I’m sorry, couldn’t hear you over the music. I thought I heard you say I should read a book. Yeah. You know. Books. Words n stuff. Seriously, tho. When you consider that most DJs are self-taught on borrowed gear, a little theory and inspiration would come in handy. So might an online DJ course taught by a pro. Take a look at these great titles. Each one of them will help you go deeper into making electronic accessories and take your DJ set into the wild woods.

Handmade Electronic Music by Nicolas Collins

Not a very well known book, but it kinda should be. Why? Because “Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Hacking” lets you quickly start hacking together your own DIY projects. The simple exercises in the book teach you how to make devices which produce some really out the box sounds. Turn the microwave ‘ping’ into an instrument you can play with your hands. Also, the components needed for these devices are cheaply accessible. One for the avant-garde. Get it on Amazon.

Junkyard Jam Band by David Erik Nelson

This is one for electronics hobbyists. It’s simple to read without resembling a middle school science textbook. Using it, you can put together your own acoustic and electronic instruments at home. Break up an old tape deck and make a scratchbox. Try out some circuit bending or make yourself a cigar box thumb piano. These are exactly the types of sounds that go well with beats! Look outside the norm to carve out a custom sound. Here it is. 

Electronic Projects for Musicians by Craig Anderton

Some things just don’t age, and this book is one of them. It was written in 1997 and is still relevant for anyone looking to make their own pre-amps, ring modulators, mixers and more. It’s a practical take on building small, hand-held devices which can easily be incorporated into your DJ set. There are 27 different projects, each with their own step-by-step instructions. Make one, sample it, stick a beat on it and make your own sound. Obviously, just ignore the changes to the component prices! Here’s yer link.

Sometimes we forget that making music doesn't actually require expensive, flashy gear. Any item can be converted into a musical instrument. Maybe you’re just here for DJ career tips, and that’s all good. But at some point, you’ll feel the need to actually play some physical instrument (or scratch the decks themselves). See you back here when you do!