The Ultimate DJ Buying Guide

The smell of fresh vinyl. The feel of the turntable resistance under your hands. And that super cool way you hold one headphone cup to your ear up during a set!? There’s nothing quite like commanding the dance floor as a DJ. But I won’t lie and say it’s the easiest thing to get into.

There’s so much technology and equipment that comes along with a DJ setup that it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily, your friends at AMS are always here to help! So crack your knuckles and get your fader hands ready! Because it’s time to dive into the ultimate DJ buyer’s guide.

DJ stands for disk jockey. It’s someone who rides disks in the Kentucky Derb— Wait, that’s not right…

A DJ is a person who plays recorded music to an audience. That’s it!

However, there are many different types of DJs out there. You have radio DJs, club DJs, mobile DJs, turntablists, EDM DJs — the list goes on and on. And while they all play recorded music (and therefore fit the definition of a “Disk Jockey”), there are different techniques, equipment, and levels of difficulty involved between the different types of DJs.

So, if you play your Spotify playlist for a party, congratulations! You’re a DJ. If you mix and master technical mashups of EDM beats and popular songs and play them live with hot cues, scratches, fades and all sorts of ridiculous nonsense, you’re also a DJ!

It’s a pretty vast spectrum…

Building a DJ setup is a lot like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. There are a lot of different pieces, and they all have to fit together juuuuuust right if they’re going to suit your DJing style. To start you on your grand quest to conquer the club, here are the main parts of a good DJ setup.

Since the definition of a DJ is “someone who plays recorded music,” naturally the first part of a DJ setup is something to play said recorded music.

Back in the day, the only media player you could get as a DJ was a turntable that plays vinyl records, which we’ll definitely talk about. While some DJs still prefer vinyl, modern DJs have their choice of media players:

As you might have guessed, most DJ media players nowadays are all digital. No carrying around heavy boxes of CDs or records, and no swapping disks; just click a button to load up the next track and hit play when you’re ready.  

Digital media players are super convenient, super versatile, and super portable. It’s no wonder that they’ve become the standard for today’s DJs.

Digital DJ media players can get their music from a variety of sources:

• Flash drives
• USB connectivity from your laptop or external hard drive
• Stream from online platforms like Spotify, etc.
• SD cards

And you don’t even have to choose just one source. Many digital media players have multiple connectivity options, so you can get music from basically everywhere! Many of them even have internal memories, so you can download a ton of songs straight to the media player.

You can find standalone DJ media players, but many modern DJs prefer to use controllers, which are an all-in-one sort of thing. We’ll talk about them a bit later. Just know that the first part of any DJ setup is something that can actually play the music — in whatever form that music might be.

Of course, you can go old-school (not the oldest-school) and get a CDJ player, which plays CDs. They still have many of the features that DJs love, like spinning platters for easy scrolling, cue buttons, and more. And many of them even play digital media, too. The only difference is really that they also play CDs.  

Of course, since CDs aren’t as popular as they used to be, CDJ players seem to be going the way of the dodo and are only used by a select few DJs — typically the ones who have amassed huge CD collections and can’t get themselves to part with them. CDs aren’t as cool as vinyl, and they’re not as portable or versatile as digital.

If you’re just starting out on your DJ journey, it’s probably best to go with an all-digital media player.

Well, well, well. How the turntables…

Turntables are the OG in the DJ world. They play vinyl records. You pop the record on the platter (the part that spins around), swing the arm in, put the needle into a groove on the record, turn it on, and you’re off to the races. The diamond chip in the needle rides along grooves in the record, and after what most can only imagine is witchcraft, beautiful music comes out.

This is the way music was played through most of the 20th century. And the most basic DJ setup was two turntables with a crossfader (we’ll get to it) to smoothly swap between songs. Turntables also need to be connected to a preamp, which is sometimes integrated into the turntable, and some external speakers to blast the tunes.

