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My DJ gear has evolved since I first struck out on my own. Some has been chosen out of deep understanding of the product, some has been a trial-and-error process. I have yet to see a full breakdown of all the little things you need as a mobile DJ, so I thought I’d put together a list of all the major gear I have. Some of these are my end-all, be-all, perfect solution; some of this gear is just okay. I’ve added my thoughts on each item and what I might do differently if I were starting over.
Controller: Denon MC3000 with Decksaver
I chose the MC3000 for a few reasons. It is very well built and durable with a metal case, so it feels like it will last a long, long time. Denon makes high-quality equipment that I knew I could trust. I wanted a 4 deck controller, but honestly, I rarely use 4 decks. It has pretty decent jogwheels, too, so if I ever learn to scratch, it will work fine. It had great reviews from my favorite DJ gear and training website, Digital DJ Tips. Importantly, it has mic and line in, and XLR outputs, so I don’t need to carry a separate mixer. And, when I bought it in 2013, it was a older model, so I could easily pick up one used for under $250.
I added a Decksaver cover to protect the MC3000 in transit and at home. It fits perfectly in my DJTT Controllerist Backpack with the cover on, so all my knobs and faders are safe.
If I had to buy another controller today, I’d probably go with one of the smaller Pioneers in the $200-300 range. I just don’t feel that I need all of the bells and whistles that they high-end controllers have, and mostly, I don’t want to lug that giant thing to every event I play.
Laptop: Macbook Air
I already had the Macbook Air from a previous business, so I just drafted it into service. Key features are lightweight, powerful and dependable. There are quite a few PCs that fit the bill here now. If I was running a PC, I would use it exclusively for DJing. I’d be concerned about crashes and interference from other programs, so I’d only keep DJ apps and music on it. My Macbook is so dependable that I use it for everything. I’m writing this post on it right now.
The only drawback to the Macbook Air is the hard drive size. I’ve had to create a music archive that I keep on an expansion card because I kept running out of hard drive space. It’s a bit of a pain when I want a song that I know I have… somewhere. The expansion card isn’t fast enough to play from directly, so it causes stutter in Virtual DJ. Today, I’d probably buy the new Macbook Pro that just came out. Super small, full powered, and all the hard drive space you need.
DJ Software: Virtual DJ
This is another personal preference item. Most all of the DJ software out there works very well. I only got into Virtual DJ because it was bundled with my controller. I’ve also bought Traktor when it went on sale, but it not as good of an experience. The layout on the MC3000 looks very much like Virtual DJ. Trying to use it with Traktor is a little like learning a second language.
Now that WiFi is so ubiquitous, I’m seriously considering switching over to Djay Pro. I really love getting music from Spotify and taking requests on the fly. Djay Pro lets you mix in Spotify with your existing collection, and it is seamless. It also looks like much of the DJ software in the future will support streaming services, so maybe an offline solution is in the near future.
Backup Source: iPad 3rd Gen
I also already had an iPad, so I added it as a second music source. I use it with Spotify to play requests that I don’t have in my library and don’t want to buy for one event. And, when I can get wifi, it’s a real life saver for requests from the crowd. I’ve DJed a wedding and taking requests from people who didn’t speak English just by having them type the artist name and point to a song.
I use either Spotify directly or the Djay app on iPad if I want to mix more heavily. With Spotify Premium, I can download songs and use it offline. I download all of the client’s requests that I don’t own to both my iPad and my Macbook, just in case.
Unfortunately, Djay won’t let you use Spotify offline. But, I have tested playing songs while turning the wifi on and off. You can see the song downloading to the buffer, and see if it gets cut off. Once the song downloads, you have full control of it with no lag. I never expect to have wifi, but if it’s available, the sky’s the limit.
Note on the iPad: Get an iOS-specific audio cable as your output, usually called tip-ring-ring-sheath (TRRS). The iOS devices have an extra connection for the mic input. It’s not usually a big deal if you are using headphones, but I got some really bad sound quality connecting to pro speakers with a standard headphone (TRS) jack. I found a nice TRRS to TRS splitter on Monoprice that I use to connect to my MC3000 and allows me to cue the iPad without playing through the speakers.
