DJ Record Pools

After my main music source, ThePirateBay, stop carrying Promo Only torrents I had to find another source for my music other than iTunes. For a out a year I used Rhapsody but they were short on clean edits and I got tired of producing my own remixes and editing tracks. So, I turned to a record pool for my music. 

I searched and searched and searched and most sites and forums will refer you to the same record pool sites, mainly DJCity.com. After reviewing all the sites I narrowed my search down to 4 and purchased memberships to 3 and was offered a trial period for another.   

The Record Pools I chose were; DJCity.com, TheMixTools.com, ZipDJ.com, and ClubKillers.com (they introduced themselves to me via Instagram.). 

Here is what I thought of the sites:

1.  DJCity.com - Great site! Easy to use and top downloads sorted and archived each month. They have tons of remixes and clean edits and a rating feature for each track downloaded. This is a pro and con to me. Pro because I can see what others are using, con because I have to give feedback on every download. The biggest con is they only keep tracks for about 6 months. So anything old that is still hot in the club will not be on this site. I do not recommend this for new DJs just starting to get their music together. This site is for someone who already has a great music database. Price $90 for 3 months. Great for all music genres. 

2.  TheMixTools.com - I think this is the worst one I chose out of the 4. You are limited to 60 songs per month for $19.95 and the clean and radio I downloaded 20 of them were dirty. Imagine if I had a track loaded entitled clean edit and it turned out to be the dirty version at a wedding.  I did t delete the tracks because you are only allowed to download each track once. Honestly, I have not one pro for this site, all cons. You could say price wise $19.95 is a pro but another $10 bucks you can get unlimited download elsewhere. My suggestion, stay away. 

3. ZipDJ.com - Take everything I said about DJCity.com and take to the 2nd power. Great user interface, unlimited downloads but its $50 a month. Way too much for me. I recommend this site for house and EDM DJs. You guys will love it. 

4.  ClubKillers.com - What can I say? I site that at 1st glance I only thought they sold DJ gear but after I registered and joined the music pool I am amazed. They remix after remix and edit on top of edits. I love the CK Cuts and Quick Hitters. Great for all genres and for a limited time it's $35 per month for unlimited downloads. I would pick this one over all of them. 

So there you have it. I will cancel my other subscriptions and keep Club Killers. I would like to thank ZipDj for the tour and for you House DJs who are looking at DJCity check out ZipDJ. They have trial offer of $35 per month. 

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Rane 62 or Pioneer DJM-T1

So for the past 4 months I have been using the Rane 62 for my sets and I must say "It's freaking awesome" but the price is ridiculous. I have been noticing a lot a DJs starting to lean towards Traktor but I never gave it any serious thought until now. I really wanted the software just to see if it was a good fit for me. After much debating I went out to look at the Traktor Z2 but my eyes were immediately glued to the Pioneer DJM-T1. It does come with Traktor but after some YouTube videos, I see people midi map it to use Serato. Since I have an old SL2 box I bought the T1 to test it out with Serato. After serious sets with it here are my thoughts on using it with SSL.

Pros: Easy to midi map, cross fader is great, nice layout for any DVS software, great build quality, saves you $1400 if you have a SL box, $100 if you have to purchase a SL box.

Cons: Stiff line faders, takes up an extra USB port, a lot of cables

So as of today, I'm selling my Rane 62 for $1700. Why? I only paid $600 for the T1 and I love it. The cons I mentioned I can deal with. I use FireWire and Thunderbolt. Line fader in don't scratch with. Another reason why? I'm saving $1100. Rane is out of their damn minds with that price. Yes in ought it and for 4 months had buyers remorse. So if you want the same quality as Rane for less money and using SSL, go with the DJM-T1.

