DJ CONTENT

DJ Bag Essentials

What's In DJ Bag
DJ CONTENT

DJ Bag Essentials

Some of our favourite DJ products and accessories

Every DJ needs certain things to do their job and here we will highlight loads of useful accessories, tools and products that could be worth having in your DJ bag!

If you decide you are missing some of these accessories you can click directly through to each product!


USB drives

Whether you’re a new or seasoned DJ, USB drives are a necessity! Even if you use a laptop to DJ, a USB full of tunes can always come in handy as a back up. We highly recommend these high speed USB 3.0 memory sticks. They are faster than most USB 3.0 devices on the market and will transfer a Rekordbox database in no time at all.

Which is the best USB stick for DJs?

  1. It has one of the fastest transfer speeds. (245mb/s)
  2. The physical size makes it harder to lose or forget in the CDJs.
  3. It can hold enough music for DJs who play full nights.

SanDisk Extreme 32 GB USB Flash Drive USB 3.0 up to 245 MB/s

Here is a cheaper option!

  1. Slower transfer times than the above.
  2. Very compact in size!
  3. More memory for your money.

SanDisk Ultra Fit 64 GB USB Flash Drive USB 3.0 up to 150 MB/s

SD Cards

Most CDJs on the market now will also work with SD cards. SD cards can provide more memory than USB sticks however they can be quite easy to forget and leave in CDJs.

Here is our favourite SD card for those who need a lot of music with them!

SanDisk Ultra 128 GB SDXC Class 10 Memory Card


Cables

RCA Cables/ Phono Cables

These are necessary for plugging CDJs into mixers and sound cards or laptops into the DJ equipment. Here are a few options we would recommend.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

Here are the top RCA and USB cables perfect for any Serato or Traktor DJ using a Rane, Denon or Native Instruments sound card. Neo cables are the go to for DJs. They’re very high quality, have a sturdy build, with a tight connection and a really handy case to store the cables in! They’re produced specifically with DJs in mind. Check out their website for more info.

Neo NEOCLASSBDJ d+ Class B DJ Box Set

Here is a cheaper option if the Neo cable’s are out of your budget.

5m TWIN PHONO/RCA Cable – Premium Quality – 24k Gold

USB A to B Cables

These cables are used for running CDJs in HID mode or for connecting your sound card to your laptop.

Our favourites are the Neo cables again purely for their superior build and sound quality!

Neo 2m d+ USB Class B Cable

Here is a cheaper option with handy blue light up connections on each end!

AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable with Lighted Ends Braided 1.8 m / 6 Feet

Need to plug your phone or iPad in?

Sometimes you need to plug another device into your mixer to play some background music in a club. This cable can come in very handy on many occasions. It’s always worth having one to hand!

Roland 210640099 5ft/1.5 m Interconnect Cable 3.5 mm TRS to Dual RCA

Record your DJ set

Record your DJ set straight to a USB device! The ‘Reloop Tape’ is built specifically for DJs. Run the cable just above from your mixer or controllers record output into the line in on the Reloop Tape recorder below and just hit record. This device then records the set as an MP3 file straight to USB.

Reloop – DJ set recorder – MP3


Headphones

There are a lot of DJ headphones on the market but here at Crossfader our go to favourites are always the Sennheiser HD25’s. They have stood the test of time, each part is very easy to replace and have stunning sound quality for DJs. There are also loads of other favourites on the market with Sennheiser and Pioneer taking quite the market share.

Sennheiser HD 25 Basic Edition, Closed Headphone for DJs

Our other favourites in order of price (Highest to lowest)

PIONEER HDJ500 BLACK DJ headphones

Sennheiser HD205 II, Closed over ear headphone with rotatable earcup

Pioneer Fully Enclosed Dynamic Headphones with Self Adjusting Head Band and Soft Velour Ear Pads – Black

Microphone

A microphone isn’t necessary for all DJs but if you do intend to use one we highly recommend this one. Its the industry standard as far as club mic’s go!