Where the turntable really made its mark in the DJ world is with scratching and mixing. If you put two turntables together, you can use the crossfader to jump quickly between two songs and mix them together or move the platter with your hand to make those lovely “wiki-wiki” noises that became the quintessential sound of late 20th century hip-hop.

Although turntables are largely obsolete in the digital world, they have made a comeback recently because of their vintage style, classic coolness, and authentic pops and crackles. You can still find DJs out there using analog turntables and vinyl records, but most modern turntables are used simple hi-fi playback devices for hipsters who are too cool to listen to Spotify (just kidding… kinda).  

Unlike all the other types of media players, vinyl turntables give you an option of how you want to spin the platter:

• Belt drive – The motor is attached to the platter with what’s essentially a rubber band. As the motor spins, the belt transfers the energy to the platter, and the record spins.
• Direct drive – The motor is attached directly to the platter. When the motor spins, the platter spins. Easy as that!

They both spin the platter, so who cares, right!? Well, the two types of drives have kind of started a battle between vinyl-lovers…

With belt-drive turntables, it takes a couple seconds for the platter to get to speed, which can cause some distortion when you start a song. You also could hurt the turntable if you try to slow it down or make it go in reverse with your hand, which is something DJs love to do when cueing or scratching.

However, because the motor and the platter aren’t directly connected, it makes maintenance super easy. You can replace either the motor or the platter independently. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any unwanted noise in your playback because the belt acts almost like a shock absorber for any vibrations in the motor.

Direct-drive turntables, on the other hand, come to speed instantly and are much more durable when it comes to cueing and scratching. You can easily change speed, adjust pitches, and quick start songs without worrying about damaging the turntable.

The main downside to direct-drive turntables is that you might hear some noise during playback from the motor. Without the belt to limit vibrations, the needle might not ride as smoothly in the groove.

Because of the pros and cons of direct-drive vs. belt-drive turntables, professional DJs typically prefer direct drive, while casual hi-fi listeners who just want the best sound quality usually prefer belt drive.

How do you blend the look and feel of vinyl with a modern digital system? Witchcraft! Well, it seems like that sometimes, but really you do it with a digital vinyl system (DVS).

A DVS lets DJs use traditional vinyl turntables or CDJ systems and control it with DJ software and digital music files to manage their setlists. Digital vinyl systems use special timecode vinyl records or CDs that you use on your regular-old turntables or CDJ device. The turntable/CDJ output is routed into a DVS-enabled device, like a dedicated sound card, controller, or mixer that converts the timecard into a digital signal that can be sent to your computer.

But wait; there’s more! Because once the signal makes it to the computer, it’s processed by DJ software that can translate the data to adjust things like direction, playback speed, and position of your selected tracks. From here, you can scratch, jump, and spin your turntables your heart’s content. All the while, the DVS system is communicating between your vinyl or CD player and computer to make sure everything stays on the same page.

Wild, right?

You get the feel of turntables with the efficiency of digital software. It’s like the best of both worlds!

Digital vinyl systems were the precursor to modern DJ controllers (which we’ll get to). And although controllers are by far the most popular tool for DJs, DVSs are still around and preferred by DJs who want that traditional look and feel.

Okay, you have your DJ media player picked out. The quintessential goal of any DJ is to transition between songs seamlessly. You don’t want that dancefloor energy to stop! So to accomplish that goal, you’ll need two media players and, naturally, some way to sync (aka “mix”) the two together. That’s where the DJ mixer comes in.

The mixer is what gives the DJ complete and total control over the songs being played. It can blend two media sources, swap between them, adjust levels and EQ, and much more!

