Dj equipment

Questions and Answers

DJ Equipment?

Q) I want to purchase a dj system with turntables and mixers etc...However i am completely new at this so i would like to know what equipment i should buy. I am willing to spend a few hundred £s but nothing over £300.

A) You'll only get very basic equipment for under £300, but it's best to start off with a basic mixer otherwise you will get confused. Look in magazines such as DJ magazine and Mixmag magazine, they have good equipment for sale. The one thing I advise is to invest in a high quality pair of headphones, as you need them to hear the mixes and you don't want to damage your ears. Buy Technics decks. Good luck and enjoy!

What would be the best way to transport dj equipment from Canada to Ireland ?

Q) I am going from Canada to Ireland shortly and will be needing my decks and mixer once I arrive. What is the most secure and cost worthy method for me to transport them. Canada Post and UPS are too expensive. Ok you guys, you have rather gotten away with your basic knowledge of the industry. You do not sell equipment that has cost a pretty penny when in fact I have found out that they can be stored in the cargo of the plane I will be travelling on. I do hope that you research your answers and don't assume.

A) You certainly left out a lot your options. First they will have rental music stores in Dublin and Belfast. Look it up online. If you are doing a music tour contact the booker. They should have a list of rental places. If you are doing this professionally I would fire your agent/manager, this is their job description. You get them to work on this. If you are going permanently or as an amateur sell them off and buy new/used/rent in Dublin or Belfast. Do carry your music instrument. And remember, if you are doing this professionally, a lease or rent is a 100% cost writeoff off the top of your taxes. You diminish the value of your equipment by moving them onto an aircraft, truck or whatever. I don't care what insurance you put on that equipment, you don't get 100% recovery. The only tax benefit if you use your own equipment is an annual depreciation. If you are a DJ then same goes. Just bring your music. Rent the equipment there. Its a tax write-of.

When you get DJ equipment PAT tested do you need to get every cable PAT tested too?

Q) My tester only did the gear and not the kettle plugs etc-Is he correct?

A) Kettle plugs need PAT testing as well. Any portable appliance that can carry electrical current is required to be PAT tested as BS.

How do I become a DJ and what equipment do I need?

Q) I have always wanted to learn how to DJ. I am complete beginner. Never touched the decks. I will hopefully be signing up for dj-ing classes. I dont really want to produce my own music. I just want to be able to play and mix really well for clubs and private parties. what do i need to learn to be able to do this and what equipment do I need? what kind of costs am I looking at for the equipment?

A) Decks, mixer, speakers, amp, headphones and some vinyl depending on what make you want youll pay anything from £200- up wards. Good luck with it mate its great once you know what ur doing!

dj equipment for a complete beginner?????

Q) i look at dj's and think to myself i would love to do that, so iam going to start. what i want to know is what equipment i should buy (decks and mixers)?? i would be looking to spend no more than between £250 - £300?? thanks

A) A person after my own heart, Well first of all you will struggle to get a decent set up for 250-300. You could probably go and get a cheap pair of belt drive turntables with a mixer for about £300. I would say save a bit more cash and go for direct drive turntables if you are serious about learning how to mix. You are not going to learn anything on belt drive decks. You can get them cheap enough second hand but be carefull not to buy a dud, try and test before you buy. Happy Mixin!

what is the best equipment to get if you are a beggining DJ?

Q) i wanna get into DJing but im not sure what the best equipment to get is. please can you help me!

A) I truly recommend this site for you. It will give you all the answers you need: What, Brand, Type, Costs etc http://www.famousdjs.com/dj_equipment.htm

Equipment for a DJ and producer, where to get it.?

Q) If you have read my other question about wanting to become a DJ, i meant where and how to start, rather than actual places like a pub lol. If you haven't read the other qu --> Me and my mate want to start out as young DJ's, he's into more the production side of things mind. But where do we start ie. equipment. I have done a little research, but i get easy confused. I am looking along the lines of buying a turntable... i think :S So any advice, contacts, websites or knowledge you may have - please let me know. Thanks.

A) If you wanna dj, defintly purchase turntableSS. Yes, you will need more than one! Being a dj, like anything else in the music biz, requires practise, practise, practise, and i think the turntables would be better to learn the ins& outs of mixing rather than a CDJ for example. If youre still starting out, dont rush off and buy the top of the line stuff yet, rather keep your sight, and budget, low, then you can upgrade as you gain more confidence. But then again, if you can get 1210s at a super low price, take them! The basic equipment you need would be: turntables (with accesories: needles, cables, slipmats, etc) amp and speakers (again, dont go for anything too fancy yet) headphones and of course, vinyls! Regarding, your mate; well, pieces of equipment like drum machines and samplers can be very expensive, and it might be better to go with the laptop and software route, at least until you can afford to get the proper stuff. Try looking in 2nd hand stores; i worked in one and occasionaly we'd get some dj equipment; or you can trawl through online classifieds, thats how i got my turntables. Good luck! oh & 1 more thing: ive used Fruityloops for a long time now, and its great for beginners to learn the ropes with. I know so much about the program, please feel free to mail me!

My boyf is about to set up his DJ equipment, but we live in a block of flats. Noise prevention?

Q) What is the best way to prevent disturbing our neighbours? We live on the ground floor.

A) SOUND PROOFING YOUR WALLS http://forums.dvdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-1037.html

a type of dj equipment that will plug into a cd player and mix?

A) A mixer?? And you need 2 cd players.

What turntables/equipment does DJ Bobby B (of Kottonmouth Kings) use?

