Native Instruments and Beatport today unveiled Beatport SYNC, a free music playback applicationg for Mac and Windows based on NI’s groundbreaking Traktor DJ software. Beatport SYNC combines powerful music management capabilities with basic DJ mixing functions and full integration of the Beatport online store in one easy-to-use application.

Equipped with two playback decks and a crossfader section, Beatport SYNC lets you mix and match individual tracks into one consistent flow of music. Aspects like beat detection, tempo synchronization and loudness optimization are all handled automatically and intelligently by the software. This makes Beatport SYNC perfect for getting a feel for the basics of DJing, for effortlessly providing a creative party mix, or for preparing the track list of a professional DJ set.

The comprehensive track management functions in Beatport SYNC also make it an great tool for handling digital music collections, complete with extensive tag editing options, sophisticated archiving features and seamless iTunes and iPod integration. Beatport SYNC can directly play, browse, catalogue and backup music files from practically any kind of connected storage device, including MP3 players, PDAs, USB sticks and cell phones.

It’s an interesting move from the two companies. By leapfrogging the capabilities of programs like iTunes, Beatport Sync could become the tool of choice for people with prosumer-type interests in music.

The underlying technology from Native Instruments’ professional TRAKTOR DJ software equips Beatport SYNC with studio-grade playback quality, advanced time-stretching technology and support for a multitude of compressed and uncompressed digital audio formats.

The seamlessly integrated online store in Beatport SYNC allows users to conveniently pre-listen, download and play tracks from Beatport’s unrivalled repertoire of electronic music releases within a single interface. Tracks from Beatport can even be previewed in-sync with each other as well as with any track in a user’s music collection.

Beatport SYNC is now available as a free download both on the Native Instruments and Beatport website.