Using Rekorbox with Cloud Storage for Catalog & Music (for Windows)

If you are a DJ who uses rekordbox to manage your music library, you might want to sync your catalog and music files with cloud storage. This way, you can access your library from any device and have a backup in case something happens to your local storage. In this blog post, I will show you how to configure rekordbox with cloud storage using OneDrive or Google Drive.

Step 1 – Create Folders on Cloud Storage

The first step is to create a folder in your cloud storage where you want to store your rekordbox catalog and music files. For example, you can create a folder called “Rekordbox” and inside it create two subfolders: “Catalog” and “Music”. You can name them whatever you want, but make sure to remember them for later.

Step 2 – Map Drive Letters to the folders

The second step is to use the SUBST command in Windows to create virtual drives that point to these subfolders. The SUBST command allows you to assign a drive letter to any folder on your computer or network. This way, you can trick rekordbox into thinking that your cloud storage is a local drive (this is supported by rekordbox).

To use the SUBST command, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following:

SUBST R: “C:\Users\YourName\Onedrive\Rekordbox\Catalog”
SUBST M: “C:\Users\YourName\Onedrive\Rekordbox\Music”

Replace YourName with your Windows username and Onedrive with Google Drive if you are using that service. Also, replace R: and M: with any available drive letters that you want to use for your catalog and music folders. You can check which drive letters are available by opening File Explorer and looking at the list of drives.

Step 3 – Point to new folders in Rekordbox

The third step is to configure rekordbox to use these virtual drives. Open rekordbox and go to Preferences > Advanced > Database Management. Click on the Change button next to the Database Location field and select the R: drive (or whichever drive letter you used for your catalog folder). Click OK and then Apply.

Next, go to Preferences > Advanced > Library Management. Click on the Change button next to the Library Location field and select the M: drive (or whichever drive letter you used for your music folder). Click OK and then Apply.

Step 4 – Drag and drop your music files to rekordbox

The fourth step is to add your music files to rekordbox. You can either drag and drop them from File Explorer or use the Import function in rekordbox. Make sure that you import them from the M: drive (or whichever drive letter you used for your music folder). This way, rekordbox will store the file paths as M:\Music\Artist\Album\Song.mp3 instead of C:\Users\YourName\Onedrive\Rekordbox\Music\Artist\Album\Song.mp3. This is important because if you use the full path, rekordbox will not be able to find your files if you switch devices or change your cloud storage settings.

If you had previously added local folder music in rekordbox, you can remap them to point to the new drive, as long as the relative paths are unchanged.

Step 5 – Test it

The fifth step is to test your setup. Close rekordbox and reopen it. Check if your catalog and music files are still there and if they play correctly. You can also try accessing your library from another device that has rekordbox installed and has access to your cloud storage. Just repeat steps 2 and 3 on that device and you should be good to go.

Step 6 – Trigger a Drive Mapping on every Windows start

The final step is to make sure that the SUBST command runs automatically every time you start Windows. This way, you don’t have to manually enter it every time you want to use rekordbox. To do this, you need to create a shortcut that executes the SUBST command and place it in the Startup folder.

To create a shortcut, right-click on an empty space on your desktop and select New > Shortcut. In the location field, type cmd /c subst R: “C:\Users\YourName\Onedrive\Rekordbox\Catalog” & subst M: “C:\Users\YourName\Onedrive\Rekordbox\Music”. Replace YourName with your Windows username and Onedrive with Google Drive if you are using that service. Also, replace R: and M: with the drive letters that you used for your catalog and music folders. Click Next and give a name to your shortcut, such as Rekordbox Cloud Sync. Click Finish.

To place the shortcut in the Startup folder, press Windows + R on your keyboard and type shell:startup in the Run dialog box. Click OK and a folder will open. Drag and drop your shortcut into this folder.

That’s it! You have successfully configured rekordbox with cloud storage using Onedrive or Google Drive. Now you can enjoy the benefits of having a synced and backed up library across all your devices.

Versioning preserves prior snapshots of files changed by rekordbox

Migrating SQL Server to Azure at Scale (Pass Summit 2020)

In November 2020, for the (until then) paid conference SQL Pass 2020, my colleague Avnish Rastogi and myself, presented the topic of how to migrate hundreds of SQL Server databases to Azure at scale.

We executed as Architects within of the Data Migration group at Microsoft, and worked in several engagements assessing multiple source databases and landing them into Azure. From the use cases, we compiled the steps, methodologies and services required to asses and migrate on-premises SQL Server instances to Azure Managed Instance. Leveraging PowerShell, we were able to automate and scale the migration of multiple databases.

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Maintaining Passwords. What do I do?

It comes with no surprise to me that online database of passwords are being hacked. Last week Gawker Media got compromised and their password database stolen. Passwords were stored in an encrypted format but are still prone to dictionary attacks.

So how do I do it?

I use a different password for every account I create online. I combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers and non-alphabetical characters when possible.

How do I keep up with different passwords?

Well with so many passwords it is almost impossible for me to remember them. I use an excellent software: KeePass.

Do I create my own Passwords?

I do mostly. But lately I have let KeePass generate them for me.

How do I access my own password database from different places?

The easy way? Storing the password database on a USB thumb drive. Just make sure that the database has a strong password for accessing it.

The convenient way? Synchronizing to the cloud. I use DropBox for that matter. I can download from the website, or if feasible, install the DropBox and KeePass application on the local machine where I am working on.

KeePass Password Safe

KeePass Password Safe

What If I need to access the site using my SmartPhone?

No problem. I installed DropBox and KeePass for Android. Both Applications are available for pretty much all mobile platforms.

Is my smartphone saving passwords for websites?

Yes, for convenience, although it is a security concern.

What if my phone gets lost/stolen?

I installed Android Protector and the most sensitive applications require a PIN to access it. I have also installed Lookout for Android which allows me to backup sensitive data to the cloud, remote lock, remote locate and the best option, remote wipe.

Do I change my passwords?

Yes. Every 3 months at the most.

This is what I do for my passwords. How do you do it?