Finding out where DJs get their music can be daunting, with dozens of online resources offering new music from thousands of artists and labels.
Whether you’re looking to purchase music or free music download sites, these resources connect DJs with millions of new tracks to use in their DJ sets.
Continue reading, and we’ll break down all the resources you need to download music online, from mainstream outlets like Apple Music to the best DJ music record pools available.
Where Do DJs Get Their Music? (DJ Pools, Freebies, & More)
DJs looking to get more music for their collection need to consider various factors, from how much it will cost to the music file formats offered and copyright concerns.
We’ve covered all these considerations and more to help you to choose the best resources for your budget and DJing requirements.
Without further ado, here’s our guide to where DJs get new music to build a comprehensive archive for their DJ sets.
10. SoundCloud
One of the most popular resources for free music is SoundCloud, which features an extensive collection of exclusive tracks which users can add to their music collection.
With a reputation as a breeding ground for up-and-coming talent, SoundCloud allows you to follow your favorite artists and access a wide range of free downloads.
There are also plenty of artists from the mainstream music industry hosting content on the platform, and you can find exclusive remixes of their new music available as free tracks.
The service is structured in an easy-to-navigate way, with the related tracks linked and playlists for similar music, making it great for new music discovery.
Find the artists you love on SoundCloud, and you can dig into the other producers and DJs they follow, offering plenty of new opportunities to discover amazing music.
SoundCloud’s main appeal is its usefulness as a resource for previously unreleased tracks from lesser-known electronic dance music producers pushing their new releases to a broader audience.
If you’re a budding producer looking to promote your DJ business, setting up your own SoundCloud account and posting mixes and tracks is a must.
9. YouTube
Online video streaming service YouTube needs no introduction, having established itself as the leading online video platform with millions of users worldwide.
Every major artist and label has a solid presence on the platform, with extensive back catalogs of releases along with live shows and playlists.
YouTube is a great resource to keep up to date on new releases and find out what other DJs are playing, whether you’re into house music or hip hop.
YouTube videos are also a great source of inspiration for introducing the best DJ visuals to your live mixes and DJ sets, with performances from Ultra Music Festival and other events to check out.
You can use YouTube to download free DJ music using various online tools that extract and convert the video to a range of music files compatible with DJ software.
This makes it an excellent resource for building a free music archive, although beware that this can result in poor sound quality and raises the specter of copyright infringement.
Another consideration when using YouTube is the prevalence of advertisements on the platform, so you’ll need either an ad blocker or a subscription to YouTube Red to get these ads removed.
8. Specialist Online Record Stores
Professional DJs get their music from various sources, with specialist online record stores opening up access to music from mainstream and independent artists.
DJs looking for the latest commercial hits can find everything they need in stores such as Apple Music and Amazon Music, where they can buy digital music files.
Alternative online record stores such as Boomkat and Bleep, on the other hand, offer a repository of music downloads from new artists on independent record labels.
These stores often feature artists not found on music streaming services, where DJs can discover music away from more commercial labels that suit a particular niche.
In addition to digital downloads, Boomkat allows you to buy music on vinyl, CDs, and even cassettes, which is ideal for DJs with a setup capable of handling multiple music formats.
One of the most established specialist online record stores is Beatport, which offers paid digital downloads alongside its streaming service.
If you’re after a well-curated music collection for downloading music from more underground genres by niche artists, you can often find tracks you won’t discover elsewhere from these resources.
7. Online Streaming Services
Online music streaming services offer another great resource for discovering new tracks for your DJ music library from a wide range of artists, genres, and record labels.
There are several online streaming services to choose from, with industry giant Spotify offering the most extensive music library archive for users to explore.
Spotify’s close ties with major artists and record labels mean they offer fresh tracks regularly, covering all genres and with extensive back catalogs.
In addition to hosting new music, these services allow you to discover plenty of other tracks you’ll enjoy based on accurate algorithms that suggest fresh music based on your taste.
Aspiring DJs can find out how to live stream a DJ set and take advantage of these online streaming services to host free DJ sets for their fans.
With online streaming service providers and DJ software designers seeking to develop ways to integrate their content into DJ sets, the future for these resources looks promising.
6. Physical Media
A comprehensive answer to the question, “Where do DJs get their music?” requires moving away from online resources and into physical media.
Despite the rise of digital DJ music files and streaming services, physical media sales remain strong, with bespoke stores in major cities selling vinyl and CDs.
Vinyl remains popular among DJs looking for high-quality music legally, and while new releases can be expensive, there are resources where you can build a collection of vinyl on a budget.
For example, if you’re considering learning to scratch DJ and want to go the traditional route, building a vinyl collection can be done quickly and cheaply using thrift stores and the second-hand market.
