DJs and producers — show us your setup

We keep showing you what we have, but now it's your turn. Show us your setup and tell us all about it.

Djs and producers show us your setup

Djs and producers show us your setup

While we will almost certainly will never be lumbered with the ball and chain that is a forum, they do have the occasional redeeming feature in among the circular and spiralling this vs that discussions, flame wars and the odd death threat. One such thing is the “show us your setup” thread, which gives readers the option to essentially get their metaphorical DJ genitalia out for all to see in a blaze of gear lust glory. And IKEA furniture too.

So seeing as we are all about DJ gear, it does seem like a rather good idea to have a similar thing on DJWORX. I’ve created this story to act as a base for it, but I’ll add a small banner to the site, where you’ll be able to share your pimped out cupboard, den, man-cave or capacious studio in the comments. Obviously post a picture, but please do add a description of what you’ve shoehorned into your command centre.

I’ve done this for a number of reasons:

  • We’re interested in the diversity of gear being used out there.
  • We’d love to show that the term “DJ” now has a wider definition that every before.
  • There’s a lot of inspiration to be gleaned from sharing your gear setup and workspace with the DJWORX community.

Djs and producers show us your setup

I’ll get things going, but it’s not really a very good example as it changes on a weekly basis:

What I’m trying to create is a fluid performance space, were I can quickly change what I’ve got set up and swap it out for something else depending in who is passing through. Having turned the tables around to face down the studio, it feels much more like a performance space, but does require more sound and light to really work. I’m slowly buying pieces of furniture that fit with the Victorian mill feeling in the studio, hence the somewhat battered metal shelves. It’s as if they were made for DJ gear.

Djs and producers show us your setup

What I really want is a truly modular setup that I can move around the studio as I see fit, ideally on wheels but still rock solid. It also needs to have very neat cabling, without the excessive number of extensions plugged into extensions and cables trailing across the floor. While I could knock up something with IKEA parts, I want something a little more distinctive and unique so that the studio builds its own image, and so that I don’t have to work with the limitations of having to make things fit in with IKEA’s products. Lots of scribbling in Moleskine notebooks with lots of pound signs right now. Gulp.

Over To You

Your turn — show us your setup, and importunity tell us why you’re using particular equipment, but also tell us why you have it arranged the way you do. Don’t be shy… you can add pictures with the icon at the bottom left of the comments box. Share your workspace with the DJWORX readers. And if you have before and after shots as well, that would give a great deal of context to where you are now.

 

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Mark Settle
Mark Settle

The old Editor of DJWORX - you can now find Mark at WORXLAB

Articles: 1228

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146 Comments

    • do you have a good mapping for the SSX with traktor? or the viper one? because on that the jogs are not that good for scratching and i’m curious if somebody figured it out.

      • I have my own mapping but I don’t scratch at all. also just made the switch to Mixvibes Cross as it much more DJ friendly :D not alot of extrast and I’ve mainly been using 2 decks for the last year.

  8. Old/original setup: Numark BattlePak (DM950 mixer and I think 2x TT1625’s turntables) with Sony MDR-V500’s. Traktor Scratch Pro v1 was added when they had that sale a few years ago. Gear was purchased Q3 2007 – I distinctly remember the weird looks I was getting on the train hauling this huge box on the train back home. ^_^

    New setup: Native Instruments Kontrol Z2 mixer, 2x Stanton STR8-150 turntables, and currently Audio Technica ATH-M50 headphones. Also seen is an Asus G74 laptop, and Traktor Scratch Pro v2.6. New setup was purchased end of January 2013.

    Planned upgrades: Dedicated desktop computer (Laptop is nice and all, but I don’t go out with this gear (and no plans to do such), so a dedicated desktop just works better for me, and doesn’t take up table top space), two Kontrol F1’s, and Pioneer HDJ-2000’s. Odds are a Maschine mk II will probably work it’s way into this setup as well.

    Reasoning behind the current gear: Back in 2006, I used to regularly visit a record store in Calgary, AB (Canada) called Phonics, and the main listening deck they had at the time was a Stanton ST-150 if I remember correctly. Loved the look and feel of it, as well as the fact it came from a long and distinguished heritage, not to mention that it was heavier than most masony bricks. Additionally, even before being officially discontinued, they were $200 CAD each less expensive than the Technics M5G’s, so price was a bit of a factor.

