Pioneer DJ just released a public beta for the latest version of its Rekordbox software. Version 5.6.1 now lets you stream music via SoundCloud Go+ as well as Beatport Link when spinning with Rekordbox DJ. Beatport Link is Beatport’s subscription service that lets you play music from its catalogue of over 6,000,000 songs.
You’ll need a Beatport Link subscription to stream using Rekordbox DJ, and there are three plans available: Beatport Link (US$14.99/month), Beatport Link Pro (US$39.99/month), and Beatport Link Pro+ (US$59.99/month). The Pro plan lets you save 50 songs offline while Pro+ lets you save 100 songs, great for when you’re spinning at a venue without a WiFi or 4G / LTE connection.
We’ve talked extensively about why streaming is the future of digital DJing, and that future seems closer than ever. The DDJ-200 released last May makes digital DJing accessible for anyone with a smartphone running Pioneer DJ’s WeDJ app and Beatport Link, and we’re now starting to see that DJ streaming experience trickle into Pioneer DJ’s desktop Rekordbox app. Beatport Link is already accessible via some Denon DJ gear with more coming later this year – could Pioneer DJ hardware be next? We’ll have to wait and see…
• Rekordbox 5.6.1 beta is available now for Mac users. Check the Pioneer DJ site for more details.
Have you tried DJing with music from a streaming service yet? What has your experience been like? Let us know below.