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 get in the zone, block out distractions, and focus on the music.
If you’ve been dreaming of a space this like for yourself but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you. We’ll take you through the gear you need to get going as well as some top tips on design considerations to build the perfect space that will help level up your workflow.
Essential DJ Studio Gear
DJ Controller or Setup
Your DJ controller is where all the magic happens. This is what you’ll use to do all your DJ performing, mixing and beatmatching, so it’s worth taking the time to consider what’s best for your needs and budget.
For most beginners, you’ll be best off starting with a controller that you use with a computer and software. This is typically a much more budget-friendly option but can still be perfectly capable of even some quite advanced performance features.
At this point, it’s also worth considering what DJ software to go for, as many controllers are tied to just working with one or two options. Read our full guide to discover which is best for you.
A great first pick for beginners would be the AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2 or FLX4, or if your budget’s a bit bigger, the DDJ-GRV6. If you’re just starting out and don’t know what controller to go for, we’ve put together a complete guide to the best DJ controllers for beginners.
If you’re looking to move into a more ‘pro-level’ setup, you might also want to consider a standalone system. Units like the XDJ-AZ bring almost a complete club-style DJ setup into a more compact and affordable (but by no means cheap) package. And if money’s no object, there’s always the option of splurging on a full CDJ and DJM mixer setup that you’d find in any proper professional venue.
Laptop or Computer
A computer is the key part of any DJ’s setup. It’s where you’ll manage your tracks and run the software behind your performances.
Generally, we’d recommend going for a laptop over a desktop computer, and it’s a must-have if you’re using a DJ controller. This just gives you the flexibility to take your ‘studio’ with you wherever you go so you can DJ anywhere.
In terms of specs, most DJ software isn’t as intensive as things like gaming or music production, but it can still be a bit taxing, especially if you’re using advanced features like stem separation. We’d always suggest you go for something with at least 8GB of RAM, as well as a decent processor like an Intel i5, Apple M1 or better.
Check out our complete guide to the best laptops for DJing.
Speakers
There’s no point making incredible mixes if you can’t hear them. A good pair of speakers is vital to any DJ setup, but not all pairs are made equal. As a general rule, you want a set that’s more neutral in its tone and doesn’t affect the sound of the music too much with colouration or unnatural boosting of certain frequencies.
Studio monitor style speakers are typically the best bet for DJs, as these give an accurate portrayal of what you’re playing. This is one area where it’s just as easy to spend £50 as £50,000 – with rapidly diminishing returns – so get an idea of what you’re willing to pay before you have a look at the options available.
Speakers are also one thing where bigger isn’t always better. If you’ve just got a small box room to mix in, you’ll generally want to steer clear of anything too big and powerful.
Check out our complete guide to speakers for DJs.
Headphones
While not strictly a permanent studio fixture, headphones are another absolutely vital tool for DJs. They allow you to monitor what’s going on in the track you’re cueing up without hearing it out of the main speakers.
For DJ headphones, you want great isolation so you can block out the outside noise and focus on the cued tracks – this is especially vital in loud environments like clubs. You’ll also want something that’s built to survive the rough and tumble DJ booth environment without breaking.
Check out our complete guide to the best DJ headphones.
Producer Gear
Nowadays, the lines between DJs and electronic producers are getting pretty blurred with many DJs trying their hand at production and vice versa. If that’s the case for you, you might think about adding in a couple of bits to help you make music.
A multi-functional MIDI controller is a great place to start. Something like an AKAI MPK Mini lets you play around with music production and won’t break the bank. Something a bit more advanced like the Ableton Push could be a good next step. If you’re recording audio, an audio interface like the classic Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 as well as a microphone are essential bits of kit.
There are countless little other things you’ll probably end up needing as you build out your DJ studio. For example, you’ll always need a few backup USBs and hard drives to back everything up.
Designing Your DJ Studio Space
Building the perfect DJ studio isn’t just about getting the right gear. You need a space that’s designed specifically with DJing in mind.
Getting the Best Sound
If you just put a pair of speakers in a boxy, untreated room, you may well end up with a pretty sub-par sound that’s unclear, echoey and lacking in the low end. Sure, it’s good practice for plenty of the dingy clubs we’ve been to, but it’s far from ideal.
You’ve got to give some consideration to noise management in your studio. It’s unrealistic to expect to fully ‘soundproof’ your room but some treatment can go a long way. Even just the difference between having a sofa or bed in the back of a room makes a big difference to the sound. More soft furnishings like heavy curtains and rugs also help – and have the added bonus of helping give the place a cosier vibe.
A little acoustic treatment can go a long way in terms of fixing these issues. The foam panels that you’ll see in a lot of amateur studios is good and certainly better than nothing but it only really absorbs high-end frequencies well. That’s good if you’re building something like a podcast studio, but for DJs who are pumping out lots of bass, it’s not going to do too much. Something thicker like a ‘bass trap’ panel is a much better bet, as it will absorb more of the bass frequencies, giving you a clearer, tighter low end in the room. If you’re after a budget friendly option and you’re handy at DIY, you could even try building your own acoustic treatment.
Left – Proper bass traps that absorb a wide range of frequencies. Right – Foam acoustic padding that’s good for absorbing high-end but won’t deal with the bass.
Setting the Right Vibe
There’s no point spending time and money building a great DJ setup if it’s got a cold vibe and isn’t somewhere you want to spend lots of time.
One of the best purchases you’ll make for your studio in terms of vibes is a set of cable ties. When you’re building a DJ studio, there will inevitably be countless different cables connecting everything up, and if you’re not careful, they will all get tangled and form one great singular mass of wire. Get everything neatly tied together where necessary and use ties to bunch up and shorten cables so there’s no excess dangling about. Also make sure the ends of cables and plugs are labelled up so you’re not constantly searching for what goes where.
This isn’t even just about convenience and practicality. Just having everything clean and organised can really help you get into a more organised headspace and focus on the task at hand. From experience, I’d recommend getting the cable management in order from the beginning, as going back and sorting things out retroactively is an immensely stressful job.
Having all your plugs labelled up puts an end to the constant game of ‘find the end of the cable’.
Some nice lighting can also make a world of difference. Having too much harsh bright lights can kill the vibe pretty quickly so you’ll probably want something a bit more chilled out that lets you focus in on the mixing. This is even more important if you’re making content or live streaming where the visual element is key to attracting new viewers before they’ve even given you a chance at hearing you mix.
We put a lot of this thought into designing a space for our new DJ mix channel, OFFICE:HOURS. We wanted to create somewhere that felt light and open but that we could be also versatile enough to mix up the vibe depending on the mixes we’re doing. Something as simple as just adding in a few fun multicoloured patterned lights and some plants and props made a big change to the overall feel.
We don’t want to be too prescriptive here, though. Ultimately, it comes down to finding what works for you and what makes you feel happy, inspired and productive.
Not ready to build your DJ studio yet?
If you don’t yet have your own dream home DJ studio, there is another option. You can always book out somewhere like Pirate Studios to get access to well-equipped spaces where you can crank up the volume without worrying about the neighbours.
It’s the perfect place to block out the distractions and zero in on the mixing, while getting time on some pro-level gear to get you ready for club settings. If you’d like to learn how to get to grips with this equipment before heading in, our CDJ masterclass has you covered.
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