    I finally chose the Kontrol Z2 after several months of deciding back and before between it and the Allen&Heath Xone:92, mainly on a few key factors: price (the Xone:92 was $600 CAD more at the time), the fact I only really every use two channels, and the extra perks the Z2 comes with. I’ve been wanting to experiment with things like hot cues as well as the remix decks, and the Z2 has the option to do just that. The review of the Z2 here at DJWorx pretty much sealed the deal for me, since it answered a lot of the questions I originally had when the mixer first came out (not to mention the fact I knew I would be buying this mixer “blind” without getting to feel it in person first). On top of all of this, I’ve been steadily switching over to DVS entirely, because if I inadvertently destroy a control record due to inexperience or trying out something new, I don’t feel bad as they’re replaceable.

  9. Here’s my current setup: space is at a premium so i don’t have space for both decks. I’m using my VCI380 for most gigs now anyways. I have my 1210mk5 and PMC 05proiv left setup for recording scratches for our productions.
    When not set like this i use the 380 as the master mixer and have my tts seup either side of that running serato as well.

  10. Here’s my setup, DJM850, X1, Technics 1210s MK2s, KRK RP5s. Headphones are HDJ2000s and I gig with an A6. Production wise I just use the KRKs, my A6 as my soundcard and an Acorn Masterkey 25. Reasons for the DJM850 is the built in soundcard I like to leave the A6 in my gig bag unless I need it for producing with so it’s all nice and easy to plug up and play. Technics are great, and the DJM850 lets me work on scratching etc to an extent. The KRKs were great value for money and versatile without breaking the bank. I would like to get some CDJ900s/850s as that’s what I tend to gig on but the Technics work, and I’d miss playing my small vinyl collection now and again. Laptop wise I gig with a 13″ Macbook Pro and produce on a 17″ one which is also my personal computer!

    • Nice setup! I was wondering what type of music you spin. The vertical array of your technics looks like hip hop / black music but the DJM is no typical mixer for that genre.

      • Thanks! Yeh I play a bit of everything, mainly the housey end of the spectrum tech/deep house to commercial big room stuff but then also more urban stuff depends on the gig hence the DJM as I’d usually run into one or a Xone 62 so I find it helps to have a less scratch friendly setup – although the DJM is perfectly scratchable to an extent :)

        • Sorry if I used the wrong term. “Black music” is often used in germany for the type of music that you might call “urban” (it has no racist connotation, though!) :)

      • I went with it for a few reasons myself… Takes up less space, and it’s harder for me to inadvertantly bump the tonearm with my own hands with it at the back instead of on the side. Also, it looks neater (in my opinion), if that counts.

  12. A few versions of my setup this year…

    4 Vestax PDX-2000’s
    Stanton SK2-F w/ Innofader
    Vestax 06 Pro (Black) w/ Innofader
    Traktor Audio 10 interface
    X1 Kontrol w/ midi mapping to emulate original mapping but for C/D (2 x1’s in one essentially)
    Korg KP3

  13. MacBook Pro 13″ 2.7 i7
    2 Technics 1210 Mk2
    1 Numark TTx Usb
    Rane TTM57 sl
    Vestax PMC 06
    Korg KP3
    Electrix Mo-FX
    Boss RC50
    Boss FS-6
    Proel PFS-22
    Akai APC20
    Akai MPD32
    Akai LPD8
    Roland PC-300
    M-Audio Audiophile Firewire
    2 KRK Rp5

    Vestax Handy-trax (Black)

  15. i guess i need to clean up.

    mine is also ever changing… in fact this past week has seen a new portable table with height adjustment that i’ve spent the weekend testing for scratch-worthiness (it did rather well at mid-height, just tall enough to work with flight cases and a bridge… but i’m also short). also i just received in a new Z2, and it’s been quickly crammed into place.. and other mixers pulled out. needless to say, it’s a big wiry mess right now.

    lately i’ve considered chopping up my big 4ft x 8ft surface into 4 smaller tabletops, and building something with locking casters. it would be nice to stash unused gear off to the side, and be able to only bring out what’s needed…

    well, i will do my best to tidy up enough to get some shots in (believe that there will be tons of clutter strategically placed just outside of the viewable area).

