What Is a Record Pool?
A record pool is a subscription service that gives DJs a curated library of new and promotional music to download and play in their sets. The DJ goes to the pool and pulls music out of it. Here is how record pools work, who they are for, and how they differ from a label-facing promo pool.
If you DJ regularly, you need a steady supply of new, set-ready music. A record pool exists to give you exactly that: for a monthly subscription you get access to a large, curated catalog of tracks that you can download and play. The defining feature is the direction music flows: a record pool is DJ-facing, so the DJ comes to the pool and takes music out of it. Below is how that works, who it is for, and the important difference between a record pool and a promo pool, which point in opposite directions.
How a record pool works
1. You subscribe to the pool
A record pool is a paid membership. You sign up, usually for a monthly fee, and get access to a large, curated library of tracks. Many pools focus on a genre or scene, so the catalog matches the kind of room you actually play.
2. You browse the curated catalog
Inside the pool you browse new and promotional releases sorted by genre, BPM, key and chart position. Editors and crate-diggers do the filtering, so you spend less time hunting and more time finding tracks that fit your sets.
3. You download what you want to play
This is the core of a record pool: you pull music out of it. You download the tracks you like, often in multiple versions like the original, an extended mix, an intro edit or an acapella, and load them into your DJ software.
4. You play them in your sets
You drop those records in clubs, on radio, in livestreams and in mixes. The pool keeps refreshing with new music every week, so your crate stays current without you chasing promos label by label.
Who record pools are for
Record pools are built for working DJs: club, bar, mobile, wedding and radio DJs who need fresh music every week across the genres they play. The value is curation and convenience. Instead of buying track by track on different stores or chasing promos label by label, you get a single, filtered library with DJ-friendly versions like extended mixes, intro edits and acapellas. Some pools cover everything; many specialise in a genre or scene, so the catalog fits the rooms you actually play. Well-known examples of the category include genre-spanning pools and dance-focused pools, and the right one for you depends on the music you spin.
Record pool vs promo pool: the key distinction
These two terms sound similar and are easy to confuse, but they describe opposite flows. A record pool is DJ-facing: DJs subscribe and pull music out of a shared, curated library to play. A promo pool is label-facing: a label or artist pushes one specific release out to a chosen list of DJs and tastemakers to earn plays, feedback and support before and around release day. Put simply, with a record pool the DJ takes music; with a promo pool the label sends music. Knowing which side you are on tells you which tool you actually need.
Where PromoLink fits (and where it does not)
To be clear: PromoLink is not a record pool. It sits on the label side of the distinction above. It is the operating system labels use to send promo to DJs and run the whole label, from branded smart links and private promo to automated release communication. If you are a DJ looking to download music, you join a record pool. If you are a label or artist looking to get your release into the hands of the right DJs, PromoLink is the promo tool for that job. It is free to start, electronic-native, and built by a group of 20+ electronic labels (IAMT Group). For the label side, see our guide to the best DJ promo tools and promo distribution for techno labels.
Frequently asked questions
What is a record pool?
A record pool is a subscription service that gives DJs access to a large, curated library of new and promotional music to download and play in their sets. You pay a recurring fee, browse a catalog sorted by genre, BPM and key, and pull the tracks you want into your DJ software. The key idea is that a record pool is DJ-facing: the DJ goes to the pool and takes music out of it.
How does a record pool work?
You subscribe to the pool, usually monthly, and get access to its catalog of tracks, often refreshed every week. You browse by genre, BPM, key or chart, download the records you want to play (frequently in several versions such as the original, an extended mix or an intro edit), and load them into Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor or your software of choice. The pool curates and supplies; you select and download.
Who are record pools for?
Record pools are built for working DJs: club, bar, mobile, wedding and radio DJs who need a steady supply of new, set-ready music across the genres they play. They suit DJs who value curation and DJ-friendly edits over hunting for every track on individual stores. If you play out regularly and want a reliable pipeline of fresh records, a record pool is aimed at you.
What is the difference between a record pool and a promo pool?
They point in opposite directions. A record pool is DJ-facing: DJs subscribe and pull music out of a shared, curated library to play. A promo pool is label-facing: a label or artist pushes a specific release out to a chosen list of DJs and tastemakers to get plays, feedback and support. In short, with a record pool the DJ comes and takes music; with a promo pool the label sends music to DJs. PromoLink is a promo tool for labels, not a record pool.
Are record pools legal and how much do they cost?
Reputable record pools are legal: they license the music they distribute and pay rights holders, which is part of why they charge a subscription. Pricing varies by pool and tier, typically a monthly fee, and many focus on a particular genre or scene. Always check that a pool is properly licensed before you rely on it for tracks you play in public.
Is PromoLink a record pool?
No. PromoLink is not a record pool. A record pool sits on the DJ side and lets DJs download music to play. PromoLink sits on the label side: it is the operating system labels use to send promo to DJs and run the whole label, from branded smart links to automated release communication. If you are a DJ looking to download music you join a record pool; if you are a label looking to send your release to DJs you use a promo tool like PromoLink.
Run a label? Send promo to DJs the easy way
A record pool is for DJs who download music. PromoLink is for labels who send it: branded promo to DJs and automated release communication, free to start. No card required.