Our Standards
How We Review
Every piece of gear and every show we review is scored the same way, by the same rules, so a 7 always means the same thing. Here is exactly how we do it — and where the money comes from.
We score five dimensions from 1 to 10 in whole numbers — no decimals, no half-points. The overall score is their weighted average, rounded to a whole number. Gear and shows are judged on different things, so each has its own rubric.
Not every show has everything. When a show has no sessions or no exhibit floor, we mark that part N/A instead of scoring it zero, and its weight is shared across the parts that were scored — so a great workshop is never punished for not being a trade show.
The gear rubric
Controllers, mixers, speakers, headphones, software and accessories.
| Dimension | Weight | What we judge |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 30% | Does it hold up under real gig use? Specs only count when they translate to the booth. |
| Features & Design | 25% | Clever features that solve real problems without adding complexity. |
| Build Quality | 20% | Durability under constant transport and use. |
| Ease of Use | 15% | Setup and intuitive operation. |
| Value | 10% | Performance over time versus price — not "expensive equals better." |
The show & conference rubric
DJ conferences, expos, festivals and workshops we attend in person.
| Dimension | Weight | What we judge |
|---|---|---|
| Education & Sessions | 25% | Panels, workshops and keynotes — did we leave knowing more than when we walked in? |
| Networking & Events | 25% | Who was there, how easy it was to meet them, and the after-parties, showcases and battles. |
| Exhibit Floor & Gear | 20% | Vendors, product launches and hands-on demos — could you actually try the gear? |
| Organization & Venue | 15% | Registration, schedule, signage, sound, hotel and getting around. |
| Value for the Trip | 15% | Badge, travel and hotel cost versus what you actually got out of it. |
What the score means
How we test
- • Gear is used on real gigs and in real setups before it is scored — not judged from a spec sheet.
- • Shows are only reviewed by someone who attended in person, and we say whether we would go back.
- • Every show review states how we attended — paid our own way, free media badge, recording our podcast live, speaking, exhibiting, or organizer-covered travel, often several at once — before it can be published.
- • We say what not to buy or attend, and we keep an honest cons list even when we like it.
- • Every review names its author and carries a “last updated” date.
Editorial independence & how we make money
No brand or show organizer can pay for a score, a badge, or placement. Reviews are written independently — the verdict and the number are decided before any commercial link is ever added. Some reviews include affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them; that never affects our conclusions. When a review is sponsored, gifted, or tied to any commercial relationship — including a free badge, travel or hotel from a show — we disclose it clearly at the top of the page.
Think we got one wrong?
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