Websites like eBay host many accounts where people sell music in physical formats, from independent DJs clearing their old vinyl collections to professional stores offering a dedicated service.
Use these resources, and you’ll find music that often isn’t available online, as a great deal of electronic music has only been released on white labels with limited pressings.
5. Social Media Platforms
Social media is essential for any DJ who wishes to stay ahead of the curve and gain access to new music from their favorite artists and record labels.
Sign up to TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and you can follow all the artists you enjoy and keep updated on the latest tracks they release.
While these platforms don’t generally provide free music, they give you a heads-up when artists offer a free download for a limited time.
This means you can tailor your social media news feed and notifications to find out everything you need to know about industry trends and upcoming releases.
If you’re looking into starting a DJ business, getting set up on social media platforms is essential for discovering artists and other influencers to establish your online presence.
The more you engage with your DJ peers and fan base, the quicker your network of contacts will grow, leading to more paid gigs and other events.
4. Record Label Mailing Lists
More established DJs with a track record working in clubs and other venues can access record mailing lists that send them the latest music before it is released.
Record mailing lists are available for all tastes, from the most popular music genres to more niche electronic music you won’t find streaming online.
To sign up for a record mailing list, you’ll need solid evidence you’re working as a professional DJ, for instance, proof of a residency in a local nightclub.
Since these services send unreleased music, you need to be aware of any terms of service they offer to ensure you’re not performing the music in a forbidden place.
While traditionally, record label mailing lists would send out physical media to their DJs, today’s lists can also include digital audio files as part of their services.
Getting onto a reputable record label mailing list isn’t easy, but if you’ve already established a reputation as a DJ and passed the signup process, it opens up a new world of exclusive content.
3. Podcasts & Digital Radio Stations
Podcasts and digital radio offer an invaluable resource for DJs who want to keep on top of the latest tracks from their genres of choice, especially if this is from more underground genres.
These can range from podcasts hosted by established DJs sharing their insights into music, or fan-hosted radio shows that showcase the latest tracks in a given genre.
Curating a list of essential podcasts and radio shows that cater to your tastes allows you to schedule listening sessions when a new podcast or show drops and remains at the cutting edge.
Whether you’re a fan of 90s hip-hop or the latest EDM music, there are podcasts and radio shows out there which deliver regular and fresh content to help expand your musical horizons.
Podcasts are also a great place to discover more DJ tips and tricks, exploring different transition techniques and other ways to play better sets.
While these resources won’t give you much in the way of audio tracks to download, they are vital sources of information and an excellent way to discover new music.
2. Producing Their Own Music
More adventurous DJs who’ve invested in music production software can create their own amazing tracks to ensure they’re playing the freshest music possible.
Producing your own music means there are also no concerns with copyright since, as the producer, you’ll own the full rights to your tracks and can play them wherever you like.
Once you’ve produced your own music, you can look into using it to build your DJ brand by posting it on a selection of music and video hosting platforms.
The more original content you produce, your online presence will improve, building a reputation as a creator alongside your DJing credentials.
Music production can also involve collaborating with other artists, such as singers and musicians, giving you access to an extended network of influencers and promoters.
It’s not just you who can take advantage of the additional music in your library. If you know other DJs who play in clubs and other venues, you can get them to try out your latest efforts to gain additional feedback.
1. DJ Pools
For an extensive archive of music files from a broad range of record labels, researching the best DJ record pools is essential.
The best DJ record pools offer users access to a vast archive of carefully categorized content, available to download in the music file type of their choice.
Finding the best DJ record pool for your needs is easy and begins with identifying the music genres you’re interested in and choosing the pool that delivers this content.
Once you’ve signed up to a DJ pool, you gain unlimited access to the full selection of music and various other useful tools and resources.
In addition to new releases, a digital music pool is a great resource for remixes and edits specifically created for DJs, along with intro edits of radio songs to allow for easier mixing.
A great DJ pool subscription will also include information on the BPM/tempo and key of a given track, making it much easier to drop it into a DJ set once it has been downloaded.
The ability to deliver feedback to artists and access early releases makes record pools one of the most popular resources, particularly for working DJs who need to stay ahead of the curve.
Summary
So that wraps up this complete guide exploring where DJs get their music from, covering everything from royalty-free music to the best DJ pools on the market.
There’s something available for all music tastes and budgets, so make sure you research the best resources for your DJing requirements.
Choose the best resources for your requirements, and you’ll be able to stay on top of the latest releases while building an impressive music library of the best tracks.
Gain access to an extensive selection of cutting-edge music from a wide range of genres when you sign up to ZIPDJ.