Convert your Serato DJ library to Rekordbox with Lexicon. Crates become playlists, hot cues transfer, beatgrids stay locked, and your tags and ratings come with them. Free, Windows and macOS.
Supports Serato DJ Pro and Serato DJ Lite, versions 3 and 4. Target is Rekordbox 6 or 7. Rekordbox 5 works via the XML sync method.
Requirements
You need to have these installed:
- Serato DJ Pro or Lite (3 or 4)
- Rekordbox 6 or 7, launched at least once
- Lexicon — free for library conversion
Lexicon runs on Windows and macOS.
Steps to convert Serato to Rekordbox
The process has two parts: import your Serato library into Lexicon, then sync it to Rekordbox.
Part 1 — Import from Serato
- Close both Serato and Rekordbox completely. Background processes must terminate for the databases to be readable.
- Open Lexicon and go to the Sync page.
- Click
Import tracks & playlistsat the bottom.
- Choose Serato from the dropdown. Lexicon auto-detects the database.
- Leave
Fullselected to import your entire library.
- Click
Start importing. Your Serato library now lives in Lexicon.
Part 2 — Sync to Rekordbox
- Go back to the Sync page (don't click Import again).
- Choose Rekordbox from the dropdown. Lexicon auto-detects the Rekordbox database.
- Leave
Fullselected. Leave the other options on their defaults.
- Click
Sync to Rekordbox. Wait for it to finish.
When it completes, open Rekordbox and your full library is there — playlists, cues, beatgrids and tags intact.
What transfers from Serato to Rekordbox
| Item | Transfers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crates & folder structure | Yes | Serato crates become Rekordbox playlists. Subcrates map to folder hierarchy. |
| Smart Crates | As intelligent playlists | Serato Smart Crates come across as Lexicon smartlists, which sync to Rekordbox intelligent playlists via the Direct method. |
| Tracks in parent crates | As _FolderTracks playlist | Serato lets you place tracks directly in a folder (not in a crate). Lexicon collects these into a special _FolderTracks playlist per folder since Rekordbox can't store them directly in a folder. |
| Hot cues | Yes | Serato's hot cues transfer to Rekordbox hot cues, with colors preserved via the Direct sync method. |
| Memory cues | Optional | Rekordbox is the only DJ app with separate memory cues. Lexicon can write them as memory cues if you enable the memory-cue feature in settings. |
| Beatgrids | Yes | Beatgrid markers and BPM transfer 1:1 via the Direct method. |
| Loops | Yes (one active) | Rekordbox supports one active hot loop and one active memory loop. Extra active loops drop to inactive slots. |
| Track metadata | Yes | Title, artist, album, genre, BPM, key, comments, ratings, custom tags. |
| Album art | Yes | Embedded art transfers. Note: Rekordbox does not support album art for WAV files. |
| Serato FLIP | No | FLIP entries are not read or written by Lexicon. |
| Streaming tracks | Conditional | Serato 3 does not store streaming tracks in crates at all. Serato 4 does if the streaming service is enabled in Serato. Rekordbox stores them similarly. |
Notes specific to Serato → Rekordbox
Direct vs XML sync for Rekordbox
Lexicon supports two sync methods to Rekordbox: Direct (recommended for Rekordbox 6/7) and XML (required for Rekordbox 5). The Direct method is faster, preserves cue colors, and handles intelligent playlists properly. Use XML only if you're on Rekordbox 5.
FLIP is not carried across
Serato FLIP edits live in a Serato-only data structure that Lexicon doesn't read. If you rely on FLIP performances, back up the Serato database folder (Music/_Serato_) before syncing so you can restore them later.
Tracks placed directly in Serato folders
Serato allows tracks to sit directly inside a folder (not in a crate). Rekordbox doesn't allow that. Lexicon converts those tracks into a _FolderTracks playlist per folder so nothing is lost — you can rename or delete them after sync if you prefer.
Serato 3 vs Serato 4 streaming
Serato 3 cannot store Beatport/Tidal/etc. tracks in crates. Serato 4 can, as long as the streaming service is enabled in Serato settings. If your Serato library has streaming tracks and you want them in Rekordbox, use Serato 4 and make sure the service is enabled before importing.
Sync Manager incompatibility
Rekordbox's own "Sync Manager" feature can conflict with Lexicon's sync by creating duplicate tracks or ignoring field updates. Recommended workflow: right-click playlists in Rekordbox and export to USB manually instead of relying on Sync Manager. See the Sync Manager note in the manual.
Rekordbox Cloud Sync
Rekordbox Cloud Sync support is in beta. If your library is on Rekordbox Cloud, take a full backup before syncing with Lexicon. Sticking to the XML method avoids Cloud Sync entirely.
Close Serato and Rekordbox completely
Serato exits cleanly, but Rekordbox leaves rekordbox and rekordboxAgent processes running. Kill them via Task Manager / Activity Monitor if the sync hangs.
Frequently asked questions
Do hot cues keep their colors?
Yes when syncing via the Direct method (recommended for Rekordbox 6/7). The XML method loses memory-cue colors because Rekordbox doesn't write them to the XML — hot cue colors still transfer.
What happens to Serato Smart Crates?
They come into Lexicon as smartlists and sync to Rekordbox as intelligent playlists. Rules that don't translate cleanly are simplified.
Will Serato FLIP edits appear in Rekordbox?
No. FLIP is Serato-only and Lexicon does not read or write it. Your FLIP edits will remain in Serato.
Will my streaming tracks from Serato appear in Rekordbox?
If you're on Serato 4 with the streaming service enabled, the tracks come through. Serato 3 doesn't store streaming tracks in crates, so there's nothing for Lexicon to import.
Why does my Rekordbox library show a _FolderTracks playlist?
Because Serato allows tracks to sit directly inside a folder (not in a crate), but Rekordbox doesn't. Lexicon collects those into a _FolderTracks playlist per folder so you don't lose them.
Does this work on macOS?
Yes. The process is identical on Windows and macOS.
Other conversion guides
Converting from a different app, or to a different app?
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