• Chat GPT-5

• A VirtualDJ Deep Dive

• Free Grok For Everyone

• Gimme Gimme Gimme! a Billion

GPT-5: It’s Real and It’s Spectacular

What’s Happening:

OpenAI officially rolled out GPT‑5—their most advanced AI yet, now the default model across ChatGPT—including free users—with deeper reasoning, faster speeds, and better accuracy. Plus, flashy upgrades like a massive context window (400K tokens), built-in style personalities, voice sensitivity, and seamless Gmail/Calendar integration have users saying this AI feels shockingly human  .

Why It Matters (Especially for DJs & Creators):

• Smarter Workflows: GPT‑5’s advanced reasoning means you can get help troubleshooting complex gear setups or automating beat-matching logic—all with better, more reliable responses.

• Extended Context = Less Repetition: Planning a multi-hour set or writing a show rundown? GPT‑5 lets you manage long-form tasks without losing thread.

• Tone That Actually Listens: With emotional-aware voice mode and personalization, your AI assistant can respond in a way that matches both your vibe and your schedule.

But Yes—It’s Not All Studio Magic:

Despite the hype, the rollout hit turbulence: users flagged basic math errors, “dumbed-down” tones, and workflow glitches. OpenAI paused the GPT‑4o retirement and restored older models after the backlash  . CEO Sam Altman admitted the emotional impact of such AI relationships needs boundaries  .

Early Benchmarks (With a Medical Upgrade):

GPT‑5 tagged top scores across medical reasoning benchmarks, even outperforming human experts on certain imaging and diagnosis tasks . This stretches the possibility for DJs managing health-conscious sets or balancing wellness with obsessive crate prep.

TL;DR:

GPT-5 is a smarter, more capable version of ChatGPT—great for DJs and creators who juggle complex planning, creative messaging, or performance logistics. But expect growing pains: system kinks, emotional attachment, and model shifts are still part of the landscape.

In last week’s poll we asked “Which DJ software are you currently using” and 50% each responded Still Rocking Serato Ride or Die

ChatGPT-5 Hacks for Wedding DJs.

This Tuesday at 8 PM EST, join Dominick Pirone + Travis Bizzell for a free live training:

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DJ Software Showdown: VirtualDJ with Ed Carey

This week we’re launching a brand-new series where we put one DJ software in the hot seat and let a real user spill the tea. First up? VirtualDJ — the Swiss Army knife of DJ software that’s been quietly powering club nights, weddings, livestreams, and maybe your cousin’s Twitch set for years.

We’ll dig into why they chose it, how it fits into their workflow, what makes it shine (and what makes them roll their eyes), and how it plays with tools like Crate Hackers. Oh, and we’ll bust a few myths — because no, it’s not “just for beginners.”

Here’s your VirtualDJ Spotlight with Ed Carey rewritten in a clean, easy-to-read Q&A format for the newsletter:

Q: How long have you been using VirtualDJ?
Ed: I started when a client moved from PCDJ to PCVJ (only available on PC at the time, made by Atomix). I tested VirtualDJ 5, then bought version 6 after reporting a bug that got fixed. So, probably since around 2007.

Q: What made you choose VirtualDJ over other platforms when you first started?
Ed: I was coming from Mac-only MegaSeg, which was great with updates and hardware, but VirtualDJ gave me way more creative options for manipulating video.

Q: Was VirtualDJ the first DJ software you ever used?
Ed: No. I started with MegaSeg and played with PCDJ Red, PCVJ, Traktor, and Serato. VirtualDJ felt best in class.

Q: If you’ve used other software, what are the biggest differences—good and bad?
Ed: At their core, they all do the same thing. But VirtualDJ has more ways to get music in, custom skins for everyone from beginners to pros, and constant updates based on user feedback. Other platforms have longer development cycles and fewer customization options.

Q: What’s one feature in VirtualDJ you wish other software had?
Ed: A lightning-fast database and built-in backup solution.

Q: And one feature you wish VirtualDJ would improve?
Ed: Honestly, they’re quick to roll out features other platforms have—usually within a year—so there’s not much they lag on.

Q: How does VirtualDJ fit into your day-to-day workflow?
Ed: Almost everything I need for prep is built in—text importing, matching to my library, and a full-screen browser for labeling, coloring, and importing tracks.