  16. 2x Technics SL1210M5G
    2x Pioneer CDJ-2000
    1x Denon DN-S3700
    1x Pioneer DJM-2000
    1x Stanton DJF-1
    2x NI Kontrol X1
    1x NI Kontrol F1
    NI Traktor Scratch Pro 2
    15″ MacBook Pro
    2x KRK Rokit 8
    Sennheiser HD-25

  17. My setup evolved over time, and when I moved into a loft space I went a step further and added in some lighting for the full effect.

    I’m a big fan of the spacious, smooth classic style rotaries. My mixing is more mix-style rather than highly technical or turntablism, but I do use Traktor for subtle effects and looping.

    DJ Gear:
    – DJ Booth by http://dualsf.com
    – 2 Technics SL-1200 MG5 turntables w/Shure whitelabel carts
    – 2 Pioneer CDJ-2000 Nexus’s
    – Rane MP2016s + XP 2016s rotary mixer
    – Rane ME15s EQ
    – American Audio dbDisplay LED meter
    – 2 KRK Rokkit RP6 Gen 2 Monitors
    – Macbook Pro 13″, i7 2.4GHz
    – NI Traktor Scratch Pro 2.0
    – 2 NI Kontrol X1 controllers

    Lighting:
    – ShowCad Artist 3 DMX Console
    – 8 Chauvet Colorband Tri LED strips
    – 4 Chauvet Q-Spot 260 moving heads
    – 3 Chauvet Colorstrip Mini LED strips
    – 1 Chauvet Colorband Tri LED strip

  18. This is a picture of my setup.

    You can see:

    – 2x Technics 1210 Mk. II with Ortofon Elektro
    – Allen & Heath x:one 22
    – Audio Technica ATH M50 Headphones
    – Sherman Restyler Analogue Performance Filter
    – Hercules DJ Trim 4&6 Audio Interface used together with Mixxx Open Source DJ Software as a DVS with Traktor-Vinyls
    – Redsound Soundbite Micro Sampler/MIDI-Sync

  19. Current “DJ” rig. Use it for beating on pads MPC style, Playing some keys, Looped scratch beats, Actual dj mixing (mostly ragga jungle/dnb), and a combo of all that mashed together.

    CDX
    NOX404
    CDJ-700s
    Various effects pedals (wah, delay, etc)
    JamMan Solo XT loop pedal
    Kontrol49 hooked up to Reason/Studio One
    Splitters and a small Yamaha mixer bringing it all together

    About to add a Traktor setup to it with the 1200s I’ve got layin around.

  20. This is a picture of my setup.

    You can see:

    – 2x Technics 1210 Mk. II with Ortofon Elektro
    – Allen & Heath x:one 22
    – Audio Technica ATH M50 Headphones
    – Sherman Restyler Analogue Performance Filter
    – Hercules DJ Trim 4&6 Audio Interface
    – Redsound Soundbite Micro Sampler/MIDI-Sync

    I mainly mix 100% analogue but from time to time I use the audiointerface together with Mixxx (www.mixxx.org) as a DVS with Traktor timecode vinyls.

    As a hipster-bonus i recently added a UHER Variocord 293 tape-machine ;-) for recording my mixing sessions and adding an additional retro feeling.

    My next investment will be a bigger mixer because right now i need a lot of replugging when changing betweet different stlyes of DJing (analogue/digital) ;-)

  21. wow some gear whores on here, and ive never seen so many responses in such a small space of time, guess people like showing off their bling:)

    this is my setup evolving over time, starting at my parents house, then moving to my house, then when i moved in with my girlfriend and finally my latest purchase, a controller to use whilst djing out, ignore the vestax decks in the first pic, ive always had techs but me and a mate swapped for a bit just to try out the other side so to speak

  22. My setup:
    – Allen & Heath XONE DB2
    – 2x Denon SC2900
    – 13″ 2010 MBP
    – NI Audio10
    – linksys WRT54G router
    – behringer 212D

    I alternate between Traktor Pro 2, denon’s engine and USB depending on the situation. Used to be traktor only, that’s what I learnt on a few years back. Did the CDJ850’s for a while but really wasn’t a fan. Love this setup though.

      • I would highly recommend the SC2900’s. They are better than my old CDJ850s in every way, and same goes for the CDJ900s. There’s a lot I prefer on them even to the 2000’s which I’ve used extensively in clubs (mainly, the jog feels way better) except for obviously the screen. And x1600 vs DB2… well they are completely different beasts. The DB2 is on sale at moog right now for about the same as the x1600 so no brainer there unless you primarily use traktor as the x1600 is traktor cert and seems to handle lower latencies. If you’re on djforums check out my DB2 review, I explain in detail the differences between the DB2 and x1600 (which I used to own.)

