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New User - Ton of Newbie Workflow Questions

Hi. New user alert. I've had a play with a friends DDJ-400 and going to press the button on one for myself. I've got questions about music file storage, workflow, Rekordbox etc etc. I've downloaded Rekordbox already and had a play with the software already. I've got a Windows laptop.

Currently I've got a TON of music, mostly Apple and AIFF lossless. Stored on my Synology Network Drive (NAS). Currently managed by iTunes so in the good old Artist / Album folder hierarchy. I like this setup as I also have a Sonos system in the house and this setup works well to access my music library from the Sonos.

I'm thinking ahead to when I get my DDJ-400. I want to get the workflow right.

My current thinking is import all of my electronic / dance music to my Rekordbox 'collection'. NAS will work OK as long as I have a mapped a drive, I tried this on a couple of tracks last night it worked OK. Is a network drive still not 'officially' supported?

I would then create playlists of tracks in advance of when I want to create a mix with a view to sharing the mix?

I doubt there will be many times I won't be connected to the NAS drive but I guess it's possible if I was asked to DJ at a friend's place, at my mate's with the DDJ-400 or even if I did something in the garden? Is it possible to use the export to thumb drive then import, or even re-import to same instance of Rekordbox when not connected to the NAS?

I've read other recommendations where maybe I'd be better off just creating a copy of all the lossless music as MP3 locally on the laptop, external drive or thumbdrive?

So many newb questions apologies in advance. I just hoping to get this right first time rather than commit then have to go through a time consuming rework further down the line...

TIA

 

freester

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Welcome to the Pioneer users clan.

From what I read your workflow is about the same is mine :) 

And this is extremely easy to adopt in Rekordbox. Here you see my complete workflow (with explanations why I do things in a certain way)

My Workflow Summer 2020, using the new iTunes Collection Tool. Live recording unedited

In this AMA I talk about some things you need to know about Rekordbox & iTunes/Music integration

Ask Me Anything collection management & conversion for DJs YouTube Livestream

and finally I know that iTunes is not the preferred "Pioneer" way for basic collection management. But if you understand what I explain in this video I then it's the best solution.

Why cues, loops etc can disappear from your DJ software aka filepaths matter

 

MixMasterG 0 votes
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Thank you for your quick reply. I've sped through the videos and I will spend some time watching them in more detail.

Do you think converting my lossless library to a separate 320kbps is worthwhile?

freester 0 votes
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Absolutely, 320kbs/CBR/44.1Khz MP3's are the most compatible with everything you may encounter. 

If possible use iTunes to create the MP3's, those are of the best quality (not every mp3 even by the same specs is of the same quality!)

this is found at the iTunes (or Music) Import preferences under the custom option

MixMasterG 0 votes
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