Kuartz Help Center

Everything you need to master professional DJing with Kuartz

Getting Started Timeline Mixing Effects & VST AI Recommendations Controllers Troubleshooting
GETTING STARTED

First Steps with Kuartz

1 Installation

  1. • Download Kuartz for macOS or Windows
  2. • Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions
  3. • Launch Kuartz - free trial gives you 20-minute sessions
  4. • No credit card required for trial

2 Audio Setup

  1. • Go to Settings → Audio Device
  2. • Select your audio interface as output device
  3. • Configure output routing for Master and Cue
  4. • Adjust buffer size for optimal latency

3 Import Your Music

  1. • Drag and drop music files into the browser
  2. • Supported formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF
  3. • Kuartz automatically analyzes BPM, key, and energy
  4. • Import playlists and cue points from other DJ software

4 Connect Your Controller

  1. • Connect your MIDI controller via USB
  2. • Go to Settings → Controller Manager
  3. • Kuartz auto-detects and maps common controllers
  4. • Customize mappings for advanced control
GAME CHANGER

Timeline-Based Mixing

The industry's first visual timeline changes everything. Plan your sets, then adapt on the fly.

Planning Your Set

Building a Timeline

  • • Drag tracks from browser to the timeline
  • • Arrange your entire set from opening to peak to closing
  • • Visualize energy flow across your entire set
  • • See waveforms and energy curves for each track

Live Adaptation

  • • Rearrange tracks instantly with drag and drop
  • • Insert new tracks when the crowd surprises you
  • • Skip tracks or jump to different sections
  • • Never lose your place or momentum

Timeline Navigation

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Space Play/Pause
  • ←/→ Navigate tracks
  • Cmd/Ctrl+D Duplicate track
  • Delete Remove track

Zoom & View

  • +/- Zoom in/out
  • Scroll Pan timeline
  • F Fit to view
  • Drag minimap to navigate

Editing

  • Double-click to edit clip
  • Right-click for context menu
  • Drag edges to adjust length
  • Set cue points for quick jump
STUDIO MEETS STAGE

Effects & VST Plugins

Built-in Effects

Kuartz includes professional studio-grade effects for creative mixing and sound design.

  • ✓ EQ: 3-band parametric equalizer with high/low pass filters
  • ✓ Filter: Resonant low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters
  • ✓ Reverb: Algorithmic reverb for space and depth
  • ✓ Delay: Tempo-synced delay with feedback control
  • ✓ Compressor: Dynamic range control for punchier mixes

VST Plugin Support

Use your favorite studio plugins live. AU and VST3 (64-bit) supported.

Loading VST Plugins

  1. 1. Click the plugin slot in the effect rack
  2. 2. Browse your installed AU/VST3 plugins
  3. 3. Select the plugin to load
  4. 4. Adjust parameters and save presets

Supported Plugins

Professional plugins from any manufacturer. If it works in your DAW (AU/VST3), it works in Kuartz.

Effect Routing

Per-Deck Effects

Each deck has its own effect chain. Add up to 8 effects per deck, chain them in any order, and save configurations as presets for instant recall.

Master Effects

Apply effects to the master output. Perfect for global compression, limiting, or creative effects that affect your entire mix.

AI CO-PILOT

AI Track Recommendations

Stop scrolling through thousands of tracks. Kuartz AI suggests what actually works next.

How Recommendations Work

AI Analysis

Kuartz analyzes multiple dimensions of each track:

  • • Energy level and progression
  • • Musical key and harmonic compatibility
  • • BPM and rhythm patterns
  • • Genre and style characteristics

Smart Suggestions

Based on what's currently playing, the AI suggests:

  • • Harmonically compatible tracks (same or compatible key)
  • • Energy-appropriate next tracks
  • • Tracks from your library
  • • Options for building, maintaining, or dropping energy

Using Recommendations

View Suggestions

Recommendations appear automatically in the browser when a track is playing. Sorted by compatibility score.

Quick Load

Click any recommended track to load it to the next available deck or add it to your timeline.

Smart Filtering

Filter recommendations by energy level, key compatibility, or BPM range to find exactly what you need.

UNIVERSAL SUPPORT

MIDI Controllers

Supported Controllers

Kuartz works with any class-compliant MIDI device. If your controller connects via USB and doesn't require proprietary drivers, it will work with Kuartz.

What Works

  • • Class-compliant MIDI controllers
  • • USB MIDI devices (plug-and-play)
  • • Standard DJ controllers from major brands
  • • MIDI keyboards and pads
  • • Generic MIDI control surfaces

Not Supported

  • • Controllers requiring proprietary drivers
  • • HID-only devices (without MIDI mode)
  • • Standalone DJ systems without MIDI output
  • • Controllers locked to specific software

Tip: Most modern DJ controllers are class-compliant. Check your controller's manual or manufacturer website for "class-compliant MIDI" or "USB MIDI" support.

Controller Setup

Auto-Mapping

  1. 1. Connect your controller via USB
  2. 2. Kuartz detects and identifies the controller
  3. 3. Intelligent auto-mapping assigns controls
  4. 4. Start mixing immediately

Custom Mapping

  1. 1. Go to Settings → Controller Manager
  2. 2. Select your controller
  3. 3. Click "Edit Mapping"
  4. 4. Assign any control to any function

MIDI Sync

Sync Kuartz with your DAW, hardware synths, drum machines, and other MIDI-capable devices.

As MIDI Clock Master

Send MIDI clock from Kuartz to sync external gear to your DJ set's tempo.

As MIDI Clock Slave

Sync Kuartz to an external MIDI clock source for hybrid live performances.

COMMON ISSUES

Troubleshooting

No Audio Output

  • • Check that the correct audio device is selected in Settings → Audio Device
  • • Verify output routing configuration matches your hardware
  • • Try increasing buffer size if you hear crackling or dropouts
  • • Make sure your audio interface is connected and powered on

Controller Not Detected

  • • Ensure controller is connected via USB before launching Kuartz
  • • Check Settings → Controller Manager to see if device appears
  • • Try a different USB port or cable
  • • Restart Kuartz after connecting the controller

Performance / CPU Issues

  • • Reduce number of active VST plugins
  • • Increase audio buffer size (adds latency but reduces CPU load)
  • • Close other applications to free up system resources
  • • Reduce waveform detail in settings

Tracks Not Importing

  • • Verify file format is supported (MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF)
  • • Check that files are not corrupted or DRM-protected
  • • Wait for analysis to complete (shows progress in database manager)
  • • Try dragging files directly into the browser window

License / Activation Issues

  • • Ensure you have an active internet connection for license verification
  • • Check your email for license key (from LemonSqueezy)
  • • Copy and paste license key exactly as received
  • • Lifetime licenses work offline after initial activation

Still Need Help?

Can't find what you're looking for? Our support team is here to help you get the most out of Kuartz.

Email Support