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The Best DJ Stands to Keep the Party Going
Because nothing stops the show like a wobbly, unbalanced stand
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As a DJ, you’re the heart of the party, the engine that throws the beat down and keeps the energy up. But spinning, mixing, and emceeing is only the most obviously audible part of the gig – before any of that, you need to be set up for success with the right stand to keep your gear safe, sturdy and accessible.
A DJ stand is used for holding equipment such as a laptop or controller in a safe and accessible place, allowing the DJ to easily use it and adjust its positioning during recording sessions and performances.
A crowded club can be a dangerous place to have your station, and an unstable setup can quickly come crashing down. All it takes is a too-close dancing fan, or snagging on a loose cable, and your stand won’t be standing for long.
“Your stand needs to be durable,” says Evan Shafran, a.k.a Everyman, an LA-based rapper/producer. “With an expensive mic or laptop, you can’t take any chances.” Shafran, who also manages the Little Giants Records label, plays over 100 shows a year as well as recording on the road, and suggests that setting up and packing up your stand should be equally easy. “From studio to suitcase, to the show and back, a sturdy but collapsable stand is the way to go if you’ll be on the move.”
“For my live shows I have my controller on the stand right in front of me, with my mic on the stand next to me, so I can easily go from rapping to DJing,” he continues. “I’ll often even use a sandbag on the legs of my stand to steady my setup.”
Whether you’ll be constantly touring or you’re looking for more of a permanent setup for your studio, we’ve got you covered with these standup stands.
One final tip from Everyman: “Put a sticker on your stand so it doesn’t get confused with other people’s gear. Lots of stands look the same these days, even if they’re built differently.”
1. Samson SRK16 Universal Rack Stand
Weighing in at about 20 pounds and 27 inches tall is this tank of a rack stand. The Samson SRK-15 is built solid, with heavy-duty steel construction all over its fully enclosed sides. Front and back are both open for easy access, with a total depth of about 18 inches – plenty of space for most audio gear, like compressors and reverb units, and still room for your laptop on top.
Large, lockable three-inch wheels ensure it stays in place during use. Though some users report that the unit will be wobbly when it’s first put together, it’s quickly leveled out by the equipment you’ll fill the racks with, which acts as a weighty structural support. Heaviest equipment should go on the bottom rack, of course.
PROS: If you’re setting up a stationary studio, this rack is an excellent and affordable addition. For those that need a portable setup, pass this one up and go with another lighter, more mobile option.
CONS: Some users reported having difficulties with the screws easily stripping if tightened too much, often needing to readjust (or remove) them completely in order to easily mount equipment. Also while it conveniently comes with both US and EU-style screws, there’s no clear differentiation as to which are which. So be careful not to mix them up and accidentally use both.
2. AW DJ Rack Mount Studio Mixer Stand
For those who frequently go from in-studio to on-stage and back, this surprisingly sturdy, all-steel stand is ready for the road. With an extendable range from 41 up to 50 inches, it’s versatile enough to find the right height that works best for your setup, giving you the freedom of sitting or standing.
An open bottom and back allows for easy access to your equipment, and an adjustable top platform provides even more options for the perfect positioning. Some users recommend adding a faceplate to the top for more of a makeshift laptop stand. Others also shared tips about prolonging the life of it, such as spraying it down with silicon, replacing the casters, even giving it a paint job.
What we like: this stand comes with wheels, so it’s easily movable.
PROS: Simple but sturdy, with easy portability.
CONS: Assembly takes a bit of time.
3. Pyle Portable Folding Laptop Stand
With its telescoping height adjustment, this stand is easily adjustable to your ideal eye-level, while its four-pronged tray holds your device in place, and can be used with tablets, laptops, DJ mixers, turntables, and more. You’re also able to rotate the tray’s angle to find that perfect position.
Loose parts are kept to a minimum here, and the anti-slip legs provide protection against slides and falls. If you’ll be frequently tearing down and setting up your station, this one is worth considering. While the Pyle arrives all assembled and ready to use, it’s just as easy to take down and pack up again.
PROS: Super sturdy, with a solid base and a simple setup, The adjustable height and ability to swivel is a nice touch for finding your preferred placement, or quickly moving it out of the way to access other equipment. Even comes with a convenient carry-bag as well.
CONS: Not great for big laptops. If it’s bigger than the stand’s surface area, a bulky laptop will quickly become unbalanced and send everything falling. Users also report that the stand’s thick feet are difficult to fit under other equipment when space is limited.
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