Handytraxx Play
Price: £359
Turntablism may no longer be in its chart-topping heyday, but in 2024 UK vinyl sales rose by 10.5%, and hip-hop continues to dominate streaming platforms – keeping DJ culture firmly in the spotlight. DJing has also found a place in music education, and since 2016 decks have been accepted as a performance instrument in GCSE Music. The Korg Handytraxx is a portable turntable that offers a practical entry point. It features a built-in speaker, crossfader, tone and pitch control, onboard effects, a headphone output, and RCA outputs for connecting to external speakers. Perhaps unique to decks at this price point is the addition of a built-in looper, which lets you record and replay a section while scratching or cueing up the next track. You can also blend external audio via aux input. It comes in a dedicated plastic case, weighs just 2.3kg, and can be powered by six AA batteries or USB-C – ideal for moving between classrooms and practice rooms. While not a full DJ rig, it's great for introducing scratching, cueing and vinyl culture.
korg.co.uk/products/handytraxx-play
Showbox
Price: £579
The Mackie Showbox is a portable PA system and acoustic guitar amp, combining a 6-channel mixer, effects rack, and USB-C interface in a compact unit about the size of a small suitcase. The Showbox weighs just 7.7kg, is easy to transport and quick to set up, and is ideal for practice spaces, small ensembles, or outdoor use. It's a practical, space-saving option for schools that need portable sound reinforcement.
Connectivity options include two XLR mic inputs, two ¼″ instrument inputs, a stereo ¼″ line input, 3.5mm aux input, and external FX send/return – enough for two microphones, a guitar, and a keyboard. A detachable controller mounts to a mic stand, giving quick access to built-in effects, including fuzz, overdrive, acoustic amp modelling, delay, and reverb. Each channel also features parametric EQ and compression.
The Showbox supports SD card recording and USB-C audio streaming, allowing direct connection to a computer for recording or live broadcast. Bluetooth playback is also included, which is useful for playing backing-tracks. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 12 hours, and spares are available. A carry bag, pole mount, and two-switch foot pedal are sold separately.
mackie.com/intl/products/battery-powered/live-sound/showbox.html
Ditto 2 Looper
Price: £89
The Ditto 2 from TC Electronic updates the original Ditto loop pedal, enhancing its playability and adding new creative features. The footswitch is slightly larger, the mechanism has been improved, and a bright LED clearly shows the status of the looper. A new three-way toggle switch on the side of the pedal lets you switch between looping modes and connect to the companion app. The ‘Original Ditto’ mode is a simple one-button setup: press once to record, again to play, and again to overdub. You can also select LoopSnap mode, which automatically tightens loop timing, or SingleTap, a simplified record-play-delete option ideal for quick loops. Loop settings can be customised via Bluetooth or USB-C using the free app. The audio quality is excellent, using an analogue signal path to preserve tone, and there is a bypass option for when you want to skip the pedal. Ditto 2 is an affordable and easy-to-use pedal, making it a useful tool for anyone new to looping.
tcelectronic.com/product.html?modelCode=0709-ALV
ROLI Piano & Learn App
Price: Piano £499; app sub from £6.67 pcm
The ROLI Piano is a battery-powered MIDI keyboard with 49 full-size, semi-weighted keys and polyphonic aftertouch. It connects via Bluetooth or USB-C and works with any DAW, but its real strength is unlocked when paired with a subscription to the ROLI Learn app for iOS and Android tablets. Together, the keyboard and app form an interactive learning tool. Illuminated keys guide learners in real time as notes cascade across the screen, helping them play along with songs, scales and exercises. The app supports a range of learning styles and includes over 300 video lessons, 450 chord and scale exercises, and a growing library of more than 1,000 songs – from Billie Eilish to Bach. There are also musical challenges and video game-style activities. Teachers can adjust speed and loop tricky passages, and a voice-activated AI Piano Assistant answers students' questions, offering real-time support. The Piano's slim design and wireless setup make it easy to move between classrooms. For those wanting to extend the setup, Airwave, an optional smart music stand, provides detailed feedback on hand position.
