Serato to VirtualDJ

Convert your Serato library to VirtualDJ with Lexicon.

Convert your Serato DJ library to VirtualDJ with Lexicon. Crates become playlists, hot cues transfer, Smart Crates become Filter Folders. Free, Windows and macOS.

Supports Serato DJ Pro and Lite (versions 3 and 4) → any recent VirtualDJ.

Requirements

You need to have these installed:

  • Serato DJ Pro or Lite (3 or 4)
  • VirtualDJ, launched at least once
  • Lexicon — free for library conversion

Lexicon runs on Windows and macOS.

Steps to convert Serato to VirtualDJ

The process has two parts: import your Serato library into Lexicon, then sync it to VirtualDJ.

Part 1 — Import from Serato

  1. Close both Serato and VirtualDJ completely. Background processes must terminate for the databases to be readable.
  2. Open Lexicon and go to the Sync page.
The Sync page in Lexicon
  1. Click Import tracks & playlists at the bottom.
Import tracks & playlists button in Lexicon
  1. Choose Serato from the dropdown. Lexicon auto-detects the database.
Selecting Serato as the source in the Lexicon import dropdown
  1. Leave Full selected to import your entire library.
Full import option selected in Lexicon
  1. Click Start importing. Your Serato library now lives in Lexicon.
Start importing button in Lexicon

Part 2 — Sync to VirtualDJ

  1. Go back to the Sync page (don't click Import again).
  2. Choose VirtualDJ from the dropdown. Lexicon auto-detects the VirtualDJ database.
Selecting VirtualDJ as the sync target in Lexicon
  1. Leave Full selected. Leave the other options on their defaults.
Full sync option selected in Lexicon
  1. Click Sync to VirtualDJ. Wait for it to finish.
Sync to VirtualDJ button in Lexicon

When it completes, open VirtualDJ and your full library is there — playlists, cues, beatgrids and tags intact.

What transfers from Serato to VirtualDJ

ItemTransfersNotes
Crates & folder structureYesSerato crates sync to VirtualDJ under Lists & Advice ➡ Playlists with folder hierarchy preserved.
Smart CratesAs Filter FoldersSerato Smart Crates come into Lexicon as smartlists, which sync to VirtualDJ Filter Folders (under the Filters menu).
Tracks in parent foldersAs _FolderTracks playlistBoth Serato and VirtualDJ allow tracks directly in folders, but Lexicon normalizes this into _FolderTracks playlists for consistent sync across apps.
Hot cuesYesHot cues transfer into VirtualDJ's POI system.
Cue colorsStored, not shown by defaultVirtualDJ stores cue colors in the POI editor but doesn't display them by default.
BeatgridsYesBeatgrid markers and BPM transfer.
LoopsYesLoops carry across.
Track metadataYesTitle, artist, album, genre, BPM, key, comments, ratings, custom tags.
Album artYesEmbedded art transfers.
Serato FLIPNoFLIP entries are not read or written by Lexicon.
Streaming tracksConditionalBoth Serato and VirtualDJ support streaming tracks (Beatport, Tidal, etc.). The streaming service must be enabled in both apps for those tracks to appear after sync. Serato 3 does not support streaming tracks in crates at all — use Serato 4.

Notes specific to Serato → VirtualDJ

Disable VirtualDJ auto-tag-read

VirtualDJ can auto-read ID3 tags from files. If that setting is enabled, it may overwrite tags Lexicon has just written. Disable auto-update in VirtualDJ settings before syncing.

Smart Crates → Filter Folders

Serato Smart Crates come across as Lexicon smartlists and sync to VirtualDJ's Filter Folders (found under the Filters menu). You can also turn on "Move smartlists" in Lexicon sync options to convert them into normal playlists instead.

FLIP is not carried across

Serato FLIP stays in Serato — Lexicon doesn't read or write it. If you rely on FLIP, don't clear your Serato database.

Virtual Folders

Your existing VirtualDJ Virtual Folders turn into normal playlists after a full Lexicon sync. If you need to keep them, back up the VirtualDJ database folder first.

Lexicon Ignore folder

For karaoke files, video files, or anything VirtualDJ should keep untouched during full sync, place them under VirtualDJ's Lexicon Ignore folder. Full sync preserves that folder.

Tracks placed directly in Serato folders

Serato and VirtualDJ both allow tracks directly in folders, but Lexicon normalizes this — those tracks land in a per-folder _FolderTracks playlist for consistent behavior across DJ apps.

Frequently asked questions

What happens to Serato Smart Crates in VirtualDJ?

They become Filter Folders (under the Filters menu). Serato Smart Crates pass through Lexicon as smartlists, which sync directly to VirtualDJ Filter Folders.

Will cue colors show in VirtualDJ?

Not by default — VirtualDJ's main UI doesn't render cue colors. They're stored in the POI editor where you can enable color display, or they'll come back if you sync to another app.

Will Serato FLIP edits appear in VirtualDJ?

No. FLIP is Serato-only and Lexicon does not read or write it.

Does VirtualDJ overwrite my tags after sync?

It can, if auto-tag-read is enabled. Disable it in VirtualDJ settings to preserve Lexicon's tag writes.

What about my existing VirtualDJ Virtual Folders?

They get replaced by normal playlists during full sync. Back up your VirtualDJ database folder first if you need to preserve them.

Does this work on macOS?

Yes. The process is identical on Windows and macOS.

Converting from a different app, or to a different app?

Library conversion is 100% free. No credit card required.

Thoughts? Questions? Share them on the forum or chat about them on Discord.