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cuev1 BetaStart mixing

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Cue next to the pro apps.

How Cue stacks up against rekordbox, Serato DJ Pro, Traktor Pro 4, djay Pro and VirtualDJ: where it leads, where it matches, and what you still get only from the pros.

8

Areas where Cue leads

Explained Automix, set planning, coaching, Auto-FX, previews, learning from ratings, tracklists and no install.

11

Working level

Mixer, cues and loops, sync and key lock, beatgrid, key, sections, scratching, library, recording, basic FX and the DDJ-FLX4.

10

Pro apps ahead

Live stems, time-stretch sound, streaming, audio engine, decks, hardware, FX depth, DVS, club export, video and lighting.

What's new in the beta

The gaps we closed this round.

Analysis, stems, key lock and scratching were where the pro apps were furthest ahead. Here is what changed.

  • Stems on every deck

    Separate vocals, drums, bass and melody on your own device. About a minute for a 2½-minute track on a desktop GPU, then mute or solo each one live.

  • Five stem transitions

    Automix can now swap basslines, drop the incoming vocal until the outgoing one ends, or ride an acapella over the next track.

  • Analysis you can trust

    A beat-tracking model for grids and downbeats, tuning-aware key detection, and sections that land on the right bar.

  • Fix it yourself

    Wrong key or beat 1? Correct it on the deck. Your fixes always win, and Automix uses them.

  • Key lock on the beat

    A key-locked deck used to sound 131 ms late. The processing delay is now 54 ms, and Cue starts the deck early to cover it, so it plays on the grid.

  • Scratching like a record

    Touch a playing record and it brakes under your hand. Fast scratches stay clean, and the record spins back up when you let go.

Automix

Automix, head to head.

djay Pro's Automix AI is the strongest automatic mixer among the pro apps. rekordbox, Serato and Traktor offer simpler auto-play modes.

FeatureCue Automixdjay Pro · Automix AIrekordbox · Serato · Traktor auto-play
Chooses the next track StrongRanks your library by tempo, key, energy and the set's arc; looks 2–3 tracks ahead PartialMixes the playlist or queue you give it PartialPlays your playlist in order
Where it mixes StrongOn tracked downbeats and phrases, around drops and breakdowns, avoiding vocal clashes StrongAI finds intros and outros PartialFixed crossfade length or your cue points
Transition styles Strong25 routines: bass swap, long blend, drop swap, double drop, echo out, stem swaps and more StrongStem-based transitions with Neural Mix Not yetMostly a crossfade
Uses stems in transitions Strongwas Not yetBass swap, vocal out, instrumental in, acapella over and drum swap, once stems are prepared StrongSeparated in real time Not yetStems for manual play only
Effects in transitions StrongEcho, filter builds, risers, reverb washes and more on the beat grid, with a Subtle or Expressive budget PartialTransition effects available Not yet
Tempo and key StrongJudges keys as heard after the tempo change; plans a tempo path across the set StrongSync with high-quality key lock PartialSync; no planning across tracks
Plans a whole set StrongWarm-up, build, peak and close on an energy curve you can see, with upcoming tracks to promote or skip Not yet Not yetSeparate prep tools do this
Explains its choice StrongA score with reasons, plus two runners-up Not yet Not yet
Preview before it plays StrongHear the planned transition in your headphones Not yet Not yet
Proven on real sets Not yetBeta: trust your ears StrongYears of use StrongClub-tested

The studio

Feature by feature.

"Pro apps" means the best of rekordbox, Serato DJ Pro, Traktor Pro 4, djay Pro and VirtualDJ; not every product has every feature. "Was" marks a rating that changed in this beta.

FeatureCuePro apps
Analysis
BPM and beatgrid Strongwas PartialA beat-tracking model finds beats and downbeats; one tempo per track StrongDynamic grids for live drummers
Key Strongwas PartialTuning-corrected, a key per section, and your override Strong
Sections and phrases Strongwas PartialIntro, build, drop, breakdown and outro on the right bar Strongrekordbox phrase analysis is the reference
Fix what analysis got wrongNew StrongSet the key, beat 1 or sections; Automix trusts your fixes StrongGrid and key editing
Stems Partialwas Not yetVocals, drums, bass and melody on your device, prepared before you play StrongSeparated live as a track loads
Decks and mixing
Decks 2 decks Up to 4Plus sample and remix decks
Mixer StrongTrim, 3-band EQ, filter, faders, limiter, loudness matching Strong
Cues, loops, slip, quantize Strong8 hot cues, loops, rolls, beat jump, slip Strong
Sync and key lock Strongwas PartialKey-locked decks stay on the beat Strong
Time-stretch sound PartialClean at DJ tempo ranges; long chords can sound phasey Strongélastique and Pitch 'n Time
Jog scratching Strongwas PartialRecords brake under your hand, fast scratches stay clean, and stem mutes are respected Strong
Timecode vinyl (DVS) Not yet StrongSerato and Traktor DVS
Music, hardware and platform
Your own files StrongImport, linked folders, tags; music stays on your computer Strong
Streaming catalogs Not yet StrongSpotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Beatport
Controllers PartialDDJ-FLX4 fully mapped StrongHundreds of devices; MIDI learn
Effects PartialPad FX, plus Auto-FX inside Automix StrongDozens of chainable FX
Export to club players Not yet Strongrekordbox USB export, Engine
Install StrongRuns in a browser; analysis and stems run on your device PartialDesktop apps; some on iOS
Teaching and coaching Strong28 techniques, a live coach and practice reports Not yetTutorials live outside the app

✓ strong · ◐ partial · — not yet. Our judgement from public product information, October 2026. Features change, so check each vendor before you decide.

Cue does better

  • Explains every Automix choice with a score and reasons
  • Plans a whole set on an energy curve
  • Lets you hear a transition before it plays
  • Teaches while you play, with lessons and a live coach
  • Runs in a browser; your music and stems stay on your device

Where the pro apps are still ahead

  • Separates stems live, with no preparation step
  • Higher-quality time-stretch on held chords and vocals
  • Streaming catalogs inside the app
  • Hundreds of controllers, DVS vinyl and club-player export
  • Years of use in clubs
Free while in beta

Hear it for yourself.

No account, nothing to install. Your music stays on your computer.

Start mixingSee the roadmap