Anyone familiar with the DJ business knows that equipment can cost a pretty penny, and while many DJs can get away with putting their songs on a flash drive and using the equipment at the venue they’re performing at, it’s worth investing in decks and mixers if you’re planning on making it a career. And while these tools are meant to take a little punishment such as spilled drinks and impacts, you’ll want to put some thought into storing them properly so they stay pristine between gigs.
A climate controlled self storage unit will easily meet your needs, enabling you to keep your valuable DJ equipment in a temperature controlled environment where humidity won’t damage the electronics or moving parts. You’ll also be able to save space in your home by storing these bulky items, along with speakers and lighting systems, in a unit.
Don’t just jump at the first storage unit you find, though–make sure you choose a facility with the right amount of space and climate control, and be sure to clean and maintain your equipment before and during storage. Here, we’ll go into detail on each of these considerations so your DJ tools come out of storage free of dirt and damage.
Select a self storage unit with enough space for your DJ set-up
The jog wheels, knobs, sliders, and internal electronics of DJ decks and mixers are prone to damage if stored or handled improperly. When looking for a storage unit, be sure to find one with enough space to hold each piece of equipment without stacking them up so these fragile parts won’t be damaged.
According to Taylor Morken, marketing director for UniqueSquared, which has grown into a top 10 pro audio retailer in the U.S. since 2007 and provides customers with a unique buying experience that minimizes the stresses of online shopping, the amount of equipment you store will ultimately determine what unit size you’ll need.
“If you’re a DJ, you probably have your performance gear (turntables and mixer or DJ controller), a PA system, lights, fog machine, etc.,” says Morken. Different DJs will have different pieces of equipment, however, so you may have more or less than this in your kit.
Tim Kallas, general manager for Stadium Self Storage in Milwaukee, Wis., states that DJs can often store equipment in a smaller storage unit (in the 5×5 to 5×10 range), provided they aren’t stacking that equipment on top of each other. Investing in hard cases for your equipment, however, will make it safer to stack, transport, and store it.
Choose a self storage facility with climate control
“The enemy of any piece of professional audio gear is humidity,” Morken says.
A climate controlled storage unit is the perfect environment to store any DJ equipment, allowing for predictable humidity so your gear won’t sustain damage from too much–or not enough–moisture in the air. In an overly humid environment, the metal parts of DJ equipment can rust or corrode over time. This moisture can also find its way into the internal electronics of your gear, damaging the wiring and requiring costly repairs or replacements.
However, low humidity can also be an issue. Without a controlled amount of moisture in the air, static can build up within those same electronics, causing more internal circuitry damage.
“The normal rate of humidity for any sustained period of time should be between 30-50%,” says Kallas.
According to Morken, temperature fluctuations aren’t as much of a concern as humidity, as long as your equipment remains stored in a “dry, cool environment.” Still, it’s always good to be on the safe side and keep your unit around 60-75°F (or room temperature).
“[Some] storage facilities will have a much narrower range of temperatures [and] move a lot of air to maintain the humidity levels,” says Kallas. “Others will have a quite broad temperature range of 50-80 degrees. So it really is buyer beware.” The bottom line: do thorough research on the facilities you’re considering before you commit to a unit.
Storage.com makes it easier than ever to find affordable storage units in your area. Simply type in your zip code, filter for your preferred amenities (like climate control!), and reserve your unit online. You don’t even need to provide your credit card information.
Clean your equipment before you store it
With enough space and a controlled climate, you should be well on your way to storing your DJ equipment with a minimum of damage. However, before putting your equipment in a self storage unit, you should always take some time to clean it–liquid stains can increase the odds of rust and corrosion, and dust and dirt can wind up in the internal circuits of your equipment over time if not wiped off.
For a general clean, dab some isopropyl alcohol (seek out the kind used for cleaning electronics safely) on a non-abrasive cloth and give your decks, mixers, speakers, and lighting a good wipe-down. This will remove dust and other contaminants from the surface of your equipment. For more specific cleaning, you can use cotton swabs for small spaces or look into compressed air to blow dust out from under your jog wheels.
If you’re not using hard cases, to fully protect from dirt, cover your audio equipment with a tarp or a plastic sheet while it’s in storage. In the event of a roofing failure, or if your unit is prone to dust, this can help keep your equipment clean.
Finally, if you’re storing equipment for a long time without using it, be sure to check in on it once in a while and give it a quick wipe-down to make sure it works properly.
Let Storage.com help you keep your equipment clean, safe, and ready for your next gig.
