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This article is based upon a recent podcast recording we made with Mojaxx, talking about how to DJ with 7″ singles (and more!). To catch the full episode, check out the video above or head to your favourite podcast platform for the audio version.
I recently interviewed DJ gear reviewer extraordinaire Mojaxx for a special 15th birthday edition of our podcast, where we geeked out about DJing with 7″ singles – something that (perhaps surprisingly to some) we both thoroughly enjoy doing.
However, he’s the expert, and I thought it’d be useful to collate his biggest tips here. If you’ve ever thought you’d like to have a go at this micro-niche but undeniably fun way of DJing, this is for you.
Get Started With 7″ Singles – 7 Tips For DJs
1. Understand the practical advantages
According to Mojaxx, portability is one of the biggest draws of 7″ DJing. “A bag with 150 seven-inch records is a lot more portable than a box of 100 12-inches,” he explains. You can easily carry enough records for a four-hour set in one shoulder bag, and crucially, you can take them as hand luggage when flying – something that’s impossible with 12″ records.
This practicality extends to your back health too. As Mojaxx puts it: “I’m getting on now and I don’t want to be damaging my back by carrying big bags of 12s around.”
2. Embrace the creative restrictions
The format forces a particular style of DJing that can reinvigorate your sets. With only about three and a half minutes per record, “it’s all killer, no filler,” Mojaxx notes. There are no extended breakdowns or lengthy intros – you get the pure impact of each track before having to transition to the next.
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This restriction also gives DJs back some power in request culture. When someone asks for a track you don’t have, the answer is simple: “If it’s not in this bag, you’re not having it, love. That’s not happening.”
3. Invest in quality adapters
This is crucial technical advice. The standard Technics 45 adapters that come with turntables are inadequate for serious 7″ DJing. Mojaxx recommends heavyweight metal cone-shaped adapters, particularly those with O-rings that clamp down on the record.
“I generally carry at least two sets,” he explains, “because some records with the large hole, that large hole is a little bit undersized. Some it’s a little bit bigger, so they’re a bit wobbly.” Having the right adapter keeps your records stable and prevents them jumping out of the groove.
4. Get your slipmats right
Slipmats are “absolutely crucial” for 7″ DJing. Mojaxx particularly recommends Dr. Suzuki Donuts (when available), which have a raised edge that creates a slight well for the record to sit in, providing extra stability for warped records.
The combination of grip and slip is vital – you need enough grip to keep the record stable but enough slip to allow for cutting and scratching techniques.
5. Know where to find records
For new releases, Mojaxx checks online record stores like Juno daily, filtering specifically for 7″ releases. But the real treasures are found in physical digging: “Go to those dusty record shops that smell of smoke and stuff, that kind of place where you feel like you need to wash your hands after you’ve been in there for an hour.”
Read this next: Where DJs Get Their Music
Record fairs and local markets can yield incredible bargains. Mojaxx mentions finding stores where you can “fill a paper bag with seven inches for five pounds” – potentially 50-60 records for £20.
For online buying, he advises that VG+ condition is perfectly adequate: “A little bit of crackle…that’s kind of the charm of the format in many ways.”
6. BPM your collection (but keep it simple)
While Mojaxx initially had an elaborate system of recording each track into Serato for precise BPM analysis, he’s now simplified his approach. He taps the tempo into his mixer and writes it down on the record sleeve along with the key.
At gigs, he doesn’t pre-sort by BPM but gradually organises records as the night progresses: “I don’t BPM stuff out ahead of time, but I do once I’m there, it’s like sorting your crates out on the fly”.
7. Join the community
The 7″ scene is small but welcoming. “You feel part of a community when you play 45s,” Mojaxx explains. He recommends getting involved in Facebook groups and connecting with the culture.
The scene attracts mostly older DJs who appreciate music across decades, and it’s built around classics rather than chasing the latest releases. As Mojaxx puts it: “It’s not so big. It’s a niche, where you can get to know most of the people in your country who play 45s pretty easily.”
The Bottom Line
7″ DJing offers a refreshing return to the physical, visceral aspects of DJing that can feel lost in the digital age. While it requires more skill and preparation than digital DJing, that’s exactly what makes it engaging for experienced DJs looking for a new challenge.
Read this next: 7 Reasons DJs Still Use Vinyl & Turntables Today
As Mojaxx concludes: “When I’m playing vinyl, I’m doing it for fun. And that’s what 45s deliver for me.”
Want to hear the full conversation? Check out our podcast where Mojaxx and I dive deep into the world of 7″ DJing, from technical set-up to his favourite records.
Phil Morse