Mixers come in all shapes and sizes. Some have a ton of buttons, faders, and knobs, while others are more streamlined. However, there are a few essential parts of a DJ mixer:

• Master output – pretty obvious, really. Change the volume of your total mix.
• Trim – adjusts the input level for each channel. Basically an independent channel gain.
• EQ – adjust highs, mids, and lows of your sound. Independent for each channel.
• Color/filter – makes your sound all weird… That’s the best I’ve got. Think about when you hear DJs play songs that sound muffled and then get clear. They’re twisting the color/filter knob. It’s a basic effect that adds some atmosphere to your music.
• Cue – touchpads synced to a specific sound or part of the song.
• Level – controls the volume of each channel, so song changes sound nice and seamless without volume changes.
• Crossfader – swaps/blends the signal between two sources. This is how you get seamless song transitions.
• Headphone controls – adjust the level and mix of what you hear in the headphones. It’ll be different than your actual output mix, so you can cue up new songs. You don’t want the crowd to “see behind the curtain,” so to speak.
• Mic controls – adjust the level and tone of the microphone input. Sometimes you want to hype the audience up the old-fashioned way!

DJ mixers might look all fancy, but once you know what all the thousand buttons, knobs, and faders do, they’re actually pretty straightforward. They just help you dial in your sound and blend your media sources. That’s it!

We learned about media players, and we learned about mixers. What if you wanted to take the two and jam them together into one incredible, all-encompassing, music-making DJ machine!? Well, you’re describing a DJ controller.

DJ controllers have *almost everything you need to start mixing right out of the box, including:

• Jog wheels/platters
• Mixer controls
• Cue buttons/touch pads
• Transport buttons
• And all the connections you could possibly imagine

Many controllers even have onboard screens to help you cue up tracks and stay on top of your mixes. Just plug it into a laptop (most of them, at least), and you’re ready to go!  

Typical DJ controllers have two jog wheels that allow you to cue up and control two tracks simultaneously. You can find single-platter DJ controllers, but they’re not quite as popular in the DJ world.

Because of their all-in-one simplicity, DJ controllers have become the standard for modern DJs. However, they’re typically restricted to only digital music. The jog wheels might look like a turntable platter, but if you put your vinyl records on there, you’re going to have a hard time getting any sound…

If you want to get into the wild world of DJing and don’t have an extensive collection of CDs or vinyl that you desperately want to use, you’ll probably want to start with a DJ controller.

Back in the day, DJs had to keep track of songs, the beats per minute (BPM) of each, keys, and where they were all cued up simultaneously in their heads! But today, we don’t need brains; we have computers. And modern DJ setups aren’t complete without a laptop and DJ software.

DJ software not only holds your entire music library, but it gives you more in-depth information about each track, including BPM, position, cue points, waveforms, and more to ensure you stay mixed and cued throughout your set. You can then see all this information in real time on your laptop screen as you play your set, making it much easier to keep track of everything — no Rain Man brain required.

There are a ton of DJ software programs out there, but these tend to be the most popular:

• Serato DJ
• Tracktor Pro
• Virtual DJ
• Rekordbox

Most DJ software comes with a free trial, so try a few out to see which one has the best interface and features to suit your DJ style.

When it comes to picking the perfect DJ laptop, you don’t really need anything too fancy. It all comes down to four key aspects:

• Durability – You’re going to be moving around a lot, and gigging laptops definitely take a beating.
• Large screen – The bigger the screen, the easier it is to see all those little numbers and track names. DJ software can get busy, so a good resolution is somewhat important, too.
• Tons of USB ports – There never seems to be enough ports, and that goes double (or maybe triple) for DJ setups. Some DJ setups need up to three USB connections just to run properly, and that’s not counting whatever else you might want to charge during your set (like a cell phone). Get as many USB ports as you can find!
• Lots of memory – Lots of songs take up lots of space. Make sure your laptop has the hard drive space to hold everything. Ideally, aim for something with at least 8GB of RAM and a 256GB hard drive, preferably solid state (SSD) (see durability…).

That’s it. You don’t need the latest Nvidia graphics card or an 8k monitor. You’re not running Crysis!

