Music pool

A music pool or DJ pool is a regionalized and centralized method of music distribution that allows DJs to receive promotional music to play in nightclubs. The music industry sends its newest releases to the pool of DJs; in exchange, the pool provides feedback on each release as well as exposure in their clubs. The person who runs the pool is usually called the "pool director". Music pools originated as vinyl record pools in 1975 New York City, evolved into CD distribution networks, and later online music distribution between DJs (digital pools). A music pool may have a "brick and mortar" office or may be entirely virtualized.

History

The concept of the record pool was started by David Mancuso, Steve D'Aquisto and Vince Aletti in 1975 in New York City as a grassroots effort to design an efficient pipeline for swapping information between the music industry and working DJs. Largely used in the United States, the promotional pool system has never really been established outside of that country.