The new rekordbox update is now out, and it’s finally brought something that DJs have been demanding for a long time – better quality stems isolation. There’s also a whole new ‘Groove Circuit’ that brings the new DDJ-GRV6’s standout feature to all rekordbox users. In this article, we’ll take you through the headline changes that you really need to know about.
You can download the latest update from the rekordbox website.
Rekordbox 7.0.4 Updates – Complete List
- XDJ-AZ compatibility added.
- DDJ-GRV6 compatibility added.
- Added GROOVE CIRCUIT feature.
- Added the ability to play TIDAL offline tracks.
- Added the ability to view and delete duplicate tracks.
- When using STEMS, it is possible to prioritize sound quality or speed. (For more information, see the FAQ.)
- Added a setting that enables editing a track metadata by double-clicking on the track.
- Occasionally, export could take a long time.
- Occasionally, selected tracks were unexpectedly centered.
- Potential crash when searching by KEY on the DJ equipment using LINK EXPORT.
- Potential crash when playing certain ALAC files.
- Potential crash when using SYNC MANAGER.
- Occasionally, GATE playback stopped unexpectedly when connected to a DDJ-REV7.
- Unable to set Mic Input mode when connected to a DDJ-800.
- Occasionally on a Windows PC, output channel names were displayed incorrectly when connecting a DJ equipment.
- Occasionally, when switching playlists with a DJ equipment connected, the first track would be unexpectedly selected.
- Improved stability and fixes for other minor issues.
- STEM waveform display on/off setting in enlarged waveform panel is now available in [Preferences].
Rekordbox Stems Sound Quality Improvements
Rekordbox Stems have been out for over a year, and it’s safe to say the sound quality hasn’t exactly blown us away. In the face of stiff competition from Serato and djay Pro, this crucial feature has been pretty underwhelming. While other DJ software is capable of clean stem isolation, on rekordbox, it’s always sounded noticeably worse. There are weird artefacts and EQ strangeness that turn the Stems function from something you’d love to use into a fun gimmick at best.
Rekordbox 7.0.4 aims to fix that with a long-awaited update to the Stems algorithm. You can now choose between two different stems analysis processes: one that prioritises sound quality and one that prioritises speed.
Unsurprisingly, the one that prioritises sound quality does sound better than it used to. It’s still not perfect, but the sound quality is noticeably improved. We’d say there’s still a noticeable gap up to the level you get with Serato or djay Pro, but it’s now much more usable.
If you want to get started using rekordbox Stems, check out our guide on how to map them on any controller.
The Groove Circuit is now in rekordbox
The other big update is around the new ‘Groove Circuit’ feature. With the Groove Circuit, you can isolate, swap out and play around with the drum elements of a track. This is something that was brought in with the DDJ-GRV6 controller and is now being released in the software so you can use it with a wide range of supported hardware. Depending on your subscription plan or DJ equipment connected to your computer, this function may not be available. For details on whether your gear will work, refer to the rekordbox website. To find out more about the Groove Circuit, check out our in-depth review of the GRV-6.
You’ll have to go into your rekordbox preferences and under Stems, you can now enable the Groove Circuit function.
Now you get the ability to swap out the drum part of your track for a different loop. These can either be their preset loops, your own drum loops or you can capture drum loops from a different track. You can then apply effects and rolls to just these drum sections while leaving the rest of the track unaffected.
If you want to unlock the full potential of the Groove Circuit and elevate your mixes, explore our creative tutorials in our Rekordbox Intermediate course.
7.5 hours 49 lessons Intermediate
Rekordbox DJ Course
Automatically delete duplicate tracks
We all know how frustrating and time-consuming library management can be. If you’re downloading several different playlists or organising tracks into different folders, it’s easy to end up with duplicated versions of tracks. Rekordbox can now automatically detect this and clean it up for you by deleting these duplicates.
Tidal offline support
Tidal streaming in rekordbox has been a fantastic addition as it allows DJs to access a vast library of tracks without needing to download them – all for one monthly fee. The only downside is that, until now, it relied on having an internet connection at all times to stream them. In many venues that’s far from guaranteed.
Now rekordbox lets you save these Tidal tracks offline so you can play them off a local device without any internet connection required.
In the youtube short where Jamie talks about these updates, he says he has a MIDI-map for the groove circuit for the DDJ-FLX4. Where do we get that? How do we get that? I have the DDJ-FLX4 full bundle; would that be updated to include this MIDI map?
We’re working on those at the minute for a range of controllers – stay tuned!
Can you do a remap guide/ video to use groove circuit on other controllers pls