Shure SM58 LC Dynamic Microphone


Earplugs

As a DJ keeping your ears safe and healthy is very important! Here at Crossfader we use these inexpensive earplugs. They come with three different filters which you can change to suit your environment and the clubs audio levels. They have come in very handy over the years and its always worth having a pair of these in your DJ bag!

Alpine MusicSafe Pro Filter Ear Plugs for DJs


Laptop Stands

Our favourite laptop stand available is this aluminium stand from UDG. Mainly because you can swivel, rotate, and move this stand to nearly any position. This means your laptop can sit comfortably in the most awkward of DJ booths. It also has a handy tray underneath for small midi controllers or DJ sound cards. Its also fully collapsable fitting neatly into your DJ bag.

 UDG Creator Laptop/Controller Stand Aluminium Black

If that’s out of your budget then check out this cheaper option from Adam Hall. Just bare in mind this stand won’t fit in your DJ bag very well…

Adam Hall Stands SLT001EW Laptop Stand White


DJ Bags

If you haven’t already got a quality DJ bag but have started working more regularly in clubs then it might be time to invest in one. UDG offer up some amazing bags designed specifically for DJs, usually full of compartments to perfectly fit all your DJ equipment and accessories. Check out our favourites below!

UDG Ultimate BackPack

Perfect for the regular club DJ who needs to get equipment in and out of their bag on a regular basis. Everything will be to hand and its compact enough to fit on your back.

UDG Creator Wheeled Laptop Backpack

If you’re a travelling DJ who luckily is able to travel with your work then why not step it up? This DJ bag is perfect for most DJ equipment, even for some DJ controllers. It also has enough room to fit some overnight luggage for those guest DJ sets in other cities.

Herschel Casual Daypack

This one is for the fashionable DJ. Not as practical as the UDG bags however it fits your laptop and other DJ accessories in perfectly. If you regularly just play off USB then you wont need a bag that can hold everything so maybe this nice backpack from Herschel will suffice.


Midi Controllers for DJs

Serato DJs need to take advantage of one of these DJ controllers. The Pioneer DDJ SP1 is our favourite allowing you to control nearly all of Serato DJs features directly from the controller. This means you don’t have to remember those awkward keyboard shortcuts. The pads are very responsive and its small enough to fit in most DJ bags. This controller also works very well as an add on for Pioneer Rekordbox, just remember that the labels for some of the pad modes will be wrong.

 Pioneer DDJ-SP1 add-on controller for Serato DJ and Pioneer Rekordbox

Why not get the case as well?
UDG Creator Pioneer DDJ SP1 Hardcase Black

Another favourite are the Novation Dicers. They sit comfortably on the bottom right of most CDJs or in the 45 adaptor holder on turntables allowing the DJ to bring control back to their set up rather than on the laptop. You can access three simple modes; hot cues, roll loop and auto loop plus you can midi map some secondary modes… our favourite things to map are the beat jump feature and the echo out FX!

Novation Dicers

Why not get the case as well?
Novation Dicer Case

Traktor user?

No problem! Our favourite midi controller add on for Traktor user’s is the Machine Mikro. You can map the controller out to your preferred set up, but being built by Native Instruments it will fit nicely into your Traktor set up!

Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK2 – Black

Why not get the bag?
UDG Creator NI Maschine Mikro MK2 Hardcase

Another favourite, nice and slimline is the F1 by Native Instruments. This can sit nicely at the end of a CDJ set up and give you quick access to the remix decks with Traktor. Or if you’re not a fan of the remix decks why not midi map this out to your hot cue’s and auto loops?

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 DJ Controller

Why not get the bag?
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Bag

The Pioneer DDJ Sp1 and the Native Instruments Machine Mikro are a bit bigger in size. We use this controller stand by Reloop. Its a simple collapsable stand that fits both of these controllers on perfectly.

Reloop Modular Stand


Serato DJ Soundcards

As a Serato DJ you may need a sound card to be able to use Serato with CDJs or turntables. Here is a list of the Serato enabled sound cards in order of price from lowest to highest.

