Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

Thursday, September 24, 2015

DJ Eddie Boy: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

DJ Eddie Boy
 
Most DJs have a couple must-have items that they bring to their gigs. From cables and gadgets to snacks and clothes, everyone has their own needs.
 
We asked DJ Eddie Boy, the music director and resident at Los Angeles’ Elevate Lounge, to tell us which items he always has in his bag. Eddie also rocks clubs in Hollywood and Las Vegas along with festivals like Coachella. 
 

Rips (candy) Rips (candy)
Rips are essential to satisfy my sweet tooth before and after gigs.
 
Travel-size Advil Travel-size Advil
Advil helps me wake up without a headache after a night of too much fun! I recommend taking two with a bottle of water before you go to bed. Thank me later!
 
Hand Towels Hand Towel
I tend to get sweaty in a packed club with alcohol and bright lights. I hate using napkins to wipe off with, but a hand towel works perfectly!
 
Rosary Rosary (prayer beads)
I’m not super religious, but I always keep a rosary in my bag for protection. I feel like I need this especially when I do out-of-town gigs.
 
Vinyl records Vinyl Records
Vinyl records are essential to help transition from one DJ to another. The two records in my bag at the moment are Justin Timberlake’s “Like I Love You” and Modjo’s “Lady (Hear Me Tonight).”

 
Related: Jay Spring: 5 Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

| DJ Culture
DJ Eddie Boy, Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag,
Friday, September 11, 2015

Jay Spring: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

Jay Spring
 
Jay Spring is one of New England’s busiest DJs. From being a resident at Foxwoods’ Shrine Nightclub in Connecticut to writing for the Remix Report, Jay is considered a leading figure in the open-format scene. Below is a list of must-have items that he keeps in his DJ bag.
 
 

Snacks Snacks
I used to eat a meal before my gigs at around 8pm. But by the time I was done at 2am, I’d be starving. I’d then hit a 7-Eleven on the way home and spend $15. And trust me, it wasn’t $15 worth of apples and bananas. Now that I’m more into healthy eating, I always pack a snack during my gig — usually some homemade trail mix or a protein bar. Besides giving you some much needed protein, it also prevents you from wanting to eat everything in sight when you’re done at the club.
 
Slipmats Slipmats
Once I started getting better gigs at clubs that had their own turntables, I quickly found out that it didn’t always mean they had slipmats. There’s nothing worse than having to use the paper sleeves for your Serato vinyl as makeshift mats.
 
Zip Ties Zip Ties
The reusable zip tie that came with my Stanton Uberstand broke a long time ago so now I make sure to always keep a nice stash in my bag.
 
Headphone adapters Headphone Adapters
It’s definitely good to have a couple spare headphone adapters. When I produce music, I often take my headphones out of my bag, unscrew the adapter, and plug the headphones into my laptop. However, I usually forget to screw the adapter back on before throwing my headphones back into my bag. Also, if you play at clubs with multiple DJs, there’s always some guys who have forgotten their adapters, and it’s nice to be able to help.
 
Vinyl brush Vinyl Brush
This is a necessity for anyone who does beach gigs during the summer. You don’t realize how much sand is in the air until it’s all over your vinyl.

 
Related: Styles Davis: 5 Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

| DJ Culture, Music Tech
Jay Spring, Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag,
Friday, August 28, 2015

Styles Davis: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

Styles Davis
 
When he’s not handling business at the office, DJcity’s National Director Styles Davis can be found rocking parties at various clubs around the US. Below is a list of his must-have items in his DJ bag. It’s the third article in our new series.
 
 

Akai Akai LPD8 laptop pad controller
I don’t use it much at home, but I always have a LPD8 in my gig bag as a handy backup tool. If I show up to a gig and my laptop has to be placed in an awkward or inconvenient position, I whip out the LPD8 and put it beside me for easy access to cues, loops and samples.
 
Adapters Adapter kit
I always keep a small kit of various audio adapters in my bag, as you never know when you’ll need one. I recommend including 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch adapters, RCA extenders, and a couple various XLR adapters.
 
magazine1 Reading material
There’s nothing worse than being stuck at an airport with nothing to do. When I’m burnt out from listening to music, I decompress with a good book or magazine. Right now I have the latest issue of SGD MGZN in my bag.
 
Coolercaps Spare Coolorcaps
I had a bunch of spare knobs after I customized my Rane Sixty-Two. I now carry them in my DJ bag so if I show up to a gig with a sh#tty mixer that’s missing its knobs, I can pop on my replacements. Just make sure you don’t forget them at the club ‘cuz the next DJ will probably steal them!
 
Business card Business cards
They may be outdated, but people ask for my business card every weekend. I keep a stack of current cards in my bag so I can give them to any potential customers. It’s still the simplest and most direct way to give people your contact information. The last thing you wanna do during your set is have to yell your phone number or email address to someone. Make sure to replenish your stack otherwise you’ll have to give people the “I ran out” speech.

 
Related: D-Miles: 5 Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

| DJ Culture, Music Tech
Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag, Styles Davis,
Thursday, August 20, 2015

D-Miles: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

D-Miles
 
Most working DJs have a couple must-have items that they bring to all their gigs. From cables and gadgets to snacks and clothes, everyone has their own needs.
 
For the second article in a new series, we asked Las Vegas’ D-Miles for a list of his essential possessions. Miles is a resident at Hyde Bellagio and Commonwealth and a mixer on Hot 97.5.
 
 

Mouthwash Mouthwash
You never know when you might need to freshen your breath, so I keep mouthwash on me at all times.
 
Obituary My cousin’s obituary
My 22-year-old cousin passed away in May of 2014. He was more like a brother to me, and I carry him everywhere I go. It’s a must.
 
iPhone Charger iPhone charger
The average DJ set in Vegas can easily last ’til 5am, so I gotta make sure my phone stays charged.
 
Glove White glove
I used this glove to bury my great-grandmother in November of 2013. She was 96 years of age and my best friend. She too is with me at all times.
 
Lotion Moisturizing lotion
What can I say? Sometimes a brotha gets a little ashy. I gotta keep those hands moisturized.

 
Related: DJ Play: 5 Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

| DJ Culture, Music Tech
D-Miles, Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag,
Wednesday, August 5, 2015

DJ Play: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

DJ Play
 
Most working DJs have a couple must-have items that they bring to all their gigs. From cables and gadgets to snacks and clothes, everyone has their own needs. For the first article in a new series, we asked our UK Director DJ Play which items he always has in his DJ bag.
 
 

Apple MacBook Apple MacBook Air
The MacBook Air is light and easy to carry, with enough space for all my music. Perfecto.
 
Crane Stand Crane Stand
I use a Crane laptop stand with the flat base add-on because it sits under the mixer better. They were only on sale for a short while. It’s like an OG version of their current Elite stand.
 
Rane SL2 Rane SL2
There’s so many choices these days for Serato-enabled mixers, but I stick with my SL2 box. We’ve been through so much together.
 
Mixtape Mixtapes
I always pack my latest CD in my DJ bag. If I don’t have a new one, I’ll carry one of my boys’ to give out, especially if you’ve got some hot girls in the booth. They love free CDs. Which leads to the next item…
 
Condom Rubbers
You don’t wanna get caught slippin’! She might look smokin’ hot in the DJ booth but what if she ain’t the one in the morning?

 
Related: DJcity UK Top 20 – June 2015

| DJ Culture, Music Tech
DJ Play, Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag,

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