Alan Coulthard was an essential figure in the UK DJ megamix scene due to his work with DMC.

Prior to the founding of DMC, Alan had sent mixes to Tony Prince, who had a show on Radio Luxembourg. Tony Prince founded DMC due to the popularity of Alan's mixes on Luxembourg.

He was nicknamed 'The Judge' as he studied Law at University College, London and was a trained barrister, specialising for many years in civil and chancery work. He taught legal research, opinion writing and drafting and held positions as a lecturer at King's College, London and UWE (University of West England), Bristol Law School for LPC (Legal Practice Course) and BVC (Bar Vocational Course). He has commented on 'Panayiotou [George Michael] and others v Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd.' in The Modern Law Review, Volume 58, Issue 5, pages 731–744, September 1995.

Coulthard initially provided mixes to Tony Prince and DMC from 1982/82 until 1986 for a fixed fee of £400 per mix. He ceased working for them until a return in 1992 at the same fixed rate. However, Coulthard ultimately took DMC and others to court over money he claimed was owed to him. Jules Sher, QC , sat as a deputy judge of the High Court over this case.

DMC’s founding DJ and notable Mixmag writer, Alan Coulthard, has passed away. Coulthard’s death was announced on social media on August 25, 2021 following a battle with cancer.
DMC’s official founder, Tony Prince, paid tribute to the late DJ on Twitter, stating, “It was with great sorrow that I learned today that DMC's founding DJ Producer, Alan Coulthard has died of cancer.” He continued: “Without Alan's creativity and love for mixing and remixing music, there would have been no DMC. Rest in peace Alan.”