I want to build my DJ collection before I go ahead and invest in all the equipment! I have very few CD's at the moment. What is the best way to go about getting a wide variety of musical genres? I guess I have to have some music frmo the last 30 years, as well as the latest chart songs? Whats the best way to build and maintain the collection? How regularly do I have to feed it more music?

Cheers

In most good record shops you will find compilation cds from the various eras,i know the "now"series is also released in the u.s. and starts in the 80s right up to the present day.Compilation albumns are a good investment

Hi

If you've got a couple of hours to spare, have a browse around Amazon for box sets, they have a ton of them going as far back as the 1940's.

mastermix have a good selection of sets for a variet of purposes. the Classic Cuts set are very good if a little pricey.

i've been a pro DJ now for 6 years but have been collecting my music for 13 years or so, it takes time, and money.

Keep at it, it'll come.

Darren

Ok, thanks... how far back do I need to go??

To start off with ALWAYS go to woolies and argos - they generally have massive sales where you can pick up good compilations from as little as £4.00. Make sure you have a "little" of everything from 1950s to present date. Depending how hold you are, ask your parents what they would expect to hear at a disco, or have a look at some of the threads on here, there are a few must haves such as the twist, rock around the clock, dancing queen - but once you start collecting it is going to be difficult for you to stay away from "just having a look" in the music stores!

Also there are a couple of albums called "the best......." could be "sixties album in the world ever" Rock n' roll album in the world ever" etc

...whoops..... try Big W....... you should have some luck.

Ok, thanks for that... I tell you, even now, I am always just going for a quick peek in the music stores, or online. I tell you... I'm adicted already!

Also the now thats what i call music released a special yearlly series i.e 1980 to 2003 these are very good and should be able to still buy them in the shops or on ebay.

Yes Dj_Kray and I (and probably several other DJ's on here) both have the entire numbered range of "Now thats what I call music Vol.1" thru to Vol 55...

Be aware however, if looking on international music sites, that there is also a range of "NOW" albums/CD's in the United States, which are called "Now 5", "Now 10", "Now 30" etc....which are not the same as the UK series. True, they are compilation albums of chart hits, but more the US Charts, with a little more of a Line Dance/Country & Western feel to them. Still very up-to-date though.

Just something to be aware of if buying "Now" collections from American stores/sellers.


As to your music collection as a whole...It really depends on the sort of functions/Disco's which you're looking at doing. For example: If you're looking at only doing 18th ~ 25th birthday parties exclusively, then you wont need to have more than a couple of "Best of the 1960's" type compilations, to go alongside the mountains of Ministry of sound compilations, and other "up-to-the-minute", "Finger-on-the-pulse" dance music tracks. If you're looking at scratching and turntablism (which a few CD-decks will let you do perfectly well now), then you'll just need CD versions of all the usual played-out beats, breaks, and scratches...("Fresh...","Its Tiiiime",etc... ).

If you're looking at weddings, and other general family functions then...phewwww! almost every "Era" compilation album will hold an interest for you.

What sort of functions/parties were you mainly picturing yourself doing.

Ok Plinth,heres a few questions to help us find the right answers for you,as i am not sure where you are aiming, 1.What 10 records would you play at a club if you could choose? 2. Why do you want to be a dJ and do you think you have what it takes?. 3. Of all the answers that we have given you so far ,which do you think will help the most? 4. If and when you start a mobile disco what kind of public will you be targeting.? It is a little difficult if you ask us how far back your collection should go cos if you are aiming at 12 to 15 year olds then you dont need much older music.

Ok, but go easy on me... I'm new to this remember, and I'm here to learn from you guys.

I think you answered that well but i cant help feeling that you have more experience than you are telling,how many gigs have you done?

I try my best! :D

Hey, dont get me wrong, I am a complete newbie!
If there was ever any doubt in your mind about this then perhaps you should read this post. I feel like such a loser! Sorry Chris!

Oops thats almost to the point of wondering if you are playing us around!

We have a local record shop (well, sell CDs as well), who often have singles/albums at reduced prices. This saves any postage and packaging you'd pick up from amazon or ebay.

Has anyone tryed the Mastermix range

That is an excellent source of music i will defently join and get my music from them and also DMC World is a good source to

Jonathan

Im always waiting for sales at record stores etc and have accumalated quite a
collection, ok so when its been nearer a gig then I would buy up to date music
depending on the type of function.

Another good resourse for really cheap CDs is if you have one near is a
porn broker (2nd hand store) in the Uk they're commonly called 'cash converters'
My local 2nd hand store has loads but have not yet tried them, why I dont know
cos he has stacks of the blooming things, they're selling for around £2 to £3 not
sure what they would fetch over there.
Another is to tell your friends you want all there CDs they dont want and will pay
them say $1 (Down under money guys) I did this and it worked well.

You hav'nt mentioned how its going over there (not the weather)**jealous**
Have you managed to grab any gear yet and are they still pricey with kit.
In the UK its never been a better time to invest in kit but I feel its not going to
be so for long even thuogh there's lots of manufacturers about Im sure some will
fade, could be wrong though, one never knows.

Best of luck with your adventure.

Cheers

I've recently started using ebay for cds - great for filling gaps in your collection!

Delivered to your door !