Use this guide to export a saved crate from Crate Hackers into your DJ software.

Once your crate is built and reviewed, exporting is the step that gets it ready for your actual DJ setup.

Fast Fix

  1. Open the saved crate you want to export.
  2. Review the songs one more time.
  3. Click Export.
  4. Choose your DJ software or M3U.
  5. Save or confirm the export.
  6. Open your DJ software.
  7. Import, refresh, or locate the new crate or playlist.
  8. Load a few tracks and test before the gig.

Quick Start Video

Watch this first if you want to see how exporting works before sending a crate to your DJ software.

  

What This Article Covers

This article shows you how to export a saved crate from Crate Hackers into your DJ software.

Crate Hackers helps you prepare the crate. Your DJ software is where you load, test, and perform with it.

Important: Exporting does not create audio files. It creates a crate or playlist your DJ software can read. The songs still need to exist as playable files in your music library.

Before You Export

Make sure you have already:

  • Logged in to Crate Hackers
  • Scanned your music library
  • Built or imported a crate
  • Reviewed the songs inside the crate
  • Removed anything you do not want
  • Checked for missing tracks
  • Saved the crate

Do not skip the review step. Exporting a messy crate just moves the mess somewhere else. Very generous. Not useful.

What Export Does

When you export a crate, Crate Hackers creates a playlist or crate file that your DJ software can read.

Depending on your setup, the export may include:

  • Song order
  • Track references
  • Playlist structure
  • File paths for matched songs
  • A format your DJ software can import

Matched songs work best.

If a song is not matched to a real file on your computer, your DJ software may not be able to load it.

Step 1: Open Your Crate

In Crate Hackers, go to your saved crates.

Open the crate you want to export.

Before clicking export, quickly scan the list one more time.

Check for:

  • Songs you do not want
  • Missing tracks
  • Wrong versions
  • Duplicates
  • Tracks that do not fit the crate

A final 30-second check can save you from a dumb problem later.

Step 2: Click Export

Inside the crate, click:

Export

You will see export options based on the workflows supported in your version of Crate Hackers.

Options may include:

  • Serato
  • Rekordbox
  • VirtualDJ
  • Traktor
  • Engine DJ
  • M3U playlist

Your exact menu may look slightly different as the app updates. Choose the option that matches your DJ software.

Step 3: Choose Your Export Type

Pick the export option for the software you actually use.

  • Choose Serato if you are exporting for Serato.
  • Choose Rekordbox if you are exporting for Rekordbox.
  • Choose VirtualDJ if you are exporting for VirtualDJ.
  • Choose Traktor if you are exporting for Traktor.
  • Choose Engine DJ if you are exporting for Engine DJ.
  • Choose M3U if you need a universal playlist file.

When in doubt: M3U is the most universal playlist format. Specific software exports are usually cleaner when available.

Step 4: Save or Confirm the Export

Crate Hackers will create the playlist or crate file.

Depending on your export type, you may be asked where to save it.

Choose a location you can easily find, such as:

  • Desktop
  • Downloads
  • A Crate Hackers exports folder
  • A dedicated DJ playlists folder

Save it somewhere obvious. Do not bury it seven folders deep inside “New Folder 4.” That is how future support tickets are born.

Step 5: Open Your DJ Software

After the export is complete, open your DJ software.

Depending on your platform, you may need to import or refresh the playlist.

Common workflows include:

  • Importing the playlist file
  • Refreshing your library
  • Opening your playlist section
  • Looking for the new crate or playlist name
  • Dragging the exported file into the software

Each DJ platform handles this differently. If needed, use the export guide for your specific software.

Step 6: Test the Crate

Once the crate appears in your DJ software, test it.

Do not wait until the gig.

Check that:

  • The crate appears
  • The song order looks right
  • Tracks load correctly
  • Files are not missing
  • The correct versions appear
  • The crate works with your normal workflow

Load a few tracks onto the decks and confirm everything behaves the way you expect. Testing at the gig is gambling with better lighting.

If a Song Does Not Load

If a track does not load in your DJ software, it usually means the software cannot find the file.

Common reasons:

  • The file was moved
  • The file was renamed
  • The external drive is disconnected
  • The folder was not scanned in Crate Hackers
  • The track is missing from your local library
  • The playlist points to an old file path
  • The song exists under a different version or edit

This is usually a file location problem, not an export problem.

How to Fix Missing Tracks

Try this first:

  1. Confirm the file still exists on your computer.
  2. Make sure your external drive is connected.
  3. Open Crate Hackers.
  4. Go to My Music.
  5. Click Re-sync.
  6. Reopen the crate.
  7. Export again.
  8. Re-import or refresh inside your DJ software.

If the song still does not load, check whether you actually have that song as a playable file.

A Spotify playlist import may show the song title, but that does not mean you own the audio file.

Important Note About Streaming Playlists

If you imported a Spotify playlist, Crate Hackers imported the song list.

It did not import the audio.

To use those songs in your DJ software, you need matched local files or access through a supported legal music source inside your DJ platform.

Spotify is useful for ideas. Your DJ software needs playable tracks.

Best Practice Before a Gig

Export early. Test early. Fix missing tracks before you are standing in front of people.

A good workflow:

  1. Build the crate in Crate Hackers.
  2. Review the crate.
  3. Export it.
  4. Open it in your DJ software.
  5. Load several tracks.
  6. Confirm everything works.
  7. Make adjustments if needed.
  8. Re-export if you change the crate.

This keeps the gig from becoming a computer science fair.

Common Mistakes

Exporting Before Reviewing

Review the crate before exporting. If the crate is messy in Crate Hackers, it will probably be messy in your DJ software.

Expecting Missing Files to Load

Exporting does not create audio files. If a track is missing from your local library, your DJ software may not be able to load it.

Saving the Export Somewhere Random

Save the export somewhere obvious, like Desktop, Downloads, or a dedicated DJ playlists folder.

Not Testing Before a Gig

Always test the crate inside your DJ software before using it live.

Discovering file path issues mid-set is a bold lifestyle choice. Not recommended.

Quick Checklist

Before using the crate live, make sure you have:

  • Opened the crate in Crate Hackers
  • Reviewed the songs
  • Clicked Export
  • Chosen the correct DJ software or M3U option
  • Saved the export somewhere easy to find
  • Imported or refreshed it in your DJ software
  • Confirmed the crate appears
  • Tested that tracks load correctly

The Main Idea

Exporting moves your prepared crate from Crate Hackers into your DJ software.

Crate Hackers helps you organize and prepare. Your DJ software handles playback.

Export the crate, open it, test it, and fix anything missing before the gig.

Still Not Working?

Email us at help@cratehackers.com and include:

  • Your DJ software
  • Which export option you chose
  • Whether you exported for Serato, Rekordbox, VirtualDJ, Traktor, Engine DJ, or M3U
  • Whether the crate appears in your DJ software
  • Whether tracks load correctly
  • Whether your music is stored locally or on an external drive
  • A screenshot of the issue

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

Small request: “Export hates me” is emotionally valid, but technically useless. Tell us what software you exported to and send a screenshot.

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