Denon DS1

The smallest soundcard on the market.

Rane SL2

Has the same inputs/outputs and the Denon however Rane have been in the market of Serato soundcards for much longer and are more trusted in the industry. This trust comes at a slightly steeper price.
Rane SL3

Benefits from 3 inputs/outputs allowing control over 3 decks. You can also record internally with this sound card.
Rane SL4

4 inputs/outputs allowing control over 4 decks. You can also record with this sound card plus it has two USB ports for easy changeover between DJs. The sound quality is also slightly better on this sound card compared to its predecessors.


Traktor Scratch Soundcards

Traktor users may also need a soundcard to use a handful of CDJ or turntable set ups. These soundcards allow DJs to use a digital vinyl system to control their music.

Native Instruments Traktor Scratch A6
Native Instruments Traktor Scratch A10


Filming Equipment

Filming yourself is one of the most effective promotional tools as a DJ. Set up a GoPro at home or in the studio and capture your performance. Or even just use your phone’s camera if a GoPro is a bit pricey!

The GoPro with its wide angle lens and easy to use editing software is a go to for most DJs. Its easy to attach to most locations and the latest offering works well in low light for those darker DJ booths. They’re also great for keeping a DJ Vlog or diary! You never know how many people may want an insight into your DJ career.

GoPro HERO5 Action Camera – Black

Here is the cheaper option, still with amazing features and capable of capturing footage in clubs.

GoPro HERO Session Camera

Why not get all the attachments in one go… this bundle contains everything you’re going to need for your GoPro. Our favourites are the head strap, chest harness and the sticky mounts. All perfect for filming yourself DJ.

50 in 1 Essential Accessories Bundle Kit for Gopro


Facebook Live for DJ’s

Facebook live is one of the most exciting new tools at a DJs disposal. Not only can it help you showcase your skills but its the perfect way to start building your network and audience.

The video part.

First up, get your phone set up in position with these accessories…

Our favourite tripod has got to be the Gorilla Pod! It has a standard tripod attachment and can wrap around nearly anything. Perfect for setting up your camera in an awkward DJ booth or to hang off your bedroom light shade!

Joby GorillaPod Original Tripod

This is one of our favourite accessories. Partner this mobile phone tripod mount from Mudder with the Gorilla Pod and you’re good to go. It fits nearly any mobile phone and with the screw attachment on both the bottom and back you can get your mobile into nearly any position. We use this all the time for Facebook live! Oh and its super cheap!

Tripod mount for nearly all mobile phones!

The audio part.

Next up, get professional sounding audio streamed live over Facebook directly from your mixer or controller with a record output.

This sound card coupled up with this iPhone adapter will allow your phone to stream clean audio. You will even have control over the levels to make sure there is never any distortion.

Novation Audiohub 2 x 4 Combined Audio Interface and USB Hub

Official wire from Apple

Unofficial cheaper version


DJ Controllers for mobile DJs

Controllers are perfect for that mobile DJ gig or private party. Even if you’re a regular club DJ there are a handful of controllers that would be useful to have as a back up! Here are just a handful we recommend for DJs using various DJ software.

Small, portable and cheap

Numark Mixtrack Pro 3

Works with Serato DJ Intro, Serato DJ and Virtual DJ

Pioneer DDJ-SB2 portable DJ controller for Serato DJ

Works with Serato DJ Intro, Serato DJ and Rekordbox performance mode.

The next upgrade, with more feature’s and a slightly bigger unit 

Pioneer DDJ-SR portable 2-channel controller for Serato DJ

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK2 DJ Controller

The perfect controller for Traktor DJs.

High end controllers perfect for the more technically advanced mobile DJ

Pioneer DDJ-SX2 4-channel controller for Serato DJ

Serato DJ enabled controller with standalone mixer enabling you to plug in CDJs or turntables.

Pioneer DDJ-RX professional 4-channel controller for rekordbox DJ

Pioneer Rekordbox ready DJ controller with standalone mixer for use with CDJs and/or turntables.


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