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 DJM-900NSX2, but they may apply to other products as well, simply substitute your mixer where applicable, and select the relevant input / output channels for your device.
If you are using a DJM with DVS, the instructions are slightly different; please see the this guide. If you are using a DDJ, see the DDJ section of the Knowledge Base for additional tutorials.
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 - Configure the DJM
Open the DJM's Setting Utility application. On the Mixer Output tab, set USB1/2 to MIX(REC OUT). The input channels can be anything; we're not using them.
Set the USB Output Level to -5 dB.
Step 3 - Configure DJ software
This is step is only necessary in rekordbox; if using Serato DJ Pro, skip ahead to Step 4.
The rekordbox audio configuration should automatically be pre-configured when the DJM-900NXS2 is selected, but you can verify it:
Step 4 - 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 DJM-900NXS2 from the Device drop-down.
Click OK.
If you want to monitor the output from your computer's default output, click the gear icon below the Audio Input Capture item in the Audio Mixer portion of OBS, then select Advanced Audio Properties. Change the Audio Monitoring preference from Monitor Off to Monitor and Output. Here you can also adjust the volume above 0dB if you need more signal - but stay out of the red, aim for peaks around -9 to -6dB on the meter.
Step 5 - Broadcast
Add video sources, window captures or other graphics options if you're broadcasting a video.
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 in the OBS preferences.
Step 6 - 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
Yes, audio input to the mixer through a line / phono input will be sent to the master if you toggle the mixer channel input from USB/PC over to one of the other input options.
This guide was made using the following software versions:
- macOS Sierra v10.15.3
- rekordbox v6.0.0
- OBS Studio v25.0.8
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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