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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Mpc Live 3 Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The MPC Live 3 is a genuinely different animal from the Live II — more processing power, 3D pad sensing and a proper standalone workflow without a laptop.
Pioneer Dj for Beginners: A Complete Guide
You don't need club-standard gear to start DJing. Here's what to actually buy first, and how to spend your first month building real skill.
Dj Decks Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Turntables, CDJs and controllers all fall under the same name. Here's what DJ decks actually are, how their controls work, and how the three formats compare.
Common Dj Lighting Mistakes to Avoid
Turntable for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Stable surface, correct tracking force and a good cartridge are the three things that matter most in the first setup — this guide covers each step clearly for new listeners.
Common Turntable Cartridge Mistakes to Avoid
Most vinyl disappointments trace back to a handful of avoidable setup mistakes. Here's what keeps going wrong with turntable cartridges — and what to do about it.
Bongo Drumming: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Wood or fibreglass, natural hide or synthetic heads, budget or professional: here is the plain-spoken guide to buying the right pair of bongos.
Bluetooth Turntable: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Common Dj Turntable Mistakes to Avoid
Most early DJ turntable mistakes are preventable. Here are the ones that cost beginners the most time, money and frustration — and how to avoid them.
Vinyl Album Cleaning Kit: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Kits love to list a big pile of accessories, but the number tells you nothing — here's what actually matters when you're buying one.
Beat Pad: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Standalone vs controller, pad size, sequencer depth and bundled software — here's how to work through the key decisions before buying.
How to Set Up and Use Vinyl Record Cleaning Machines
The machine matters less than the routine around it. Here's the exact step-by-step process worth following every single time.
The Best Sony Ps-lx310bts for the Money
It's one specific turntable, so here's where the genuine value actually sits — what to pair it with, what to spend on afterwards, and what to skip entirely.
Dj Turntable for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Learning to DJ on turntables is intimidating at first glance, but the core skills are cueing, beatmatching and mixing — and they come with practice. Here's where to start.
Turntable Cartridge: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The cartridge is where vinyl meets electricity — and where a sensible choice makes the biggest difference to your sound. Here is what the specs actually mean and where to spend your money.
Rekordbox: A Complete Buyer's Guide
What to check before you subscribe to rekordbox — your hardware, the right tier for how you DJ, and the mistakes worth avoiding.
How to Set Up and Use Dj Set
Got the gear? Here's exactly how to connect a DJ set, set your gains properly, and play your first clean mix without anything clipping or going silent.
Modular Synthesizer: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The case and power supply matter more than the flashy oscillator — here's what genuinely to budget for before buying a modular synthesizer.
Novation Circuit Tracks for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A step-by-step guide to getting started with the Novation Circuit Tracks — recording drums, programming synth lines, adjusting sounds with macros, and saving your work.
Pioneer Ddj Flx4 for Beginners: A Complete Guide
From unboxing to your first blend — a calm, step-by-step route through your first session on the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4.
The Best Dj Booths for the Money
Best for the money doesn't mean cheapest. Here's how the three real DJ booth price tiers break down, and which one actually suits how you work.
Vinyl Album Cleaning Kit for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A handful of records, a growing suspicion you should look after them properly — here's the patient, no-jargon place to start.
Akai Mpc: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying an Akai MPC comes down to one decision before any other: standalone unit or computer controller. Here's how to work through the rest.
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