        • Excellent. That’s what I’ve heard about the SC 2900’s – People are often drawn to Pioneer branding but this offers superior functions for a lower price point. I will check out the djforums review – thank you for your input. Cheers.

  23. My setup:

    2 Technics SL MKII K
    Mixer Rane 62
    Maschine MKII
    Macbook White (Runing Scratch Live – Serato Video + Maschine)

    the only problem with this setup is that I have to take it to all the events in which I play, it is very difficult to find turntables in the events here in Brazil, so i have to carry more weight, but worth it. always.

  24. This is my current playground but working on deck upgrades at the moment. Torn between CDJ2000’s Nexus and Denon 3900’s. I am very used to the full pallet of Denon controls and features which don’t easily map across the Pioneers. It’s a matter of preference in the end…

  25. There’s a few things here I’d probably replace if I had the money, but not really due to need- just want.
    2x Stanton t.120s (had these for about 5 years, after buying them second hand) – I wanted ST.150s but happened to find these quite cheap, which at the time was a huge bonus. Still yet to ever have an issue with them.
    1x Stanton C.324- An example of ‘drink ebaying’ – found this about to end for next to nothing and thought it would be good to have a CD player to experiment with.
    1x Rane Empath – This is relatively new, I didn’t have a 3ch before so the CD player was on an aux channel- much prefer having a full channel.

    All running through an SL-3, white macbook.
    Bits a pieces are Two crane stands, Whitelabel carts, HD25s, Road ready coffin (wish I’d got single cases now- the idea was to not have to wire up each time, but damn it’s heavy)

    Most of my equipment has just been gradually collected up over time as I get the urge to try something, there are also a few mixers stacked behind the table in this picture.

  26. My set-up consist the Technics SLDZ 1200, SL1200, Elcer Nuno Mixer, Allen & Heath Xzone 1D, with a Modded Torq box running Deckadance 1.9 with a Macbook Pro 2.4 duo it is part of my studio lab

  27. It’s very basic. 2x 1200s. 1x Rane 56. 1x Chiweenie.

    I use this gear because it’s rock solid and can handle constant traveling. Although I would like to add fun toys eventually, maybe even a traktor z2 or ttm62, this minimal setup forces me to stay more focused on music selection rather than fancy effects.

    Placed against the wall in my little Santa Barbara studio to maximize space.

  28. – Numark 4Trak
    – Maschine MK1
    – Kontrol X1
    – M Audio Axiom 25
    – Traktor Audio 10 with Scrathch Pro 2
    – M Audio BX8 D2 monitors
    – Numark Pro tt-2 turntables
    – Numark X5 mixer
    – Sennheiser HD-25

  31. Urei 1620le, Urei 1603, Vestax DFG X2, Audio 6, SL4, Technics 1210mk2, KRK Rokit 6, Pioneer DDJ SX.

    True ‘Plug n Play’ setup where everything is connected using my own custom built multicore to allow complete flexibility without having to mess with swapping cables. Everything feeds through the rotary to the krks.

    The decks connect direct to the rotary for that simple analogue set-up.
    With a single switch, the desks re-route to both the 1603 and Audio 6 (installed permanently in the box under the laptop) or I can setup the SL4 (normally stays in my gig bag).

    Switching to the SX is a simple matter of changing the usb at the laptop side.

    If I’m out playing then it’s either:
    Serato, SL4 + vinyl or
    Traktor + MC3000

  44. Traktor pro 2
    Maschine running in sync for loops/remixing on the fly
    Allen & Heath xone 92 rotary mixer
    Allen & Heath xone k2 x2 (cue points/transport/loops)
    15″ MBP quad core to handle all the processing

    This setup really covers all my needs, only thing I can really add on would be a pair of technics. Maybe in the near future when I have some funds available!

