AlphaTheta has added official SoundSwitch integration to rekordbox, giving DJs — particularly mobile and event DJs running their own lighting — an easier way to synchronise automated and custom lighting with their music.
The integration arrives with rekordbox 7.2.19 and SoundSwitch 2.11, released on September 24. PRO DJ LINK Bridge has also gained SoundSwitch support, extending the setup to compatible CDJ and DJM hardware.
SoundSwitch already supports Serato DJ Pro, VirtualDJ and Engine DJ hardware, with rekordbox now added to the list.
Previously, rekordbox users could sync SoundSwitch lighting through Ableton Link, but that was largely limited to tempo-based synchronization. The new application-level integration gives rekordbox DJs access to a wider feature set, including track-specific scripted lighting and fader-aware mixing.
How SoundSwitch works with rekordbox
SoundSwitch can now work directly with a rekordbox library, automatically analysing tracks and generating lighting shows around their phrasing and instrumentation. DJs can also build their own track-specific lighting scripts for more detailed control.
The integration supports SoundSwitch Autoloops, which provide beat-synced lighting patterns that can be used with tracks that haven’t been scripted or analysed. Importantly, Autoloops can also be used when DJing with streaming services, where track-specific scripting isn’t available.
Static Looks provide another option for situations where synced lighting isn’t necessarily wanted — for example, setting a particular look between sets or during different parts of an event.
Lighting created in SoundSwitch then follows playback in rekordbox, while compatible DJ hardware can also feed fader movements into the system so lighting transitions follow the mix rather than simply continuing independently. MIDI control is supported as well.
The connection is handled through rekordbox’s existing Lighting extension. Once SoundSwitch is enabled under Preferences > Extensions > Lighting, any DJ controller supported by rekordbox can be used because the lighting software communicates directly with rekordbox rather than the controller itself.
PRO DJ LINK Bridge support added
The update isn’t just for DJs using rekordbox with a controller.
SoundSwitch can now connect through PRO DJ LINK Bridge, AlphaTheta’s application for passing real-time track and playback information from compatible professional DJ equipment to visual production software.
Current supported hardware includes the CDJ-3000X, CDJ-3000 and CDJ-1500X players, alongside the DJM-V10, DJM-V10-LF and DJM-A9 mixers. AlphaTheta also lists additional discontinued equipment separately.
A venue running compatible CDJs and a DJM mixer can use playback information from the DJ setup to drive SoundSwitch lighting without requiring the DJ to perform directly from rekordbox on a laptop.
What you’ll need
SoundSwitch supports professional DMX lighting as well as smart lighting systems including Philips Hue and Nanoleaf. Its DMX implementation supports up to two universes, or 1,024 channels.
For a DMX setup, DJs will still need compatible SoundSwitch hardware such as the Micro DMX Interface or Control One. Smart lighting including Philips Hue and Nanoleaf can connect without a DMX interface.
There is also a subscription requirement. Using the new integration requires a rekordbox Creative or Professional plan, along with a separate SoundSwitch licence.
rekordbox 7.2.19 and SoundSwitch 2.11 are available now. Beyond SoundSwitch support, AlphaTheta’s rekordbox release notes list only bug fixes and stability improvements for version 7.2.19.
For more details, see AlphaTheta’s announcement and the SoundSwitch update notes.
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