Problems with engine (desktop) since 4.0

Engine DJ Software Engine DJ (Mac & PC)
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1

hello,

since the update 4.0 I have several problems with engine:

  • corrupt database while / after sync randomly
  • rekordbox import not working anymore (not with XML from RB7 nor RB6)

I really tried different things:

  • complete new database with 4.1 (deleted the old one)
  • I tried a new database from a rekordbox xml within engine
  • I checked the length of all tracks and metadata (less than 255)
  • a lot of drives/sticks: Samsung T7, Sandisk Xtreme Pro SSD, Sandisk Xtreme Pro Stick, several Usb Sticks
  • different USB ports
  • different hubs
  • playlist sync one by one (it happens randomly)
  • formated in exfat and fat32
  • with and without soundswitch export

I really don’t know why it is not working anymore. when I use it one by one and one playlist corrupts the database I format the drive again, export only this playlist and it is working. I even tried to check all files. Serato doesn’t show broken files, then I downloaded Lexicon to check the files. Even this does not find broken files.

I can still use Rekordbox for the USB export (which is working an all sticks and SSDs but slower than engine). Then I can reimport them on device. they are working fine but have to be analyzed on the unit itself. and soundswitch isn’t working then with scripted tracks. this is a workaround but this is not what it should be.

I attached a pic when a rekordbox import is done. the files are not playable and there are cryptic figures where time and BPM should be. Without Rekordbox in an empty library it is working well. Drag and drop the file. it is playing.

Bildschirmfoto 2024-12-03 um 23.38.15
Bildschirmfoto 2024-12-03 um 23.38.151920×619 103 KB

2

what OS are you using on your computer?

3

MacOS 14, but I updated to 15 now because I thought this causes an issue. But it is still there.

4

Yep. it’s an issue with MacOS 14.x → 15.1 . I’ve been using MacOS 15.2(beta) and the issue is gone. So… when 15.2 comes out to the public, you’ll experience the fix.

Long story short, it has to do with the low-level code on how FAT32 & exFAT is implemented and that bug is fixed with 15.2.

5

ok thank you. But why is this bug only in engine? I tried to sync a remote library with Lexicon now and this is working. Rekordbox is also working with these drives? why that?

if this is a mac bug with exfat shouldn’t exfat or fat formated drives work in none of these applications?

I will backup everything and try again on windows. Maybe this is a workaround until a fix will come.

6

I am only an enthusiast here, and I’ve studied Engine’s DB and have written my own tools. It basically has to do with how Engine writes to the database.

I’ve been able to replicate this issue with my own tools emulating how Engine writes to the DB and it’s even possible to replicate the issue within Sqlite3 itself outside of Engine.

7

oh ok. that makes sense. thank you a lot for this.

8

My pleasure. This has been an issue i’ve been tracking since May / June of this year (2024 for future readers). I’ve poured gobs of hours into this problem and am grateful to some of the Denon team for taking the time to help all of us understand the issue.