Rekordbox Setup Guide

Requirements: Rekordbox input requires an Apple Silicon Mac or Windows. On an Intel Mac, TimecodeLink still supports Pro DJ Link (CDJ/XDJ), Serato DJ Pro and VirtualDJ inputs. See the Pro DJ Link setup guide.

TimecodeLink reads playback data straight from Rekordbox's memory. That needs a one-time patch of Rekordbox with the right entitlements, and the app walks you through it.

Step 1: Install TimecodeLink

Download and install TimecodeLink from the download page. Drag the app to your Applications folder and launch it.

Step 2: First launch and auto-patching

On first launch, TimecodeLink notices that Rekordbox needs patching and shows a "Setup" button in the status bar. Click it.

What the patch does:

Copies Rekordbox to a temporary folder
Signs it with the get-task-allow entitlement
Replaces the original application

Using Apple Music in Rekordbox? Log out of it before patching: in Rekordbox's left sidebar, right-click Apple Music → Log Out. Apple Music isn't supported with TimecodeLink on Mac, and a patched Rekordbox that's still logged in to it crashes on startup. Other streaming services work fine.

Step 3: Enter your admin password

Replacing the Rekordbox app needs administrator rights. Enter your password or use Touch ID when asked.

Step 4: Launch Rekordbox

When patching finishes, launch Rekordbox. TimecodeLink connects on its own and starts reading the decks. The status bar shows:

Rekordbox: CONNECTED
Deck BPM, position, and track information
Master deck indicator

Step 5: Configure the output

Open Settings and pick your output. For MTC, enable the IAC Driver in Audio MIDI Setup first:

Open Audio MIDI Setup (Applications > Utilities)
Window > Show MIDI Studio
Double-click IAC Driver
Check "Device is online"

Troubleshooting

"Rekordbox Waiting..." status

Rekordbox isn't running, or it needs to be patched. If patching was done, try quitting and restarting both Rekordbox and TimecodeLink.

"Rekordbox setup required"

Click "Setup" in the status bar to run the patch. It has to be done once per Rekordbox version.

Patching failed

Quit Rekordbox before patching, and check there is enough disk space for the temporary copy. If it still fails, run the patch by hand:

codesign --force --deep --sign - --entitlements entitlements.plist /Applications/rekordbox\ 7/rekordbox.app

Rekordbox crashes on startup after patching (Mac)

Rekordbox is logged in to Apple Music, which isn't supported with TimecodeLink on Mac. Reinstall Rekordbox from AlphaTheta, log out of Apple Music (left sidebar → right-click Apple Music → Log Out), then run the TimecodeLink setup again. Other streaming services work fine.

No data after Rekordbox update

Every Rekordbox update needs a fresh patch. TimecodeLink notices and prompts you.

Comparing DJ timecode tools? See who TimecodeLink is for.