When it comes to the Mac vs. PC debate, just know that it doesn’t really matter. They both can run DJ software equally as well, so it’s all about your personal preference. Just keep the four main considerations in mind, and you’ll be ready to rock the club!

A DJ’s headphones are the lifeline to the music. While the speakers are playing one song, you can use the headphones to listen to the next song coming up and set it up for a super-smooth transition that keeps the dance floor bumpin’ without any interruptions.

What makes good DJ headphones? I’m glad you asked!

• Sound quality – You don’t need a studio-quality headphone to cue up tracks, but it is important to look for a wide frequency range between 20 and 20k Hz, large drivers to give you plenty of bass (40mm or larger should do it), and an impedance rating of 25 ohms or more for volume.
• Durability – DJ headphones get thrown around a good bit. Plus, you’ll want to listen to them in different ways, like having them hung around your neck or the super-cool one-hand to the ear method. Make sure all the joints and hinges are nice and tough (preferably metal).
• Comfort – You’re going to be wearing these things for your entire set. Make sure they feel good on your head! Look for nice ear pads, headband padding, and adjustability.
• Single cord – One cord means fewer tangles and accidents. Plus it’s easy to tell which cup goes on which ear. Only single-cord headphones will do in the DJ booth.
• Closed back – DJ shows are loud, and you don’t want outside noise interfering with your mixing. Closed-back headphones are best for DJing.
• Portability – Headphones with a folding design are ideal for stuffing into bags and cases. They’re a must for DJs on the go.

Headphones are very important to a DJ setup, but you don’t really need the best of the best. As long as you follow these guidelines, it’s hard to go wrong. If you can hear your mix and the headphones can stand up to the bumps and bruises of gigging life, they’ll serve you well.

Your mixes deserve to be heard. So it’s time to add some PA speakers to your setup!

There are tons of different types of speakers out there, and they all have something a little different to offer. As a DJ, here are the main things you’ll need to consider as you shop for speakers:

• Power output – You want to get LOUD! And speaker output is typically measured in watts. The higher the wattage, the louder the speakers (usually). As a general guide, you’ll need about 5 watts per person. So if you plan to play venues with 100 people, you’ll need at least 500-watt speakers, although it’s always better to go bigger!
• Portability – Lightweight, compact speakers with lots of handles will become your friends. Speakers can be heavy, and you’re going to be moving them around quite a bit.
• Durability – Moving is tough on equipment. Find speakers with a rough-and-ready enclosure and sturdy metal grills.
• Connectivity – Make sure your speakers are compatible with your setup. Many modern speakers also offer Bluetooth and app control with your phone for added convenience.  

Since most DJ sets like to get bumpin’, it’s also a good idea to add some subwoofers to your setup. Subwoofers have big ol’ drivers that reach lower frequency ranges, giving you that lovely bone-rattling bass.

You can mix-and-match your PA setup by pairing your favorite speakers with your favorite subs (add as many as you like). However, many mobile DJs are getting into portable PA systems that are a bit easier on the back to carry and don’t require a big rig to move around.

There’s a lot more to choosing the right live sound setup for your DJing needs than picking a random speaker, plugging it into your controller and calling it a day. For instance, you need to know about the difference between active and passive speakers, impedance, ohms, and all sorts of fancy terminology. But I won’t bore you here. We wrote a whole Ultimate Live Sound Buyer’s Guide to help you out!

Just know that you need some speakers if you want anyone to hear your sick mixes.

See all those ports on the back of a DJ controller? The more ports you see, the more cables you’ll need. The musical world revolves around cables!

There are three (four, really) main types of cables that DJs will need to worry about:

You might also come across TRS cables, which have one long prong with two black rings (not to be confused with unbalanced TS cables that have one ring). They come in both 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch sizes. DJs usually only use TRS cables to connect external auxiliary sources like MP3 players (1/8-inch) or headphones (1/8 or 1/4-inch).

