Gifts for DJs and Music Producers
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $25 to $100 and up
- 9 niche picks
Good gifts for DJs are gear for the booth and the bedroom: a two-deck controller, closed-back DJ headphones, a laptop stand or a controller cover. For vinyl DJs, try slipmats or a turntable. For producers, add studio monitors or a MIDI keyboard. These 20 ideas cover DJs and music producers.
Quick picks
- Best overall: A two-deck DJ controller A two-channel controller that suits beginners and house parties. Idea 1
- Best if they have everything: A Decksaver cover for the controller A fitted cover that keeps dust and drinks off the jog wheels. Idea 7
- Best under $25: Technics slipmats Official Technics-branded slipmats for vinyl DJs. Idea 10
- Best splurge: A direct-drive turntable A direct-drive turntable with pitch control for vinyl DJs. Idea 9
- Best for producers: A two-input audio interface A two-input interface for a small home studio. Idea 13
The best gifts for DJs make a set easier to play, carry and protect: headphones, a stand, a cover and something to keep a library on. Producers get their own section, because their studio gear overlaps with a DJ's but isn't the same.
The ideas are grouped into DJ gear, protecting and carrying a controller, vinyl, and a producer's studio. For a DJ who also plays an instrument, Gifts for Drummers has more music ideas.
Ideas 1 to 6
DJ gear gifts for bedroom and club DJs
Controllers, headphones and booth essentials.
1. A two-deck DJ controller
The DDJ-FLX4 is Pioneer DJ's entry two-channel controller and works with rekordbox and Serato DJ Lite, so it suits a beginner or a bedroom DJ and stays useful at house parties. It is a big gift for someone ready to start mixing. Check what software and laptop they have.
Tip: Check their laptop can run rekordbox or Serato DJ Lite.
2. Closed-back DJ headphones
The Sennheiser HD 25 is an on-ear DJ headphone known for isolation and durability, and the PLUS bundle adds spare cables and pads, so it suits a DJ who cues in loud rooms. It suits a DJ playing in clubs or bars more than home listening. Ask whether they already own a pair.
Tip: Check whether they already own a pair of DJ headphones.
3. A DJ laptop stand
A DJ laptop stand raises a laptop over the controller and folds flat for the bag, a staple in DJ booths. It suits a DJ who plays from a laptop and wants the screen at eye level. Check the stand supports their laptop size. It folds flat, so it also works for a DJ who travels between gigs with a backpack or a roller bag.
Tip: Check it supports their laptop size and gear.
4. A fast USB drive for club sets
Club DJs bring their library on USB, and a fast drive loads tracks quickly on club players. It suits a DJ who plays out on club gear rather than a laptop. A 128GB drive holds a large library of tracks. Ask whether they already use USB or a laptop.
Tip: Ask whether they play from USB before you buy.
5. Earplugs for the booth
Reusable earplugs lower club volume evenly while keeping the music clear enough to mix, which suits a DJ who plays loud rooms. They are small enough for a pocket or a gig bag. A thoughtful small gift for a DJ who plays regularly. They are reusable, so one pair can go in a gig bag and last through a long run of gigs in loud clubs and bars.
Tip: A small add-on that fits a pocket or bag.
6. DJ desktop monitors
Pioneer DJ's DM-40D are compact active speakers made for practicing at home with a controller, so they suit a bedroom DJ who is using laptop speakers. They sit on a desk beside the controller. Check the desk space and the controller's outputs. They are made for practicing with a controller, so a bedroom DJ gets more than laptop speakers.
Tip: Check desk space and the controller's output ports.
Ideas 7 to 8
Gifts to protect and carry a controller
Covers and cases for a DDJ-FLX4 controller.
7. A Decksaver cover for the controller
A fitted, tough lid keeps dust and spilled drinks off the jog wheels and faders between sets, which suits a DJ who already owns a DDJ-FLX4. It is a niche gift for someone who has everything else. It fits the FLX4 only, so check their controller first.
Tip: It fits the DDJ-FLX4 only; check their controller.
8. A hard case for the controller
A padded hard case lets a DJ carry the controller to gigs without dings, which suits a DJ who plays out. It is made for the DDJ-FLX4. Check the model fits before ordering, and pair it with the cover for a full protection set. It makes a good pair with the controller cover, though the cover is for desk use and the case is for travel.
Tip: Check the case fits their controller model.
Ideas 9 to 12
Vinyl gifts for DJs
Turntables and accessories for vinyl DJs and collectors.
9. A direct-drive turntable
The AT-LP120XUSB is a direct-drive deck with pitch control and a USB output for digitizing vinyl, a solid start for a DJ moving to vinyl. It suits someone who already collects records. It is a bigger purchase, so it fits a milestone gift. The USB output also lets a collector digitize records they already own.
Tip: Ask whether they already own a turntable.
10. Technics slipmats
Fresh slipmats let records spin freely for scratching and cueing, and a Technics-branded mat nods to the classic 1200. They suit vinyl DJs. Check the listing to see whether it is a pair or a single mat before you order. A set is a low-cost add-on to a turntable gift, and a stocking-size present for a record collector.
