8 Inexpensive Upgrades for DJ Rigs

Reloop Ortofon Concorde Black Turntable Cartridge and Stylus

Whether a newly anointed turntablist or a vinyl veteran, you probably know that having the right cartridge and stylus can make all the difference. Striking the ideal balance between maintaining audio fidelity and alleviating vinyl wear can be tricky, but Reloop has you covered. Designed with Danish audio legends Ortofon, the precision-shaped cartridge, SME mounting, and spherical stylus combine for a reliable, sturdy housing that won’t wear out your records. No matter how heavy you want to get on the back-cueing or scratching, Reloop’s Ortofon Concorde combo keeps your tunes clear, your technique clean, and your records intact. But is it easily mounted? You bet! What more could you want?

Odyssey LSTAND360 Portable Laptop Stand

For the digital denizens of the DJ domain, the laptop is the powerhouse of the set. First and foremost, your laptop computer must be protected regardless of your controller, venue, style, or genre. Of course, you can’t leave it in a case if you need to use it, so the sensible option is to have a laptop stand. Fortunately, Odyssey’s L Stand 360 Ultra is the perfect blend of durability and flexibility. Its sleek, lightweight design and accommodating construction make it highly portable, adjustable, and foldable, which makes it easy to pack with the rest of your on-the-go gear. At just two pounds, the L Stand 360 Ultra clocks in as one of the lightest on the market without compromising resilience. Its adjustable body and arms ensure plenty of room for your laptop and controller combination of choice, leaving plenty of clearance without any uncomfortable placement. Plus, rubber-grip stickers keep it locked in place on almost any surface!

Reloop Neon Pad Controller for Serato DJ Pro

There’s a reason why Serato has become a go-to for DJs and groovebox performers worldwide. Though Reloop’s Neon controller can be used as a MIDI device with virtually any setup, its true potential lies in its purpose-engineered compatibility with Serato DJ Pro. Outfitted with eight highly responsive, RGB-backlit performance pads, this portable powerhouse adds endless flair to your Serato-based set, built to bring out the full capabilities of Serato’s SP-6 onboard sample controller. From basic navigation and performance tools to detail-oriented sample manipulation, Reloop’s Neon controller does it all. Its bus-powered USB connectivity makes it an extremely convenient and lightweight addition to your setup without taking up much real estate. With its easily toggled performance features and visual feedback, it offers an intuitive, responsive workflow that will elevate your set from commendable to unforgettable.

Serato 12-inch Butter Rug Slipmat Pair

Aspiring and bona fide turntablists alike know just how far quality goes in the DJ world. So does award winner DJ Qbert, whose decades on the ones and twos and his multiple DMC World Championship titles help him distinguish the “good enough” from the right stuff. Partnering with Serato, the Butter Rugs slipmats are definitely the right stuff. Crafted from a proprietary mixture of durable, synthetic materials, these 12-inch slipmats retain their shape and form during prolonged use without disrupting your flow. From heavy scratching and beat juggling to an all-out aural exhibition, the Butter Rugs keep your records in place and your resistance low and give you the peace of mind to focus on your craft night after night.

SanDisk Ultra Flair USB 3.0 Flash Drive – 128GB

Picture this: you’re spinning a set, chopping and juggling beats like there’s no tomorrow, riding the vibe as everyone moves and grooves to the tunes you choose. Everything is going well, and you think to yourself, “I know just the track to take this momentum to the next level,” only to realize that it’s nowhere to be found! Maybe it’s a special edit or a song not available on streaming platforms, and who knows if you’d have an internet connection, much less reliably and quickly be able to source, download, import, and set up a high-quality file. Panic and fear begin to work their tendrils through your psyche as the tunnel vision sets in. “This is it,” you think, “the whole thing is a bust.” The set’s over, the night’s ruined, and the vibe is vanquished. We’re sweatin’ just thinking about it.

Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be you! SanDisk’s Ultra Flair flash drive is extremely lightweight with a rugged housing to endure regular wear. Plus, the USB 3.0 connection is more than capable of handling high-speed transfer of top-notch audio. Boasting a formidable 128 gigabytes of solid-state storage, you’ll have plenty of room to hold all your dance-floor fillers — literally and proverbially speaking — in your back pocket!

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Closed-back Studio Monitoring Headphones

Cueing up tracks or previewing potential song choices as you get your finger on the party’s proverbial pulse is a delicate dance that every DJ knows. It’s easy to say that you need high-quality headphones to get the job done, but the right pair is as much an extension of your instrument as any other part of the rig: it’s how you interface with your sound. This is where Audio-Technica delivers with their ATH-M50x headphones. Outfitted with neodymium magnet drivers, these closed-back headphones balance reliable, high-fidelity sound with premier isolation, ensuring you never miss a beat as you move through the night. Their detachable-cable design lets you easily mix and match cords of your choosing (with three in the box already) to best accommodate your setup, and the included 1/4-inch adapter further expands your options. Thoughtful design makes these durable, collapsible, and easy to store and transport with comfortable earcups ideal for the long haul. For studio-quality sound that won’t break the bank, the ATH-M50x closed-back studio monitoring headphones are a fantastic choice for DJs of any creed or caliber!