• Rane One MKII is Finally Here

• Samsung's XR Headset

• Instagram Highlights Retention

• How Close Are We To Truly Wireless DJing?

• Aaron's Cheat Codes

Innovation Spotlight: Rane One MKII — Because “Toy” Controllers Just Got Grounded

What’s New:

Rane has finally dropped the One MKII , the glow-up version of their already legendary motorized controller. The original Rane One was the first controller that made vinyl purists stop side-eyeing DJs at weddings, and the MKII basically says, “Yeah, we’re not here to play with plastic jogs anymore.”

Key Features (aka “Why your old controller suddenly feels like a Fisher-Price toy”):

• 7-inch motorized platters with quick-release vinyl — real feel scratching without borrowing grandma’s turntable.

• Tension adjust so you can dial in the resistance from “buttery smooth” to “bench press workout.”

• Performance pads that actually keep up with your finger drumming flex.

• Dedicated STEMS controls so you can finally do live mashups without looking like you’re disarming a bomb.

• Dual FX paddles that scream “look at me, I’m a real DJ” when you slam them.

• USB-C & dual USB ports — because yes, it’s 2025 and some of y’all are still rocking 2013 laptops.

• Built for Serato DJ Pro , but Rane swears it’s not playing favorites (…ok, it kind of is).

Why It Matters:

Controllers have always gotten the “you’re not a real DJ” treatment. The Rane One MKII laughs in the face of that — and then scratches a DMC routine on its motorized platters just to prove the point. Whether you’re a scratch head, a wedding DJ, or someone who just wants their setup to scream “serious business” , this thing is the closest you’ll get to real vinyl without lugging 80 pounds of records.

Pro Prompt for DJs:

👉 Be honest: are you staying with static jog wheels because you love them… or because you’re scared of change? The MKII might be the controller that finally makes you admit you miss the feel of wax.

Bottom Line:

The Rane One MKII isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a controller with a chip on its shoulder. It wants respect, and honestly? It’s earned it. Get ready to see it everywhere from battles to banquet halls, because this thing is ready to fight the “toy” label once and for all.

In last week’s poll we asked “ Would you ever use Spotify as a DJ-lite tool?” and 43% responded “ Yes — perfect for casual sets & playlists”

Samsung’s XR Headset Could Be Your Next DJ Booth?

The race for the “next big thing” in extended reality (XR) just got a little spicier. Reports are leaking that Samsung’s upcoming Android XR headset will land somewhere in the $1,800 to $3,000 range — yes, that’s “new laptop money” for something you wear on your face.

But Samsung isn’t just dropping another VR toy. This device is rumored to be co-developed with Google and Qualcomm , with Google supplying the Android-based XR platform and Qualcomm powering it with some serious silicon. Translation: this isn’t just a gaming headset — it’s meant to be a full ecosystem play.

Why DJs Should Care

• Virtual Venues : Imagine livestreaming your set to fans who show up in a virtual club wearing Samsung headsets. Suddenly, your living room becomes Ibiza.

• Immersive Prep : Need to test your lighting and visuals? Pop on the XR headset and preview your show environment before stepping foot in the venue.

• New Monetization : XR platforms are already flirting with ticketed events, VIP lounges, and digital merch. Think “front row passes” without ever leaving the couch.

What’s the Catch?

• Price Point : $1,800–$3,000 isn’t exactly an impulse buy, especially for gear that’s not yet mission-critical to DJing.

• Adoption Curve : Until XR clubs become mainstream, your biggest audience is probably still at the local wedding hall.

• Battery Life : If your headset dies mid-set, it’s a lot less cool and a lot more “why is the DJ waving at the wall?”

The Big Picture

Samsung, Apple, Meta — they’re all gunning to own XR, and early adopters will shape the space. For DJs and creators, this could mean new stages, new crowds, and new revenue streams . Or it could mean spending three grand to play Beat Saber between gigs.

Either way, keep an eye out — because XR nightlife might not be science fiction for long.

Instagram Finally Cares if People Bail on Your Reels

Instagram just added Retention Insights for Reels — aka the feature every DJ who’s ever wondered “why does everyone leave after my epic intro pan of the empty dance floor?” has been waiting for.

Here’s what’s new:

• Retention Chart → A shiny new graph showing exactly when people stop watching. Spoiler: the line always goes down. The goal? Keep it flatter than your uncle’s dad jokes at a wedding.

• Skip Rate (replacing View Rate) → Forget the old metric of “who made it past 3 seconds.” Now you’ll see how many people noped out immediately. If your openers aren’t strong, your Reel is toast.

• Actionable insights → The dips on the chart show exactly where you lost the crowd — just like clearing a dance floor with the wrong track at the wrong time.

For DJs and creators, this is basically your set history… but for your social media. If you wouldn’t open a set with the cocktail hour version of “September,” why start a Reel with 5 seconds of dead air?

👉 Bottom line: Instagram is telling you the truth your best friend won’t — your intros might be boring. Fix them, keep eyes on your content longer, and the algorithm will reward you.

Going Wireless in DJing – The Future or Just More Ways to Lag?

Cables. We trip over them, we tape them down, we curse them when they tangle into Gordian knots five minutes before doors open. But here’s the dirty little secret: they work. Which is why the idea of “going wireless” in DJing feels equal parts liberating and terrifying.

Digital DJ Tips recently took a look at where wireless tech stands in our world, and spoiler alert: the future is closer than you think (but maybe don’t bet your paycheck on it just yet).

