One of the unique Slipmat features is the Request System. It allows DJs to upload a collection file from DJ software (Rekordbox, Engine Prime, Serato and Traktor are currently supported) for listeners to browse and request from. Listeners can also make “freeform requests” which don’t need to be on the collection.
Uploading a collection file
To get most out of the request system you definitely want to upload a collection file. (The system works without as well, but you lose most of the functionality without it.)
First, prepare a playlist to use as a collection file. You can be creative here; do you want to show your best and most requested tracks as something your listeners see when they open the requests tab or maybe you want to promote some hidden gems instead? Usually it’s a good best to pick some compromise between those two – but it’s obviously your choice! Select at most 2000-3000 songs (the current system can’t handle much more and you’ll get errors) for this list. And remember, you can change and update it as often as you want.
When your playlist is ready, open your DJ software (Rekordbox, Engine Prime, Serato and Traktor are currently supported) and export the list to a file. Exporting works differently in different softwares, but search for the feature and you’ll find it. Then go to your DJ admin page and go to Track Collection. From here you can upload the file. If your playlist is long, it’s going to take a while. If the playlist is too long, you’ll get an error. Then just slim down the list a bit and try again. After the upload is done, you are ready to use the request system.
Turning on the Request System
You’ll first see the “Requests”-toggle when creating your event. You can turn the requests on by default here or you can start your event without the system on and turn the system on from your DJ admin dashboard from the live event page. From the dashboard you can also control the number of requests your listeners can make. About 2-5 requests is a good basic quota to set, but if you aren’t afraid of few people possibly spamming the system with tens of requests (the reason for the quota), set the number to 0 and then there are no limits for maximum amount of requests per listener.
But how does it work?
This video (which is already two years old at the time of writing, which is quite amazing!) shows the basics quite well in 90 seconds, take a look:
Happy streaming! 