Do you remember that moment when a new DJ tech came up and it made you realize the game had changed forever?

As a DJ you’re probably thinking “yep, been there!”.

So here’s our top pick of the 7 products we think have shaped the DJ industry and have made DJing what it is today!

1. Technics SL-1200:

The pioneering turntable that shaped DJing.

1972 marked the birth of the legendary turntable, the SL-1200, which has stayed so close to our hearts.

With its precise pitch control, direct drive motor, and S-shaped tonearms, it perfectly aligned with the needs of the emerging disco and club scene in the U.S.

It transformed from a simple listening device into a musical instrument, paving the way for turntablism and famously enabling Grand Wizard Theodore to perform the first scratch in history.

In 1979, the SL-1200 MK2 designed with DJs in mind improved upon the first-generation with the Quartz Lock system. This provided more accurate rotation control and precise tempo adjustments crucial for beatmatching. This evolution cemented its status as the ultimate tool for DJs, defining modern DJing and becoming a staple for vinyl-savvists since the late '80s.

2. Serato Scratch Live:

The first DJ software that bridged analog and digital.

In 2004, the DJ world got a major upgrade when Serato decided to partner with Rane to launch Serato Scratch Live with the Rane SL1.

This allowed DJs to access and perform with their entire digital music collection on their laptops, using specifically designed control records, control CDs or MIDI Controllers.

This groundbreaking software and hardware combo not only set the standard industry-wide, but it democratized the famous DVS technology by making it more accessible and user-friendly to DJs worldwide! 🔥

3. Vestax:

The brand that redefined innovation in DJ equipment.

You’ve all heard about Vestax, the most innovative company in the DJing industry in the 1990s.

From the first PMC mixing consoles to the legendary PDX series of professional turntables followed by the innovative Vestax VRX-2000 vinyl recorder and pioneering MIDI controllers – Vestax truly left its mark on every corner of the DJ industry!

Our personal favorite Vestax creation was the QFO portable turntable, co-created with DJ Qbert! This pioneered the portablism movement that allowed DJs to scratch and perform tricks anywhere with unmatched precision and style.

Pretty wild, huh??!

4. Shure M44-7:

The iconic DJ cartridges that became a staple in DJ setups.

Back in 1963, the Shure M44-7 cartridges were introduced. These cartridges quickly became the holy grail for DJs worldwide.

Their revolutionary design set a new standard in the industry, allowing for the clearest and most precise sound reproduction.

DJs swore by them, 'cause if you didn't have an M44-7, you were spinning with one hand tied behind your back! 😉

5. Traktor Ecosystem:

The integrated system that set new standards in DJing.

Modern software. Killer features. Seamless processing: all within a user-friendly interface! That’s how Traktor Pro revolutionized the DJing industry.

What’s more is that Traktor integrated its cutting-edge software with innovative hardware, such as the Z2. This was the first affordable mixer to combine traditional functionality with digital capabilities like MIDI control and DVS integration.

Together, these elements democratized high-quality DJing tools!

6. Pioneer DJ DJM S9:

The game-changing mixer that unleashed a new era of scratching.

Developed in collaboration with Jazzy Jeff, the Pioneer DJM-9 revolutionized mixers dedicated to turntablism.

With a pioneering layout and combination of features including customizable pads with MIDI control, as well as an ultra personalizable crossfader with adjustable tension technology, not only did the S-9 set a new ergonomic standard but it was also truly a dream come true for all scratch DJs!

7. Phase DJ Controller:

The first wireless DJ controller for turntables.

It was during NAMM 2018 that Phase was revealed to the world for the first time. A true UFO in the highly codified DJing industry, it uses timecode technology to wirelessly control your DJ software with zero latency.


With this trailblazing technology, Phase allows you to toss your old-school needles away. It basically acts like a “digital” needle, but this time over, you’ll just have to grab one Phase to last your entire DJ journey!

More to cost-savings on needles, Phase offers unbeatable stability and precision, allowing DJs to mix stress-free without having to worry about sun, wind, vibrations, or anything that may disrupt the sound or audio when mixing!

After entering the game, Phase was quickly adopted by thousands of DJs worldwide, who see it today as the most powerful and reliable way to perform.

There's no denying that Phase has revolutionized the standard for mixing with turntables.
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Over to you...

As this top 7 pick of revolutionary products shows, the evolution of DJ equipment has hugely impacted turntablism throughout the course of history. We’d love to know more about your thoughts and take on this, so share with us in the comment section below which product(s) you think flipped the DJing scene!