Why Pro DJs Still Stare At Their Screen

Hi there Dynamic Analysis Diablos,

rekordbox is kinda ugly isn’t it? There’s so much going on that when you’re mixing it can be hard to focus on what you’re supposed to be doing - playing bangers and strutting.

Today I’m going to tell you about two little known features that help clear up this visual abomination so you can stop staring at the screen and focus on your mixing.

At the top of the interface we have this Dulux sample pack of colour and information overload. It’s what rekordbox does best.

But almost all of this information is already shown on your controller.

Pads highlighting where you have hot cues set? Yep. Loop status? Yep. BPM? If you have a fancy controller with a screen then that’s covered too.

Go to View→Show / Hide Pad and Platter to turn this UI crime off. If you really need it back briefly then there’s a handy keyboard shortcut (shift+cmd+p on mac)

Your interface will now look something like this:

This is nicer than just entering browse view (with spacebar) as you still retain the handy waveforms at the top. But it still gets rid of a ton of distractions.

But there’s still an issue.

The top part of the interface is for performing, and the bottom is for track selection. Why are we pretending like they are friends?

It’s more visual noise in an already overcrowded interface and it means concentration takes another hit directly nut hammock.

Have a look down the bottom right, you’ll see this little icon that as usual gives no clue to what its actual meaning is.

Click on it, I dare you.

That’s right, the browse window is now completely separate! You can move it out the way to another screen or even just tuck it behind the main window so it’s out of your face.

It also has some handy deck load buttons at the top if you are running more than a 2 deck transition.

Naturally being rekordbox, you can’t resize the main window to hide that gigantic blank area where it used to be. But we can’t expect miracles. Or basic design. Instead use it to reflect on the deep dark void we all find ourselves in.

Close the window to get it back how it was.

I’m working on something that will help you make gig prep easier. But I need your input to make sure I build the right thing.

See ya next time