Tip: Check the listing for a pair or a single mat.
11. A DJ cartridge
Ortofon's Concorde MK2 DJ is a scratch-ready cartridge with a built-in headshell, so swaps take seconds, which suits a turntablist or a scratch DJ. It comes as a twin pack. Check that their turntable has a standard S-shaped tonearm. It is a specialist swap for a turntablist, so it suits a DJ who already has a deck and wants a new sound.
Tip: Check their turntable has a standard S-shaped tonearm.
12. An anti-static record brush
A carbon-fiber brush pulls dust off records before each play, which keeps crackle down and needles cleaner. It suits vinyl DJs and collectors. It is a small, practical gift that goes with a turntable or a record bag. It is light and low-cost, so it fits in a record bag or crate and goes with any turntable gift.
Tip: Pair with a turntable or record bag for a vinyl set.
Ideas 13 to 20
Gifts for music producers
Studio gear and books for producers.
13. A two-input audio interface
The Scarlett 2i2 records a mic or synth and runs studio monitors, the core of a small producer setup. It suits a producer starting a home studio. It connects by USB-C, so check their computer ports. It is a good base for a home studio, so a producer can add a mic or a synth later on.
Tip: Check their computer has a USB-C port.
14. Studio monitors
Yamaha's HS5 monitors have a flat, honest sound that shows mix problems instead of flattering them, which suits a producer who mixes on headphones only. They are sold individually, so buy two for a pair. A bigger purchase for a producer building a studio. Because they are sold one at a time, plan on buying two, and ask whether the producer has stands in mind.
Tip: Sold as a single speaker: buy two for a pair.
15. Monitor isolation stands
Isolation stands lift and angle desk monitors toward the ears and stop the desk from buzzing along. They suit a producer whose monitors sit flat on the desk. Sizes vary, so match the stand to the monitor. They are a small upgrade rather than a main gift, so they pair well with a set of studio monitors.
Tip: Match the stand size to their monitors.
16. A mini MIDI keyboard
A 25-key controller with assignable knobs fits on a desk and controls any DAW, and the MPK Mini IV is the current model of a common first producer keyboard. It suits a producer clicking notes in with a mouse. Check their software works with USB MIDI.
Tip: Check their DAW works with USB MIDI controllers.
17. A grid controller for Ableton
The Launchpad Mini's grid of pads launches clips and loops in Ableton Live, a fast way to sketch tracks and perform them. It suits a producer who uses Ableton Live. It is a niche pick, so check which software they use. It plugs in over USB and is small enough for a desk, so it fits a bedroom studio as well as a live setup.
Tip: Check they use Ableton Live before buying.
18. A pocket sampler
The PO-33 K.O! is a calculator-sized sampler and sequencer that makes beats anywhere, a fun gift for a producer who already has the big gear. It is a small, quirky pick rather than a main instrument. A good surprise for someone who has everything. It is calculator-sized, so a producer can sketch beats away from the desk.
Tip: A fun extra for a producer who has the big gear.
19. Studio headphones for mixing
The ATH-M50x is a closed-back studio headphone for tracking and checking mixes, with detachable cables, which suits a producer working late at night. Ask whether they already own a pair. They give a producer a second place to check a mix, and the detachable cable makes a replacement easy.
Tip: Ask whether they already own studio headphones.
20. Making Music
Making Music collects 74 strategies for getting unstuck when writing electronic music, and they work in any DAW. It suits a producer with folders of unfinished loops. It reads as a creative nudge more than a software manual. It suits a producer with unfinished tracks piling up, and it is easy to pick up in short sessions.
Tip: Works in any DAW, so no software check needed.
Frequently asked questions
What are good gifts for DJs?
A two-deck DJ controller, closed-back DJ headphones, a laptop stand and a fast USB drive suit DJs who mix at home or play out. A fitted controller cover and a hard case protect the gear. Vinyl DJs will like slipmats or a cartridge.
What are good gifts for beginner DJs?
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 is an entry two-channel controller that works with rekordbox and Serato DJ Lite. Add desktop monitors, a pair of closed-back DJ headphones and a cover. Check the laptop and software they have before you buy a controller.
What are good gifts for music producers?
A two-input audio interface, studio monitors, a mini MIDI keyboard and studio headphones make a simple home studio. A grid controller suits Ableton users, and Making Music is a creative nudge. Check what they already own so you do not duplicate it.
What are good gifts for vinyl DJs?
A direct-drive turntable, a set of slipmats, an Ortofon DJ cartridge and an anti-static record brush all suit a vinyl DJ. Check whether the slipmat listing is a pair or a single, and that their turntable fits the cartridge.
What are good Christmas gifts for DJs?
Slipmats, a record brush or earplugs fit a stocking. A controller cover, a laptop stand or a USB drive are mid-size gifts. A controller, headphones or turntable are the bigger splurges. Ask which gear they use before ordering.
