Scanning and Importing Music

The Crate Hackers app is designed to help DJs organize their music. The app scans your hard drive to find all of your music and sorts it for you.

Here's How to Get Started:

  1. Install the App

    • Download the Crate Hackers app for your Mac or PC from the Crate Hackers website.
    • Once it's installed, open it and log in.

  2. Scan Your Hard Drive

    • Click on the "My Music" tab.
    • Then import from Serato or click on "Folders".

  3. Choose Your Music Folder

    • Choose the folder (or folders) on your computer where all of your music is stored. To ensure smooth functionality, we recommend reducing the size of your library to below 1 terabyte.
    • You can select more than one folder. 
    • Click "Open".
    • The app will analyze your music and organize it by categories like BPM and genre.

  4. Sync New Music

    • Any time you add music to your computer, click "Re-sync Folder(s)" to add the new music to Crate Hackers.

The "One Folder Trick"

The One Folder Trick is a method to organize your music library by combining all of your music into one folder. This helps eliminate duplicate tracks and makes your library easier to manage. You can use the Folder Flattener tool in the Crate Hackers app to do this.

Follow These Steps to Use the Folder Flattener:

  1. Back Up Your Music

    • Make sure to back up your music before using the Folder Flattener tool.
    • It's important to make a copy of your music library just in case something happens.

  2. Open the Folder Flattener

    • Go to the "Tools" section of the Crate Hackers desktop app.
    • Click on "Folder Flattener".

  3. Select the Source Folder

    • Choose the folder where your music files are stored.
    • You can select more than one folder if you want to.

  4. Pick the Destination Folder

    • Choose a new, empty folder on your computer where all of the flattened music will be stored.

  5. Hit Flatten

    • Click the "Run" button.
    • This might take a while, depending on how much music you have.

Dealing with Duplicates

The Folder Flattener can also help you find and delete duplicate tracks in your music library.

Here's How It Works:

  1. Review Folder

    • Once the Folder Flattener is finished, it will create a review folder.

  2. Check the Folder

    • The review folder contains all of the tracks that have the same name.

  3. Delete Duplicates

    • Go through the folder to ensure the files are duplicates.
    • If they are, you can delete them.

  4. Important Note: Be careful when deleting files. Once you delete a file, it's gone forever.

Shortcuts to Keep Your Library Organized

  • Regular Syncing: After adding new tracks, always remember to re-sync your folders to keep the app updated.
  • Consistent Naming: Use a consistent naming convention for your files to make them easier to manage.
  • Periodic Cleanup: Regularly use the Folder Flattener to maintain an organized and efficient music library.

By following these steps and utilizing the tools provided by Crate Hackers, you can keep your music library well-organized and ready for any DJ set.

Tips for Safe File Management

  • Backup Regularly: Always maintain a backup of your music library on an external drive or cloud service.
  • Double-Check Before Deleting: Before deleting any files, ensure they are exact duplicates to avoid losing unique tracks.
  • Stay Updated: Keep the Crate Hackers app updated to benefit from the latest features and improvements.
  • Update Your Windows and macOS

    While some features may still work on Windows 10 and older macOS versions (Big Sur or earlier), we cannot ensure full compatibility or provide support for any issues on these unsupported operating systems.