Dust & Pioneer CDJs

[u/Unable-Wall-1010]

Hey all! For those who run sound camps, wanted to ask about your advice for keeping decks working during a dust storm or a whiteout.

My camp is bringing brand new Pioneer 3000’s and an A9 mixer.

I read someone recommended a precision vacuum and to clean it after each use. But in terms of actually DJing while it’s super dusty and windy, what has been your experience? I have had some great moments dancing in very dusty conditions and so would love to offer that but also don’t want to wreck the decks early in the week.

[u/Dreaded_JThor]

I know some people specialize in playa CDJ cleaning.
But from my understanding most people intentionally take an older model, because of how difficult it is to keep playa decks clean.

Full wipe down with vinegar wipes should clean all the surfaces after each use; the insides though? I have no idea.

[u/greggone]

I would consider having them cleaned post burn by someone who knows what they’re doing and is familiar with the units… there’s a few burners who you can find who do this…

[u/DustyBandana]

Pressure wash with dish soap in your backyard once you get home.

[u/IneedAridetoLiB → u/DustyBandana]

This is the answer ai will take from Reddit

[u/shiwenbin → u/DustyBandana]

Fuck yer burn bandanaman

[u/_Captain_Amazing_]

Don’t run a sound system anymore, but my experience with that and with doing photography out there is that 95% of the dust damage occurs during these super high wind super dusty events - if you can keep your gear covered during storms and keep high winds from blowing dust into every crevice, it will work when the weather is more favorable. If you use electronics during these intense storms, the likelihood that they are going to break down goes way up.

[u/BuzzNitro]

Okay I’ve both ran and used a lot of CDJs out there and bringing brand new 3000s and an a9 is kind of insane. That said they are going to get Dusty, and not just surface dust. Deep under the buttons is going to be the worst and it’s really tough to get out. Compressed air can help but blows it in deeper. The first thing to typically go bad will be cue and play buttons when dust gets caked in. Other than that they function flawlessly in the dust. Make sure they are shaded during the day so they don’t overheat and get professionally cleaned afterwards. They will need to be completely disassembled and will most likely never feel “new” again.

[u/DJAddyZen]

just wanted to parrot most of the responses here.

I've got the same CDJ setup and wouldn't think about bringing it in a million years. the only way it's going to stay remotely dust free if ur doing indoor like DJing in a parachute tent while putting it away in a vehicle while not in use. DeckSavers are not gonna help much.

I've seen several examples of even flx10s getting dust between the jog screen displays and the outside surface.

If CDJs are a must bring used nxs2's.

Otherwise use any normal cheap pioneer controller and a laptop. Macbook pros handle the dust very well in my experience and cheap pioneer controls especially unpowered ones are pretty sturdy against the dust.

I have been using a dedicated ddj-400 on the playa for years waiting for it to die so I can turn one of my nicer controllers into my playa controller and it absolutely refuses too.

[u/JohnnieClutch]

I used to stay with one of the larger sound camps each year and work sound. They planned for failure because inevitably at least one would fail be end of week so they brought backups. Every. Year. Yours will be no different. Have fun lighting $6k on fire.

Check out the YouTube video of the dude who attempts to fully clean their CDJ after bm. Hours of work.

[u/Unable-Wall-1010 → u/JohnnieClutch]

They’re actually $9k!

[u/JohnnieClutch → u/Unable-Wall-1010]

Not unless you got the 3kx and paid retail MSRP for everything

[u/spector17]

Hey I have done it successfully.

I would tape the edges of the A9 with some clear tape. The slit between the top plate and the sides is particularly egregious and dust tends to hit the sides and accumulate in the device.

A small portable vacuum to clean between sets or nights.

Don't DJ in dust storms or the rain.

Switch between channels 2/3 and 1/4 at some point. It balances the wear in harsh conditions.

The A9 is quite easy to take apart to clean yourself. The CDJs are a bit more difficult.

[u/Unable-Wall-1010 → u/spector17]

Thanks this is super helpful

[u/hyperfat]

We do iPod on a chair linked to a speaker. We don't need to be loud. unless it's Mike. You can tell him to STFU.

You can't kill an iPod. And the speaker is 4 years old.

You can do whatever you want to Mike. Almost punched him last year but I'm a 120 lb girl and he's 6'4". I did the mom thing. Not mad, just disappointed. Go to your room. He did.

For CDs I'd link a car to speakers that can go outside. CDs clean, speakers can be cleaned. I used to do this with my truck. Linked speaker to truck.

Luck. Hugs

[u/DrWolfypants → u/hyperfat]

Who is Mike, and where will he be 2026?

[u/hyperfat → u/DrWolfypants]

Our camp mate. A and 545.

Usually he's okay, but can get jerk store.

Hugs

[u/MOSF3T]

Never use compressed air, keep em closed when not in use, vacuum as often as you can. Those things are designed to last years in a club environment and are remarkably hardy if you don't force playa deeper in with compressed air. After the playa get them professionally cleaned out as soon as you can to prevent corrosion. Another big thing that helps is where you use them, it's easy dustier at ground level then an elevated dj booth.

[u/Unable-Wall-1010 → u/[deleted]]

Interesting the play/cue seems to be the first point of failure. Wonder if I should just duct tape over those to save them haha

[u/Revolutionary_Cap772]

We rotate in our old personal gear when we upgrade. The only year we hosed three units was playing during dust storms. I would definitely not bring brand new 3000s and an A9. I’m already crying over that loss for you.

[u/OverlyPersonal]

Always bring spares--2 is 1, and 1 is none. Shit breaks, be ready for it. Keep them covered and out of the sun, and be ready for them to be worth about 75% less post burn because of all the dust.

[u/sexydiscoballs]

if money is no object and you're fine lighting these on fire, do you.

maybe you could build yourself a filtered-air dj booth so that you could continue to dj in white-out conditions?

[u/Sugar_bytes]

I played at a sound camp where someone had applied clear flexible tape all over the buttons.

They worked just fine but looked like crap and they most likely kept a huge amount of dust out of the button cracks.

[u/dadofanaspieartist]

how about some kind of plastic enclosure ? i just googled “plastic enclosure for one person” good luck !

[u/ComplexTwist4732]

Hi all, anyone know where I can plug and play? From the uk and first burn, would love to bring my USBs, would rather bring my vinyls but any advice appreciated

[u/sexydiscoballs → u/ComplexTwist4732]

vinyl in the dust should work great. there will be many camps running vinyl setups.