CueStem desktop import & USB guide

rekordbox (6 and 7)

1. 1

   Put your music in one folder

   For example Music/CueStem. Copy the same music files you scanned into it.

2. 2

   Export from CueStem

   In Library, finish Step 1 or confirm partial preparation, then choose Export for rekordbox desktop (XML) in Step 2. Save the .xml anywhere. Track and crate exports also contain grids, cues and loops.

3. 3

   Turn on the XML view

   In rekordbox open Preferences → View → Layout and tick 'rekordbox xml'. Then go to Preferences → Advanced → Database → rekordbox xml → Imported Library, and Browse to the CueStem .xml file.

4. 4

   Find the playlist

   In the left sidebar open 'rekordbox xml' → Playlists → CueStem AI (or your crate name).

5. 5

   Fix 'file missing' with Relocate

   If tracks show a red ! or 'file missing', select them all, right-click → Relocate → Auto Relocate → choose your music folder. rekordbox matches them by file name. You can also use File → Display All Missing Files → Relocate.

6. 6

   Import into your collection

   Select the tracks, right-click → Import To Collection (or import the whole playlist). When asked, choose to overwrite the beatgrid and cue points with the XML ones.

7. 7

   Check bar 1 and a cue

   Load a track, zoom in, and check the first red bar line sits on the kick and hot cue A plays on the beat. If it is a whole beat out, use the grid edit tools — don't re-analyse, or rekordbox will replace the CueStem grid.

8. 8

   Keep the imported grid

   Avoid BPM/grid re-analysis after importing. Review Analysis preferences and lock the grid where supported; settings and wording vary by version.

9. 9

   Export the playlist and music to USB

   Connect your USB drive. In rekordbox Export mode, select the drive under Devices and export the imported playlist, or use Sync Manager. Wait until export finishes. This writes the player library and copies the music; copying only CueStem's XML does not.

10. 10

    Load it on your player

    Safely eject the drive in rekordbox, connect it to your XDJ/CDJ, choose the USB source and exported playlist, then load a track. Check its grid, hot cues and saved loops before relying on it in a set.

Engine DJ (Denon / Numark)

1. 1

   Export from CueStem

   After Library Step 1, choose Engine DJ desktop (XML) in Step 2. This is a rekordbox-style XML for desktop import, not a standalone USB library.

2. 2

   Point Engine at the file

   In Engine DJ open Preferences → Library → rekordbox and set the XML path to the CueStem file. The 'rekordbox' source then appears in the left panel.

3. 3

   Relink missing files

   If tracks show as missing, right-click → Relocate / Find missing files and pick your music folder. Engine also matches by file name.

4. 4

   Import to your Engine library

   Import the CueStem AI playlist into your Engine Collection. Check which grids, cues and loops your Engine DJ version imports; do not re-analyse away the imported grid.

5. 5

   Check timing

   Load a few tracks and check the grid and cues against the audio. Timing and supported metadata can vary by format and software version.

6. 6

   Export for standalone playback

   Use Engine DJ desktop's Sync Manager to export the playlist and music to a compatible USB drive. Safely eject it, then load and check it on your Engine-powered player.

Traktor

1. 1

   Download the NML

   After preparation, export for Traktor (NML) from CueStem. Keep the original music files available and unchanged.

2. 2

   Import into Traktor desktop

   Back up your collection. In Traktor, right-click Track Collection and choose Import another Collection, then select the NML. Menu wording may vary by version.

3. 3

   Relink and check

   If files are missing, use Traktor's collection consistency and relocation tools to point at your music folder. Check imported BPM, grids, hot cues and loops; avoid overwriting them with re-analysis.

4. 4

   Play through Traktor

   Load the tracks in Traktor on your computer with your compatible controller. An NML is not a standalone Pioneer/AlphaTheta USB library.

What stays saved in CueStem?

Crate Prep reads a whole folder or drive locally. BPM, key, grids, cues and loops stay in your account; the original music is not stored. After refresh, reselect your folder to listen or supply audio for a chosen AI Grid Fix. The folder picker searches subfolders by file name and uploads only matching selected tracks.

Grid Fix and Stem Splitter are separate, optional uploads. Uploaded originals are removed after successful processing; grid results stay saved for future exports. Completed stems return in Stem Splitter → Saved stems after refresh, with a 14-day download countdown. Save individual parts with Save As in supported browsers, or download all as a ZIP. Stems are deleted automatically when the countdown ends, so keep your own copy.

Rescanning can replace the analysis. If you change a grid or cues in CueStem, export and import the updated prep again, then re-export your USB from the desktop app.

Using Serato? Follow the Serato tag-writing guide instead of importing XML.

Still seeing "file missing"?

• The file was renamed or converted after scanning — rename it back, or scan the new version.
• The music is on an external drive that isn't plugged in — plug it in, then Relocate again.
• You exported a WAV/AIFF folder but pointed the app at the original MP3s (or the other way round) — use the same files you exported.
• Special characters in names (é, &, emoji) — CueStem handles them, but a few older app versions don't; rename both file and track if Relocate can't find it.