How to Start DJing in 2025: Your Guide to Gear and Software – by the Pete Tong DJ Academy | rekordbox

How to Start DJing in 2025: Your Guide to Gear and Software – by the Pete Tong DJ Academy

Start DJing in 2025 with expert advice from the Pete Tong DJ Academy: discover the best beginner gear, learn how rekordbox connects home and club setups, and build the skills to take you from laptop to main stage.

So, you want to be a DJ?

In 2025, there's never been a better time to start. Thanks to modern tech and online learning, what once took a hefty investment and insider know-how is now far more accessible. Aspiring selectors around the world are jumping in with nothing more than a modest controller and a laptop – or even just a smartphone – and taking their first steps behind the decks. Pete Tong himself founded an online academy offering DJ and music production courses, aiming to “pass on a lifetime’s worth of learning, experience and skills to the next generation”, with the ambition to “help inspire and evolve the essence of what’s required to be a great DJ”. In that spirit, this guide will walk you through the essentials: the gear you need (on any budget), the software that ties it all together – that set the foundation for your DJ journey.

Gear Up: Finding the Right DJ Setup

As a new DJ, your biggest upfront decision is what hardware to use. Broadly speaking, beginners choose between controllers (which pair with DJ software on a computer or device) and standalone systems (all-in-one units that can play music from USB drives without a computer). Controllers tend to be more affordable and portable, which is why entry-level DJ controllers have become the go-to choice for most newcomers. Standalone units, on the other hand, cost a bit more but replicate the club setup experience, with built-in screens and the ability to spin tunes without a laptop. The good news: AlphaTheta offers options in both categories, all designed to be user-friendly for beginners while mirroring the layout of professional gear.
Controllers vs. Standalones: If you're on a tight budget or just testing the waters, a controller like the tiny AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2 might be all you need. Plug it into your phone or laptop and you’ve got a complete two-deck setup at your fingertips. Want something a bit more advanced?
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4, launched as the successor to the popular DDJ-400, adds features like USB-C power, onboard audio interface, and even Bluetooth support – meaning you can mix wirelessly from a tablet or phone. Both of these controllers work hand-in-glove with Rekordbox (and even other software), offering a “stripped-down, compact and accessible format” that still covers “all the functionality required for a DJ just starting out”.
If you have a higher budget and crave a more club-like experience, an all-in-one standalone such as the AlphaTheta OMNIS-DUO could be your ideal choice. This unit features two decks and a mixer in one chassis, complete with a full-color screen – effectively a condensed club setup that’s “the closest a DJ can get to the club-standard feeling for around £1000”. Unlike controllers, a standalone lets you practice and perform using just a USB stick loaded with music (prepared in Rekordbox), no computer needed.
To help you compare, here’s a quick gear breakdown of Alphatheta-recommended beginner setups across a range of budgets:

AlphaTheta FLX2
“Smart DJ Controller”
Ultra-compact 2-channel controller (uses smartphone or PC)
~$159 (as of September 2025)
Super portable & easy to use: Super portable & easy to use: The AlphaTheta DDJ‑FLX2 is lightweight and beginner-friendly, making it perfect for DJs starting out. It connects via USB-C (not battery-powered) and works seamlessly with Rekordbox, djay, and Serato. Smart features like Transition FX, Smart Fader, and Phrase Sync help you blend tracks effortlessly—even without prior skills. Built-in tutorials and pad controls make learning fun and intuitive, while streaming support gives you instant access to music from platforms like Beatport, Tidal and SoundCloud.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4
“Best Beginner’s Controller?”
2-channel controller (USB-C, works with PC or mobile)
~$299 (as of September 2025)
Feature-packed but beginner-friendly: Replaced the famed DDJ-400 and “is a strong contender for best beginner’s DJ controller on the market right now. ”Plug-and-play with rekordbox (free);even supports smartphone mixing. Boasts Smart Fader and Smart CFX features that automatically beat-match and add effects as you move the crossfader – making transitions foolproof for learners. Compact build, professional layout, and a user-friendly design with a professional feel to grow with you.
AlphaTheta OMNIS-DUO
“All-in-One rekordbox System”
2-channel standalone console (USB media player + mixer)
~$1,599 (as of September 2025)
Club-style experience: All-in-one unit with dual decks and 7-inch screen built in, so you can play from USB drives or connect to rekordbox on your laptop. Inherits the layout of Pioneer DJ’s pro CDJ players and DJM mixers, giving you muscle memory for the club. Lightweight and gig-ready (just over 5 kg). ideal for practicing at home or playing small parties without a computer. It’s described as “a good entry level unit for DJs who want to advance into the rekordbox USB ecosystem”, and a favorite for bedroom DJs aiming for the big stage.

