How are you guys handling the shift from CDJs to controller setups for club gigs?
I've been playing mostly small to mid-sized clubs for the last two years, and I've always been a gear purist. I've always shown up with my own USBs and expected to step into a booth with a standard CDJ setup. Lately, though, I'm seeing more and more venues—even the decent ones—moving toward standalone controllers or just a single laptop/controller setup to save space and money. It’s starting to feel a bit inconsistent.
I recently had a gig where I showed up expecting the usual, only to find a Denon Prime setup that wasn't mapped the way I like, and I felt totally out of my element for the first twenty minutes. It's a weird position to be in. On one hand, I don't want to be that guy who brings a whole laptop and controller rig to a club that's already set up, but on the other hand, I don't want to rely on whatever random gear a venue has left lying around.
Are you guys starting to carry your own controllers now just
Posted Jun 10, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC