PCDJ DEX 4: One Program for DJ Sets, Music Videos and Karaoke
PCDJ DEX 4 is $149 DJ software for Windows and Mac that mixes music, mixes music videos and hosts karaoke from a single window, so mobile DJs and KJs don't need separate programs. One purchase activates on three computers.
Picture a wedding: dinner music on automix, a video mix for the dance floor, then karaoke with a managed singer list after 10pm. DEX 4 is built for that kind of night, and that versatility is the real reason to choose it over a music-only DJ app.
Quick facts
- Version: 4.1, released October 20, 2026
- Developer: Digital 1 Audio, Inc. (PCDJ)
- Platforms: Windows 10 and 11, macOS 12 or higher
- Decks: 2-deck and 4-deck layouts
- Controllers: over 120 supported, or map your own with LEARN
- Price: $149 one-time, activation on three computers
- Trial: unlimited 30-minute sessions with all features enabled
- Refunds: none after 48 hours, and none once the software is activated
What we checked: trial package for Windows and Mac at 861 MB, version and release date on the vendor's support page, and a checkout price of $149 on November 6, 2026. We didn't run DEX 4 at a live event or test it with a controller.
Before you buy
PCDJ's own pages disagree on the price: the DEX 4 product page says $149, while its DJ software and karaoke overview pages still say $199. The checkout showed $149 when we looked. The refund policy is strict, so use the trial with your own controller and audio interface first. PCDJ recommends 16 GB of RAM.
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Overview
DEX has been PCDJ's flagship for years, and DEX 4.0 arrived in March 2025 as the successor to DEX 3. The 4.1 update of October 20, 2026 is the vendor's biggest DEX 4 release so far: new AI beat and key analysis, a new time-stretch engine, better stem separation, rebuilt effects and new karaoke tools.
You work from your own music, video and karaoke files, from iTunes playlists, or from streaming services inside the app. A keyboard and mouse are enough to run it, though most DJs will want a controller.
The DEX 4 four-deck layout: decks and mixer on top, streaming sources and tracks below, and the singer list at the lower right.
Features
Beat, key and mood analysis for faster preparation
DEX 4 analyzes your tracks with AI beat and downbeat detection, and version 4.1 adds more accurate key analysis, energy ratings, mood labels and song-structure detection. It can set automatic cue points on tracks without hot cues. The new Next Picks list suggests tracks for your next transition and explains why each could fit.
Real-time stems with AIUnmixEQ
DEX 4 separates any audio, video or karaoke track into three stems as it plays: vocal, instruments and drums/percussion. You control them from the EQ knobs and kill pads, and it works on supported streaming services too. Version 4.1 improves the separation and adds four Stem FX pads per deck.
The two-deck layout with the Stems pad panel on the left deck and Loop Roll pads on the right.
Video mixing with effects and overlays
DEX 4 mixes music videos in MP4, MPEG, AVI, MOV, MKV and WMV, with video effects, transitions, and text, image and video overlays for the audience screen. You can record a video mix in HD. This is the main feature the cheaper DEX 3 RE lacks.
Karaoke hosting without a second program
DEX 4 keeps a managed singer rotation with singer and song history, key changes per song and a filler music player for the gaps between singers. It reads MP3+G and zipped MP3+G files. Version 4.1 adds synced lyrics, AI lyric alignment, a Karaoke Mode for eligible regular tracks and optional guide vocals.
Karaoke in DEX 4: lyrics in the deck previews and a video window, with the singer rotation at the lower right.
Streaming inside the app
DEX 4 connects to TIDAL, SoundCloud Go+, Beatport LINK, Beatsource LINK and Party Tyme Karaoke, so you can search a catalog without leaving the browser. Each service needs its own subscription.
Controllers, DVS and keyboard mapping
DEX 4 supports over 120 DJ controllers from brands such as Pioneer DJ, Numark, Denon DJ, Reloop DJ and Hercules DJ, and you can run several at once. LEARN maps a controller that isn't on the list. Version 4.1 adds DVS support and wider support for motorized controllers.
Automix, sampler, recording and broadcasting
DEX 4 has automix with a dedicated side-list, a sample player, and recording to MP3, WAV or AIFF. It can broadcast a mix online with Icecast2 or Shoutcast, and its library handles up to 1 million tracks.
The four-deck video layout, with video previews in the center and the browser set to video.
Benefits
- One tool per gig. You don't switch programs between the dance set and karaoke, and one library holds it all.
- No subscription for the software. You pay once. Only the optional streaming services bill monthly.
- Two spare activations. Three computers means a backup laptop is covered, which matters when a machine fails on the night.
- Less track preparation. Analysis, automatic cues and Next Picks do work you'd otherwise do by hand.
Real-World Uses
- Mobile DJ: run a wedding with automix during dinner, a controller for the dance set and a request list on the side.
- Bar or club VJ: mix music videos to a venue screen with your logo as an overlay.
- KJ who also DJs: host a karaoke night with singer rotation, then mix between singers instead of relying on filler music.
- Mashup DJ: pull the vocals from one track and lay them over the instruments of another with the stems.
Who It's For, and Who Should Skip It
DEX 4 suits working mobile DJs, VJs and DJ/KJ hybrids who need video and karaoke in the same program.
