Rekordbox lighting sync with your own console, lasers or video
TimecodeLink runs next to Rekordbox on your Mac* or Windows laptop and sends the master deck's timecode and BPM to the gear that runs your show. It doesn't send DMX to the fixtures itself.
If you want Rekordbox itself to drive DMX fixtures, that's Rekordbox's Lighting mode. TimecodeLink is for rigs where a console, laser software or media server runs the show.
*Rekordbox on Mac needs Apple Silicon.
Who it's for
A resident DJ and the club's lighting designer
The LD runs a grandMA and you play Rekordbox on your own laptop. The cues the LD built for a track fire whenever you play it, and the live BPM drives a speed master for the chases in between.
A mobile DJ who brings a laser
You program the laser show in Pangolin BEYOND once, at home. At the gig, BEYOND follows the timecode of the track you're playing, and the laser keeps time with your pitch fader.
A DJ and a VJ on Resolume
Resolume Arena chases the timecode of the track you're playing, so each clip stays lined up with its track. Ableton Link keeps the VJ's effects on your beat.
Laptop nights and CDJ nights
Some DJs bring Rekordbox on a laptop, others play the house CDJs. TimecodeLink reads either, so the console gets timecode and BPM on both kinds of night. CDJ / XDJ setup
What it can drive
A lighting console
Any console that chases MTC, LTC or Art-Net timecode. You build one timecode show per track, and the console plays it when that track plays. The live BPM also goes to grandMA2 and grandMA3 speed masters, so effects keep your tempo between the timecoded cues. The grandMA2 and grandMA3 guides set up both.
Lasers
Pangolin BEYOND takes MTC or Art-Net timecode and plays its timeline shows from it, and TimecodeLink can set BEYOND's BPM over OSC for its beat effects. The BEYOND guide sets up both.
Video
Resolume Arena chases SMPTE timecode (LTC) on each clip. Resolume Avenue has no timecode input, but OSC triggers can start its clips when a track loads or at a moment you pick, and that works in Arena too. The Resolume guide sets up both.
How it works
TimecodeLink follows the deck marked MASTER in Rekordbox. Every track in its track list
has a start timecode, for example one hour per track: 01:00:00:00 for the
first, 02:00:00:00 for the next. While a track plays, TimecodeLink sends that
track's timecode, and your pitch fader speeds it up or slows it down with the music.
A show programmed against a track's timecode plays back every time you play the track, in any order and at any point in the night.
Inputs
Rekordbox
Version 7.x · Apple Silicon & Windows
Serato DJ Pro
Real-time OSC protocol · requires internet
VirtualDJ
Bundled bridge plugin · auto-installed
CDJ / XDJ
PRO DJ LINK
Denon DJ
STAGELINQ
Outputs
MTC
MIDI Time Code via IAC Driver
Art-Net
SMPTE timecode over UDP
SMPTE LTC
Audio timecode output
Ableton Link
BPM & beat phase sync
Tempo / BPM
grandMA2 · grandMA3 · OSC
OSC Triggers
Resolume, BEYOND, lighting cues
Program the show before the gig
Export your Rekordbox collection as XML and import the set's playlist into TimecodeLink. Every track gets its start timecode in one go, so the lighting designer can program against a fixed list before doors open. Playlist import guide
What you need
- Rekordbox on an Apple Silicon Mac or a Windows 10 or 11 PC, with TimecodeLink on the same computer
- A way to reach the receiving gear: a network cable for Art-Net, a MIDI interface for MTC, or a spare audio output for LTC
- A Rekordbox version the current release supports. The download page lists them
Setup takes a few minutes: the Rekordbox setup guide walks through it.
FAQ
Does it work without CDJs?
Yes. TimecodeLink runs on the laptop with Rekordbox and reads the master deck there. If you play on Pioneer CDJs or XDJs instead, it reads them over the network.
Does TimecodeLink control DMX lights directly?
No. Your console or lighting software drives the fixtures. TimecodeLink sends it timecode, BPM and OSC triggers, so it stays in time with the music.
Which lighting software does it work with?
Anything that chases MTC, Art-Net timecode or LTC: grandMA2 and grandMA3, Pangolin BEYOND, Resolume Arena, most lighting consoles, laser software and media servers. Tempo goes to Ableton Link, grandMA speed masters and OSC.
Can I use it on Windows or on an Intel Mac?
Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), yes. On a Mac, the Rekordbox input needs Apple Silicon. On an Intel Mac, the CDJ, Serato and VirtualDJ inputs and every output still work.
Can I try it first?
Yes. The free trial runs for 30 days with every feature. Download it and run it; there's no sign-up.
How much does it cost?
You pay once, from $69, and the license covers every TimecodeLink 0.x and 1.x release. The Standard and Pro licenses are compared on the pricing page.
Try it at your next gig
Download the free trial, then set up Rekordbox and the gear you're driving.
Rekordbox setup · Playlist import · grandMA2 timecode · grandMA3 timecode · Resolume · Pangolin BEYOND · Example setups
Comparing DJ timecode tools? See who TimecodeLink is for.