Track Sources
What Are Track Sources?
Section titled “What Are Track Sources?”A track source is the connection between Now Playing and the DJ software or hardware you use to mix. When a track source is active, the Now Playing desktop app listens for changes and captures information (title, artist, album, artwork, BPM, key, and more) the moment a new track goes on air. That data flows through the Now Playing cloud service and into your overlays in real time, keeping your stream, broadcast, or live display always up to date.
Track sources fall into two broad categories:
- Network protocols. Now Playing communicates directly with DJ hardware (CDJs, media players) over your local network. No DJ software is required on your computer.
- Software integrations. Now Playing reads data from DJ software running on the same computer. These require no special network setup.
Choosing the right source for your setup means understanding how you play music. If you spin off USB drives plugged into standalone CDJs or Engine OS players, a network protocol is the right choice. If you’re on a laptop with a controller, a software integration is the way to go.
Compatibility at a Glance
Section titled “Compatibility at a Glance”| Source | Protocol / Method | Data Captured | Network Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRO DJ LINK | Network (Pioneer / AlphaTheta) | Title, artist, album, artwork, BPM, key, waveform, deck | Yes (wired ethernet recommended) |
| StageLinq | Network (Denon / Engine DJ) | Title, artist, album, artwork, BPM | Yes (wired ethernet recommended) |
| rekordbox | Local software integration | Title, artist, album, artwork, BPM, key | No |
| Serato DJ | Local file monitoring | Title, artist, album, BPM | No |
| Traktor Pro | Local broadcast output | Title, artist, album, BPM | No |
| VirtualDJ | Local software integration | Title, artist, album, BPM | No |
| djay Pro | Local software integration | Title, artist, album, artwork, BPM | No |
| Mixxx | Local file monitoring | Title, artist, album, BPM | No |
| DJUCED | Local file monitoring | Title, artist, album, BPM | No |
| Spotify | API polling | Title, artist, album, artwork, BPM | No |
Enabling Sources
Section titled “Enabling Sources”Each track source can be individually enabled or disabled. You can enable multiple sources at once if your setup requires it. Now Playing monitors all enabled sources simultaneously and captures track updates from whichever source is active.
If your setup changes (for example, you use rekordbox in the studio during the week and CDJs at a club on the weekend) you can enable or disable sources in the desktop app’s settings at any time. Changes take effect immediately without needing to restart the app.
Selecting a Track Source
Section titled “Selecting a Track Source”
- Open the Now Playing desktop app.
- Click Settings in the sidebar, then expand Sources under Connections.
- Click the source that matches your setup.
- Toggle Enable Monitoring to turn the source on.
- Follow any additional configuration displayed for that source (some sources require configuration inside the DJ software or hardware before Now Playing can connect).
The green dot next to the source name in the sidebar indicates the source is enabled. Now Playing will begin listening as soon as monitoring is enabled.
Network Protocol Sources
Section titled “Network Protocol Sources”For PRO DJ LINK and StageLinq, your hardware and computer must be on the same local network segment. A few things to check before you start:
- Use a wired ethernet connection from your players and your computer to a network switch. Wi-Fi is not recommended, as it can introduce latency and packet loss that causes missed track updates.
- Confirm all devices are on the same subnet (e.g., all assigned addresses
in the
192.168.1.xrange). If your router assigns different subnets to wired and wireless clients, the connection will fail. - Check that your computer’s firewall is not blocking local network traffic. Now Playing needs to receive broadcast and multicast packets from your players.
- Do not use a daisy-chain only setup (CDJ to CDJ without a switch) if you want your computer to participate in the link. A network switch is required when adding a computer to the player network.
Software Integration Sources
Section titled “Software Integration Sources”For rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, VirtualDJ, djay Pro, Mixxx, and DJUCED, Now Playing reads data locally from the same computer. There is no network traffic involved. General requirements:
- The DJ software must be installed and running on the same machine as the Now Playing desktop app.
- You do not need to configure any network ports, firewalls, or router rules.
- Some sources (Traktor) require a one-time configuration step inside the DJ software. Others (Serato, VirtualDJ) work with zero configuration.
Switching Sources Mid-Session
Section titled “Switching Sources Mid-Session”You can enable or disable track sources at any time, even during a live stream. Now Playing will pick up from the newly enabled source and resume sending track updates. Your overlay will reflect the new track data as soon as the first track update arrives from the new source. There is no need to reload your browser source in OBS.