With the holiday shopping season in full swing, I thought I’d take a moment and highlight some great gift ideas for the DJ on your gift list. Whether the person you’re shopping for is a beginner DJ with dreams of becoming the next David Guetta, or a professional entertainer who already owns more sound equipment than he or she needs (we’re all guilty of this), these products are sure to please every DJ this season.
Under $100: Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series Headphones
I’ve been using these headphones since 1992, and they’re known throughout the broadcasting industry for their durability, portability, and most importantly, their great sound. While they don’t have the bulky appearance of “DJ” headphones made by companies like Pioneer and Denon, these Sony headphones are far more accurate musically, and they sound every bit as good as headphones costing hundreds of dollars more. Best features: The folding design that makes them easy to stow away in your gear bag, and the drawstring carrying bag that they come with. Priced below $75, these headphones are a great buy.
Under $200: Rock N Roller MultiCart Equipment Cart
Fact: DJs love to spend money on items that make noise or emit beams of multicolored light. DJs generally do not think about how to work smarter, which is why the Rock N Roller R8 MultiCart makes a perfect gift. With a 350-pound capacity and inflatable rubber tires, this really is the best way to get heavy DJ gear from your car into the venue without breaking a sweat (or your back). Best feature: The cart collapses to fit in even the most compact vehicles.
Under $400: Hercules DJ Console RMX Pro Control Surface with Audio Interface
Let’s face it: DJing with a laptop computer gives you tremendous flexibility, but having a hardware controller for your software absolutely turbocharges the whole experience. I like the Hercules DJ Console RMX Pro for a few reasons: First, it’s got a built-in multichannel sound card. Second, it’s compatible with a number of different DJ software programs. Third, it’s extremely portable, weighing in at just over 10 pounds. Why stand over your laptop and look like you’re typing when the Hercules DJ Console gives you so much more control of your music? With a little practice, you’ll wonder how you got by for so long without this.
Under $500: Tonium Pacemaker P666 Pocket-Sized DJ System
This is one of my favorite new products – it’s a full-featured DJ mixing system, and it fits in the palm of your hand. Meet the Pacemaker, the sole product made by Tonium. Featuring two independent mp3 player decks and a touch-sensitive crossfader, the Pacemaker is all your favorite DJ needs to rock the party anywhere, anytime. The Pacemaker’s got pitch control, looping, and a stable of powerful effects, all of which you can access with a swipe of your finger. I bought my Pacemaker in August, and in less than an hour I was up and running, mixing and blending my favorite songs the very same way I do with my computer-based DJ setup.
Over $1000: Numark NS7 DJ Turntable Controller with Serato ITCH Software
For the DJ who has everything (or almost everything), Numark’s NS7 DJ Turntable Controller will surely make them smile. Brand new in 2009, the NS7 was developed for use with ITCH, the newest program from the DJ software gurus at Serato. With motorized turntable platters and a built-in mixer as well as pre-mapped buttons and durable construction, this is currently one of the hottest DJ products on the market right now.