1. Wireless Controllers & Mixers

The holy grail is cutting that last, clunky USB umbilical cord. We’re starting to see controllers and mixers that communicate wirelessly with laptops, tablets, and even cloud-based DJ platforms. Imagine turning up at a gig, dropping your controller on the booth, and syncing it with your laptop like a Bluetooth speaker.

Pros : Faster setup, fewer cables in the way of your perfectly curated booth aesthetic.

Cons : Wi-Fi congestion in a packed club = your set buffering like it’s on 2006 YouTube.

2. Bluetooth Headphones

Yes, you can mix with Bluetooth headphones. Should you? That depends on how much you enjoy guessing when the kick will land. Standard Bluetooth latency makes beatmatching about as fun as mixing underwater, but newer low-latency codecs (aptX Low Latency, LC3) are slowly closing the gap.

Translation : Unless you’re doing casual practice sets at Starbucks, stick with your trusty wired cans for now. The crowd doesn’t care if your head looks sleeker without a cable hanging out.

3. Wireless Audio Transmission

Here’s where things get interesting. Modern wireless systems can send audio from booth to speakers without noticeable lag. That means cleaner setups, fewer cables to tape down, and fewer chances for the drunk uncle to yank out your main XLR during “Yeah!” by Usher.

These systems are already finding homes at weddings and mobile gigs — especially where quick tear-down is essential.

4. Hybrid Setups Are the Sweet Spot

Almost every pro agrees: wireless isn’t about going 100% untethered. It’s about sprinkling in convenience where it makes sense. Use wireless mics for toasts. Use wireless speaker links for overflow rooms. Keep your decks and main signal chain wired, because reliability is still king.

5. The “Why It Matters” Angle

Wireless tech will reshape how DJs set up, travel, and maybe even perform. Imagine a future with:

• Instant cloud crates synced to your gear.

• Zero-cable speaker setups for outdoor gigs.

• Booths that look like minimalist art installations instead of spaghetti monsters.

But until latency and dropouts are a thing of the past, cables remain your best friends — annoying, ugly, loyal friends.

💡  Pro Tip: Test Before You Flex

If you’re adding wireless to your rig, don’t wait until showtime to find out if your gear plays nice. Run a stress test in a Wi-Fi-heavy environment (coffee shop, crowded event hall) to check for dropouts. Always pack a wired backup — because nothing kills a dance floor faster than explaining latency issues to a bride.

Cheat Codes

You're about to unlock five cheat codes that defy physical boundaries and redefine DJing. In the realms of the metaverse, VRChat, and Fortnite, where vibes meet virtual vistas, these insights will elevate your digital decks beyond merely spinning tracks—they’ll teleport you to the next era of electrifying entertainment.

• Cheat Code #1: Synchronize with Synthesias

• Metaverse events with synchronized light shows—derived from AI-driven sound synthesis—captivate more than audio alone. With platforms like Synthesia.io , creating fully immersive, reactive light and sound environments is becoming accessible to DJs of all skill levels.

• A recent study found interactive soundscapes amplify audience retention by over 40% in VR environments.

Action Step: Integrate AI-synthesized light shows into your set with platforms that allow seamless audio and visual harmony, ensuring the sights are as mesmerizing as the sounds.

• Cheat Code #2: Avatars Are Alter Egos

• In the metaverse, your avatar isn't just a representation; it's a narrative tool. DJs with dynamic, interactive avatars see 60% higher engagement rates on platforms like VRChat and Fortnite.

• Identity is fluid online. Artists like Marshmello have shown how leveraging a captivating digital persona boosts their brand beyond limits.

Action Step: Develop your avatar's storyline and capabilities to include interactive elements like audience shoutouts or live-mixing animations, bringing a unique and unforgettable dimension to your performances.

• Cheat Code #3: Hybrid Harmonies

• Cross-platform collaboration between physical and virtual DJs can spawn hybrid events that maximize reach and innovation. Imagine a duo where one DJ spins live on a rooftop, syncs with a digital counterpart moving the crowd inside a VR environment.

• Spotify's hybrid event in June 2023 saw a 75% higher attendance when combining physical and virtual spaces.

Action Step: Partner with DJs from different realms—coordinate a hybrid set that allows for seamless transitions between real and virtual, pushing the boundaries of live performance.

• Cheat Code #4: Spatial Audio’s Hidden Horizon

• Spatial audio technology creates an immersive 3D soundscape that adds depth to DJ sets, allowing listeners to experience music from every angle. Apple Music’s Spatial Audio push saw listener preference soar by 63% due to enhanced engagement.

• Those adaptable to 360-degree sound design will blaze the trail in setting new standards indoors and online.

Action Step: Experiment with platforms that support spatial audio, like Dolby Atmos, tailoring your next set to include intricately layered mixes that surround and swallow your audience.

• Cheat Code #5: Blockchain Becomes Bassline

• NFTs and blockchain tech are revolutionizing music ownership and fandom engagement. DJ's leveraging NFTs for exclusive track releases and event access are witnessing expanded reach and profit margins.

• Artists like 3LAU turned $11.7 million in a weekend by selling an NFT album.

Action Step: Mint a track or live set as an NFT, offering attendees exclusive content or future access. This not only rewards your most loyal fans but transforms the way you think about distribution and ownership.

These insights aren’t mere tools; they're your passport to pioneering the next frontier of DJing in our increasingly digital dimensions.