Note on tablets in general: I am still using what is now a really old iPad. It takes a moment to boot up and switch apps, but it works just fine. Whatever device you have lying around is probably just fine as well. At the very least, don’t go out buying the latest model of anything. Save yourself some money and buy a slightly older version.
Speakers: JBL EON Series (15″)
I learned a critical lesson DJing in college. If you want to be a mobile DJ, powered speakers are the best equipment you can own. Lugging around a heavy amplifier is no fun.
I chose to stick with JBL because that’s what I was trained on, and they are nearly indestructible. I bought my first set of JBL EON 15s on Craigslist for $250 a pair. They were horribly dirty, but they sounded great. One had been used as a monitor in a bar. When I took the grill off, there was an inch of dirt on the cone. I took them apart, cleaned them up, repainted the fronts with some textured metallic spray paint and they were good to go.
After a few years of paying gigs, I upgraded to the JBL EON 515XT. They are just as good, but with more inputs and features, and they weigh 10 pounds less each. And, if you are worried about volume, don’t be! These suckers are loud. Almost too loud. I rarely turn them above 3 at an event, unless it is outdoors. I’m a little scared to go above 5.
The newest JBLs are now the 600 series. I just saw them at Guitar Center in May while I was renting DJ gear. Even smaller, even lighter and nearly 1000 watts! I’m a big fan of JBL, but I have used QSC and Mackie as well with great success. There’s even an Ion speaker at Sams Club that lights up for less than $200. Those would be great if you are just starting out, if you wanted some as a backup pair, or if you wanted speakers to rent out for extra income.
Cables and Headphones: Monoprice
When I bought the first set of JBLs off Craigslist, the guy was kind enough to throw in some extra XLR cables he had lying around. I wish I had just thrown them out. I thought I had a problem with one of my speaker inputs when it failed at an event. Turns out, it was just a bad cable.
If you haven’t guessed already, I LOVE Monoprice. They make really high-quality stuff at really low prices. I swear by them for all of my cables, adapters, you name it. I’ve got multiple lengths of XLR, RCA, USB, TRRS and iOS cables from them, and they all work flawlessly. I’ve gushed about their headphones before.
The only bad product I’ve got from them was a MIDI lighting controller. It had great features at a great price, but it would hang every so often and have to be rebooted. Luckily they have a great warranty, so they took it back for a full refund.
Mic: Shure BLX24/SM58 Handheld Wireless System with SM58 Vocal Microphone
Wireless mics are a fickle thing. There’s no real way to know if they are going to work in a given environment until you get there and test them. I tried going super cheap on my mics at first, cause hey, it should be fine, right? WRONG! I bought some no-name wireless set and tested them at home. They worked just fine. Then, at the wedding for the toast, all the best man had to do was turn away from the receiver and boom, no signal. Ugh!
So, I saved my pennies and bought a brand I trust, Shure. Their mics are the gold standard, the ones that everyone else knocks off. Before I bought, I went to their website and searched for the frequency range that I should select for my city. With the new digital mics, you can get interference from digital TV signals, so you’ll want to select the best frequencies for your area.
Note on wireless mics
Two things about wireless mics: I always test them in the venue and I always have a wired backup ready to swap out on the fly. The Shure receiver I have can search for the best frequency. Once I have all my gear powered up, I’ll do a frequency scan and test the mic in various places. Read your instructions on maximum distance as well and follow it. I try to get the receiver as close to the mic as I can. I’ve had times where it works fine at sound check, and starts cutting out when a bunch of bodies get in the way. Always have a backup plan.
Speaker Stands: On-Stage On-SSP7750 Compact Speaker Stand Pack
Here’s another area where your money is well spent. I’ve tried cheap speaker stands before, and they just don’t hold up over time. Anything that has a screw going into plastic to tighten the stands will eventually fail. My last cheap set failed at a wedding, and I was scrambling to get them to stay together for the event.
