DDJ-REV7 with Rekordbox. Is it worth it? (English version from the original one)

The DDJ-REV7 is a controller from AlphaTheta (formerly Pioneer DJ) that needs no introduction. Released in January 2022, it was initially designed and sold as exclusive equipment for the Serato software.

In March 2024, news came out that left many DJs excited, or at least hopeful: from that date on, the controller also became compatible with Rekordbox software. That was my case: an avid Rekordbox user who really wanted the possibility of using a controller like the REV7 without having to migrate and get used to another DJ software.

Like any top-of-the-line DJ equipment, its price is not low, especially in Brazil. It wasn't until August 2025 that I decided and managed to acquire my DDJ-REV7.

After these 7 months of using and getting to know the controller, I decided to write this post to answer, in my opinion, a question that other DJs might have at this moment of deciding on an upgrade for their setup: "after all, is it worth buying a DDJ-REV7 to play with Rekordbox?"

The answer: like practically everything involving the art of DJing (style, technique, software, equipment, etc.) = IT DEPENDS.

Depends on what? On what you are looking for and what you wouldn't give up in your way of playing.

I say this because it delivers the differential we look for in equipment like this: the possibility of having a better tactile response when playing, due to its motorized jog wheels that simulate the operation of a turntable very well. In addition, it also brings the mixer in a model (practically identical) to the DJM-S7 and LCD screens in the center of the jogs that allow the visualization of various information in real-time (waveform, bpm, key, time, album cover, among others).

This set is great for DJs who have always been inspired and aim to play like performance DJs (doing scratch, turntablism, etc.). As a bonus, it helps to perform without the need to look so much at the laptop, avoiding the famous "Serato Face".

The problem, which might make you reconsider acquiring the equipment, is that compatibility with Rekordbox. The fact is: the equipment is not 100% compatible with Rekordbox. Or rather: Rekordbox is not 100% compatible with the DDJ-REV7.

That's right. Despite AlphaTheta's announcement and advertisement regarding the compatibility of both, that's not quite how it works in practice.

When using the DDJ-REV7 to control Rekordbox, you won't be able to use all the software features you are used to.

You will have to give up at least 2 features that, particularly for me, are of great use during performance. One of them I consider one of the biggest differentials of Rekordbox in relation to other DJ software.

So to answer the question if it pays off to have a DDJ-REV7 to play with Rekordbox, you first need to ask yourself if you are willing to give up these 2 functionalities.

What are the Rekordbox functionalities that do not work with the DDJ-REV7?

1) CUE: a resource most used by DJs, regardless of the software they play with. Present in practically any controller and CDJ (even the cheapest entry-level ones).

That's the one, that little button (mostly identified in orange), always next to PLAY/PAUSE, which serves to make a "temporary mark" on the music and is widely used at the time of counting and triggering.

Often the pivot of fights between sound technicians, contractors, or equipment renters with DJs who may exaggerate the frequency or intensity with which they press such button. The famous "finger on the CUE and screaming". [Sorry, it’s a joke that only makes sense in Brazilian Portuguese]

CUE button on controllers and CDJs

In a way, it is understandable not to have such a function when playing with a DDJ-REV7. This is because the controller simulates the use and performance with turntables, which also do not have such a function in their essence.

Also, it is a case that can be circumvented with a workaround: using HOT CUES in GATE mode.

The biggest difference here is that you will have to save the desired snippet (first or any other beat of the music) as a HOT CUE that will be saved forever, or until you decide to delete it. Different from the CUE that makes a "provisional mark" and disappears automatically after you load another song on the deck.

This solution also has another weak point: the CUE and PLAY buttons are always close for a reason, which is to facilitate the switching of actuation between CUE and PLAY in the counting and triggering of the music.

Using the REV7's HOT CUE pads in GATE mode, to simulate a CUE, and then triggering PLAY requires a little more coordination and training since these buttons are far from each other.

But if there is an explanation for the absence of the CUE and an alternative solution for it, why do I bring this up as a problem?

For me, it is a problem from the moment that such limitation and need for an alternative solution does not exist in Serato, which is the software for which the controller was initially designed.

Although the CUE button does not physically exist on the controller, you can "create" it through MIDI mapping in Serato. You can designate another button, or set of buttons (often the combination SHIFT + PLAY is used), to perform the original CUE function. It works perfectly that way in Serato, I tested and proved it.

The same does not happen in Rekordbox. You can even go to the menu and perform the MIDI mapping for the CUE function. But, when triggered, nothing happens. The function is simply "deleted" from the software when you have your DDJ-REV7 connected. You can't even trigger the CUE with the mouse, because the button literally disappears from Rekordbox.

2) WAVEFORM PREVIEW: this is for me one of the best functions of Rekordbox and one that does not exist in Serato.

It allows you to listen, only in your headphones, to a song directly from your collection / playlist. You can listen to any specific snippet, even the recorded HOT CUES, with just a click on the song's waveform, without the need to load the song onto any of the decks.

Example:

Rekordbox Waveform Preview example

In the example image, there is a song loaded on deck 1 (21 Questions) and another on deck 2 (Babylon By Gus). Below the decks is my collection / playlist selected with other songs available for use.

