Two DJs, two locations, one set.

Back2Back is a platform which allows two DJs to play a back-to-back set together remotely, without the need to be in the same location/ room like traditional back-to-back sessions require. DJs each play on their own equipment, with their own tracks. Think of it as online gaming, but for real-time audio. DJs swap who is on-air by handing off to each other during the session, which is all handled within the app with one simple Hand off button. DJs are able to start private or public sessions, which allows listeners from all over the world to tune in and listen to their back-to-back session.

Depending on what equipment you are using (CDJs or MIDI controller), the process is slightly different, but the premise is the same. For example, DJ-A starts their set and after playing a a few tracks, presses Hand off within the app. DJ-B then gets full control over the track that DJ-A handed off. This way, DJ-B can loop, eq, spin-back, change tempo etc. just like they would if they were in the same room, on the same equipment. DJ-B can then mix out of DJ-A's track and continue mixing more tracks. When ready, DJ-B presses Hand off and the cycle repeats back to DJ-A. This back-and-forth cycle is designed to continue throughout the session. The Back2Back app takes care of all of the audio routing and latency between DJs and the audience, so every Handoff transition between DJs is seamless and DJs can fully focus on their mix. You can find out more about how it works here.

To get started with Back2Back using CDJs you will need the following:

• Back2Back account
• Mac or PC
• Internet connection
• CDJs/ XDJs
• USB to ethernet adapter (if your laptop doesn't have an ethernet port)
• Ethernet cables
• Ethernet switch/ router
• USB cable for your mixer or external audio interface
• Audio cables (if using an external audio interface)

The following units should be compatible, but not all have been tested:

• CDJ-900NXS (confirmed working)
• CDJ-2000NXS (not tested but should work)
• CDJ-2000NXS2 (not tested but should work)
• CDJ-3000 (confirmed working)
• XDJ-1000MK2 (not tested but should work)

When using CDJs/ XDJs, you will also need a spare channel available on your mixer (this is for the other DJs audio). You don't need to use a Pioneer mixer, but you must have a way of getting audio in and out of the mixer and into your computer. This can be with a USB attached to the mixer (if your mixer supports this) or with an external audio interface with 2 inputs and 2 outputs. We recommend connecting the mixer over USB where possible, as this allows the app to warn about EQ and fader levels, so that each Handoff transition is as smooth as possible, for you, the other DJ and the audience. Using an external audio interface to route audio to and from the mixer isn't able to provide EQ and fader level insights.

If you have a 2 channel mixer, check to see if you have an AUX input, as this can also be used as the spare channel as long as it routes the audio straight to the master output.

Windows users: If connecting the mixer over USB, you will likely need to install the manufacturers drivers in order to get access to all mixer channels. Without installing these, you will likely only have access to channel 1 mixer inputs which may be an issue depending on how your decks are routed. For users on ARM64 Windows, if the manufacturer hasn't provided ARM64 drivers for your mixer, you will also only have access to channel 1 and will need to route your CDJs/ XDJs around this.

Mac users: You should be able to view all channels of your mixer without the need for a manufacturer driver, although you may want to check this if you are not seeing all of the channels you expect.

IMPORTANT

The output from your mixer must be a REC OUT or BOOTH/ an output that is will NOT change in volume throughout a session, with master routed to the speakers in your room. Back2Back relies on having a constant mixer output level that doesn't change so that the other DJ and audience get a seamless experience during transitions.

To get started with Back2Back using a MIDI controller you will need the following:

• Back2Back account
• Mac or PC
• Internet connection
• MIDI controller (optional - a mouse and keyboard can be used)

Sessions can be played without a controller but it is recommended that you use one for a better experience. If you want to be able to cue in headphones, you will need a secondary audio output, which is usually provided on controllers and can be specified within the app. Keep in mind that without a secondary output/ controller headphone output, you will not be able to hear the tracks you cue.

CDJ/ XDJ sessions

You can use up to 3 decks in a CDJ/ XDJ session. That means in a typical 3 deck, 4 channel mixer setup, each deck can have a channel and the 4th channel be used for by the app.

MIDI controller sessions

MIDI sessions can have a maximum of 2 decks as most MIDI controllers only have 2 decks.

