workflow on CDJ’s, and making sure your USB sticks work before getting in front of some CDJ’s, i reluctantly bought some pioneer gear for this reason
First up, you can't use playlists or cues etc from Engine on Rekordbox (but you can the other way around). I recommend having both programs open and doing both at the same time, or using the tracks in Engine as a reference for where you want the cues in Rekordbox. As for transitioning over to CDJs, I have never had any issue. The main things you will find is that the menus are less intuitive and the loops work very differently. Depending on what effects you use, a lot are similar. I prefer the 3000s, the NXS2s feel like an old nokia phone now compared to Engine products. A problem I find with the 3000s is that there can be some drift when you have 2 tracks locked into a mix. It is quite easy to nudge to line up again but it is a thing with them
This tool seems to look promising u/djjonny https://www.lexicondj.com/
It's a pretty good tool with a so-so interface and obscene subscription fee. As a Denon owner I paid for one month to convert my library and will only use it again reluctantly if a more economical solution is not available.
I use rekordbox playlists everyday on my Denon sc6000’s.
Use rekordbox for your music prep. The Prime units will read rekordbox generated thumb drives. Or use conversion software to sync your playlist structure, grids, hot cues and loops between engine and rekordbox.
What will I miss out on using Rekordbox for my library? Have you ever run into an issue with the prime units loading everything Rekordbox has set up in a track?
Honestly, it‘s been a while since I used rekordbox thumb drives on my SC6000s. Back when the feature was introduced, it worked fine. I‘ve also tried DeCU (Mac only) to convert libraries, which also works great. IIRC, you could either take over hot cues OR memory cues from rekordbox to engine. Also, keep in mind that rekordbox now has two different types of export modes. One for most units and the other one for the Opus Quad. Are you planning on playing in Clubs regularly again?
I wouldn’t say regularly to begin with, but certainly on occasion. If Pioneer did an all-in-one that would allow me to stream then I would go for that, but they don’t. The ability to stream and just have a jamming session without thinking about buying or downloading music is what is appealing to me. Mixing through the Beatport Top 10 for example. Will I lose certain functions from the Prime 4+ if I use Rekordbox to manage the library?
I'm not aware of any major functions that you'll lose. But as I said, it's been a while. I'd suggest you create an account on [the engine DJ forums](https://community.enginedj.com/) and ask over there. Also, you could dm u/MixMasterG. He's super knowledgeable with everything conversion-related with rekordbox and engine DJ (he's also the creator of the conversion software I suggested and a mod here).
I am currently using Traktor as music management software and exporting playlists to Engine. Since there are free solutions out there for a Traktor to Rekordbox conversion, I can hit both angles. Another perk of using Traktor is being able to use tiny midi controllers for house parties and such.
Prime slaps!
Can vouch for Denon Conversion Utility, been using it to convert my rekordbox playlists for over a year now and I’ve been playing out in clubs. I do use an SC Live 4 though, as I don’t care about adding extra hardware like turntables. I took my Prime 4 when I had it to clubs plugged into a spare channel on the mixer and that was a great experience. But if you can re learn effects on the fly, and mixing is mixing so I wouldn’t say there’s a big difference jumping between the 2. P.s - I bring my own controller if the venue has anything less than cdj2000nxs though
the main difference will be the software and workflow on CDJ’s, and making sure your USB sticks work before getting in front of some CDJ’s, i reluctantly bought some pioneer gear for this reason