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Project part-financed by the European Union
An East Yorkshire company is revolutionising the job of DJs worldwide with the ultimate in digitised technology. Struggling from gig to gig with a huge collection of CDs and cumbersome audio equipment will soon be a thing of the past for the working DJ.
Computer DJ (www.computerdj.net) is a young company based in Hull, who believe they have developed the perfect solution for the DJ on the move. Managing Director, Shaun Minns is a former IT Manager who has also worked as a DJ. He is therefore deeply familiar with the pitfalls of being out on the road with an under-performing music system.
Shaun said:
“Finding the right CD and identifying a particular track, in badly lit-venues with overheating equipment can be a DJ’s nightmare.
“That’s why we’ve designed the portable and compact OODJ which combines all the professional equipment a DJ will ever need - a hard drive that can store literally thousands of tracks, an illuminated keyboard and studio quality soundcard. It even has an in-built cooling system and biometric fingerprint security. The whole system fits into a secure case that weighs just six kilos.
The OODJ system is to DJs what 007 is to espionage. It’s truly the ultimate box of tricks!”
Aware of the international potential of the OODJ the company signed up to UK Trade & Investment’s Passport to Export programme last year.
Shaun added:
“The Passport programme helped to widen my knowledge base about some of the basics of exporting. And it was a great networking opportunity as well. We also found out about the UKTI New Products from Britain service (NPfB) which publicises innovative British products like our own in specific markets overseas through the British embassies and consulates. We have used the service with great feedback results in both Dubai and the US.”
In partnership with an American company, ComputerDJ is already selling the OODJ in America and earlier this year the company got the opportunity to exhibit the OODJ and its other leisure industry music systems at an international trade fair in Dubai where the response was overwhelming.
UK Trade & Investment’s Stephan Stahl has been working closely with the company to identify business opportunities overseas. Stephan said:
“Computer DJ have a fantastic product which is not only multi-functional, but it looks good too. Showcasing it at the trade fair in Dubai where potential customers could ‘test drive’ the system was crucial. Through Yorkshire Forward we were able to identify Targeted Export Support funding which helped to get the company out to Dubai where they could make the most of the opportunity.”
The company have also developed the Q-Play Installation Systems for the pub, club and leisure circuit providing digital music with touch-screen capacity which allows venues to set a play list for the day without having to change CDs manually. Built around a central PC, the Q-Play is capable of storing and organising thousands of tracks. Music can then be sent to up to six rooms simultaneously. ComputerDJ are now developing a similar digital music system for the home.
Shaun added
“We feel very lucky to have had Stephan Stahl at UK Trade & Investment on board. We know he is always at the end of a phone if we need him and he’s been terrifically helpful in finding solutions and talking us through some of the funding applications.
“We will definitely continue to work with him in developing our business in the Middle East.”
Computer DJ contact: Shaun Minns on 01482 319704 or shaun@computerdj.net
UKTI contact: Stephan Stahl on 07717 345571 or sstahl@blhumber.co.uk
