Kickstart Your DJ Journey: A Quick Guide for New DJ Gear Owners

Last updated 23 December, 2024

If you’ve nabbed some new DJ gear this festive season – be it a compact controller, a full-fledged standalone unit, or something small to dabble with the family – here are seven things you may want to dig out, buy or put on your want list to help you get off on the right foot with your new kit.

7 Extras For New DJ Gear Owners

First things first: speakers

A white, bearded man in his 50s wearing glasses and a red striped polo shirt leans behind 5 different pairs of speakers. — From the tiny Minirigs to the massive Wave Eights, there are loads of speakers that’ll work with your DJ set-up.

DJ gear is designed to connect with external speakers. While some units come with built-in speakers, this isn’t common. You’ll typically find audio sockets at the back where you can plug in speakers using the leads included in the box.

Avoid Bluetooth and multi-room speakers like Sonos, as they introduce latency – a delay in sound production that can disrupt your DJing flow. Instead, opt for basic speakers and an amplifier, or powered speakers. Studio monitors, DJ monitors, or even computer speakers with a line-in socket are ideal. Test your set-up by playing a track and ensuring there’s no delay in sound.

For more guidance on speakers, check out these articles here and here.

Next up: headphones

A white person holds a black pair of Sennheiser HD 25 headphones in both hands, above a Denon DJ Prime 4+ standalone unit. — Many DJs in our community swear by the HD25s, but the important thing is grabbing a comfortable, wired pair of headphones within your budget.

Headphones are crucial for cueing and preparing tracks before the audience hears them. Wireless headphones aren’t suitable due to latency issues, so stick with wired models. The Sennheiser HD25s are a classic choice, but any wired headphones with a headband will do for now.

Fortunately, modern DJ systems offer features like sync and waveforms, enabling you to DJ effectively without perfect headphones. Yet, getting a reliable pair is still beneficial – affordable options are available from around $30.

Need more guidance on choosing DJ headphones? We’ve linked an article here for further reading.

Protective gear matters: covers and bags

A white, bearded man in his 50s wearing glasses and a flannel shirt holds up a clear protective Decksaver cover. He's standing in a DJ studio filled with gear, books, and an Elf on the Shelf in the corner. — Decksaver makes awesome covers for most DJ gear nowadays, and it’s a great investment toward keeping your new gear protected.

Invest in a cover to shield your equipment from accidental damage. Sturdy covers protect your gear’s knobs and buttons, whether at home or on the go. Brands like Decksaver offer reliable options.

Read this next: What DJ Gear Is Worth Spending Extra Money On?

For portability, consider a dedicated DJ bag from brands like Magma or UDG. These bags offer compartments for your leads, headphones, and other accessories, providing better protection than standard rucksacks. Choose a discreet bag to avoid drawing attention to your valuable gear while travelling.

Ergonomics: get the right height surface

A DJ desk holding two CDJ-3000 media players, two Technics turntables with Digital DJ Tips slip mats, a DJM-A9 mixer, and a silver MacBook Pro laptop in the middle. The arms of a white person wearing a long-sleeve red plaid shirt are touching the laptop. — In the studio, our pro DJ gear is set up on a table from DJ Standz – but you absolutely *do not need* something this serious to start with.

DJing is about energy, and standing up (if possible) is key. Ideally, use a surface at kitchen worktop height to prevent back strain. If that’s not feasible immediately, use your DJ gear’s box to elevate it on your current table. Consider investing in a suitable table set-up to make your sessions more comfortable in the long term.

Looking for DJ desk recommendations? We’ve covered five different types for you here.

Using standalone gear? Get a fast USB drive

Recently we’ve been loving the Chroma USB drive from DJ TechTools.

For standalone DJ units with USB sockets, a quality USB drive is essential. Exporting music from your computer to the drive can either be a quick task or a tedious wait, depending on the drive’s transfer speed. Opt for a drive with high advertised speeds to save time.

If you’d like some extra help with USB DJing, check out our full guide here.

Finally…Don’t Go It Alone!

At Digital DJ Tips, we offer numerous resources to aid your learning. Our free book, “Rock The Dancefloor!”, is a bestseller that breaks down the five key steps of DJing: gear, music, mixing, performing, and success. Available for free to our community members, the book is also available in good bookstores, on Kindle, Audible and other platforms.

We also offer free tutorials for leading DJ gear, and have courses covering the main software, ie Rekordbox, Traktor, and Serato. These in-depth guides help you navigate the technical aspects of modern DJing.

When you’re ready, consider our Complete DJ Course. Designed to teach the art of DJing beyond just the gear, it’s a phenomenal investment if you’re serious about mastering the craft.

Embrace your DJing journey this holiday season, and let Digital DJ Tips support your growth. Get good, get out there, and create memorable moments.

Phil Morse

Phil Morse is the founder of Digital DJ Tips. His DJ career has taken him from a 15-year residency in Manchester, England, to the main room at Privilege in Ibiza - the world's biggest club. He is also an award-winning club promoter, and has taught music tech and DJing since 2010. He regularly speaks at DJ seminars and events worldwide. His book, “Rock The Dancefloor!”, is a global best-seller on how to DJ.