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.
The instructions provided herein are based around a DDJ-RX, and may be different for other DDJ units. Please check the DDJ section of the Knowledge Base for additional tutorials.
If you are using a DDJ-RX without DVS, the instructions are slightly different; please see the this guide.
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 is just one extra tool necessary for us Mac users:
You can also use other similar applications such as Sound Siphon or Loopback, but those are both paid apps and Soundflower works, and is free, so why not?
Step 3 - Configure rekordbox Audio
With your DDJ connected and powered-on, open rekordbox, and open the Preferences. Click the DVS icon in the preferences window and check the box beside Enable DVS Function.
Click the Audio icon and select DDJ-RX as your Audio device. It may appear as DDJ-RX 2IN2OUT, or simply DDJ-RX, and you may find it changes itself automatically.
Scroll down to configure the Input Channels.
Depending on the DDJ being used, you can configure the DVS inputs in a variety of ways.
The DDJ-RX only allows for 2 DVS inputs which can be either PHONO, CD/LINE, or one of each. Select the input type on Input Deck1 and Input Deck2, even if you are assigning the DVS input to decks 3 or 4.
The DDJ-RR has one input selector switch on the back of the unit that sets both inputs as PHONO or CD/LINE, you can not use one of each.
I recommend using Input Deck 3 & 4 for the DVS input for a more natural layout of the DDJ and turntables / CDJs with regards to the mixer.
Step 4 - Configure DVS
Click the DVS icon again and test your inputs by playing the control signal source on your turntable or CDJ. You should see green circles in the scopes for your input channels.
The circles will auto-calibrate, but if you need to make adjustments, you can do so following the instructions available by clicking the ? icon beside Control Signal Setting.
Click the X to close the Preferences window.
You can now load a track to the assigned decks and test the input signal. Don't forget to switch the decks to Absolute or Relative mode. If the track plays backwards, your L and R input connections are reversed - simply swap them and it will play normally.
Step 5 - 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 Soundflower (2CH) from the Device drop-down.
Click OK.
If you're only streaming audio, you can skip ahead to Step 7.
Step 6 - 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, as an alternative to Display Capture, you may try using the Window Capture function. Whether this works depends on the graphics chipset(s) you have in your Mac. If you find the Window Capture freezes OBS or does not show your waveforms within rekordbox, then use the Display Capture.
If you are showing the rekordbox output, 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 7 - Broadcast
Click the Studio Mode button to enter a dual-view mode. With music playing in rekordbox, you should now see an 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 8 - 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 Mac.
Notes
This guide was made using the following software versions:
- macOS Sierra v10.12.6
- rekordbox v5.0.1
- Soundflower v2.0b2
- OBS Studio v20.1.0
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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