This guide is a how-to for streaming using a 3rd party software such as OBS, and many of these instructions may also be applied to other software.
If you are using a DDJ, see the DDJ section of the Knowledge Base for additional tutorials.
Important note 1: this will not work for those using DVS with a DJM - I have one other messy configuration I've been working on, but I'm not confident in instructing others on using it just yet. If you are desperate to broadcast from a rekordbox DVS setup with a DJM, my recommendation is for you to run the REC output from the DJM to a secondary audio interface with a line input (either built-in to your computer or a simple USB audio interface).
Important note 2: there is a little bit of latency in this setup, and the older your computer, the more likely it is you'll need to increase the buffers and thus the latency. Please be aware of this going in to this, and if it's a serious problem for your setup, refer to important note 1 above for an alternative configuration.
Step 1 - Update
Ensure that you are running the latest version of rekordbox, that your drivers and firmware are up-to-date, and that your broadcast software is current as well.
Step 2 - Download the Necessary Software
There are a couple of extra utilities needed to kung-fu this wacky configuration:
Install them, nothing special is needed just yet, reboot your computer before you proceed.
Step 3 - Configure the DJM
Open the DJM's Setting Utility application. On the ASIO tab, slide the Buffer Size down to 192 Samples.
On the Mixer Output tab, set the USB9/10 output to MIX(REC OUT) - the other output assignments aren't important as they are not used. If your DJM doesn't have 9/10, use the highest available pair and remember this later when 9/10 is referenced again.
Set the USB Output Level to -5 dB.
Step 4 - Configure rekordbox Outputs
With your DJM connected and powered-on, open rekordbox, and open the Preferences > Audio, select ASIO4ALLv2 as your Audio device.
Set the Buffer size to 256 samples.
ASIO4ALL will launch itself and show on the task tray - click the icon to open the application window.
Set the device on/off buttons so ONLY the VB-Audio VoiceMeeter VAIO and its sub-items are enabled (blue "power" icon and blue triangle). No other device, including the DJM-900NXS2, should be enabled.
Also adjust the Latency Compensation for the IN to 512 Samples.
You can adjust the ASIO Buffer Size from the default of 256 samples, but I recommend leaving this to start with.
Important note 3: DO NOT close the ASIO4ALL window or it will reset your configuration.
Because you made a change to the ASIO4ALL configuration, you'll need to go back to the rekordbox Preferences window and change the Audio device to ASIO4ALL again.
Click External for the Mixer Mode, and scroll down to configure the Output Channels.
The order and numbering may look funny, but that is the correct order to match the typical channel layout on the DJM (3 / 1 / 2 / 4). IF you prefer it to be sequential on the DJM (1 / 2 / 3 / 4), simply assign the outputs in numerical order above.
Click the X to close the Preferences window.
Step 5 - Configure Voicemeeter Banana
From your start menu, launch Voicemeeter Banana. Click the A1 output assignment at the top-right.
Select the ASIO driver for your DJM model from the list.
Click the A2 output assignment, and select WDM: CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable).
If you'd also like to output the audio to your computer's speakers (or default soundcard), click the A3 output assignment, and select the appropriate device. In my case, WDM: Speakers.
Click the MENU button and select System Settings / Options.
In the settings, set the Patch ASIO Inptus to Strips for IN 1 to 9 / 10. If you used a different pair for your REC OUT earlier, set that pair here.
Set your Buffering values for WDM and ASIO to 192, and click the X to close the settings window.
Back at the main window, click the A1 and A2 buttons on the Voicemeeter VAIO strip under VIRTUAL INPUTS so they illuminate light green. You can also click the Mute button at the bottom of the Voicemeeter AUX strip so it illuminates red.
Next, click the mix configuration button at the top of the A2 strip under the Master Section to change it from Normal Mode to MIX down A. If you previously configured A3 for Speakers, you may want to click Mute on the A3 strip for right now.
You could now switch over to rekordbox and test audio playback; you'll see signal activity within Voicemeeter like this.
You should also see activity on the channel meters of your DJM, plus audio output from the master. If you want to hear the audio on your computer speakers as well, un-mute the A3 strip under the MASTER SECTION.
Important note 4: there may be a delay in the audio output between your computer speakers and the DJM output; this is normal due to the audio routing through software and hardware.
Step 6 - Configure OBS for Audio
Minimize rekordbox and launch OBS.
Click the + button at the bottom of the Sources window to add a new Audio Input Capture source.
You can keep the defaults, click OK.
Select CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable) from the Device drop-down.
Click OK.
If you're only streaming audio, you can skip ahead to Step 8.
Step 7 - Configure OBS for Video
If you want to stream a capture of your screen or video input (or both) you can add these as well.
Click the + button at the bottom of the Sources window to add a new Display Capture source, you can keep the defaults and click OK.
If you have multiple displays, select the output display you want to use.
Click OK.
Please note that the Window Capture function won't work to stream just the rekordbox window because of how the rekordbox display engine draws the waveforms. If you use this option, the upper portion of your rekordbox display will broadcast as blank.
If you are showing your desktop, as opposed to a video input source, you should match your input size. Open Settings > Video and change the Base (Canvas) size to match the resolution of your display.
The Output (Scaled) size should typically be 720 or 1080 to keep a down-sampled resolution that is friendly for your broadcast.
Click OK.
You can also (optionally) add a webcam or other video input and configure it here. If you require further instruction on this, try Google.
Step 8 - Broadcast
To make sure you're previewing the audio (and display, if selected), click the Studio Mode button twice (the first time it will toggle to a single-view mode). You will now see audio level in the meter at the bottom, and a video preview (if applicable).
Be sure to adjust the levels on the mixer for any other audio sources; mute the other inputs if they're not being used. You're ready to broadcast - simply configure your output stream destination!
Step 9 - Tweak
You should test and monitor the workload and buffer on your computer as you perform - chances are the CPU usage won't be the issue, but the audio buffer may still run out. As you increase the buffer, the latency (delay between action and audio output) will increase, but the likelihood of audio dropouts or crackling will decrease. Your computer's age will typically increase the buffer sizes required, but there are tricks you can do to reduce background application usage and improve the overall performance of your PC.
Notes
This guide was made using the following software versions:
- Windows 10 v1703 (64bit)
- rekordbox v5.0.1 (64bit)
- ASIO4ALL v2.14
- Voicemeeter Banana v2.0.3.4
- Voicemeeter VB-Cable Pack 43
- OBS Studio v20.0.1 (64bit)
While efforts will be made to keep up with any changes to this process to ensure others can use it after software update have been released, we can't guarantee the accuracy or relevance of this information, nor the performance of any 3rd party software applications.
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