I broke down and bought new On-Stage stands that night. I wanted to try the compact version, because my JBL speakers are really compact. They seem a little small, but they work very well. It saves space in my gear, and I fit through doors better when my cart is loaded up.
They are very lightweight, though, so they feel a little tippy. I weigh them down with sandbags when I play outside. Because the speaker adapter is very sung and the stands are so light, I have to lay them down to take off my speakers. Otherwise, I lift the stand with the speaker when I try to take the speaker off.
Laptop Stand: Monoprice Laptop Stand
Here comes Monoprice yet again. Good laptop stands can be very pricey. I tried a cheap one from Pyle Pro that wasn’t mean to be portable, and it was a pain in the butt. I had to assemble and disassemble it at every event by unscrewing the connecting bolts. After using it twice, I couldn’t take it anymore.
Luckily about that time, Monoprice came out with a laptop stand that was very much like the super popular Crane stands. Except that it was about half the price. Yet another great Monoprice item that fits perfectly in my bag. Unfortunately, my Denon MC3000 controller doesn’t have tall enough feet for the stand to slide under it. So, I have to set the MC3000 on top of the stand. On the plus side, the weight of the controller gives the stand more stability. I will say that the Monoprice stand is a bit wobbly on it’s own, but I’ve seen that same complaint of other stands too. I’ve never felt like my laptop was going to fall, but I keep the drunks away from it just in case.
iPad Stand: IKEA ISBERGET Tablet Stand
Between IKEA and Monoprice, life is good. I was looking for a way to lift up my iPad and be able to run cords underneath it. Then, on an epic trek through IKEA with my wife, I found it – A $5 tablet stand. I wasn’t convinced at first, because it didn’t fold and I didn’t think I could fit it in my backpack. But my wife convinced me to take the chance for a few bucks, and now I’m in love. It works perfectly, it’s small and lightweight, and I found a spot for it in my bag. She’s so smart, I’m a lucky man!
Table: Lifestyle 4′ Folding Table
I continue to look for a better DJ stand solution than the cheap folding table my wife got at Sam’s Club, but nothing has beat it so far. I love that I can make it counter-height, perfect for a tall guy like me. It’s super lightweight, and it folds in half! Once you throw a table linen on it, you can’t even tell that it’s cheap plastic.
I wish that it was more stable. And, I really don’t have a good fitting table linen yet. I have a stretch Lycra table cover that I bought on Amazon, but it is a bit too small and doesn’t cover all the way to the floor. I bought a larger cover that I need to cut to fit, but I just haven’t done it yet.
All of the other lightweight folding DJ stands are either too big or too expensive. My cheap table works for now.
UPDATE: Lots of folks have been buying gear using my Amazon links, and Amazon gives me a commission on the other stuff they buy too. Someone just purchased a completely different solution for larger DJ controllers. It’s a super-compact keyboard/audio table that’s only 18 pounds and folds to 29” X 12” X 3”. If you want to be ultraportable, it seems like a great choice. Check it out here: Gator Frameworks Keyboard and Audio Utility Table with Multi Point Adjustability and Built in Leveling Bubble
DJ screen: Dragon Frontboards Tabletop Screen
This little DJ screen was the perfect thing to class up my cheap table. It’s just a couple inches tall, but it covers my cables and makes my setup look ultra-slick. And, it stops people from leaning or putting their drinks on my table. One of the best investments I’ve made in my setup, and only $59. If you have a shorter table, they make larger screens as well.
Lighting: Chauvet 4 Bar Flex
When I started as a DJ in college, we used a light bar that was 4 theatre-sized lights with colored gels. It was big, heavy and a pain to set up. Man, how things have changed! All of my DJ gear is better and lighter now.
