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
All news
Vinyl Record Player: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The decision-by-decision guide I'd actually give a friend before they spend their money on a vinyl record player.
Vinyl Record Cleaner Kit: A Complete Guide
A vinyl record cleaner kit pays back in sound quality almost immediately. Here is what is inside the best systems and which one suits your collection.
How to Set Up and Use Record Cleaning Machines
Buying the machine is the easy part. Here's the complete, repeatable process for getting genuinely good results out of it every single time.
Cdj Explained: Features, Types and Tips
CDJs are the industry standard for professional DJing. Learn what makes them different from turntables, how they work, and why they're essential for club DJs.
Mpc Live 3: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The MPC Live 3 is the right tool for producers who need a complete, portable production system. Whether that's you depends on your context.
Sony Ps-lx310bt Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A fully automatic, Bluetooth-enabled turntable built for simplicity — here's exactly what the Sony PS-LX310BT does and where its convenience runs out.
Vinyl Record Cleaner Machine for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Record cleaning sounds more complicated than it needs to be. Here's the calm, honest version of what actually matters for a beginner.
The Ultimate Guide to Finger Drumming Pad
Finger drumming pads enable expressive percussion performance and beat creation in electronic music production. Discover responsive controllers for live and studio use.
Slipmats: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Not all felt mats are equal. Here's how to choose the right ones for your turntable setup and what separates quality from cheap.
Elektron: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Get the wrong Elektron box for how you actually make music and you'll spend months fighting the workflow. Here's how to actually decide.
Common Denon Dj Mistakes to Avoid
Quick, honest rundown of the Denon DJ mistakes that turn a smooth changeover into a scramble — so it's not you next time.
Record Player: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a record player comes down to use case first: casual listener or serious hi-fi enthusiast shapes every choice from drive system to cartridge to phono stage.
Akai Mpc Sample for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Just unboxed an MPC Sample? Here's the same five-step sequence every project follows, explained slowly and clearly from first recording to first beat.
Common Record Player Mistakes to Avoid
Most record player problems come from the same handful of avoidable mistakes — wrong tracking force, missing phono stage, and feedback from poor placement chief among them.
Pioneer Dj Dj Controller Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A Pioneer DJ controller bridges your DJ software and your ears, giving you hands-on control of decks, mixer and effects. Whether you're learning at home or prepping for bigger venues, understanding th...
A Guide to Denon Dj
Big screens, standalone confidence and its own way of doing things — here's the full picture on Denon DJ's history, ecosystem and current range.
Cabinet Records for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Feeling out of your depth with all the technical talk? Let's take owning a cabinet record player slowly, term by term.
The Best Record Players for the Money
The best record player at any budget delivers reliable tracking, adequate tonearm quality and a cartridge worth upgrading — the models below meet all three criteria at their price points.
Turntable Stylus Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A turntable stylus is where the magic happens. From tip shape to tracking force, understand how your record needle works and why setup matters so much.
Common Slipmats Mistakes to Avoid
Most slipmats problems are caused by the same handful of mistakes. Here's what they are and how to fix them.
Vinyl Cleaner Kit: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Oliver Thompson cuts through the marketing to explain what actually matters when choosing a vinyl cleaner kit, from brush type to fluid formulation and collection size.
Dj Lighting Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The Best Vinyl Record Players for the Money
A DJ, a first-time buyer and a lifelong audiophile want genuinely different things. Here's the best vinyl record player for each situation.
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
