5 places DJs can discover & download new music
Being a successful DJ is all about finding the right music to play at your gigs. And not only the right music but good quality music. The worst is being at an event and you hear a muffled track. Talk about a dance floor cleaner.
Whether you're spinning at a nightclub, wedding, or corporate event, having the good quality music makes all the difference.
Here are some of the best places where DJs (point at self) can discover and download new music to play at their gigs.
Music Streaming Services
Using a music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, or Tidal is one of the easiest ways to find new music. They literally have millions of songs to choose from and you can create playlists, save songs, and even discover new music using their recommended playlists or even playlists of your friends and random music lovers. If you are using Serato (and I think Rekordbox?) you can play music on your controller right from TIDAL, Beatport, Beatsource, and SoundCloud.
Record Pools
Record pools are membership-based services that provide DJs with access to a curated selection of new music. They are updated regularly with new music. This is also where you will find dj remixes/edits that are not available to the general public. I recommend DJs join at least 2-3 record pools as they all offer something different. Here is a list of popular record pools:
Online Music Stores
Online music stores like Beatport, Traxsource, and Juno Download are great sources of electronic dance music (EDM) and other genres. They often have exclusive tracks and remixes that are not available on streaming services. While some tracks can be expensive, they are typically higher quality than the tracks found on streaming services.
SoundCloud
This is where you find the unique chunes. SoundCloud allows musicians and DJs to share their music with the world. Be sure to follow your favorite artists and repost their tracks to support. You can use the platform's recommended tracks and playlists to discover new music. SoundCloud also offers a paid subscription service called SoundCloud Go+ that provides access to millions of tracks and offline playback.
DJ Record Stores
Finally, visiting a good ole' DJ record store is an excellent way to find new music. They’ll have a wide selection of vinyl records and CDs that you can browse and listen to tracks before purchasing them. Some popular DJ record stores include Amoeba Music, Rough Trade, and Turntable Lab. Make it a field trip.
Exploring ALL of these options to keep your music library fresh and exciting, and keep your crowds dancing all night long. 😉