Of course, all your fancy high-tech gear will need power, too. Bring lots and lots of power strips, extension cords, and power cables for your gear. You never know where the outlets will be at your next show…

There are plenty of other types of cables out there (ethernet, adapters, FireWire, Speakon, optical, etc.), but they’re typically reserved for specialized equipment that you’ll learn about as you progress in your DJ journey. As you get started, RCA, XLR, and USB will be your best friends.

What’s a good DJ show without lights and effects!? You might think they’re just “extra,” but creating an atmosphere is all a part of the DJ’s job, and lights and effects can really bring your atmosphere to a whole new level.

There are tons of different DJ lights and effects out there, but you can break them down into a few key categories:

• LED PAR – The LED par is the workhorse of the DJ lighting setup. It’s a single, static light you can use for uplighting, spots, wall washes, and even some dynamic effects like strobes. Hang them, set them on the floor, mount on trussing, do whatever you want to create your perfect atmosphere.
• Linear bar – Several lights all mounted in a linear bar. Because of the added width, you can do some serious washes of color across the venue. Some bars can also do dynamic effects like strobes and chases using individual pixel control.
• Moving heads – Take your light and spin it, twist it, bop it (okay, don’t bop it). These lights have electric motors that shoot moving lights in all sorts of directions. You can usually program the moving head to rotate how you want.
• Special effects – Everyone wants lasers at their DJ show! Special effects lighting makes special effects, obviously. Think of things like shapes, rotating color beams, etc.
• Atmosphere – Really set the mood with effects designed to control the atmosphere, like fog machines, hazers, and other nifty DJ equipment. Pair with your lights to make a truly dramatic show.

When you’re shopping for your new lighting rig, keep in mind whether you want wired or battery-powered lights. Wired lights obviously need an outlet nearby, but you never have to worry about them going out mid-show. Battery-powered lights, well… the exact opposite.

You’ll also need some way to control your lights and effects. Many lights and effects come with onboard programs and control boards. However, if you have a bunch of atmosphere-creating gear, you might want a dedicated DJ light controller to control your entire show from a single controller — that’s a lot of controlling!

Think of a DJ light controller like a mixer for your lighting and effects. Plug all your lights and effects into the controller and adjust brightness, colors, actions, and more without ever leaving the DJ booth.

Simple DJ light controllers have just a few faders to control the brightness of your various lights. But you can find more complicated controllers with touchpads, switches, and triggers to cue your lights just like you would a sound sample in your mix.

If you have a bunch of lights and effects in your rig, a DJ light controller is almost a must-have. You don’t want to be running around the dance floor to adjust all your lights mid-set. Plop the controller next to your mixer, and you can control the entire show right from the booth.

DJs have to carry a lot of gear. So the most popular DJ accessories are typically ones that help you store, carry, and organize your mass of gear in a way that doesn’t give you a headache (or backache).

Here are some of the essential DJ accessories that you won’t want to leave the house without:

• Bags and cases – Keeps your gear safe and sound from all the bumps and bruises the road might throw their way. It makes everything easier to carry, too.
• Gear cart – No more back-breaking trips to and from your car. Take all your gear at once on a gear cart for simplified transit.
• Table – You need somewhere to put your controllers. Get a portable table that’s sturdy and easy to carry around. There are lots of tables designed specifically for DJs.
• Speaker stands – Get your speakers off the ground for maximum projection.
• Laptop stand – Get your laptop up and above your controller to make it easy to see the screen. Then you won’t have to wear a neck brace after each show from looking down for hours at a time…
• Microphone(s) – You might want to pump the crowd up at times. Grab a dynamic mic like the classic Shure SM58 (and an XLR cable) so you can talk to the crowd.
• USB sticks – It never hurts to have backups of your music. Carry plenty of 64-128GB USB drives, just so you’re ready for anything.

Okay, you know the gear you need to be a DJ, but what type of DJ do you want to be…? There are several different types of DJs. And though they all play pre-recorded music to a crowd, they all do it a little differently.

