Pioneer DJ Setup Guide
TimecodeLink talks to Pioneer CDJ and XDJ players over the local network using PRO DJ LINK. There is no extra software to install: put the players and the TimecodeLink machine on the same switch.
Supported hardware
TimecodeLink works with every networked Pioneer DJ player. Newer models report their position more often:
| Hardware | Precision | Update Rate |
|---|---|---|
| CDJ-3000 | Full | ~30ms |
| CDJ-3000X | Full | ~30ms |
| XDJ-AZ * | Full | ~30ms |
| CDJ-2000NXS2 | Standard | ~200ms (smoothed by TimecodeLink) |
| CDJ-2000NXS | Standard | ~200ms (smoothed by TimecodeLink) |
| XDJ-XZ | Standard | ~200ms (smoothed by TimecodeLink) |
| XDJ-1000MK2 | Standard | ~200ms (smoothed by TimecodeLink) |
Full precision players send their position every ~30 ms. Standard precision players send it every ~200 ms, and TimecodeLink smooths the timecode between updates.
* XDJ-AZ: works in standalone 4-deck mode with TimecodeLink 0.1.4 or later. The app wakes the unit's network data automatically and reads all four decks, including track names and beat grids. When the XDJ-AZ shares the network with other CDJs, enable the Pro DJ Link option in the unit's settings instead; decks 3/4 then become line inputs (players 1 and 2 only).
Step 1: Network setup
Connect the Pioneer players and the computer running TimecodeLink to the same network:
- Use wired Ethernet
- Put every device on the same subnet (for example 192.168.1.x)
- A plain Ethernet switch is enough. No router configuration is needed
- Wi-Fi works, but don't rely on it for a show
Step 2: Install TimecodeLink
Download and install TimecodeLink from the download page. Drag the app to your Applications folder and launch it.
On first launch, macOS will ask for permission to find devices on local networks. Click Allow. TimecodeLink needs it to find the players.
Step 3: Select the CDJ input
In TimecodeLink's Input settings, select CDJ/XDJ as the input. TimecodeLink finds the Pioneer players on your network by itself.
The players appear in the deck panel within a few seconds, and each one's track name, BPM and play state update live.
Step 4: Map your tracks
Add tracks to the Track List panel and give each one a start timecode. TimecodeLink matches tracks by the title the CDJ reports from the file's metadata, so the names in your list must match the titles on your USB drives.
Step 5: Choose how the deck is selected
Pick how TimecodeLink decides which deck drives the timecode:
- On Air: follows the deck whose fader is up (needs a DJM mixer)
- Master: follows the sync master player
- Fixed Deck: always uses one player number
Troubleshooting
Players not appearing
Check that every device is on the same subnet and that the computer's firewall allows incoming UDP on ports 50000-50002. Then restart TimecodeLink.
Track names not matching
CDJs report the title from the file's metadata. The names in TimecodeLink's list have to match those titles.
Timecode jitter on older hardware
The CDJ-2000NXS and other older players send their position every ~200 ms. TimecodeLink smooths it, but some jitter remains. For a show where that matters, use CDJ-3000s.
Comparing DJ timecode tools? See who TimecodeLink is for.