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
Dj Booth for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Staring at facades, flight cases and truss rigs and wondering what you actually need? Here's the genuinely simple version of getting started.
Sample Pad: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The right sample pad depends on how you use it. Here is a clear guide to the best options for live performance, studio production and beginners.
Phono Preamp: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Record Player for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Getting started with a record player is simpler than it looks once you understand the signal chain — turntable, phono stage, amplifier and speakers each have a clear role.
Common Usb Turntable Mistakes to Avoid
Digitising vinyl requires careful technique. Learn the mistakes that trip up beginners and how to create high-quality digital archives of your records.
Common Akai Mistakes to Avoid
From assuming standalone operation to over-quantizing everything, here are the Akai mistakes I see most often, and how to fix each one.
Common Vinyl Record Storage Mistakes to Avoid
Nobody sets out to wreck their own collection. It happens one small habit at a time, and every one of them is easy to fix once you spot it.
Numark Dj Controller: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Seventeen options and no obvious winner — this buyer's guide cuts through the Numark range and shows you exactly what to look for.
Roland Tr 909: A Complete Guide
The Roland TR series defined electronic music for decades. Discover their legendary sounds, how to use them, and why they remain essential today.
Vinyl Record Storage for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Your first records don't belong in a carrier bag on the floor. Here's how to keep a small collection safe without buying anything expensive.
Lighting Stand: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying the wrong lighting stand only shows up as a problem at the worst moment — here's how to get it right before you order.
Vinyl Cleaner Machine: A Complete Guide
A proper vinyl cleaner machine ends the guesswork of dish soap and prayer. Here's what these machines actually remove, and what they can never fix.
Dj Lighting: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Novation Circuit: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing between the Novation Circuit models comes down to whether you need external MIDI control, synthesis or sample-based production. Here is the breakdown of each version.
Everything You Need to Know About Lighting Stand
Unglamorous but genuinely essential — here's what's actually going on underneath the fixtures on a proper lighting stand.
Common Hercules Dj Controller Mistakes to Avoid
The same mistakes show up again and again. Here's what they are and how to stop making them.
Novation Circuit Tracks Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The Novation Circuit Tracks combines two polyphonic Nova synth tracks with four drum tracks and a 32-step sequencer in a battery-powered portable groovebox.
How to Set Up and Use Vinyl Cleaner Kit
Oliver Thompson walks through his own record-cleaning setup, from clearing the table to a full wet-clean routine and drying a record properly before it goes back in its sleeve.
Direct Drive Turntable for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A direct drive turntable is a precision instrument that rewards careful setup — here's everything a first-time owner needs to know to get it right from the start.
Dj Lighting for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Denon Dj for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Engine DJ does the heavy lifting before you ever touch a jog wheel. Here's the beginner-friendly workflow to get your first Denon DJ session right.
A Guide to Akai Mpc
Since 1988 the Akai MPC has gone from a boxy 12-bit sampler to a full standalone production system. Here's the story and the technology behind it.
Sp 404 for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The pads and the menus look intimidating from the outside. Here's a calm, step-by-step start with the SP-404 for a genuine first-timer.
The Best Akai Mpcs for the Money
There's no single best Akai MPC, only the right tier for your budget and workflow. Here's how the current range and the classics break down.
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
#
A
B
C
D
- 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