Q: Do you use Crate Hackers with VirtualDJ? How does it integrate?
Ed: Absolutely. Once you turn on browserShowLegacyPlaylists, any Crate Hackers playlist appears under M3U Playlists. Right-click, convert to VirtualDJ Lists, done.

Q: What hardware do you pair with VirtualDJ?
Ed: Main controller: Roland DJ-707M.
Also: Denon 4500HC (dual Burr Brown DAC into Urei 1620LE), Numark DJ2Go2, and Denon MC3000.

Q: What’s your favorite underrated VirtualDJ feature?
Ed: Multiple audio routing options, VST plug-ins, visual shaders, and even using cameras as wireless inputs.

Q: How do you respond to the myth that “VirtualDJ is only for beginners”?
Ed: “Where exactly on the internet did the software hurt you?” I used to think it was a joke too—mainly because of the default skin and piracy back in the day. But now, it’s lean, runs on almost anything, and matches or beats the competition in many areas. It’s truly for DJs of any level.

Q: Can you share a pro tip most DJs might not know?
Ed: Automix Points for Seamless Transitions—set custom in/out points so Automix only plays the best part of each song. Perfect for weddings and background sets.

Q: If a DJ is thinking of switching to VirtualDJ, what’s the one thing they should know?
Ed: Download it, click the cog wheel for tutorials, and dive into the manual. They’ve got one of the most detailed manuals in the game, plus documentation for every supported controller.

Grok 4 Goes Free - X’s AI Power Move

What’s Happening:
Elon Musk’s X just made its most advanced AI model, Grok 4, free for all users worldwide. If you’ve been curious about Musk’s answer to ChatGPT but didn’t want to pay the cover charge, now’s your shot to get in the VIP booth. Grok 4 claims top scores on AI benchmark tests (though, like any DJ bragging about “the best set ever,” some third parties aren’t fully convinced).

Why DJs & Creators Should Care:
This isn’t just an AI for random trivia. Grok 4 can handle complex prompts, creative brainstorming, and production planning — meaning you could:

• Generate tracklist ideas for different crowds.

• Draft social media captions that don’t sound like ChatGPT from 2022.

• Plan event schedules or set lists with AI-assisted speed.

• Even test creative concepts before investing time into them.

The Catch:
You’ll get a limited number of free queries per day. After that, you’ll need X Premium or a Grok subscription to keep the ideas flowing. Think of it like a free drink ticket — after that, the bartender’s charging full price.

Bigger Picture:
Musk’s giving away free tastes of Grok 4 (and its Imagine text-to-video tool) to build interest — and yes, subscriptions. But it’s also part of a broader push to get creators, brands, and even governments onboard. For DJs and event pros, that means we’re inching closer to AI assistants that can truly handle creative and business tasks behind the scenes.

Bottom Line:
If you’ve been looking for an AI co-pilot that’s fast, sharp, and a little unpredictable (sound familiar?), Grok 4 might be worth your daily test spin while it’s free.

ABBA’s ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme!’ Hits the Billions Club, 46 Years Later

What’s Happening:
ABBA’s 1979 disco anthem Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight) just joined Spotify’s Billions Club, making it the band’s second track to hit one billion streams (following Dancing Queen in 2023). The kicker? Half of those streams are coming from Gen Z, proving that glitter, hooks, and perfect BPMs don’t age—they just get added to more playlists.

Why DJs Should Care:

• Timeless Track Selection: If you’re spinning open format or wedding gigs, ABBA isn’t nostalgia—it’s a crowd reset button.

• Gen Z Data = Programming Gold: Younger crowds are eating up disco and classic pop. The streaming stats basically hand you a setlist trend report.

• Billion-Stream Blueprint: Tracks with this level of staying power can anchor your sets, create theme nights, and inspire remixes or mashups.

By the Numbers:

• 11M first-time Gen Z ABBA listeners this year alone

• 50% of ABBA’s 2025 audience = Gen Z

• 150% increase in global streams for the entire ABBA catalog over the last five years

Pro Tip for Creators:
Leverage these resurging classics in your mixes, TikToks, or reels. They’re algorithm-friendly and crowd-proven, making them perfect for both engagement and dance floors.