5 Things You Should Always Carry In Your Bag at Events!

Having DJ'ed for a long time now, I've definitely learned my lesson on being unprepared. Showing up to an event just to learn that the USB cable I had for years just suddenly stopped working, or my laptop isn't running anymore are things I hope no one has to go through! But when it does happen, it's good to be ready for it!

Here are some items I think are important to have in your bag at all times JUST IN CASE!

1. USB-B Cables

With the rise of using Serato with your DJ setup also came the rise of importance for USB cables. Most mixers/controllers now utilize a USB-B out that goes to your laptop. You don't want to find out last minute that the USB you brought is now broken and have no way of connecting anything to your laptop! It's something that is inexpensive and that should be in everyone's bag! Make sure to grab an extra Chroma Cable USB-C to USB-B or Hosa USB-A to USB-B Cable!!

White Chroma Cable

2. Music Backed up on a USB Thumbdrive

One of the biggest nightmares ever happened to me not too long ago! Basically, I rolled up to a gig and set up all my gear just to realize that the laptop I DJ with wasn't powering on. After messing with it for an hour and throwing in the towel; I thankfully had a USB thumbdrive on me that I plugged into a spare laptop I had at my house. It had just enough to get me by for the event. Make sure you keep updating the music on it using your most played in Serato or even just what's hot at the clubs!

3. Flashlight

I've never realized how important it was to keep a flashlight in my bag until I noticed there was always small stuff that would fall out of my pockets or bag while I'm pulling out business cards or cables and I check at the end of the night. Keep this on hand while you're setting up or tearing down! Don't leave those extra cables behind!

4. Extra Stylus/Phase Magnetic Stickers

Everyone's been there. You have been in a groove all night and the crowd is loving it just for one weird move to break the stylus on your needles. Don't be unprepared and keep those extra styluses on hand! We have a ton at the shop so don't get caught without those extras!

Ortofon VNL Cartridge Pack

5. An RCA to 1/8" Cable (Also an iPhone Lighting to 1/8" adapter)

Switching out from DJ to DJ at an event or club is always hit or miss. Sometimes everything works out great and everyone is happy, but most of the time, the next person's laptop freezes, doesn't turn on, or isn't updated enough to read the mixer. It's good to have this cable on hand to keep the vibes rolling on someone's phone while you get to work on figuring out the problem!

Hosa RCA to 3.5mm Cable

The biggest hurdle for any DJ is staying prepared. We go into Auto-Pilot sometimes where we don't look too much at what we have because we've done it so many times. Overtime things break and you always want to make sure you have a backup for when that piece of gear does break. Don't be that DJ who shows up and isn't prepared for things to go wrong! We've got a lot of great stuff on the website to keep you prepared!!