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-RZ, 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-RZ 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 DDJ-RZ
Open the DDJ-RZ Setting Utility. On the Mixer Mode tab, set the Mixer Mode to Internal Mixer Mode.
On the Controller Output tab, set the outputs for USB 5/6 and USB 7/8 to match the type of control tone you will be using (PHONO or LINE). Set output USB 9/10 for MIX(REC OUT).
Step 4 - Create an Aggregate Audio Device
With your DDJ connected and powered-on, open Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup - if the Audio Devices window is not visible, click Window > Show Audio Devices.
Click the + icon at the bottom left and select Create Aggregate Device.
Click on the name Aggregate Device and rename it RZ+Soundflower.
It CAN NOT contain the word "DDJ-RZ" or rekordbox will recognize it as that device and the additional outputs will NOT be available.
In the right window, check the box beside DDJ-RZ, then check the box beside Soundflower (2ch).
Quit Audio MIDI Setup.
Step 5 - Configure rekordbox Audio
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 the newly created RZ+Soundflower aggregate as your Audio device.
Scroll down to configure the Input Channels.
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.
The DDJ-RZ has separate inputs for PHONO or CD/LINE; be sure to match the cabling per your selection in Step 3.
Scroll down to configure the Output Channels.
Please note the output channels for the Booth Output; this will send a copy of the master audio to Output 11 & 12, which are the Soundflower channels.
Step 6 - 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 7 - Configure OBS for Audio
Minimize rekordbox and launch OBS.
Click the + button at the bottom of the Sources window to add a new Audio Output 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 9.
Step 8 - 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 9 - 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 10 - 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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