Your Questions: Best Way To Build A Mobile DJ Music Library?

Phil Morse | Founder & Tutor
Read time: 2 mins
Last updated 27 March, 2018

now-thats-what-i-call-music
Since December 1983 (I know, I had the first one as a child!), the UK ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ series has compiled popular tracks at a cut-down price, and can still be a good way for a new commercial DJ to grab some classics, cheap.

Digital DJ Tips reader Joseph writes: “Is there any DJ record pool out there that will benefit a new mobile DJ to get started as a wedding DJ? As you know, to start as a wedding DJ, you need to have lot of classics, which record pools do not carry, and buying individual tracks can add up if you’re starting as a newbie. Any idea on how to build your mobile DJ music library without breaking the bank? Please help!”

Digital DJ Tips says:

There are lots of ways you could consider. Firstly, for about US$9 a month, Virtual DJ has a subscription service built into it that lets you make playlists of tunes that you don’t own, and DJ with them. I know of lots of mobile guys who use this to supplement their own music, and it can be a good idea if you take requests but don’t want to own something you may only play once. (Pulselocker, although more expensive, has a similar approach.)

Compilation albums are a good way to get this kind of music on a budget, too (the near-legendary “Now That’s What I Call Music” series in the UK has been running several times a year since 1983 and is a go-to for many a wedding DJ), and there are specialised compilations annually and for different types of gig. You can get lots of music for a reasonable price this way.

Also, buying smart can save you cash. In The Complete 21st Wedding DJ, our popular guide to setting up your own wedding DJ business, Michael Hughes lists “must-have” music and points to places to keep up to date, too.

However your original question – record pools (read “digital download pools”: Places where you can get unlimited music for a monthly subscription to download) that specialise in commercial and older music – is something I don’t have the experience to answer. I’m not even sure such pools exist – but if they do, I am sure we have readers who can help.

So – do you know of a commercial digital download pool that might be of use to our reader? Please help out in the comments.

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