Where Can DJs Buy or Download Their Music?

If you’re just starting your DJ journey, you might find yourself asking, “Where do I get my music?” With a myriad of options available, from record pools to streaming services, it can be overwhelming to choose the right sources. Fear not! In this guide, we’ll break down the best places for DJs to purchase or download music, comparing popular record pools, music stores, and streaming services.

Understanding DJ Download Pools

DJ download pools are subscription services that offer DJs access to a wide selection of music for a monthly fee. They’re ideal for DJs who need to keep their music library fresh with the latest tracks. These pools often provide special versions of songs, like intro/outro edits and remixes, for easier mixing.

Some popular DJ download pools include:

• BPM Supreme: With an extensive library covering genres like electronic, hip-hop, and pop, BPM Supreme is a favorite for its user-friendly interface and high-quality tracks.
• DJcity: Known for its strength in hip-hop, DJcity offers a comprehensive range of genres and excellent mobile app functionality.
• Digital DJ Pool: Offering a social element that allows DJs to follow labels and artists, this pool is great for those looking to quickly discover trending tracks.
• zipDJ: Perfect for electronic music enthusiasts, zipDJ focuses on indie labels and underground tracks, making it a go-to for EDM and house DJs.

There are many more download pools, each with their own speciality. So it's best to do some research to find the pool that best matches your needs. One of the popular ones is always a good choice though, if their music style fits you.

The downside of a download pool is that it will not have all music you will want so it's best paired with a music store such as Beatport or Apple Music.

Where to Purchase Specific Tracks

If you're looking for specific tracks, there are several online music stores that cater to DJs:

• Beatport: Specializing in electronic music, Beatport is a staple for DJs looking for high-quality tracks and unique remixes.
• Bandcamp: A haven for independent artists, Bandcamp offers a diverse range of genres and allows you to directly support musicians.
• iTunes and Amazon Music: Both platforms provide vast catalogs of mainstream and indie, ensuring you can access the latest hits easily.

Prices may differ per platform, even for the same songs, so it can be beneficial to do a comparison before buying in bulk. Lexicon has a feature called Store Links that helps here, it will find your songs on those platforms and display the prices

Streaming Services

Streaming is a great way to get started if you don't have any music yet and it is very cost effective since you only pay a flat fee each month for almost all the music that exists. The streaming way has become increasingly popular, however streaming services have a few big disadvantages:

• Internet A stable & fast internet connection is required which venues can be notorious for so be sure to check this before a gig!
• Availability Songs that are playable one day may not be available the next. Changes in label contracts can make a track disappear from a service.

Here are the big streaming services that works in most DJ programs

• Beatport LINK: Great for anything electron.
• Beatsource LINK: Large catalog of mainstream music and curated music for DJs.
• Soundcloud: Known for its variety of user-generated content, Soundcloud is excellent for discovering new artists and remixes, though quality can vary.
• Tidal: Large catalog of mainstream music with higher audio quality options.
• Apple Music: Very new streaming option in the DJ world but offers a large catalog of mainstream music.

While streaming provides access to a wide range of music without taking up storage space, it does mean relying on an internet connection, and you won’t own the tracks.

Conclusion: Crafting Your DJ Music Library

As a DJ, selecting where to source your music is crucial to your craft. Whether through download pools, purchasing tracks, or streaming, each option offers unique benefits. Explore these platforms, experiment with different sources, and find what best suits your style and needs.

FAQ

Q: Are DJ download pools legal?

A: Legitimate DJ download pools are supported by record labels and offer legal music downloads. Always ensure you’re using a reputable service.

Q: Can I use streaming services for live DJing?

A: Yes, many streaming services are integrated with DJ software, allowing for live use, but a stable internet connection is required.

Q: What’s the best source for finding new music?

A: It depends on your style. DJ download pools are excellent for exclusive edits, music stores for ownership, and streaming for exploration.