If I click on the waveform of a song that is there in the collection, the song immediately starts playing, at the point where I clicked, in my headphones (obviously without going out on the equipment master and consequently on the dancefloor). A PAUSE button also appears at the beginning of the waveform to stop playback in the headphones.

Whatever point on the waveform I click (in this example, the HOT CUE "C" of the song Run It!), I will be able to hear the song from that snippet, only in my headphones, without even having to load it onto one of the decks first.

This is a super practical and fast way for you to know exactly what the song is or how its beginning, chorus, ending, hot cue, or any other snippet you wish to listen to is like.

With just 1 click you can already know if it is a good song to make your next mix, if it will have enough room in the intro, will match well, etc.

Besides, it is a great tool in case you are like me and have difficulty remembering what the songs are like just by the names.

In other words, you can listen quickly to 1, 2, 3... infinite songs to know if it will be a good next choice, without having to load a single one of these songs on the deck.

Here again, we will have the "workarounds".

One of them is the famous "hack": you can create an aggregated audio device on your laptop (with REV7 channels + your laptop's audio output) and then select, in the Rekordbox audio settings, the REV 7 as MASTER output channels and your laptop output as the preview output channel.

Disadvantages of this solution: you will have to have/use 2 different headphones, or keep taking your headphones off the controller and connecting them to the laptop when you want to hear the preview there. I also noticed a drop in the quality/volume of the master audio coming out of the controller this way.

The other way is the "roots mode" of playing: just load the song on the deck and listen in your headphone cue like every DJ does.

Yes, it is a way to do it. Much more time-consuming, requiring more "steps" and perhaps even greater processing from your laptop, but it is the traditional way for a DJ to know what it is like and which snippet of the song to use before "releasing" it to the public.

If you don't know or simply have never used this preview directly from your software collection, I invite you to do some tests. I am sure you will see that this makes you gain a lot of time in choosing the next songs.

This will reduce the time you spend looking at your laptop screen instead of the audience (look at the Serato Face here again) and possibly bring you better mixing choices.

Imagine the scenario: you are playing a song and are in doubt, among 3 others, which to mix and play next.

With this functionality, you can hear the intro of these 3 songs with just 3 clicks.

In "roots mode", you will have to select the 1st song, load it on the deck, leave it at the snippet you want to hear, select the cue of that deck on your controller/mixer and listen.

Go to the 2nd song, select, load it on the deck, leave it at the snippet you want to hear, select the cue of that deck on your controller/mixer and listen... and so on, as many times/songs as necessary until you are satisfied with your choice (or just too settled to continue until finding a better option).

I am already imagining some DJs who are against the use of technologies and resources that make our lives easier saying: "you don't need this", "in my time there was none of this", "real DJ blah blah blah"...

I have as a reference and admire a lot DJs who have played since vinyl. That's why I bought my DDJ-REV7: to have the feeling of playing like on turntables, but with the practicality and benefits that a controller brings (in my opinion there are many, it will be the subject of another post).

But I don't stick to these rules of "DJ can't use this or that", I believe we should use everything within our reach to deliver a better experience for those who are listening to us.

These functionalities are examples of this. In my opinion, I am not more or less of a DJ for using these functions/technologies. Even with them, I have to read the dancefloor, make a good musical selection and mixing to deliver a good job.

For me, that is the essence and goal of the DJ.

NOTE: I contacted the global support of AlphaTheta / Pioneer DJ to expose these 2 points and try to find solutions that wouldn't be "hacks". Initially, they told me that it would be necessary to purchase a paid plan of Rekordbox CORE or higher.

I knew that wasn't the case, as I was using the TRIAL version of Rekordbox which allows using all paid functions for free for a certain period.

Even so, I followed the support's recommendation to leave no doubt. And the result is in this post: Rekordbox does not allow the use of these 2 functionalities when used in conjunction with the DDJ-REV7.

It is a pity, I hope that in the future they can solve this.

I believe it is nothing impossible to solve with a software or firmware update. Especially because, in the case of the CUE, the function exists when we use Serato. So it is clear that it is not a physical hardware limitation.

Soon I will start producing videos where I will show, among other things, these limitations in practice. In case it wasn't clear by text, it will be easier to understand with video.

CONCLUSION:

The DDJ-REV7 and Rekordbox are currently not 100% compatible. You will not have all the software functions when using the controller.

If you don't mind using these functionalities, then it is worth having one.

Otherwise, if you don't want to give up these resources, then do not exchange your controller for the REV7 for now.

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GLOSSARY

• Serato Face: is a term/slang in DJ culture to describe the blank, focused, or inappropriate facial expression that a DJ exhibits when staring excessively at the laptop screen or equipment (such as CDJs) while playing, instead of interacting with the audience.

• GATE: the GATE mode in HOT CUES, when active, transforms the pads into percussion instruments or stabs, where the sound plays only while the pad is held down and stops instantly upon release. Ideal for creative performances, this function is different from the standard HOT CUE mode that starts continuous playback (the music plays non-stop from the point you pressed the HOT CUE).