If you hang around the electronic music scene long enough, there is a very high chance that you’ve inevitably become friends with some aspiring DJs or even some producers who are rising stars. With the holiday season here already, we’ve found some great gifts for the DJ or producer in your life that they’ll surely love!
Make sure to get your orders in soon so your gifts will arrive in time for the holidays!
Start them off with the perfect controller as they launch their career as a DJ!
Has your friend expressed interest in starting their career as a DJ but doesn’t have a controller yet? If you’re looking to get them a solid gift for this holiday season then that may be the perfect gift!
Kick off their career with the Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB2, which supports Serato and features jog-wheel tension that is similar to CDJs so they won’t be too lost when taking the stage at a club. If they already use Rekordbox you can grab the DDJ-RB model instead!
Additionally, if Traktor is the system that they want to live within a solid pick there would be the Traktor Kontrol S2 MK2 DJ Controller. Coming in at $400 it is still a budget pick for those who reside within the Native Instruments family.
A mid-level controller to upgrade their setup and get them into the groove!
Has your friend who DJs been using some old, outdated equipment lately? Want to get them to the next level of DJing? Getting them a mid-level controller would be a perfect choice this holiday season!
Pictured above, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-SR2 is a great choice for artists who are currently using Serato and is the next step up from the previously mentioned DDJ-SB2. Those who are using Rekordbox will want to make the jump to DDJ-RR instead, as it exclusively uses that management program.
Already living in the Native Instruments World? Upgrade their experience by jumping from the starter Kontrol S2 to the sleek Kontrol S4 MK2 which will run in the same price range as the Pioneer setups at $700.
Help them hear their bangers with a pair of quality studio monitors!
Nothing is worse than producing a track from your laptop only to listen to it on a pair of quality speakers and find out it sounds like trash. Your friend who DJs will thank you tremendously once you get them a pair of monitors for their bedroom studio that will let them hear every sound, crisp and clean as ever. The pair of Pioneer DJ DM-40 pictured above is a great, affordable start at only $129.
If you’re looking for some monitors that are a bit more on the high end, we recommend grabbing the KRK RP5G3-NA Rokit 5 Generation 3 Powered Studio Monitors for an extra added punch of sound quality. This pair of monitors comes highly recommended, and while it will effectively double the price at $300, the DJ in your life will be thanking you for them for some time to come!
Headphones for the studio and when they’re behind the decks are important!
The number one accessory that nearly every DJ we have spoken with needs is a pair of quality headphones. Whether they are on stage performing or in the studio recording new beats, these are a crucial element to their careers. Normally at $150 but currently slashed down to $99, we highly recommend grabbing a pair of these Shure SRH750DJ Headphones. Not only is the sound quality fantastic, but they also feature a 50mm neodymium driver that is optimized for DJ mixing.
Not “shure” you want to grab those headphones? We also recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x which are great for in-studio work and come with a carrying case at a solid price of $148. Additionally, the Sony MDR7506‘s are at an unreal price right now at just $79.99 with qualifying orders.
Extra earplugs are the gift that keeps on giving to protect their hearing long-term!
Whether you’re attending shows or behind the decks, it is highly important that your hearing is protected in loud environments. Give the gift of hearing protection to your favorite DJ and show them how important their safety is to you.
For those looking to purchase good quality earplugs at a reasonable price, we recommend EarPeace. If you’re looking for something with a bit more protection, we love ACS Customs, and so do many artists like Armin van Buuren, ZEDD, Deadmau5, and more.
At a slightly lower price point, Etymotics are the perfect stocking stuffer if you’re short on cash. They are a bit pricier, but will keep your hearing protected for years to come!
Give them a quality backpack to carry their gear to gigs and while on tour!
Traveling long distances and playing gig after gig means that DJs need to be able to carry their crucial gear in a convenient fashion. Giving the artist plenty of pockets for everything from their laptop to headphones, the Odyssey Backspin 2 is a great choice for the DJ on the go.
Another great pick for the DJ who is in dire need of a new backpack would be the SlappaMask Jedi. This bag is both “checkpoint friendly” and features a strong outer material so that the contents inside are safe and sound. Also, pick the proper backpack where they can put their foldable mattress along with flashlights for emergency rest. It’s a long night, my friend.