DJ Forum

Rekordbox is one of the biggest names in DJ software. It’s one of the most popular choices for DJ performances as it works with loads of different gear from beginner to pro, and it’s the software powering club-standard CDJ setups. Basically, pretty much every DJ will end up using rekordbox to some extent or another. […] View the full article

While most DJs use controllers with laptops, a growing number of them – from hobbyists to mobile to “pro” DJs wanting a second system to use at home – are nowadays using “standalone” DJ systems instead. What we’re talking about here is the kind of “all in one” DJ units that look like DJ controllers … Continued The post Best All-In-One Standalone DJ Systems [2025 Update] appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

In the first “Tech Tips with DJ JAS” video, the LA-based DJ talks about his strategic approach to utilizing the latest wireless audio equipment for mobile DJs. For the past 15 years, Justin Stern has been operating DJ JAS Productions, a full-service, luxury DJ experience that caters to clients seeking an exceptional DJ performance, all [...] The post Tech Tips with DJ JAS: Creating Wireless Speakers appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

Creating a memorable atmosphere is one of the key elements of a great DJ performance. While the music is essential, the visual experience can elevate a party, live performance, or event to the next level. Smoke machines and visual FX are crucial tools for enhancing the visual impact of your DJ set. Whether you’re DJing at a club, festival, or private party, these effects add energy, depth, and an immersive environment that draws the crowd into the experience. In this article, we’ll walk through the 7 best smoke machines and visual FX for DJs in 2025, helping you choose the right tools to create that unforgettable atmosphere. From high-quality smoke machines to cuttin…

The post What are the biggest challenges in building a DJ career? appeared first on Pioneer DJ. View the full article

Oh yes, Carl Cox loves playing to crowds just as much as when he started four decades ago… The post Carl Cox is bored of DJing: “Instruments don’t play themselves; you have to create the sounds” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

This week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday DJ spotlight, presented by QSC, shines on DJ bselecta from Los Angeles, CA. DJ bselecta is this week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday spotlight. Presented by QSC, Brandi Stevens a/k/a DJ bselecta of The RIZE Event, is based out of The RIZE Event. A believer in the profound power of music, Brandi Stevens a/k/a [...] The post DJ bselecta [Mobile Monday Spotlight] appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

A subwoofer is an essential piece of DJ equipment that brings deep bass and powerful sound to your performance, energizing the crowd and making your beats feel alive. Whether you’re performing at a club, festival, or private event, having the right subwoofer can elevate your sound to another level, providing the low-end punch that gets people moving. In this article, we’ve rounded up the 7 best subwoofers for DJs, focusing on premium quality, high output, and exceptional durability. If you’re ready to shake the dancefloor, these subwoofers will help you deliver the ultimate bass experience... The post 7 Best Subwoofers for DJs: Shake the Dancefloor! appeared first on Glob…

The latest compact linear entertainment lighting fixture from ADJ, featuring 12 cool white LEDs, has been released. ADJ has released the Ultra Beam Bar 12CW, a compact linear entertainment lighting fixture that features 12 cool white LEDs. Each LED generates a narrow beam of bright white light and when all 12 are lit simultaneously the [...] The post Curtain of Light: ADJ Ultra Beam Bar 12CW appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

Whether you’re live streaming your sets or just using it as somewhere to practice mixing, all DJs would love a space dedicated to their craft. A proper studio space, even if it’s just a corner in your bedroom, can be a game changer in terms of productivity. It’s about building a space where you can […] View the full article

As a DJ, whether you’re performing at a club, festival, or live event, connecting your gear to the venue’s sound system is one of the most crucial steps for ensuring high-quality sound and a smooth performance. Understanding how to route your sound, selecting the right cables (balanced or unbalanced), and managing gain staging are essential components to getting the best possible audio output for your crowd. This article will walk you through the process of connecting your DJ gear to a club sound system, covering everything from the basics of sound routing, to the differences between balanced and unbalanced cables, and how to set up gain staging to prevent distortion or a…

Vicky Casis is a multi-talented artist who threads the worlds of DJing, production, and visual media with her signature sound. From spinning at major events like the WNBA Championship to crafting beats for documentaries and fashion shows, Vicky creates soundscapes for a variety of cultural moments and events. We recently had the opportunity to chat with her about her multi-faceted career, her creative process, and her advice for aspiring producers... The post DJing the WNBA, scoring E! documentaries, and designing fashion show soundscapes: A conversation Vicky Casis first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

One of the biggest things we see holding back beginner DJs from getting started playing gigs is nerves. It’s hardly surprising – DJing in front of a crowd can be a pretty daunting prospect. It takes a lot of confidence to get up in front of a room full of people and perform. And when […] View the full article

If you DJ with a laptop, it’s vital to optimise it for DJing. Whether you have one of the spanking new MacBooks with their M chips, a half-decade-old Windows machine, or whatever, knowing how to optimise your DJ laptop is essential. Yes, your computer may well run your DJ software seemingly OK without you doing … Continued The post How To Optimise Your Mac Or Windows Laptop For DJing In 2025 appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

AlphaTheta has just announced on the Rekordbox website that following over five weeks of the platform’s subscription system being down, users can now subscribe again to it, enabling new users who want the features of the Core, Creative, or Professional plans to finally be able to access them. Only cloud allowed However, there is a … Continued The post Rekordbox Subs Return, But You’ll Pay More (For Now, At Least) appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

This week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday DJ spotlight, presented by QSC, shines on DJ Chad Allen from San Diego, CA DJ Chad Allen is this week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday spotlight. Presented by QSC, Chad Allen Blackburn of Almost Famous Entertainment, based out of San Diego, California. There are many pros and cons to being a mobile DJ, but [...] The post DJ Chad Allen [Mobile Monday Spotlight] appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

