Analyzing Your Library
Prepare your music files and analyze them in Rekordbox or Serato for the best MixMatrix experience.
Why This Matters
MixMatrix uses BPM and key data from your DJ software to find compatible track pairings. The more accurate your analysis, the better your pairing results. Taking time to properly organize and analyze your library upfront will save hours of work later.
On This Page
Part 1: File Preparation & Organization
Before importing into any DJ software, organize your music files for the best results.
Recommended File Structure
Create a dedicated folder for your DJ music. This keeps everything organized and makes backups easier.
Create a Music Folder
Create a folder structure like this:
Music/DJ Library/- Your main DJ music folder- Inside, organize by genre:
House/,Techno/,Hip-Hop/, etc. - Or organize by energy/vibe:
Peak Time/,Warm Up/,Closing/
Clean Up File Names
Clean, consistent file names help you find tracks quickly:
- Use format:
Artist - Track Title.mp3 - Remove extra text like "(Original Mix)", "[320kbps]", or download site tags
- Avoid special characters:
/ \ : * ? " < > |
Check File Quality
For best audio quality and analysis accuracy:
- Recommended: 320kbps MP3, FLAC, WAV, or AIFF
- Minimum: 256kbps MP3 or AAC
- Avoid: Files under 192kbps or converted from low-quality sources
Part 2: Analyzing in Rekordbox
First-Time Setup
Download & Install Rekordbox
Download the free version from rekordbox.com. You don't need to pay - the free version includes all library management and analysis features.
Configure Analysis Settings
Before importing, set up analysis preferences:
- Open Rekordbox and go to Preferences (Cmd + , on Mac)
- Click the Analysis tab
- Enable "Track Analysis Mode: Normal" for most tracks
- Enable "Key Detection" - this is essential for MixMatrix
- Set "Key Display Format" to Camelot (shows keys as 1A-12B)
Importing Your Music
Add Tracks to Rekordbox
There are two ways to import music:
- Drag & Drop: Drag your music folder directly into the Rekordbox window
- File Menu: Go to File > Import > Import Folder and select your music folder
Rekordbox will automatically start analyzing each track for BPM, key, and waveform data.
Creating Playlists
Organize Tracks into Playlists
Create playlists to organize your music by genre, energy, or occasion:
- In the left sidebar, right-click on Playlists
- Select "Create New Playlist"
- Name it (e.g., "Tech House", "Festival Bangers", "Opening Set")
- Drag tracks from your Collection into the playlist
MixMatrix imports your entire Rekordbox collection, but playlists help you stay organized.
Exporting for MixMatrix
Export as XML
Rekordbox 6+ uses an encrypted database. You need to export as XML for MixMatrix:
- In Rekordbox, go to File > Export Collection in xml format
- Choose a location (Desktop is easiest to find)
- Name it
rekordbox.xml - Click Save
This creates a file that MixMatrix can read. Keep this file updated - re-export after adding new music.
rekordbox.xml, MixMatrix will find it automatically.
Part 3: Analyzing in Serato DJ
First-Time Setup
Download & Install Serato
Download Serato DJ Lite (free) from serato.com. The free version includes library management and analysis.
Configure Analysis Settings
Set up Serato for optimal analysis:
- Open Serato DJ and go to Setup (gear icon, top right)
- Click the Library + Display tab
- Enable "Analyze Files: Key"
- Set "Key Display" to Camelot
- Enable "Set auto BPM" and "Set Beatgrid"
Importing Your Music
Add Tracks to Serato
Import your music:
- Drag & Drop: Drag your music folder into the Serato window
- Tracks appear in your library and begin analyzing automatically
- A progress bar shows analysis status in the bottom left
Analyze All Tracks
To ensure all tracks are analyzed:
- Go to Files in the left sidebar
- Click on All... to see all tracks
- Select all tracks (Cmd + A on Mac)
- Right-click and choose "Analyze Files"
Creating Crates
Organize with Crates
Serato uses "Crates" instead of playlists:
- In the left sidebar, click the + next to "Crates"
- Name your crate (e.g., "House", "Drum & Bass")
- Drag tracks from your library into the crate
- Tracks can exist in multiple crates without duplicating files
Part 4: Importing into MixMatrix
Pre-Import Checklist
Before importing, confirm:
- All tracks have been analyzed for BPM and Key
- Key display is set to Camelot format (1A-12B)
- For Rekordbox: You've exported the collection as XML
- Your music files are in their final location (don't move after import)
Importing from Rekordbox
Import Rekordbox XML
- Open MixMatrix
- Click "Import Library" in the top toolbar
- Select "Rekordbox XML"
- Navigate to your
rekordbox.xmlfile and select it - MixMatrix imports all tracks with their BPM and key data
Importing from Serato
Direct Serato Import
- Open MixMatrix
- Click "Import Library" in the top toolbar
- Select "Serato"
- MixMatrix automatically finds your Serato library at
~/Music/_Serato_/ - All tracks with analysis data are imported
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Start small: Test with 100-500 tracks before importing your full library
- Update regularly: Re-export Rekordbox XML after adding new music
- Trust the analysis: Rekordbox and Serato are highly accurate for BPM; key detection is ~85-90% accurate
- Manual corrections: If a key sounds wrong, correct it in your DJ software and re-import
Need help? support@mixmatrix.io