DJ Music

As a keen traveller and an avid DJ and DJ music fan, there are some must have items I always bring with me on my travels, particularly those where I know I’ll be DJing to a crowd. Before we go on I have to mention I DJ on a Laptop, partly because its easier to travel with and partly cause its far more flexible. So my list is really a bit bias to DJs who DJ on a laptop.

10. The Laptop- and DJing software, for me this is the heart of my DJ setup, with out it there is no DJing to be had, with the exception of my Pacemaker (when it ever arrives). The Laptop I take for DJing on is a Black Macbook, which is fantastic as it ticks all the boxes for a DJ on the go in terms of specs as well as costs. In terms of software, I have Tracktor, Ableton and the Pacemaker Editor setup, iTunes and beatport, and with internet I have access to Splice as well, not all or for DJing with, some are just for fun and to tickle my creativity

9. Headphones- especially on a flight, they not only help me sleep, but help when I’m working on a mix on the plane, my session DJ headphones re Technics RP DJ1210, there are pretty much the Farrai of DJ headphones.

8. ear protection- a definite must have, when you’re a DJ your ears are your livelihood, it makes sense to take good care of them and the first step is to have ear plus, after nights at clubs your ears can suffer serious damage, so its worth investing in some pro-earplug, when you’re in a club if you’re not DJing, keep them in.

7. Midi controller, after much deliberation, I decided on the monome controller, which you’ll have to hunt down, its ideal for the style of DJing i do, and works as a sample bank, midi controller and is stylish and small enough to fit in my DJ bag.

6. Lacie 500GB Big Disk, external hard drive, this is the monster truck of DJ music storage. I literally carry every record and album I own in this monster, naturally I have a back up at home too, definitely worth getting.

5. Road Ready GSMIXMC Gigskinz Bag, this is a great bag for travelling with, comfortable, carrys virtually all my important DJ gear, spare set of undies, travel documents and books for the flight.

4. Backups of all my software, definitely a must, usually I’ll bring the CDs of tracks I know for sure I’m going to use.

3. Portable recorder, I have an iTalk Pro and an iPod to do this, I always have a note book on me (and pen), mobile phone I’m using a HTC Ted Baker that doubles as a calender, phone, diary and note pad all in one, travel doc- not to be forgotten, spare undies, trust me when your flight gets delayed by 24 hours you’ll want them, sleeping tablets for the long haul, water (lots of it), business cards.

2. Locks, DJ equipment is expensive, and there’s nothing worse than getting it stolen, I also have DJ insurance for the key bits.

1. Pacemaker- this will pretty much replace my iPod, and is my new toy, its still pending but hey you know when you’re onto a good thing. This item of my DJ kit could potentially lighten my DJing load even more, and when you’re travelling light is a good thing

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