Tips: Whichever setup you choose, don’t forget a couple of essential extras: a decent pair of headphones (so you can cue and beatmatch tracks in the headphones before bringing them into the mix) and some kind of speaker or home sound system to play your output. You don’t need a massive club PA at first – even desktop monitors or a good Bluetooth speaker can work for practice. The idea is to clearly hear your transitions and make sure your mixes sound tight. Also, remember that any of these Pioneer DJ controllers will usually come with at least a basic version of rekordbox DJ software included (hardware-unlock license), so you won’t have to spend extra on software to get started.

The Software: Why Rekordbox Is Your Best Friend

Every DJ setup needs software to manag and play your tracks – and if you’re using AlphaTheta gear, rekordbox is the center of the universe. rekordbox isn’t just another DJ app; it’s an entire ecosystem built by AlphaTheta (Pioneer DJ) to seamlessly connect your bedroom setup with the club booth. For beginners, it’s the perfect playground to organize music and learn the ropes. The great news? rekordbox’s core features are free with no annoying ads, so you can dive right in without a subscription. You can use it on your computer and even on smartphones or tablets, thanks to a fully featured mobile app that syncs with the cloud. This means you could prep some tracks on your phone during lunch break and have that prep (cue points, playlists, beatgrids) show up on your laptop later – pretty neat!
So what makes rekordbox special for a new DJ? First, it’s part of the professional workflow. The software lets you analyze your tracks for BPM (tempo), key, waveform, and even separates vocals/drums with AI these days – giving you visual and musical cues to help with mixing. You can set Hot Cues (markers that allow instant jumps to specific points in a song) and loops in advance, and tag your music by genre or mood. All this preparation goes a long way: “Music management software like rekordbox can help orientate you around a track, especially if you do some preparatory work with things like Hot Cues in advance”. When it’s time to mix, you’ll appreciate having those colorful cue points showing you where the breakdown or drop is, so you’re never caught off-guard by a sudden vocal or tempo change.
Another big plus is the Rekordbox ecosystem and its performance modes. If you’re using a controller (like the DDJ-FLX4), you’ll likely be running rekordbox in Performance Mode on your laptop – this gives you a virtual deck interface, effects, and all the tools on screen, with your controller as the hands-on hardware. Got an all-in-one unit like the OMNIS-DUO? Then you might use rekordbox’s Export Mode: you prepare your library and playlists in rekordbox, export them to a USB drive, and then the OMNIS-DUO can play those tracks directly (reading all your cues and beat grids). This mirrors how pro DJs prep music for club CDJs. In short, you’re learning in the same environment the pros use. You could rock a house party with a small controller at home, then take your USB to a club and confidently play on the standard CDJ/DJM setup – all thanks to rekordbox compatibility. It’s one cohesive workflow, from bedroom to main stage.
rekordbox also embraces the latest trends, which as a 2025-era beginner you’ll appreciate. Love streaming music? rekordbox links with major streaming platforms – including Beatport Streaming, TIDAL, SoundCloud Go+, even Apple Music and Spotify integration as of recent updates.This means if you don’t have a huge MP3 collection yet, you can DJ with tracks from these services (with a subscription to them), discover new music on the fly and test it in your mixes. The software will cache tracks for offline use and still let you set cues, etc. Just be mindful of internet requirements and the fact that streamed tracks won’t be available if you lose connection. Even so, it’s a fantastic way to explore music without buying tons of downloads upfront.
To get started with rekordbox, simply download the latest version from the official site (Windows or Mac, or the mobile app for iOS/Android). Basic use is free. When you plug in a Pioneer DJ controller, it will automatically “unlock” rekordbox’s performance mode. Down the line, if you want to upgrade to premium features (like DVS for turntables, Lyric visuals, or CloudLibrarySync beyond one device), there are subscription plans. Spend some time getting comfortable with rekordbox: import a handful of your favorite tracks, analyze them, and try out setting a hot cue or loop. You’ll find the interface is quite intuitive, and there are numerous tutorials and tooltips to guide you (Pioneer DJ even built a Tutorial mode into their WeDJ app and rekordbox software for products like the DDJ-FLX2). As you practice, you’ll begin to understand how the software mirrors the hardware: for example, turning a knob on your controller changes the EQ in the software, hitting a performance pad triggers the hot cue you see on screen, etc. This tight integration is why we emphasize rekordbox – it builds your muscle memory and music library in one place.

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