If you imagine a DJ in your mind, it’s probably a Club DJ. Club DJs play music at the club, duh… They’re in charge of keeping the beats going and the energy high. If there are people going crazy out on the dance floor, they’re doing their job!

Club DJs need to know how to read a room. You have to watch the audience to see what they’re reacting to and the overall “vibes” of the room — which may require some in-the-moment adjustments of your set. Club DJs need to think fast on their feet!

What you’ll need to get started: 

• High-end DJ controller with plenty of connectivity (you never know what systems the club will have)
• DJ software for mixing
• Laptop
• Lights and effects
• Large PA system with multiple mains and subs (some clubs provide their own house system)
• Headphones (with big drivers so you can hear them over the noise)

Gooooood Morning Vietnaaaaaaaam! Radio DJs play music over the radio. But they do way more than press play and sit back. Radio DJs wear a bunch of different hats to keep their massive audience entertained:

• On-air personality – You have to know how to talk to an empty room. Practice on a brick wall! You’ll also need to present information in an efficient manner. You never know when big news might hit!
• Music selector – Yes, a Radio DJ still plays music. And you have to choose music that fits your audience’s listening tastes and station’s format.
• Show host – Interviews, games, contests, and more. You’re in charge of it all! You have to know how to prep content and interact with others.

Being a Radio DJ isn’t for everyone. But if you have a great personality and love to talk, it might just be the perfect DJ gig. Plus, if you work for a studio, they’ll buy all your gear!

What you’ll need to get started:

• Mixer for smooth transitions (can be a DJ controller or at least two turntables/media players connected to a mixer)
• Microphone
• Headphones
• Laptop
• DJ software with large music library

Don’t want to play covers all night? Music Producer DJs create original music using DJ equipment — typically using samples from other songs. Any time you’ve heard a remix of a song, there was a Music Production DJ behind it.

Music Producers not only need to be incredible DJs, but they also need to have serious skills with music composition and sequencing.

The original Music Production DJs came out of the hip-hop scene back in the early ‘80s with artists like Grandmaster Flash. They would blend songs together and use the turntables’ scratching sounds to create the iconic “wiki-wiki” sound that has taken over the genre.

As times progressed, so did DJs. Early techno and house music were all DJ-driven, followed by Jungle and drum and bass (DNB). These dance-centric genres almost always had a DJ/Music Producer at the forefront of the stage.

Even today, you can find incredible Music Production DJs like Deadmou5, Skrillex, Steve Aoki, and Marshmello (just to name a few) shredding their turntables on the stage and getting the crowds to go wild with their original compositions.

What you’ll need to get started:

• Laptop/computer
• DJ software/DAW
• DJ controller
• Studio monitors/headphones

If you want to argue that Music Production DJs are perhaps the most creative type of DJ, the Mobile DJ is probably the most hardworking. Every day they pack up their gear, drive to a gig, set everything up, play an hours-long show, pack it back up, and drive home, only to do it all again the next day!

Being a mobile DJ is certainly hard work, but it’s probably the most common type of DJ on the scene today. All you need to do is get your gear, come up with a few good setlists, and you’re ready to gig. Just keep in mind the type of gig you’re going to. Playing a dive bar opening will have a slightly different setlist than an upscale restaurant — so make sure you come prepared.

Many mobile DJs find a specific niche that they like to stay in — like wedding DJs, for example. It’s helpful for marketing yourself and is easier to keep your songs and setlists straight.

What you’ll need to get started:

• DJ controller
• Laptop
• Portable PA system
• DJ software with a large music library (and an even bigger library for wedding DJs)
• Headphones
• Folding table
• Carrying cases, racks, carts, etc.

Oh the feel of vinyl under your fingertips. Scratching, battling, and scrapping. Turntablists manipulate vinyl records to create new songs, mixes, sound effects, beats, and all sorts of creative sounds. And they do it all live — and in many cases, improvised!

