A New York club has set up a DJ booth equipped with twin-iPod action, according to Wired.
One is a 5-GB model containing about 1,000 songs, the other a 10-GB model with 2,000 songs. Connected by headphone jacks, the iPods sit on Plexiglass blocks, one on each side of the mixer. Would-be DJs take a numbered ticket from a deli-style dispenser next to the DJ desk. A stack of print-outs of all 3,000 songs are available to help DJs prepare their set list. The print-out also provides a quick guide to DJ etiquette, including the rule, "Playing of any heavy metal ballads will result in immediate expulsion from the premises. Everyone gets seven minutes to play a set; the time is counted down on a giant digital clock placed in front of the mixer."
I like the communal, collaborative aspect of this (despite the mullet ballad-fascism). Though I can't imagine it really works for everyone - 7 minutes to play a set doesn't allow for much leeway, and whilst I'm immensely fond of the random shuffle experience (it's now my preferred way of listening) it seems a very personal experience. Being exposed to a stranger's shuffle for 7 minutes sounds less than satisfying.
But hey, some New Yorkers are just too cool ;)
