How to preview tracks without marking them as played?

DJ Hardware
1

Device model MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 32GB RAM)
Version of operating system macOS Tahoe 26.3.1
Version of djay djay Pro 5.6.7
Hardware/controllers used Allen & Heath Xone 96, Denon LC6000, DJ TechTools MIDI Fighter Twister
Hardware firmware version Latest Xone 96 Firmware

Hi Algoriddim Community,

I’m looking for some advice or insight regarding how djay Pro handles track history logging (“played” checkmarks) when using external hardware mixers compared to MIDI-integrated controllers.

My Workflow & Setup

My DJing workflow relies heavily on pre-listening and auditioning tracks on the fly. I play a lot of contemporary music and depend on audio previews rather than track titles to select the next song. Because of this, I often load and preview 5 to 10 tracks before deciding on what to blend in next.

  • Current Setup: Allen & Heath Xone 96 + 2x Denon LC6000 + MacBook Pro + DJ TechTools MIDI Fighter Twister.

The History Logging Issue on External Mixers

When using the Xone 96 (where audio routing is handled externally by the mixer’s soundcard):

  1. Deck Loading Method: If I load a track into an unused deck to preview it, djay Pro marks the track as “Played” (ticked off in the library) as soon as it starts playing—even if the Xone 96 channel fader is all the way down and the crossfader is completely assigned to the live deck.
    • The Problem: This falsely flags previewed tracks as “played,” making my library history inaccurate during a set.
  2. My Current Workaround: I currently route djay Pro’s preview/pre-listen audio output through a spare 4th channel on the Xone 96 and trigger pre-listening via my MIDI Fighter Twister.

Why This is a Problem for 2-Channel Setups (Xone 24C)

When using an integrated MIDI controller like the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4, djay Pro behaves differently: a track is only marked as played once the software detects the channel fader opening or the crossfader opening to that deck.

I am currently looking to get a second setup using an Allen & Heath Xone 24C and media players. Because the 24C is a 2-channel mixer:

  • I will not have a spare 3rd or 4th audio channel to route djay Pro’s dedicated preview output to.
  • If the Xone 24C behaves like the Xone 96 (marking loaded tracks as played regardless of fader state), this creates a major roadblock for my pre-listening workflow.

Questions for the Community:

  1. Is there any setting in djay Pro to stop external soundcard playback from immediately tagging tracks as “Played”?
  2. Has anyone using a 2-channel external mixer found a practical way or workaround to preview/pre-listen to tracks without corrupting track history?

Thanks in advance for any help or recommendations!

1 Like
3

The Xone 24C is a 3-channel mixer (2+1). You can pre-cue manually on the 3rd channel.

Screenshot 2026-08-03 at 2.16.36 AM
Screenshot 2026-08-03 at 2.16.36 AM895×341 68.7 KB

Notes: Library Track Preview would solve your “Mark as Played” problem, but I am not sure it works in External Mode on the Xone 24C.

1 Like
4

Nice one @Michael_Wisniewski! Thanks for the suggestion.

@Oba_Funkie , please note that the Track Preview function from within the library is not supported on the Xone 24C. So, hopefully the 3rd channel on the Xone 24C will work as suggested by Michael.

5

Another idea: Try running the laptop Headphone Out → AUX IN on the Xone 24C’s 3rd channel. This might let you use Library Track Preview to solve the “already played” issue.

24c
24c750×401 95.4 KB

1 Like
6

Interesting idea @Michael_Wisniewski. Thanks!