Back2Back was built to provide a back-to-back experience for DJs on industry standard equipment, which for many DJs is Pioneer/ AlphaTheta CDJs and XDJs. When using CDJs/ XDJs, you perfom a set as you usually would on the equipment itself and the audio is controlled by the app. The app simply sits on top and performs all of the audio routing whilst the decks do the rest of the work, such as loading tracks, changing tempo, looping etc - none of that is handled by the app.

In a MIDI session, DJs have 2 virtual decks as well as a mixer displayed on their computer screen which can load tracks, trigger hot cues, loop etc. All of the processing is done on the machine, meaning it is more CPU intese. Some slower/ older CPUs may struggle to perform all of the operations within the app, so keep performance in mind when playing a session. If you experience issues in relation to processing power, you'll need to find a more powerful machine.

CDJ/ XDJ sessions

When playing a CDJ/ XDJ you will need to use a memory stick with your REKORDBOX collection exported to it and use the player browser to select and play tracks. The REKORDBOX application can not be open whilst the Back2Back app is open, so you will not be able to access your collection through a connected computer.

MIDI sessions

You are able to import your existing REKORDBOX collection into Back2Back and all hot cues, loops, cue points, grids etc. will load, just like they do in REKORDBOX.

Absolutely! — Back2Back is designed to allow anyone, anywhere to perform a back-to-back session regardless of the equipment they have available.

Any controller that has MIDI functionality will work. You'll just need to map each physical button to the buttons within MIDI mode. This only takes a few minutes and there are easy to follow instructions within the app. The MIDI map is saved after it is performed, so you only need to do this once.

Please note that additional manufacturer drivers may be required for some MIDI controller to function correctly.

Unfortunately due to the way the application works, Back2Back CDJ/ XDJ mode is not compatible with all-in-one Pioneer/ AlphaTheta units. However, these units can usually be used as a MIDI controller, so you can still go back-to-back in MIDI mode.

Mac

Back2Back works natively on the below Mac architectures.

• Intel
• Apple Silicon

Windows

Back2Back works natively on the below Windows architectures

• x64
• ARM64

Please note that additional manufacturer drivers may be required for some mixers on Windows to get full access to mixer USB channels.

No — all accounts have access to both DJ and listening features and some listening feature do not require a login at all.

Public sessions allow 2 DJs to perform a back-to-back session with eachother whilst anyone from around the world can listen in. Public sessions are shown on the Live now page. The more attention your set has, the higher it shows in the list.

Private sessions allow 2 DJs to perform a back-to-back session with eachother without it being listed on the Live now page. Perhaps you just want to practise or you want to play exclusive tracks that you don't want anyone else to hear yet - then a private session is the way to go. You can still invite listeners if you wish, but you'll get a private link to share, so only those with the link can listen in.

On-Air time is an allowance given to every user which corresponds to how long they can spend within sessions each week. When the time runs out, the sessions are ended. If you're within a session when time runs out, you can Hand off to the other DJ and listen to the rest of their set, but you will not be able to participate. If both you run out around the same time, the DJ who is playing is given a warning to play the last track and the session is automatically ended at the end of the last track. Every new user gets 1 hour of On-Air time a week and it comes back in full every Friday at 05:00 UTC. This allowance only applies to sessions being participated in as a DJ. You can listen to as many other Back2Back sessions as you like.

Once you have started a session, you will be given a link which you can share which will take people directly to your session and they will hear you playing live. You are also able to reply to audience comments directly from the Back2Back app and you'll see how many people are tuned in to your session at that time. If you are playing a public session, it will also be listed on the Live now page which is open for anyone to join. If you are playing a private session, only those with the link are able to access your session.

There is a chat box between just you and the other DJ once you reach the main session screen, separate to the audience comments. This allows you to communicate directly with the other DJ.

Yes — every one, public or private, from the moment a session starts. The recording is there to download for 3 days after the session ends, for the DJs who played in the session, then deleted, so download the ones you want to keep.

DJs wanted is a feature on the platform that allows DJs to put a wanted poster up to help find other DJs to play a session with. You can specify the time, date, genres, your experience level and much more. That way you can find someone who is best matched for your style of session. Or maybe you want to experiment or learn about other genres - use DJs wanted to help find someone out there.