From boxed image to first stem playing.

This is the full setup walkthrough. CHURRDJ runs alongside your CDJs and adds live vocal / instrumental control and set recording, without changing how you normally play. No tech background needed, just follow the steps in order. If something looks off along the way, flip to Troubleshooting.

What you'll need

• The CHURRDJ box (the small Pi unit) and its power adapter
• A microSD card and the image link we emailed you after approval
• Your CDJs and a Pioneer DJM mixer (the DJM-A9 is the tested reference; recording is A9-only)
• A small network switch and Ethernet cables for each CDJ, the mixer, and the box
• The USB cable from the mixer to the box (the same one you'd use for Rekordbox)
• A phone or laptop with a web browser, to open the setup page
• A Mac with the CHURRDJ Ingest app, to add your music (grab it on the download page)
• Your beta access code, it looks like BETA-XXXX

Step by step

01 · Load the card

On your computer, install Raspberry Pi Imager (free, from raspberrypi.com/software). Open it, choose "Use custom image," pick the CHURRDJ .img.xz file we sent you, select your microSD card, and click Write. When it finishes, slide the card into the CHURRDJ box.

Don't touch the OS-customization / "Edit settings" options. CHURRDJ sets up Wi-Fi later, right on the setup page. Nothing to type here.

02 · Hook up your gear

Run an Ethernet cable from each CDJ and from the mixer into the network switch. Plug the CHURRDJ box into that same switch. Connect the mixer's USB-B port to the box with the USB cable.

On the mixer, set the sample rate to 44.1 kHz (on a DJM-A9: UTILITY menu). Then power everything on.

Think of the switch as a power strip for network cables, everything plugs into it so the pieces can talk to each other. PRO DJ LINK needs the CDJs, the mixer, and the box on one flat network.

03 · Open the setup page

On your phone or laptop, connected to the same network, open a browser and go to churrdj.local. The CHURRDJ setup screen appears. (If it doesn't load, give the box a minute to boot after powering on, then refresh.)

04 · Enter your access code

Type the beta code we gave you (BETA-XXXX) and tap Activate. This unlocks CHURRDJ for your booth and binds to this box. You only do it once.

If it says "already in use on another device," just reply to our email and we'll move your code over to this box.

05 · Connect Wi-Fi (optional)

Want remote control and updates? Pick your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. You can skip this, CHURRDJ plays perfectly fine fully offline.

06 · Watch the checks go green

The page checks three things on its own and turns each green as it's ready: your CDJs, your mixer, and sound at 44.1 kHz. You don't press anything, they refresh every couple of seconds as you plug in and power on.

Only one deck showing? Make sure both CDJs are powered on and each one's Ethernet cable is seated in the switch. They appear on their own, even if you turn them on one at a time.

07 · Add your music

On your Mac, open the CHURRDJ Ingest app (it lives in the menu bar, top-right of the screen). Drag a song onto it. The app splits the track into vocals and instrumental and sends it to your booth automatically. Add as many songs as you want, they queue up and ship over in the background.

Supported files: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, M4A, MP3. The first song takes a little longer while the app warms up. Don't have the app yet? Grab it on the download page.

08 · Finish setup

Once the three checks are green and you've added at least one song, tap Finish setup. CHURRDJ saves everything and takes you straight to your control screen. Bookmark that page, that exact link (it has a private key built in) is how you open your controls from now on.

A plain churrdj.local on its own won't open the controls, always use the bookmarked link from Finish.

09 · You're live

On the control screen you can:

• Tap Vocals / Instrumental to flip a deck live, mid-mix.
• Tap Record to capture your whole set (saved on the box; download it later).

That's it, play like you normally would. CHURRDJ rides along in the background.

If something looks off

The most common snags during setup, with the first thing to check. The full list is in Troubleshooting.

• Blank page, or "missing token." Open the bookmarked link from Finish, it carries your private key. A plain churrdj.local can't open the controls on its own.
• It only sees one CDJ. Make sure both decks are powered on and each Ethernet cable is seated in the switch. They appear on their own within a few seconds.
• There's no Record button. The mixer's USB cable must be connected to the box before you tap Finish.
• Browser can't find churrdj.local. Check that you're on the same network as the box, and give it a minute after powering on. Still stuck? Reply to our email and we'll send the box's direct address.

Updating

When a new build is ready, you'll get a new image link by email. Re-flash the microSD with Raspberry Pi Imager and reboot the box, your access code stays bound to it, so there's nothing to re-activate. The CHURRDJ Ingest Mac app updates separately, just re-download the latest .dmg from the download page.