Real N*gga In Charge (RNIC)

A few months back I seen a tweet someone sent me and they asked "Say bruh ain't you from Jonesoboro?"  I replied "Yeah" and immediately after that I get another tweet saying "One yo lil niggas just won 10 racks from TIP."  In my head I'm head I'm saying I don't any nigga that know T.I., TIP, or Q-Tip for that matter.  I go to YouTube, searched for Jonesboro, LA and I be damned, Lil Snupe has hit a lick.  At that very moment, before even watching the video, I was proud that somebody from Jonesboro made in the rap biz.  I had the "16 & Runnin Mixtape" but never played it.  Mainly because I get so much damn music I can't listen to it all.  A month after the video I finally played it and was like "alright i see ya."  Since then the lil homie Snupe has been all over the web tearing shit up.  His latest project "RNIC" hit the streets hot,becoming #1 on the LiveMixtapes.com hottest downloads.  Now since I've heard it, lets review it.

Before I begin I'm going to try my best to give an unbiased opinion on this but it's hard to do when you from Jonesboro, a small town were everybody knows you.  The mixtape holds 14 solid tracks and a skit featuring artists such as Trae The Truth, Meek Mill, Curren$y, and Bigg Poppa.  The mixtape also features 2 local Jonesboro artist, Twinn U & Jay Knoxx.  As a DJ this is not a EP full of club bangers but a balanced work of art that walks you, the listener, through the life of Li Snupe.  Not only does it touch on his life but shows the struggle of really starting from the bottom and making it.  You can feel the small town backwoods vibe he is getting you to feel.  The tracks go deep like those of Lil Boosie on his 1st LP, "Youngest of the Camp."  The EP is something you can easily ride, drink, and smoke to and say "I feel you on that Lil Snupe."  For his 1st mainstream mixtape this is a solid pick up.  Part 2 of this "RNIC 2" may feature more tracks with the same vibe.  I would like to hear one or two club bangers from him.  As a DJ I need something I can play to make em shake if you know what I mean.  I think Lil Snupe can make a balanced album and be a balanced artist.  He has the voice that would be a good fit for radio, the club, and for the realist n*gga on the corner.

One,

IAMDJDK

www.iamdjdk.com

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New DJ Setup: Out with Old, In with the New

For the past 6 - 8 months I have been back and forth on the internet searching for the latest and greatest DJ equipment for my new setup.  Since 2010 I have been using the Numark NS7FX but I am beyond tired of using it.  Plus it weights almost 70 lbs in a case so I didn't feel like carrying that thing in the DJ booth anymore so I sold just recently to a beginner DJ.  Don't get me wrong the NS7 is a great machine and for people who don't know how to DJ or never used vinyl to DJ, it's probably the best midi controller on the market for DJs.  But for me, I had to get to vinyl.  If you check out every club DJ they are pretty much using Technics 1200s.  They are the prototype for all turntables but in my opinion the new Stanton 150s blow them out.  Also you will see them using the always reliable Shure M44-7s as well.  In my opinion again, the new Ortofon S-120s are the best needs for digital djing software but M44s are the best on real vinyl.  After several months of reading reviews, renting equipment, and trips to Guitar Center I made up my mind about what I want and I decided to share it with you all.  Take a look and tell me what you think.

HP Smart Buy Business Backpack.

Has the same durability and functionality of any DJ bag and way cheaper.

Rane 62Z
Best Mixer on the market for Serato DJs.




10 Pair of Serato Vinyl
You can never have enough of these plus you can match your outfit or occasion.




Pioneer HDJ-2000-W Headphones
Best Headphones for DJs.  Better sound quality than Beats but not for the everyday listener.  Purely a professional grade set of headphones.




2 Odyssey Black Label Coffins




1 Odyssey Black Label Mixer Coffin




2 Ortofon CC S-120 Kits
Best Needles for Serato




Novation Dicers




Dr. Suzuki White Slipmats
Since I can't find white Serato Vinyl I will use clear over white slipmats.




Akai RPM3 Monitors
Something to place in front of me to help me mix.




White Odyssey LStandMWHT
The most versatile laptop stand on the market.  It has every feature a DJ needs and wants.




2 Stanton STR8.150 Turntables
The best turntables on the market with the highest torque.  Better than a 1200 and cheaper.

So there you have it.  Check out my gear and tell me what you think and tell what you use.

One Love,

IAMDJDK
www.iamdjdk.com

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