Import YouTube MP3s into rekordbox, Serato and Traktor

1. Download and organise first

1. Convert the tracks at 320kbps. For a whole set, paste a playlist link — the first 10 tracks are converted at once.
2. Create one permanent music folder (for example Music/DJ/House) and move the MP3s there before importing.
3. Check the durations: pick the extended or original mix, not the radio edit, when you need long intros for mixing.

Files arrive named Artist - Title - (yt320mp3.com).mp3 with ID3 tags and cover art, so your library is tidy from the start. More tips in YouTube MP3 for DJs.

2. rekordbox

1. Open Preferences → Analysis and make sure tracks are analysed automatically when they are added (BPM, key, beat grid).
2. Drag the MP3s or the whole folder from your file manager into Collection — or use File → Import → Import Track / Import Folder.
3. Wait for the analysis to finish, then check the beat grid on the first beats and set your hot cues.
4. Drag the tracks into a playlist for your set.
5. For CDJs: plug in the USB stick, select it under Devices and drag the playlist onto it. rekordbox copies the files together with the analysis.

3. Serato DJ Pro / Lite

1. Click Files, browse to your music folder and drag it onto All... or onto a crate.
2. Click Analyze Files to detect BPM, key and waveforms — Serato does not load new tracks reliably until they are analysed.
3. Set cue points and loops, then organise crates for your gigs.

4. Traktor Pro

1. In the browser tree, open Explorer, find your music folder, right click it and choose Import to Collection — or drag the files onto Track Collection.
2. Traktor analyses new tracks for BPM, key and beat grid (see Preferences → Analyze Options). To re-run it, select the tracks, right click and choose Analyze (Async).
3. Check the beat grid, set cue points and build playlists.

5. Before the gig

• Play every new track once from start to finish in headphones — a few YouTube uploads have silence, talking or a bad edit at the end.
• Keep a backup of the music folder on a second drive.
• Export or sync your USB the day before, not in the booth.

Frequently asked questions

Which format should I download for rekordbox, Serato or Traktor?

MP3 at 320kbps. All three programs and all Pioneer CDJs and XDJs play it, and it is the highest MP3 quality.

Why does my track show no BPM or key after importing?

The track has not been analysed yet. Turn on automatic analysis on import, or select the tracks and run Analyze. The MP3 file itself only contains artist, title and cover art.

Will the artist, title and artwork show up?

Yes. Every YT320MP3 file has ID3 tags for artist and title and a square cover image, which all three programs read.

Can I move the files after importing them?

Try not to. DJ software remembers where each file lives; moving or renaming it later breaks the link and the track shows as missing. Choose a permanent folder first.