Reviews, guides and buying advice for DJ controllers, turntables, CDJs, drum machines, samplers and synthesizers for UK producers.
- 77 topics
- 305 articles
Inside DJ & Electronic Production
All 77 topicsThe 12 most-searched of 77 topics. The full index is at the foot of the page.
Record Player
Find record players for vinyl listening, DJ use and dependable playback in home, studio or performance setups.
12 topics
Turntable
Turntables offer hands-on vinyl playback for DJs, collectors and anyone who values analogue control.
4 topics
Vinyl Player
A vinyl player is ideal for DJs and collectors who want tactile control, reliable playback and authentic record performa...
DJ Decks
Browse DJ decks for mixing, cueing and live performance, from compact starter units to advanced club-style systems.
DJ Controller
Hands-on control for laptop-based DJing and live mixing. A DJ controller suits beginners, mobile DJs and club performers...
1 topic
Pioneer DJ
Explore Pioneer DJ gear for digital mixing, performance and club-ready control across home, mobile and professional setu...
Vinyl Storage
Vinyl storage helps organise, protect and display records while keeping collections easy to browse and manage.
8 topics
Audio Technica Turntable
An audio technica turntable suits home listening, vinyl archiving and DJ use with reliable, easy-to-use performance.
DJ Mixer
Find a DJ mixer for blending tracks, shaping sound and controlling live performance with confidence and precision.
Cdj
Professional digital media players for club-style DJ sets. A CDJ offers precise control, reliable playback and a familia...
Drum Machine
Create beats, percussion and grooves with a drum machine for studio production, songwriting and live performance.
3 topics
Pioneer DJ DJ Controller
Find Pioneer DJ controllers for software mixing, live performance and creative digital DJ workflows.
Articles on DJ & Electronic Production
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Cdj: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying your first CDJ is a big decision. This guide walks you through what actually matters — workflow, specs that count, budget reality and common mistakes.
Vinyl Cleaning Machines for Beginners: A Complete Guide
You don't need to overthink this. Here's a simple, honest starting point for cleaning records properly for the first time.
Common Dj Booth Mistakes to Avoid
Most DJ booth problems aren't equipment failures. Here are the mistakes that come up again and again, and the quick fix for each one.
The Best Modular Synthesizers for the Money
Not one best buy — a best fit for each stage, from a semi-modular starter to a considered professional investment.
Audio Technica Turntable: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Forget the model-number soup for a minute. Here's how to work out which Audio-Technica turntable genuinely fits how you'll use it, and the buying mistakes worth dodging.
The Best Dj Sets for the Money
There's no single best DJ set — only the right tier for what you're actually trying to do. Here's how the options break down by budget and use case.
Dj Controller: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The DJ controller market covers every budget, but most buyers do best in the PS150-PS400 tier. Here is how to choose the right setup without overspending on features you will not use yet.
Hercules Dj Controller Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The Hercules range makes a solid case for itself at the entry level — here's what the lineup covers and how to get the most from it.
A Guide to Novation Circuit
The Novation Circuit is a standalone groovebox combining a two-part synthesiser, drum machine and 32-step sequencer in a hardware format designed for live improvisation. Here is how it works and what...
Silent Disco Headphone: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The technology should disappear into the background, not become the story for the wrong reasons. Here's what genuinely matters before you buy.
Elektron Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Hold a step, twist a knob, and only that step changes — that's the Elektron idea in a nutshell, and it's genuinely hard to go back once it clicks.
Beat Pad for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Connect, map, record, quantise — here's the complete first-session walkthrough for getting started with beat production on a pad controller.
Everything You Need to Know About Bongo Drumming
From eastern Cuba to salsa clubs and bedroom studios, here is everything worth knowing about bongo drumming: history, anatomy, the martillo pattern and basic technique.
Common Cabinet Records Mistakes to Avoid
A friend's near-disastrous house-clearance find taught me most of these the hard way, so you don't have to learn them yourself.
The Best Dj Equipments for the Money
The best DJ equipment depends on your budget and what you need it for. From beginner controllers under £400 to professional club systems, we've broken down what represents real value at each price tie...
Dj Decks: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Turntables, CDJs or a controller? Here's the buyer's checklist that actually matters before you spend on DJ decks — no invented prices, just the specs worth caring about.