  47. One of many set-ups I have, the other systems replicate this one, but use older / cheaper equipment.

    SL12 Mk5’s x 2
    Pioneer DJM-T1
    Denon SC-2000 x 2
    Numark 4TRAK
    NI Kontrol S4
    Pioneer RMX-1000

    Monitoring near-field by warfdale with KEF crossovers and cones

    PA powered by inuke 4000 x 4
    Custom speakers to big to be in the house (10KW)

  48. My 2 Systems
    _______________
    1) Pioneer DDj Sx
    2) Citronics Mpcd X3
    1) Pioneer Hdj 1500
    1 Pair of Numark M40
    1) Akai LPD8
    2) Reloop Contour IE
    1) Traktor Kontrol F1
    1) American Audio HP 500
    1) Behringer Nox 606

  49. DJM 800
    2x Technics 1210mk2
    2x CDJ 1000mk3
    Traktor Kontrol X1
    Traktor Audio 6
    Magma SwitchBox v.2

    DJM 900
    2x CDJ 2000
    Traktor Kontrol S4
    Traktor Audio 6

  50. Very happy with my current setup…

    A&H Xone 92

    2 x Pioneer CDJ 2000

    2 x Technics TT (1210 M3D + 1200 Mk2)

    Pair of KRK VXT 6

    Pair of KRK VXT 4 (booth)

    KRK 10S

    KRK ERGO

    Apogee Duet 2 and breakout box – MUST HAVE

    Boss Digital delay (Xone send/return)

    Traktor Audio 10

    Traktor Kontrol S2

    Project Pre box S preamp with remote control

    Sennheiser HD 25 Aluminiums

    Sennheiser IE80’s

    A&H Xone XD2-53

    Beyerdynamic DT880 PRO’s

    Custom made Dex DJ stand – powder coated in black

    … Keeps me busy.

  51. Very happy with my current setup…

    A&H Xone 92

    2 x Pioneer CDJ 2000

    2 x Technics TT (1210 M3D + 1200 Mk2)

    Pair of KRK VXT 6

    Pair of KRK VXT 4 (booth)

    KRK 10S

    KRK ERGO

    Apogee Duet 2 and breakout box – MUST HAVE

    Boss Digital delay (Xone send/return)

    Traktor Audio 10

    Traktor Kontrol S2

    Project Pre box S preamp with remote control

    Sennheiser HD 25 Aluminiums

    Sennheiser IE80’s

    A&H Xone XD2-53

    Beyerdynamic DT880 PRO’s

    Custom made Dex DJ stand – powder coated in black

    … Keeps me busy.

  55. Recently modified my home setup! here’s a before and after + a pic of my customised Technics…

    Technics SL-1200mkII Turntable x6
    Technics SL-DZ1200 CD Turntable
    Technics SH-MZ1200 Mixer
    KRK Rockit5 G3 Monitors
    Akai APC-20
    Pioneer DDJ-SP1
    Denon DN-HC1000s
    Vestax VFX-1
    Novation Dicers
    Ortofon Serato S-120 Cartridge & Stylus x4
    Rane SL4 Interface
    Sennheiser HD 25-1 II
    Macbook Pro 13″

  56. i do apologize in advance for an off subject question but, what is that 4 channel Vestax mixer on your shelf; the one with the single xlr output? im searching for three hour now and cannot find anything

  57. 1x RANE SL3
    2x STANTON STR8-150
    1x PIONEER DJM-T1
    1x NOVATION TWITCH
    2x BEHRINGER EUROLIVE B12D

    LENOVO x220 Tablet
    2.7 GHz Core i7 2620M Intel
    16GB DDR3 SDRAM
    128GB SSD (Internal, OS)
    320GB HDD (Internal, Storage)
    Windows 8.1

    Using SCRATCH LIVE as SDJ doesn’t work with the DJM-T1 yet :(

    Table is made up from a book shelf I found at IKEA that had the option of coming with the castor wheels also the table top I found in IKEA. perfect hight :-D must give a shout out to “Google image search” I searched “DJ table setup” and found some one else had done the exact same setup with IKEA item so I went shopping online in the IKEA website and found all the items :-D cost about $300 but looks mint!

  59. 2 Technics M5G
    1 Rane 62
    1 Serato DJ & Scratch Live
    1 13 Macbook Pro
    2 Serato Slipmats & Stones Throw Records

    I want a Akai Mpd 18 Or Lpd to set off more effects but will see…

  61. Here is my setup – The Hollow Triangles
    Re-Loop 2000 Turntables x2
    Numark x6 mixer
    Traktor X1
    Fader Fox DJ1
    Traktor Pro 2
    Serato DJ
    Mixcross DVS
    Ableton 9 Full
    Novation Remote
    M-Audio Trigger Finger Pro 2
    Line6 Pod, Joyo British Distortion & Analogue Delay

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