Ultimate DJ Gear Slingbag 258 Review - UDG Slingbag 258 Review

As the digital revolution takes a firm hold on the music industry, it has become ever more apparent that the reputation of any DJ worth his salt is more than just "two turntables and a microphone." Today's successful DJ is an organized, portable and image-conscious entertainment package, and nothing defines "professional" better than something that brings all of those defining qualities together in perfect harmony. Enter UDG, or Ultimate DJ Gear, the industry leader in DJ-related storage, organization and transport solutions. Backed by the enthusiastic endorsement of pretty much every major international DJ on the planet, UDG have firmly established their reputation of delivering durable and practical gear for every facet of the business, while retaining a fashionable outlook that increases their demand and desirability.

WMC Sighting

While at the Winter Music Conference this past March, I was spending some quality time in Grooveman record shop on Washington Avenue in Miami when I overheard a conversation going on at the front.

Standing there at the sales counter was an easily-recognized "big name" DJ and producer who was examining a few gear bags. He was explaining to the clerk that his gear bag had "been accidentally left in a taxi in Paris" the night before and he was looking to "replace and upgrade" it. The clerk was showing him two bags, and he was unzipping them, thumping them, tugging at the straps and trying to make a decision. He left with a really nice UDG gear bag, and before I headed out I was curious as to what he had purchased and asked the clerk to show me the same. I didn't make a purchase that day, but little did I realize that the situation would come back into play in the near future.

The Wake-up Call

In my many years as a resident nightclub DJ, I've had the good fortune of working with a lot of top names in the industry, and have always marveled at how "compact" they travel when they have a gig at my club or one of our off-site events. One, maybe two gear bags and a laptop computer, the simplest of setups packaged neatly in what appeared to be custom-made cases. This past Memorial Day my club hosted three major DJs over three nights, all three of them sporting UDG gear, and I can't tell you enough how much of a "wake-up call" it suddenly became. Now mind you, I am the resident DJ at my club, I leave a lot of my music there and try to transport as little as possible back and forth with me from home, but as a Billboard reporter and non-stop shopper for music online, I get enough new music each week to always have something in tow with me in addition to my laptop.

After seeing these three DJs climb the ladder to my booth with just a gear bag over one shoulder, I was left embarrassed and wondering what the heck am I doing pushing an old liquor box with three overstuffed off-brand CD books from Wal-Mart up that same ladder in addition to a bag over each shoulder, and why am I not that organized? Could that be the secret as to why they were a "big name" DJ and I was still just a local guy? Probably not. But it did get me energized to make some drastic changes in my image and my dedication to becoming better organized with my music and gear. I recalled my episode at Grooveman in Miami with yet another "big name" DJ and remembered examining a really nice gear bag that had caught my attention. So my first impression of where to look? You guessed it: Ultimate DJ Gear.

Choosing the right bag

Before I chose a product to purchase, I weighed in on what my needs were as a part-time DJ. I wanted something that was roomy enough to handle an ever-changing assortment of CD promos I would be carrying with me each weekend to try out, as well as something that could safely house my laptop and eliminate the need to carry a separate laptop bag. Something compact, yet with a capacity that allowed it to be my "only" bag for my many gigs at clubs other than my own residency. UDG offers many products that would meet those needs, some in excess, but I found a comfortable fit in their popular CD Slingbag 258.

What is a Slingbag?

The Slingbag design sports a trademark removable shoulder strap that allows it to be carried by a rugged riveted nylon and leather-like handle, but the strap is so comfortable I wouldn't dream of taking it off. With a contoured padded shoulder for added comfort, it can either be worn on one shoulder or carried across to the other shoulder and worn like a "messenger" type bag on the opposite hip, based on which way you turn the contour of the strap. I carry my bag in the latter way, as my neck provides more security of the bag not falling off of my shoulder as I ascend the high ladder into my DJ booth. The laptop space on the rear of the bag easily accommodates a laptop up to 15.4 inches, which would include most laptops not in the Powerbook or big screen families (see the UDG Producer Bag for needs of this size), and offers about a ½ inch of heavy-duty shock resistant foam padding on the outer face to protect your investment.