I specifically sought out multicolor LED systems when I got my own lights. Wash lights make a great base, because most weddings just need some subtle dance floor lighting. I settled on the Chauvet 4 Bar Flex because of the expandability, and Chauvet is another brand with a great track record. It has an expandable system that I could add effects lighting to later. It’s very lightweight and easy to set up. The floor pedals make it easy to control basic functions, and it will accept commands from a MIDI controller.
Lighting is a great upcharge item to offer. If you can’t afford to own a lighting rig now, figure out how much it would be per event to rent one and offer it anyway. I do this with uplighting because I haven’t yet sold enough to justify owning 20-50 uplights. See my article on rental DJ gear for more info.
Effects Lighting: Monoprice Stage Lighting
Honestly, these were an impulse purchase. I DJed a school prom 3 or 4 years in a row, and I wanted to give them a bit extra this year. My buddies over at Monoprice were offering these great little derby lights for $30 each. At that price, I felt I could take a risk and try them out. I love them! Super small and light, MIDI controllable, they give me just enough action to make it feel like a full-on party without lugging around a huge effects light. There’s no duty cycle because they are LED, so I can run them nonstop. Only downside was that I needed to add a MIDI controller to get all of the features, and the one from Monoprice was a dud. I’m still looking for a good replacement.
UPDATE: Monoprice has discontinued their derby light. I’d recommend some of their other small effects lights. They are constantly updating their products, so go to their Stage Lighting page for the latest offerings.
Backpack: DJTT Controllerist Backpack
I held off on a good DJ backpack until this one went on clearance. I wish I had pulled the trigger way earlier. This backpack has made me so organized. It’s a super easy way to store all the little bits of gear I need. It fits my laptop, controller, iPad, laptop and iPad stands, headphones, backup mixer, clipboard, adapters, power cords, business cards, pens, Square reader and all other small items. It is an absolute cavern of space. Before I had the backpack, all of these little things were loose in my storage bins. This way is much better.
A note here, most of the items in my backpack are stored in their own small case. Like the carry bag for my laptop stand, or a zippered case for cables and adapters. Having the little cases give everything a home to go back to at the end of the night, keeps it all neat and tidy, and gives me the ability to pull out just one item at a time.
Storage: Sterilite 15 Gallon Tote
I keep all of my big items in a black plastic tub. Things like cables, mics, table linens, extension cords, backup equipment, and whatnot. Basically anything too big for the backpack but too small to carry on it’s own. Here again, I’m keeping most of this stuff in it’s original case for organization and modularity.
I considered getting some of those nice looking hard-sided road cases, but they were just too heavy to deal with again and again. I started with the random Rubbermaid tub that I had lying around and really liked the portability. I’m embarrassed to admit that the first one was orange and black for Halloween decorations. I always had to unload that one and hide it somewhere backstage. My wife wanted it back, so she found me a really nice Sterlite container in black that fits all my big DJ gear. It looks much better!
Moving it all: Convertible Hand Truck
I got a mid-range convertible hand truck like this one from Home Depot to get all of my gear out of the car and inside. Between the hand truck and the backpack, I can do it all in one trip.
There are DJs who swear by the Rock-N-Roller cart. That’s what we had at the mobile DJ company where I trained. I find those things flimsy, tough to fold and tough to steer. But, it is a big cart in a very small footprint. It is super light and fold up to almost nothing. I personally like the maneuverability of my hand truck, and it fits well in my car because the rest of my DJ gear is so small.
And, yes, I did say “car”, because I’m getting all this stuff into a Toyota Prius with the back seat folded down. This is why it pays to have compact gear. No need to own a truck or van, all my stuff fits in a hatchback!
In Summary…
This gear list has evolved as I find new and better solutions for how I work. I hope that I can help you skip a couple of cycles, and learn where you can scrimp and where you need to spend real money. Most importantly, use what you have now until it doesn’t work for you, or until your income can pay for something better. I paid for very little of my DJ gear upfront. Most of it was paid for by the money I made DJing. Use what you have for now, make some money, and reinvest in in your business.
What do you have? What do you disagree with? Do you want more detail on on some gear? Let us know in the Comments!
