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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The Best Strobe Lights for the Money
No single 'best' strobe light exists, so here they are grouped honestly by tier: mobile DJ, function-band gigging, and professional touring fixtures.
How to Set Up and Use Vinyl Record Cleaner Machine
Got your machine out of the box and not sure where to start? Here's the proper workflow, step by step, for a genuinely clean record.
The Ultimate Guide to Dj Controller Portable
A portable dj controller enables professional mixing whilst remaining genuinely mobile. Explore features, budget considerations, and equipment selection for working and bedroom DJs.
Pioneer Dj Decks: A Complete Buyer's Guide
CDJ, XDJ or DDJ? Before you spend a penny on Pioneer DJ decks, here is the software compatibility check, the connectivity checklist and the used-gear tests that actually matter.
Studio Monitors Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Studio monitors reveal the truth about your mix. Here's what they do, how to choose a pair, and how to set them up correctly.
Dj Decks for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Everyone's first go on DJ decks is a bit wobbly. Here's the simplest way in, a real first-session walkthrough, and the nerves you don't need to worry about.
The Best Mpc Samplers for the Money
There's no single best MPC sampler, only the right tier for where you're at. Here's an honest breakdown of each, no digital-crate mysticism required.
Common Beat Pad Mistakes to Avoid
Uniform velocity, oversensitive pads, overloaded patterns and poor sound selection — here are the six mistakes most beginners make and how to fix them.
Turntable Stylus: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a replacement turntable stylus doesn't have to be complicated. Know your cartridge model, choose the right profile for your system, and order from a trusted specialist retailer.
How to Set Up and Use Turntable Stylus
Setting up a turntable stylus properly makes the difference between an average listening experience and one that sounds genuinely magical. Here's how to dial everything in.
Common Mpc Live 3 Mistakes to Avoid
The mistakes on the MPC split between workflow misunderstandings and hardware oversights. Here's what to watch for and how to avoid them.
Vinyl Record Storage Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Fifty LPs can weigh around thirty pounds, and every one is vulnerable to warping and damage if it's stored carelessly. Here's how to get it right.
Common Vinyl Cleaner Kit Mistakes to Avoid
Oliver Thompson runs through the record-cleaning mistakes he sees most often, and the simple habits that keep your records and their labels out of trouble.
Sample Pad for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting with a sample pad for the first time? Here is a practical guide to your first sessions, from understanding velocity to loading custom sounds.
Virtual Dj: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The real VirtualDJ buying decision isn't the software — it's which licence you need and whether your controller is properly supported. Here's how to get both right.
Mpc One for Beginners: A Complete Guide
It looks intimidating the first time you switch it on. Here's the beginner's route in, minus the overwhelm.
Everything You Need to Know About Analog Drum Machine
Analog drum machines generate rhythms through synthesis rather than digital samples, creating the warm, characterful percussion that defined electronic music. Discover how they work, why producers sti...
Common Phono Preamp Mistakes to Avoid
Common Lighting Stand Mistakes to Avoid
Most lighting setups that go wrong aren't the fixture's fault. Here are the mistakes I see most often, and how to avoid every one.
Common Turntable Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems with sound quality and record wear come from a handful of setup errors — this guide identifies the most common ones and explains the correct approach for each.
Modular Synthesizer: A Complete Guide
Separate building blocks you wire together yourself — here's what a modular synthesizer is, its main modules, and a short history worth knowing.
Common Mpc Xl Mistakes to Avoid
Most MPC XL problems are predictable and correctable. Here are the errors that consistently slow down new users, and how to address them before they become habits.
Drum Machine Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A drum machine generates percussion sounds and sequences them into patterns. Here's how they work, what types exist, and how they shape modern music.
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
