Use this guide to choose your main DJ software and scan your music library inside Crate Hackers.

This is one of the most important setup steps. Crate Hackers needs to know what DJ software you use and where your music files live before it can help you build useful crates.

Fast Fix

  1. Open Crate Hackers and log in.
  2. Choose the DJ software you use most often.
  3. Go to My Music.
  4. Click Add Folder.
  5. Select the folder where your actual music files are stored.
  6. Let the scan finish before moving on.

Quick Start Video

Watch this first if you want to see how choosing your DJ software and scanning your music works inside Crate Hackers.

  

Before You Start

Make sure you have already:

  • Installed Crate Hackers
  • Logged in successfully
  • Reached the main dashboard
  • Know where your music folder is located on your computer

Do not guess where your music lives.

Crate Hackers needs the folder that contains your actual music files, not just a playlist folder, shortcut, or random download graveyard.

Where Your Music Might Be Stored

Your music might be stored in places like:

  • Music folder
  • Downloads folder
  • External hard drive
  • Dropbox folder
  • DJ software folder
  • A custom folder you created for your music library

If your music is spread across a lot of folders: start with the folder you use most often. You can add more later. No need to throw your entire computer at the app on day one.

Step 1: Choose Your DJ Software

During setup, Crate Hackers may ask which DJ software you use most often.

Choose the software you normally DJ with.

Common options may include:

  • Serato
  • Rekordbox
  • VirtualDJ
  • Engine DJ
  • Traktor
  • djay Pro
  • Apple Music or iTunes based workflows

Pick the one you use the most. This helps Crate Hackers point you toward the right export workflow later.

Why This Matters

Different DJ platforms handle playlists and crates differently.

Choosing your DJ software helps Crate Hackers understand how you are most likely to use the app.

For example:

  • Serato users may want crate based exports.
  • Rekordbox users may want playlist imports.
  • VirtualDJ users may use M3U playlist workflows.
  • Engine DJ users may use Apple Music or playlist based workflows.

You do not need to understand every export path right now. Just choose the DJ software you use most often.

Step 2: Go to My Music

After choosing your DJ software, go to:

My Music

This is where Crate Hackers connects to your music library.

The app needs to scan your files so it can read track information like artist, title, BPM, key, and file location.

Step 3: Click Add Folder

Inside My Music, click:

Add Folder

Then choose the folder where your music lives.

This might be your main music folder, an external drive, or a folder you use for DJ downloads.

Choose the folder that contains the songs you actually use. If the folder only has playlists, shortcuts, or empty folders, Crate Hackers may not find your real music files.

Step 4: Start the Scan

After you select your folder, Crate Hackers will begin scanning your music.

The scan allows Crate Hackers to read your music files and prepare your library inside the app.

Important: scanning does not move your files.

It does not delete your files. It does not rename your files. It does not reorganize your folders. It simply reads your music library so Crate Hackers can understand what you have.

What Crate Hackers Reads During a Scan

During the scan, Crate Hackers may read information such as:

  • Artist
  • Title
  • File location
  • BPM
  • Key
  • Genre
  • Track length
  • File type
  • Metadata tags

This information helps the app match your music against crates, charts, and playlists.

Best Library Size for Performance

For best performance, try to keep your scanned library under about:

1 TB

Larger libraries may still work, but they can take longer to scan and refresh.

If your music library is huge, start with the folder you use most often. You can always add more later.

If Your Music Is on an External Hard Drive

You can scan music from an external hard drive.

Before scanning:

  • Plug in the drive.
  • Make sure the drive is visible on your computer.
  • Keep it connected during the scan.
  • Do not rename or move the folder while Crate Hackers is scanning.

External drive note: If you disconnect the drive later, Crate Hackers may not be able to find those files until the drive is connected again.

Step 5: Wait for the Scan to Finish

Let the scan finish before moving on.

The time it takes depends on:

  • How many songs you have
  • How large your music folder is
  • Whether the files are on your computer or an external drive
  • Your computer speed

A small library may scan quickly. A large library may take longer. That is normal. Let it finish before judging the app like it personally wronged you.

Step 6: Re-sync When You Add New Music

If you add new music later, you do not need to start over.

Go back to My Music and use:

Re-sync

This refreshes your library so Crate Hackers can see the new files.

Use Re-sync when you:

  • Download new songs
  • Add new folders
  • Move music into your main library
  • Update your music collection
  • Want Crate Hackers to refresh what it sees

Common Mistakes

Scanning the Wrong Folder

If Crate Hackers does not find many songs, you may have selected the wrong folder.

Try this:

  1. Go back to My Music.
  2. Click Add Folder.
  3. Choose the folder where your actual music files live.
  4. Run the scan again.

Look for folders that contain files like:

  • MP3
  • WAV
  • AIFF
  • FLAC
  • M4A

If the folder only contains playlists, shortcuts, or empty folders, Crate Hackers may not find your actual songs.

Choosing Every Folder at Once

You do not need to scan your entire computer.

Start with the folder that matters most.

A clean first scan is better than throwing your entire computer at the app and hoping it sorts out your life choices.

You can add more folders later.

Disconnecting an External Drive

If your music is on an external hard drive, keep that drive connected while scanning.

If you disconnect the drive later, Crate Hackers may not be able to find those files until the drive is plugged back in.

Quick Checklist

Before moving to the next article, make sure you have:

  • Chosen your main DJ software
  • Opened My Music
  • Clicked Add Folder
  • Selected your main music folder
  • Let the scan finish
  • Confirmed your music appears in Crate Hackers
  • Used Re-sync if you recently added new tracks

The Main Idea

Crate Hackers needs to know where your music lives before it can help you build useful crates.

Choose your DJ software. Scan your music folder. Let the app read your library. Once that is done, you are ready to build your first crate.

Still Not Working?

Email us at help@cratehackers.com and include:

  • Your DJ software
  • Whether you are using Mac or Windows
  • Where your music is stored
  • Whether your music is on an external drive
  • A screenshot of what you see in My Music
  • What happened right before the problem showed up

The more detail you send, the faster we can help.

Small note: “My songs are gone” is terrifying, but usually they are not gone. The app just needs to know where they live.

Need More Help?

Crate Hackers changes fast, so some screens or buttons may look slightly different than the examples here. The core workflow should still point you in the right direction.

Browse the full Crate Hackers knowledge base:
https://help.cratehackers.com

Watch the latest Crate Hackers guides on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@cratehackers

Join us live every Tuesday at 8 PM Eastern for Crate Hackathons:
https://www.cratehackathon.com

Need the team directly?
Email help@cratehackers.com