The Ultimate DJ/Producer Gift Guide

Posted by DJ Roodz on December 21, 2016

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Hey everyone! I can’t believe December is already upon us! This is honestly my favorite time of the year: from hot-chocolate-fueled studio sessions, to seeing the lights and decorations all over New York City, wintertime is simply beautiful. That is, after the overwhelming doom of final exams passes… *gulp*

Anyway, December is universally known as a season of giving, regardless of your spiritual preferences. For those of you with DJ’s and producers in the family, I’ve done you the favor of creating a few lists for the different types of DJs in your life. Feel free to mix and match to suit their hearts’ desires. And for those of you with DJ Girlfriends, check out these lists, courtesy of A La Keighla.

Let’s get started!

For Any DJ:

USB Cables | Flash Drives | Earplugs | RCA Cables

We’re gonna start small. Sometimes, especially with DJs, the most meaningful gifts aren’t the ones that are big, expensive, and flashy. If DJing was a meal, these items would be the utensils and napkins: while they’re small, they make a massive impact on the meal, especially if they go missing. With the constant here-and-there of a musician’s life, gear takes a toll. Stuff breaks, or gets left behind at the club, or even worse, “borrowed” by the guy before you. We really should know better and buy these things in bulk, but that’s why you’re here! Go the extra mile – wrap the cables in some funky tape, make a cool earplug case, or put a love letter on the flash drive. Believe me, we notice these things and it means so much.

For the Vinyl Enthusiast

Butter Rugs | Serato Vinyls | Needle Case | Cleaning Kit

Chances are, if you’re shopping for a Vinyl DJ, they can be rather…particular. They’re used to digging through loads of meh to find the “real” gems. So, it’s probably unwise to get them a new set of needles as a gift; needles and headshells are a very personal choice that reflect the DJ’s taste and playing style. Instead, consider replacing their slip mats (the piece of fabric that goes under the record on the turntable), or get them a new pair of vinyl records. Spend some time on eBay and find some cool, funky colored records that they don’t have in their collection. Don’t forget a cleaning kit to go with it! If you’re a DIY-type, buy a needle case and give it a cool, unique design, maybe with their logo on top!

For the Producer

MIDI Keyboard | Monitors | Headphones | External Hard Drive

If you’re shopping for a producer, gift shopping may get a little expensive. However, know that your gifts will be greatly appreciated! A miniature MIDI keyboard (maybe even with drum pads) would be perfect for throwing in your backpack to take outside the studio. If they’re still in college, give them a pair of monitor speakers for their dorm room. Monitors get LOUD, though, so a nice pair of headphones would be equally appreciated. I love my Technics 1250’s (check out my review of them here) for production as much as I do for DJing. External hard drives make the perfect stocking stuffer – music files are MASSIVE and it never hurts to have an extra! Sample packs always make great gifts!

For the DJ on the Go

Laptop Bag | Organizer | Earbuds | Carry On Cocktails | Camera

From the initial meeting with the club promoter, to the end of your set, impressions matter. So, it’s just as important to represent yourself well as it is to be technically skilled. Don’t let your DJ be the guy who fishes his laptop and hard drive out of a beat-up North Face! Get them a stylish and functional laptop bag, and a nice organizer for their cables, headphones, and hard drive. If they’re a long distance/touring DJ, a set of quality earbuds and a homemade toiletry kit would not go unappreciated. If they’re over 21, a carry-on cocktail kit would be a perfect gift for taking the edge off en route to the show! And, to document their adventures, a camera would be the perfect traveling companion! (Bonus points if it’s a Polaroid-style camera, so you can post your pictures on the fridge at home!).

I’ve included this handy graphic of some of the items I mentioned in this blog post – feel free to pin it to your Pinterest boards!