Turntablists work with (usually) two turntables and a mixer with a crossfader. They swap between the turntables rapidly with the crossfader to mix two songs while using their hands to run the vinyl records backwards to create the scratching sound in rhythm with their mix. Between swapping records, cue points, and fader positions, there’s a lot to keep track of… Not to mention the precision required to scratch the records in time, on pitch, and without messing up your cue points!

Many turntablists also like to battle, going head-to-head with other turntablists to see who’s the best. If you haven’t seen a DJ battle, it’s definitely something you’ll want to check out.

Needless to say, you need some serious skills to be a turntablist. But there’s no doubt that it’s one of the most entertaining types of DJing.

What you’ll need to get started:

• Two turntables (minimum)
• Mixer
• Laptop w/ digital vinyl system (or you can go old-school and carry crates of vinyl records)
• Headphones

After all that, you still think you want to be a DJ…? Good! Because being a DJ is a great way to express your creativity and bring enjoyment to others in the process. (Don’t let those “real” musicians with their fancy instruments tell you otherwise!)

As you begin your DJ journey, here are few tips to help you get started:

DJs are always finding new, creative ways to manipulate technology to create unique sounds and styles. The best way to find your own style is to draw inspiration from the people who have done it in the past.

Scour the interwebs, watch YouTube videos, and go to live shows to see DJs in action. You might find a DJ with a style that speaks to you. Then, watch how they work the equipment to learn some of their tricks and implement them into your style. Learning from other DJs is the best way to build your style and learn new ways to use the gear.

Common misconception: DJs “just press play.” There’s a lot of musicality that goes into being a DJ, so it’s important that you know at least the basics of music theory.

Terms like beats per minute (BPM), bar or measure, time signature, EQ, and even (*shudders) key signature are all very important for DJs to create beats and mixes that sound cohesive. You’re making music, so learn about it!

You never know when someone will come up to you at a gig with a request. Or maybe the crowd isn’t feeling your music and you might want to change it up. Having a large music library in your back pocket is the key to remaining agile at your gigs.

Not only will a large music library cover your back, but it also gives you more material to use in your mixes. New music leads to inspiration, so keep building that library!

I know… AMS sells gear. Obviously we would tell you to “buy more gear,” right?

That’s true, but this isn’t entirely a selfish plug. Having the right gear can make the difference between fun learning and rage-quitting frustration.

Having the wrong gear sets you up for failure. It’s frustrating not being able to create the music you want or struggling through workflows that don’t make sense to you. On the other hand, if you have the right setup, it’s more fun to experiment and create. Plus, your stuff comes out better, which means you’re more likely to stick with it.

That doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive professional gear out there. But having gear that at least suits your goals will help you hone your skills and have more fun as you go through your DJ journey. Do your research (reread this piece if you need to) and find the equipment that’ll work best for your goals.

Just like any other instrument, if you want to get good, you have to practice. DJing is really hard! There are so many buttons, switches, knobs, pads, and faders to understand. What’s a low-pass filter? What does the trim knob do?

All these questions (and more) will be answered as you practice. Twist some knobs and see what they do. Make something absolutely awful! The more you play (even if it’s not good), the better you’ll get. Don’t let the learning curve get you down, and you’ll be a great DJ in no time!

Ready to get started? Here are just a few of the top DJ brands to help you find the perfect gear to begin your DJ journey:

• Pioneer DJ
• RANE
• AlphaTheta
• Numark
• Denon DJ
• Roland
• Electro Voice (speakers)
• Native Instruments
• Chauvet DJ (lights and effects)

And of course, if you ever have any questions, the AMS Customer Service experts are always here to help. Every member of our customer service team is an experienced musician, so they can help you find the perfect gear to suit your musical goals.

We love helping musicians because we are musicians!  

Your DJ journey awaits. Now the only thing left to do is choose your DJ name and get started!