01 · The storyFrom vinyl to digital
DJ Magic Vinyl started DJing in San Diego in 1993. Like a whole generation of DJs, he learned the job the hard way: crates of records, two turntables, and a room full of people who’d tell you right away if the mix wasn’t working.
He came up in San Diego’s Broadway nightclub scene, played raves and club nights, and took his sets overseas to Tokyo, France and Italy. Along the way the tools changed from vinyl to Serato. The love of the craft didn’t.
“My setup. My sound. My passion. From vinyl to digital, the love of DJing never changes.”
DJ Magic Vinyl02 · The early yearsFrom San Diego to the international DJ scene
DJ Magic Vinyl’s musical journey began in San Diego in the early 1990s. By the time he was just 16 or 17, he was already crossing the U.S.–Mexico border to play some of Baja California’s most memorable nightclubs.
His early gigs included Club XS, Baby Rock, Club Animal, Papas & Beer and Señor Frog’s. Club XS holds a special place in his story: it was one of his first big DJ breaks, during the same years he was involved with San Diego’s Z90 radio station.
From Tijuana’s legendary nightlife to Spring Break in Rosarito Beach, those nights shaped his sound. He kept sharpening his skills, making his own records, and building a name on both sides of the border.
DJ Magic Vinyl Memories from the ’90s
Five clubs where he played as a teenager, crossing the border from San Diego.
- Club XSTijuana, MexicoHis first big break
- Baby RockTijuana, Mexico
- Club AnimalAvenida Revolución, Tijuana
- Papas & BeerRosarito Beach · Spring Break
- Señor Frog’sBaja California, Mexico
Artwork made for this page. Club names belong to their owners.
03 · Radio inspirationsThe voices that inspired him
Growing up in San Diego, he learned a lot just by listening to the radio. Two DJs stood out:
- DJ RagsZ90
- DJ SmoothRadio DJ
04 · Career highlightsThree decades of nights
- 1993: Starts DJing in San Diego.
- Age 16–17: Crosses the border to DJ in Baja California: Club XS in Tijuana (his first big break), Baby Rock, Club Animal, Papas & Beer in Rosarito (Spring Break) and Señor Frog’s.
- San Diego’s Broadway nightclub scene: club nights downtown.
- Radio: work with Power 106 and Jammin’ Z90.
- Raves and nightclub events.
- International: DJ sets in Tokyo, France and Italy, including Club Amnesia.
- Artists: DJ work with Too $hort and Celly Cel, and at Snoop Dogg events.
05 · The tools of the tradeHis setup
- Technics turntablesWhere it all started, and still on the table.
- Rane Seventy-Two MKIIBattle-style mixer with performance pads.
- Serato DJControl vinyl: the feel of records, the reach of a digital library.
- The cratesThirty years of music, now kept clean with Crate Saverz.
06 · FounderWhy he built Crate Saverz
Thirty years of DJing leaves you with a lot of music, and a lot of mess: the same song in four versions, clean and dirty edits mixed up, Serato files turning orange. DJ Magic Vinyl built Crate Saverz to fix that for working DJs.
His mission is simple: help DJs organize their music, work faster, get recognized, and find more opportunities. Technology should serve DJs, not the other way around.