Common Novation Circuit Tracks Mistakes to Avoid
Most Circuit Tracks problems come from skipping the Components app, ignoring firmware updates, and not using per-step controls or varied pattern lengths.
The Best Beat Pads for the Money
The Akai MPD218 wins at entry level, the Maschine Mikro MK3 leads mid-range controllers, and the MPC One+ is the best-value standalone workstation.
The Best Hercules Dj Controllers for the Money
Value varies considerably across the Hercules range. Here's where the real value sits at each price point and how to avoid buying more than you need.
The Ultimate Guide to Mpc One
No laptop, no plugins loading, just pads, a screen and a beat. Here's what Akai's standalone workstation actually offers.
The Best Cdjs for the Money
There's no single best CDJ — it depends on your budget, workflow and where you're playing. This guide breaks down every tier so you can find your perfect match.
Dj Turntable Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A DJ turntable is built to be handled — grabbed, nudged, and adjusted mid-play. Understanding how direct drive, torque and pitch control work makes everything else make sense.
Usb Turntable for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A USB turntable lets you digitise vinyl records on your computer. Understand the signal path, set up your software and start recording your collection.
What DJ & Electronic Production Covers
DJ & electronic production sits at the intersection of performance and sound creation, bringing together the tools used by bedroom beatmakers, club DJs, touring artists, and studio producers across the UK. Whether you're learning to mix your first tracks or building a professional live rig, this category covers the hardware and technology that powers modern dance music, electronica, hip-hop, and beyond.
DJ Controllers, Turntables, and CDJs
At the performance end of the spectrum, three main formats dominate. Controllers — compact, laptop-connected units combining jog wheels, a mixer section, and performance pads — offer the most accessible starting point, with Pioneer DJ, Denon DJ, Numark, and Native Instruments all producing well-regarded entry-level models. Vinyl enthusiasts turn to turntables: the Technics SL-1200 and SL-1210 remain the club standard, while Pioneer DJ and Reloop offer competitive alternatives. For professional club work, standalone CDJs and media players paired with a dedicated mixer represent the industry norm, with Pioneer DJ/AlphaTheta's CDJ-3000 firmly established as the benchmark at the top end.
Drum Machines, Samplers, and Synthesizers
The production side of this category centres on instruments that generate and manipulate sound. Drum machines from Roland, Elektron, Korg, Arturia, and Behringer handle programmed rhythms and sequencing. Samplers — from Akai's iconic MPC range to Elektron's Octatrack — allow producers to capture and reshape audio with expressive control. Synthesizers, whether analogue, digital, modular, or software-based, provide the basses, leads, pads, and textures that define electronic music; Moog, Sequential, Novation, and Korg are among the most respected names available through UK retailers.
Building a Setup: From Beginner to Professional
A UK beginner can start meaningfully for a few hundred pounds: a mid-range controller, a decent pair of headphones, a laptop running DJ software such as Serato or rekordbox, and a modest set of monitors cover the basics. Producers may add an audio interface and a MIDI keyboard early on. As experience grows, a professional setup might include four-channel mixing, club-compatible USB workflows, a standalone drum machine or synthesizer, reliable monitoring, and backup media suited to touring or live performance.
The UK Scene and Where to Buy
The UK has one of the most vibrant electronic music scenes in the world, with a thriving network of independent retailers, dedicated DJ shops, and online specialists stocking everything from entry-level gear to high-end modular systems. Brands are widely available through retailers such as Andertons, Scan, and specialist stores in Manchester, Bristol, and London. Reading reviews, comparing specifications, and testing gear before buying will ensure you build a setup that serves your creative ambitions for years to come.
All 77 topics in DJ & Electronic Production
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- Denon DJ DJ Controller
- Direct Drive Turntable
- DJ & Electronic Production (General)
- DJ & Electronic Production — Numark
- DJ & Electronic Production — Other Brands
- DJ & Electronic Production — Reloop
- DJ & Electronic Production — Roland
- DJ Booth
- DJ Controller
- DJ Controllers
- DJ Decks
- DJ Equipment
- DJ Flight Case
- DJ Laptop Stand
- DJ Lighting
- DJ Media Player
- DJ Mixer
- DJ Mixers
- DJ Set
- DJ Speakers
- DJ Turntable
- Drum Machine
- Drum Machines & Grooveboxes
