First steps: listening to your first track

This exercise checks that MCV DJ plays correctly before you set up a microphone or broadcast. You only need a music file on your computer and connected headphones or speakers.

1. Open the app and prepare the output

Open mcvdj.exe. The interface starts in English on the first launch. You can select the language under View > Language and display…, using the Language selector.

Then open Audio > Main output… and select the device you want to listen through. If you are unsure which to choose, use the system default option and check that Windows plays other sounds through that device. Close settings.

You do not need to press Connect broadcast. Local playback works without a server.

2. Load a file

  1. Find the Deck A panel.
  2. Press Load file…. You can also use File > Load deck A….
  3. In the file picker, find a song on your computer.
  4. Select the file and confirm that you want to open it.
  5. Wait for loading to finish. The deck will show the track information.

Loading a file does not start playback by itself.

3. Prepare the volumes

Before playing, lower the physical volume of your speakers or headphones to a comfortable level. Check that Deck volume and Master volume are not at zero.

Move Crossfader, deck A to deck B toward A. This prevents the crossfader position from making the deck you are about to use inaudible.

4. Enable monitoring and play

  1. Check Monitor through speakers / headphones at the top of the console. Its default shortcut is Ctrl+M.
  2. Press Play on Deck A.
  3. Gradually adjust the listening volume.

You should hear the song. Press Refresh position and levels for a current time and level reading. It is normal for the visible time not to advance continuously when live readings are disabled.

5. Try the basic controls

  • Press Pause: the music stops at its current position.
  • Press Play again: it resumes from that position.
  • Press Stop: playback stops and returns to the beginning.
  • Change Track position to jump to another part of the file.

You can also clear Monitor through speakers / headphones while the track is playing. You will stop hearing it locally, but the deck will keep advancing. Check the box again to hear it.

Before continuing

If you hear nothing, check the selected output, monitoring checkbox, volumes and crossfader position. The troubleshooting section provides a more complete checklist.

Once this test works, you can load another song into Deck B to practice mixing, or prepare a queue to play several tracks automatically.