ANSWER · DJ SOFTWARE & EXPORT
How Do I Get Tracks Onto a USB for CDJs?
“How do I get tracks onto a USB stick for CDJs?”
To get tracks onto a USB for CDJs, format the stick as FAT32 or exFAT, import the files into rekordbox, analyse them, build playlists, then use rekordbox's export mode to write the device. The player then shows your playlists, waveforms, grids and cue points.
Step by step
- Format the drive. Use FAT32 for maximum compatibility across all CDJ generations, or exFAT on newer players (CDJ-2000NXS2 onward) if you have files over 4 GB. Use one partition.
- Import tracks into rekordbox. Drag the MP3 or WAV files into the collection. Club Ready Music files carry BPM, key, genre, cover art and a comment with cue times, so they arrive labelled.
- Analyse. Let rekordbox build waveforms and grids. Club Ready Music's generated tracks are fixed tempo with a hard start, so the grid should anchor at zero at the tagged BPM.
- Add cues. If you imported Club Ready Music's rekordbox XML, the hot cues are already there. Otherwise set intro end, first drop and outro start from the comment or the cue sheet in the DJ pack.
- Build playlists. CDJs navigate by playlist far faster than by folder. Make one per set section or per genre.
- Export. Switch rekordbox to Export mode, select the USB in the device tree, and drag playlists onto it. rekordbox copies the audio and writes its database to the stick.
- Eject properly. Use the eject button in rekordbox, then remove the drive.
File formats CDJs play
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| MP3 up to 320 kbps | Universal. Club Ready Music exports 320 kbps CBR |
| WAV 16-bit 44.1 kHz | Universal |
| WAV 24-bit 48 kHz | Plays on CDJ-2000NXS2 and later and on current Engine OS players; check older models |
| AIFF | Supported on most models |
| FLAC and ALAC | Only on newer players |
If you play on venues with older CDJ-2000 or CDJ-900 units, bring the MP3 320 versions as a fallback. They sound fine on a club system and avoid any format question.
Loudness and headroom
Club tracks are mastered loud so they sit at the same level in the mix. Club Ready Music's default is -8 LUFS with a -1 dBTP true-peak ceiling, which matches modern club releases. If you also carry streaming masters at -14 LUFS, your gains will be all over the place; keep club masters on the club stick.
Using the Club Ready Music crate-wide XML
The Studio offers one rekordbox.xml for your entire crate of generated tracks. Put all the MP3 files in a folder named Club Ready Music, import the XML in rekordbox Preferences under Advanced then Database, and import the Club Ready Music playlist to your collection. Every track arrives with BPM, key, grid anchor and cues, ready to export.
Checklist before a gig
- Two USB sticks with the same export, in case one fails.
- Playlists named so they read well on a small screen.
- A quick load of one track on the first player to confirm the drive is recognised.
- Phone or laptop with the Club Ready Music crate open as a last resort for re-downloading a file.
Frequently asked
Can I just copy MP3 files onto the stick?
Yes, CDJs can browse folders of files without rekordbox, but you lose playlists, hot cues, memory cues, waveforms and pre-analysed grids. For a gig, export from rekordbox.
Should I use MP3 or WAV on a USB?
Either plays. MP3 320 is smaller and fine for most club systems. 24-bit 48 kHz WAV plays on current players; confirm older models support it. Club Ready Music exports both.