Skip it if you only want to learn to mix at home: the free DEX 3 LE or the $29 DEX 3 RE will do that. Skip it too if you only host karaoke, because Karaoki or LYRX cost less and do just that job. And if your laptop has 8 GB of RAM or runs Windows 8.1, it falls below what PCDJ lists for DEX 4.1.
Usage Guide
- Download the trial package, extract the Windows or Mac installer and run it. Each session lasts 30 minutes, and you can reopen it straight away.
- Add your music folders to the browser. iTunes playlists import automatically.
- Let DEX 4 analyze your tracks so beat grids, key and cue points are ready.
- Connect a supported controller, or use LEARN to map one, and pick a 2-deck or 4-deck layout.
- Log in from the browser pane to any streaming service you subscribe to.
- After buying, enter your license code from the unlock link at the top of the interface.
Where it falls short
- The refund rule leaves no room for a mistake: nothing back after 48 hours, and nothing at all once activated.
- FileHorse lists high CPU use under heavy loads and occasional stability issues as cons of DEX 4.0, so test your own setup.
- PCDJ advises backing up your DEX data before moving to 4.1 and allowing time to test it before your next event.
- Independent reviews of DEX 4 are scarce. Most published opinions cover DEX 3.
What Users Say
We found little independent coverage of DEX 4 itself, so the opinions below are labelled by the version they cover. The quotes from PCDJ's site are the vendor's own selection.
FileHorse (DEX 4.0)
FileHorse's listing carries a user rating of 8 out of 10 from 62 votes. Its pros include "User-friendly Interface" and "Versatile Audio, Video, and Karaoke Support". Its cons are "Limited Free Trial", "High CPU Usage During Heavy Loads", "Occasional Stability Issues" and "Expensive Compared to Alternatives".
mykaraoke.video (January 2026)
This karaoke software roundup covers LYRX and DEX 4 Pro together. In favor: "Purpose-built for KJs with fast, efficient tools for running a live show." Against: "Has a steeper learning curve for first-time or casual hosts."
Mixdown magazine (DEX 3, 2021)
Mixdown's staff review of the previous version was warm: "it’s without question one of the most versatile and unique software applications out there at the moment." It singled out "its peerless abilities as a Karaoke mixer/hosting software" and added one caution: "The software seems to lean towards automixes".
Customers on PCDJ's site (DEX 3)
"The best and easy to use DJ/VJ software. Very stable and great support!" - DJ Alex Beltman, 2017, 5/5
"very good program, i like that you can run it on three separate machines, that’s especially useful if one causes problems" - Brian F W Lees, 2017, 4/5
"So Powerful & User Friendly… I LOVE IT!!!!" - DJ Supreme, 2019, 5/5
The recurring themes are versatility and support on the praise side, and CPU load, price and a learning curve on the other.
Editions and Pricing
| Edition | Price | Decks | Video mixing | Karaoke |
|---|
| DEX 3 LE | Free | 2 | No | No |
| DEX 3 RE | $29 on PCDJ's site | 2 | No | MP3+G playback with a basic singer list |
| DEX 4 | $149 | 4 | Yes | Managed singer rotation, history and filler player |
DEX 3 LE limits controller use and scratching to 10-minute intervals. DEX 3 RE's last update was in September 2023, so DEX 4 is the edition getting the new features.
FAQs
Is PCDJ DEX 4 a subscription?
No. PCDJ DEX 4 is a one-time purchase with free updates, according to PCDJ. Streaming services such as TIDAL are paid for separately.
Does one PCDJ DEX 4 license work on both Windows and Mac?
Yes. PCDJ says a DEX 4 purchase works equally well on Windows and Mac, with activation on three computers.
Can I get a refund on PCDJ DEX 4?
PCDJ DEX 4 has no refunds past 48 hours from purchase, and activated software is never refunded. The trial is your safety net.
What happens when a PCDJ DEX 4 trial session ends?
The DEX 4 trial works in 30-minute sessions, and you can reopen it straight away for another. All features stay enabled.
Will PCDJ DEX 4 run on Windows 8.1?
PCDJ DEX 4.1 needs Windows 10 or newer. The older DEX 4.0 installer, for Windows 8.1, 10 and 11, is still on PCDJ's support page.
Does PCDJ DEX 4 work without a DJ controller?
Yes. PCDJ DEX 4 runs with just a keyboard and mouse.
Can I upgrade from an older PCDJ product to DEX 4?
PCDJ handles upgrades from its older products by phone. Its product pages give 877-999-7235 x1 for upgrade pricing.
System Requirements
- Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 12 or higher
- Intel Core i5/i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 3 or greater, or an Intel or M series Mac
- 16 GB RAM or better
- Dedicated graphics card with at least 512 MB (or Intel Iris Series or better)
- DirectX/ASIO compatible multi-channel audio interface or USB audio interface
- 200 MB free on the hard drive
Conclusion
PCDJ DEX 4 is worth $149 if you're paid to play and your gigs mix DJing, video and karaoke: you get all three in one program, and you pay once. The 4.1 update shows it's actively developed.
The main reason not to buy is the refund policy combined with the 16 GB recommendation. Run the trial on your gig laptop with your controller first, and if you only need one of the three jobs, buy something simpler.
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