In this episode, Robert focuses on some guidance and advice for apprentice and early DJs. In specific Robert focuses on four topical ideas for early DJs to hear including: Reality of the DJ Learning Journey Effective Practice Strategies Common Stumbling Blocks for New DJs Final words View the full article

In this episode, Robert focuses on some guidance and advice for apprentice and early DJs. In specific Robert focuses on four topical ideas for early DJs to hear including: Reality of the DJ Learning Journey Effective Practice Strategies Common Stumbling Blocks for New DJs Final words View the full article

In a long-awaited update to an ongoing issue, Rekordbox, the DJ software platform replied upon by thousands of Pioneer DJ and AlphaTheta users, has confirmed continued challenges with its subscription management system, but also reported some progress. Since late January, users have been unable to purchase, modify, or maintain their subscriptions due to a service … Continued The post Rekordbox Subscription Chaos: Users Finally Updated appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

Setting up a mobile DJ rig is an essential skill for any DJ who frequently plays at different events, from private parties to corporate gigs or outdoor festivals. The key to a successful mobile setup is understanding how to balance portability, gear selection, and sound optimization. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a beginner, creating a rig that delivers high-quality audio while being easy to transport and set up is crucial. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps of selecting the right gear, optimizing sound for various venues, and ensuring that your mobile DJ rig can be set up quickly and efficiently... The post How to Build the Perfect Mobile DJ Rig: Ess…

Introducing the turntable controller that offers built-in screens for on-the-go personalization, MIDI integration, and touchscreen experience. France’s Phase, distributed Stateside by American Music & Sound, has released Phase Pro, a turntable controller that offers built-in screens for on-the-go personalization, MIDI integration, and touchscreen experience. Phase Pro is powered by advanced sensors, machine learning, and a [...] The post In Phase: Phase/American Music & Sound Releases Phase Pro appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

From speakers to PC or Mac, DJ gear to equipment, plugins to DJ set-up, Mike Fernino breaks it down in this latest DJ Idea Sharing. I run a Facebook group for DJs. It is called DJ Idea Sharing – and, with 14,000 real members, we are a pretty active community! DJs sure know how to [...] The post DJ Idea Sharing: Really… Who Cares? appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

Audio systems brand Pro-Ject has released an AC/DC-themed turntable, with a lightning bolt design that will really leave you Thunderstruck. Pro-Ject took inspiration from the band’s electrified logo for the new turntable, which it says is engineered and handmade in Europe for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. It will be available to purchase from March... The post The Hi-Fi-way to Hell: Pro-Ject’s AC/DC-inspired turntable is ridiculous, but we want it appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Getting booked at bigger venues is a dream for many aspiring DJs. It’s the moment when your talent is recognized on a larger scale, and you get the opportunity to perform in front of more people, gain exposure, and grow your career. However, booking gigs at larger venues is no easy feat — it requires more than just technical skills; it involves building your reputation, cultivating strong relationships with promoters, and strategically positioning yourself in the industry. This guide will provide the key strategies you need to get booked at bigger venues and ultimately elevate your DJ career… The post How to Get Booked at Bigger Venues as a DJ appeared first on …

DJ Life’s Magazine Featuring Linkin Park’s Joe Hahn, NAMM ’25 Report, Gabry Ponte, Miami Music Week, New Gear & More! In the latest issue of DJ LIFE Magazine (Vol.5 No.1), the feature story is with GRAMMY Award-winning DJ/producer/and original member of Linkin Park, Joe Hahn. As we venture into the new year, we kick things [...] The post DJ Life Magazine Issue Vol.5 No.1 appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

Djay by Algoriddim has quickly risen to be one of the biggest names in the DJ software world and is really going toe to toe with the industry heavyweights of Serato and rekordbox. That’s thanks to the fact it’s packed full of pro-level features, it supports loads of controllers and streaming sites and it’s super […] View the full article

As of today, it is still important for DJs to own a carefully collected, local music collection. A DJ’s music collection constitutes their tools of the trade, and no DJ will have exactly the same one. Yes, it is possible to use streaming services (which of course is what the majority of non-DJs do for … Continued The post The 11 Best Music Download Stores For DJs 2025 appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

DJs who use Beatport or Beatsource streaming services and download stores now have the option of using lossless audio, thanks to both of these platforms incorporating FLAC files for the first time. When using Beatport or Beatsource streaming, in either the Beatsource Streaming Pro Plus+ plan or the Beatport Professional plan, FLAC is also available … Continued The post Highest Quality Audio Comes to Beatport & Beatsource Streaming appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

This week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday DJ spotlight, presented by QSC, shines on DJ Hope Flows from Indianapolis, IN. DJ Hope Flows is this week’s DJ LIFE Mobile Monday spotlight. Presented by QSC, Hope Hodgson a/k/a DJ Hope Flows is a mobile DJ, based out of Indianapolis, Indiana, but travels worldwide for events. Upon our sit-down with [...] The post DJ Hope Flows [Mobile Monday Spotlight] appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

Becoming a successful wedding DJ requires a combination of technical skills, deep knowledge of wedding event flow, a solid business acumen, and excellent interpersonal communication. Wedding gigs are unique because they combine the pressure of ensuring the event flows smoothly with the need to keep the energy high and the guests entertained. However, with the right skills, approach, and strategies, you can build a rewarding career that keeps clients coming back and referring you to others. This guide covers everything you need to know to become the go-to wedding DJ, whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refine your skills and expand your business... The post …