The DJ world, digested weekly. Gear, software, trends. One email.
The Big Story
Can DJs still ignore Spotify and Apple Music?
Digital DJ Tips makes the case that DJs still resisting Spotify and Apple Music integration into their workflows are fighting a losing battle. The tooling has gaps, but the trajectory is unmistakable — streaming is becoming core infrastructure for the booth, and the cost of holding out is compounding.
via Digital DJ Tips
The Feed
Pacha is opening in Brooklyn
The Ibiza institution is planting a flag in New York later this month. A genuine big-room brand entering the Brooklyn market will shift booking dynamics in the city.
via Dancing Astronaut · Jun 3
Francisco Partners exits Muse Group after selling Native Instruments
The PE firm that reshaped NI's trajectory has now left another major music tech investment. A signal that private equity's interest in music software may be cooling.
via MusicTech · Jun 4
Boiler Room goes deep on Sheffield's bassline roots
A full run of sets — TS7, Flava D, K Dot — plus a short doc on the city as a bassline origin point. Good homework if UK garage and bass are anywhere near your crates.
via Boiler Room · Jun 3
Gear
Recording Your DJ Sets Doesn't Require a Big Equipment Budget
Digital DJ Tips walks through practical methods for capturing your sets without splashing out on pricey gear. Worth a watch if you've been putting off recording because you thought you needed a dedicated setup.
via YouTube: Digital DJ Tips · Jun 4
10 Budget Drum Machines Under $500, Ranked
Attack Magazine updated its drum machine roundup for the first time since 2019. If you've been eyeing a hardware rhythm box without liquidating your record collection, this is a useful shortlist of what's actually worth buying right now.
via Attack Magazine · Jun 3
Software
CrossFader Rounds Up Three AI Tools for DJs
CrossFader highlights three AI-powered sites worth a look for DJs exploring how machine learning fits into their workflow. Worth 10 minutes if you're curious where the practical tools actually are versus the hype.
via YouTube: CrossFader · Jun 5
Ableton Opens Live Suite to Third-Party Dev Tools via New Extensions SDK
A public beta JavaScript-based SDK lets developers build custom tools that interact directly with Ableton Live projects. For DJs who also produce, this could eventually mean a deeper ecosystem of workflow add-ons — though it's early days, with community feedback still shaping direction.
via Attack Magazine · Jun 2