CRATELAB

CRATELAB is DJ software for analyzing tracks, organizing libraries and planning playlists across desktop and web. It best suits DJs who want preparation tools alongside cloud-library playback and exports to established DJ platforms. Its main trade-off is that meaningful analysis requires Pro credits and an internet connection.

Overview

CRATELAB combines track preparation with library management rather than focusing only on live mixing. Its analyzer supplies beat, key, energy and structure cues; playlist tools help turn those cues into set plans. Cloud sync and playback extend the library across sessions, while the Free plan is primarily useful for accessing synced music, not for analyzing a local collection.

The privacy approach keeps audio on the computer unless a user explicitly sends it to the cloud, but metadata syncs by default. Library browsing, edits and playback work offline. Analysis does not: even local beat tracking needs an active connection to verify the subscription, so CRATELAB is a weaker fit for preparing tracks somewhere without reliable internet.

Key features

Track analysis: The desktop analyzer performs beat tracking locally and claims tempo detection within ±0.5 BPM. It identifies keys in Camelot notation and assigns an energy score from 1 to 10, useful for sorting by harmonic compatibility or intensity. The stated precision is a product claim, not a reason to skip listening before a set.

Structure and planning: Automatic mapping marks intros, builds and drops with section-coloured waveforms. AI playlist generation, transition compatibility scoring and an AI DJ coach extend the product from cataloguing into set preparation. These tools are most useful to DJs who want suggestions and planning aids; they do not remove the need to judge whether a transition suits a particular set.

Library handoff: Metadata exports to CSV and can be sent directly to Rekordbox, Serato and Engine DJ through the Sync page. That makes CRATELAB more practical for DJs who prepare in one place and perform with another platform. Beat matching and AI track selection are also supported.

Support: Pro includes priority support, and analyzer issue reports go to [email protected].

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat it includesFreefree, billed ForeverSign-in required; browse synced cloud library, stream playback and pull tracks from the cloud. Playback and cloud pull remain available on the free tier.Pro$9.99 a month, billed per month200 analysis credits refreshed monthly, unlimited library size, and priority support; cancel anytime.Free is a sensible no-cost way to browse and play a synced cloud library, but it gives up the analysis allowance and unlimited-library benefit that distinguish Pro. Pro is the appropriate plan for DJs who regularly analyze their own tracks or manage a large library. Each analyzed track uses one credit, so 200 credits cover 200 tracks per subscription cycle; unused credits do not roll over. Extra credits can be bought ad hoc, but the monthly quota still makes Pro a poor fit for repeated bulk analysis. The subscription must be verified online for analysis, even though other library tasks work offline. Payments run through Stripe, and cancellation is available from the Billing page anytime.

Platforms

CRATELAB supports Linux, macOS, Windows and the web, giving it broad reach across desktop systems and browser use. The desktop analyzer is the tool for local beat tracking; offline library browsing, edits and playback provide some flexibility when disconnected, but analysis remains internet-dependent.

Who it's for

Choose CRATELAB if you want to analyze and organize a DJ library, build playlists with transition guidance, and move metadata into Rekordbox, Serato or Engine DJ. It is particularly well matched to DJs who value keeping audio local while syncing metadata. Skip it if you need a fully offline analysis workflow or expect to process more than 200 tracks per month without managing extra credit purchases.

Pros and cons

Pro: Camelot keys, energy scores and mapped track sections provide several useful preparation cues in one analyzer.

Pro: CSV export and direct Rekordbox, Serato and Engine DJ integrations support handoff to established DJ workflows.

Pro: Audio stays local unless deliberately uploaded, while browsing, editing and playback can continue offline.

Con: Analysis needs an internet connection for subscription verification, despite local beat tracking.

Con: Pro's 200 monthly credits are one per track and do not roll over, limiting high-volume analysis.

Con: Free centers on synced-library browsing and playback rather than local track analysis.

Alternatives

For broader comparisons, browse AI DJ Software.

djay is a freemium option with a free download for core mixing features and optional PRO access to advanced features; choose it if its Android and iOS support matters alongside macOS and Windows.

Offtrack is a freemium choice for Android, iOS and macOS users; its free plan and trial are available, though the supplied plan details do not establish a reason to prefer its feature set over CRATELAB's.

MIXX Intelligence is worth considering for a Mac-only workflow: its free Prepare plan analyzes a whole crate and includes key, BPM and energy on every track, plus titles, tags, crates and playlists.

automixer.ai offers a web-only route with project-based free limits—3 projects, 6 tracks per project, 5 exports per month, MP3 320kbps and 1 GB storage—or Pro at $14.99 a month. Choose it if those web project and export terms suit your workflow better than CRATELAB's per-track credit model.

CortexDJ has a free home-use plan for up to 2 computers, including analysis, AI auto-mix and mashups, live decks, rendered mixes and Rekordbox and Serato export. Its macOS, web and Windows support makes it an alternative for users who want those mix-making functions without a free trial.

DJ TITAN is a paid alternative with a $20 a month TITAN Browser plan, billed monthly and cancellable anytime; consider it if you want a web, no-install option with cloud sync.

PulseGrid is a free alternative for Linux, macOS, Windows, web and self-hosted use.

DJ.Studio is a paid alternative with a free trial and macOS, web and Windows support; consider it if a one-time-payment model better suits you.

Verdict

CRATELAB is a strong fit for DJs who want analysis, set-planning tools and cross-platform library handoff in one workflow, with an audio-local privacy default. Choose Pro if 200 analyses per month is enough and you can stay online when analyzing. Look elsewhere if you need offline analysis or a larger predictable allowance without extra credit purchases.