As a full-time DJ for all kinds of events ( except German pop, après-ski, and party music – I'm totally out of those ), I rely on new music. I receive promotional tracks and then compile the latest songs myself from various sources. Since streaming has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, and it's certainly convenient to access almost every song on the planet for a monthly fee, DJs naturally explore this option. The usual suspects in the market ( Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, and others ) don't allow public streaming of their songs ( read their terms and conditions before asking a DJ the dumbest question of 2022 about whether they can stream tracks from Spotify ). Tidal doesn't either, even though this service can be integrated into professional DJ software.

Streaming for DJs

Currently, there are two providers on the market offering services specifically for DJs. BEATPORT and BEATSOURCE are two streaming services that allow you to play songs in public spaces. Both services offer high-quality audio files for streaming, ensuring optimal sound in clubs or other venues. BEATPORT focuses purely on electronic music, while BEATSOURCE leans more towards mainstream and pop, but also includes various dance tracks and black music. I won't discuss SoundCloud here, as it's not relevant to my needs and contains too many bootlegs and unofficial tracks. Furthermore, optimal sound quality isn't guaranteed on SoundCloud.

My self-test, my decision

In the summer of 2022, I started looking into the topic more closely and, since I was offered a free three-month trial with Beatport, I decided to try it out. Why Beatport...? I'm a big fan of electronic music ( which I also produce myself ), and when I'm playing this genre, I usually have an internet connection, which isn't really the case at most wedding venues, for example. But more on that later...

I won't mention any venue names below, only the city, and I'll keep everything else to myself because I have no desire to discuss internet connections and Wi-Fi signals with venues. Unfortunately, most venues are very uncomprehending, unwilling to listen, and stuck in the early 2000s when it comes to internet and Wi-Fi. They also tend to see fast internet access as a hindrance, fearing someone might post something negative. Even at venues that cater to corporate clients and provide training rooms for them, a fast and stable internet connection is usually unavailable to the DJ. But unfortunately, it often simply comes down to the fact that none of the staff, or anyone working that day, knows the Wi-Fi password...

Start the test and let's stream!

• Gig no.1 - Location: Thurnsberg - no Wi-Fi available and therefore no testing possible.
• Gig no. 2 - Location: Zolling - yay, finally a venue with Wi-Fi! Beatport streaming works without any problems.
• Gig No. 3 - Location: Geitau - there is Wi-Fi, but because it's only secured with WPA, my Mac won't connect. My phone connects fine, and I'm not sure if Traktor or Beatport is blocking the WPA connection because it's too insecure. I'll look into it. UPDATE: Nope, it's not Traktor or macOS settings; the Wi-Fi is simply poorly configured and too slow.
• Gig No. 4 - Location: Gstadt - there is Wi-Fi here, but it's so incredibly slow that just clicking on playlists in Beatport streaming results in what feels like an endless loading attempt, which then eventually gives up. So, no further testing...
• Gig No. 5 - Location: Aschheim - Wi-Fi is available and fast enough to display playlists and genres. Streaming tracks ran smoothly despite the slow internet connection. However, preloading takes a very long time, so spontaneous playback/streaming isn't really possible.
• Gig no.6 - Location: Erding - WiFi available, stable and fast.
• Gig no.7 - Location: Hamburg - WiFi available, stable and fast.
• Gig no.8 - Location: Kitzbühl/Austria - WiFi available, stable and fast.
• Gig no.9 - Location: Schliersee - no stable Wi-Fi available, therefore unfortunately not usable.
• Gig no.10 - Location: Germering - WiFi available, stable and fast.
• Gig no.11 - Location: Pflegersee - no stable Wi-Fi available, therefore unfortunately not usable.
• Gig no.12 - Location: Munich - WiFi available, but unfortunately unusable as it is too slow.

Conclusion after three months

If you have a fast and stable internet connection, Beatport streaming works flawlessly. I used it with the current Traktor Pro version during the testing period, and I have to say, it integrates seamlessly and runs smoothly and without any problems. BUT the biggest problem is simply the very poor internet coverage in the venues, and even if there is Wi-Fi, it's usually not maintained, let alone the router kept up to date with current software. I don't even want to get started on Wi-Fi directional antennas, because before I started working as a full-time DJ, I configured and sold Wi-Fi networks.

This disinterest, this "we don't need that, we still do everything by fax" mentality, is what led me to leave the IT industry 20 years ago. Now, in 2022/23, not much has changed in Germany regarding internet coverage and digitalization, which is now catching up with me in my DJ work in the form of venues where fast and stable internet, including Wi-Fi, is still not standard...

Last Words

I'm keeping my Beatport streaming subscription because when you're DJing in other European countries, the Wi-Fi and internet situation is completely different. Even in Germany, you can use it at five out of twelve gigs, provided there's a stable internet connection and fast Wi-Fi. Ultimately, everyone has to decide for themselves whether it's worth having a streaming subscription as a DJ right now. Perhaps in the next five to ten years, the internet infrastructure in Germany will be better developed, and then DJs might be the only ones who can use streaming services...