Q) I know he uses Shure needles but I was wondering if anyone knew what the turntables, mixer were. Thanks.

A) probably 12 hun's. technic 12 hunderds that is

DJ equipment?

Q) Myself and two friends are interested in becoming dj's for parties and other events. We have made mixes using virtual dj but we need advice on what equipment to get such as light effects, smooke machines, turntables, speakers, any other suggestions.

A) Turntbales - Technics 1200's Flight Cases - Road Ready Phono Cartridge - Shure 44-7 CD Players - Pioneer CDJ's Mixer - Rane Software - Serato Scratch Live Hard Drive - Lacie Speakers - JBL Speaker Stands - OnStage Amp - QSC Lighting - Martin Lighting Stands - OnStage Mic - Sure SM58 Table Skirk to look good at events. Buisness Cards that look professional. Tuxedo for formal events A pair of Air Force Ones for your Tux (LOL Just Kidding) A few milk crates for Actual Vinyl!!! $7,000 for DJ Equipment $250 for a Tuxedo $50 in gas to get you there Looking good and sounding good, Priceless!! :-)

What kind of Dj equipment should I start out with?

Q) For a novice dj, what equipment should I start out with? I'd like to start out with classic turntables or a cd turtable set. What do I need to look for? How much am I going to spend? I basically need general advice on what I need.

A) I completely disagree with this guy above me. I'm a DJ in Las Vegas, which is the unspoken world capital for DJ's. Nobody, and I mean nobody is using CD players here. If you plan on doing house parties and low level corporate events then fine, go ahead and get the table top CD players. But, if you want to go out into the big boy world and play in the major leagues, then you're gonna need to know how to work your vinyl. Most venues, clubs, bars, whatever, have Serato Scratch Live as their base DJ setup [operated by turntables, not CD players] so all you have to do is bring your laptop and plug into their system. Your most money should be spent on turntables and a mixer...forget that other stuff for now. You can pick up a pair of Technics and a decent mixer for around $800.00. I would suggest buying the turntables used to save you money, but purchasing your mixer brand new. Play around with your mixer and turntables for a while and get comfortable with it. Learn the basics, watch other DJ's, ask questions and make sure that you really want to pursue it as either a serious hobby or even a career [because it get's really expensive, really fast] The biggest mistake I see with new DJ's is they have their parents front them the money for brand new turntables, a battle mixer, Serato, a laptop, an amp, and a good speaker set-up, only to realize that DJing isnt for them. Well, you dont have to spend $4500 just to realize that you dont like something. Start small, with 2 1200's and a mixer [Vestax & Rane are good]. Practice into your headphones [oh yeah, you need headphones...good ones] and get comfortable with your skills. Mix with REAL VINYL...none of this digital BS. It's the quickest way to learn how to be a real good DJ. Then when you feel that you're good enough, go out and get an amp, some speakers, and possibly even a Serato set up. It's going to take some time before you're good, so stick with it....and for crying out loud...stay on top of your vinyl!!!! If you're playing the top 40 hits from 4 months ago, nobody wants to hear it!!!!!!!!! They want that song that they saw on MTV yesterday, or that song that they heard on the new Lil Wayne mixtape...and it's your job to have it!! And one last thing...dont copy anybody else's style. In the course of you learning, you'll develop your own style. And dont waste time thinking up some corny DJ name that sounds one way, but is spelled another [like Alpyne, or Pyaneer] because your name will easily get confused with other DJ's who spelled it the right way and are now taking your business [do you think Oakenfold, Tiesto, Sasha or Donald Glaude has that problem?] Wow, this quickly turned from tutorial to "what I hate about new DJ's". Anyway, hope this helps.

Where can I find advice as to what DJ equipment to buy for a new DJ in the MP3 world?

Q) I was a DJ back in the day of, "Two turntables and a microphone," but I want to get back into the DJ business. I am have a laptop and a home computer and am interested in what type of DJ equipment to get if I want to DJ with my laptop and CDs instead of lugging around the "coffin" with my turntables. I am all for buying used equipment if it is reliable and while I want to go lean and inexpensive that doesn’t mean I want to go cheap and low quality. Any suggestions?

A) I've been using Traktor 3 and a Faderfox controller for over a year now, and it's never let me down. You can do so much more with MP3's than vinyl that I'll rarely even bring my records to a gig anymore. CD's are OK, but again, it's another 10-20 pounds to lug on your shoulder, and you have to be able to know how to work all kinds of CD units. Also, if you're up for the MP3 route, keep your eyes on Vestax-they're about to release a Traktor dedicated controller that's looking meeeean at the moment: http://vestax.com/v/products/players/vci100.html

Where can I get insurance for DJ Equipment?

Q) Need to insure DJ equipment for theft while out on gigs. Can anyone direct me to a company that offers that?

A) From an agent who sells insurance,where else?

Where can I find DJ equipment in Bahrain?

Q) I will be visiting Bahrain in a few days and I wanted to know anywhere I can look for DJ equipment (turntables and a mixer) there. Also, do you have any idea how much the turntable (Technics or Numark) would cost? And also a Pioneer DJM 600 mixer? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

A) I am not 100% sure where you can find such shops, but I have noticed a shop on Exhibition Road that sells electronic instruments like guitars. They might have what you need. I Dont know what the name of the shop is, but it is between the two clock roundabouts in Exhibition Road. It is the same row as Burger King

Whats the best DJ equipment and/or software to start out with?

Q) I've wanted to learn how to dj for a long time now, I just have no clue where to start. I've got plenty of music, but no equipment/software. I have the following: http://www.zzounds.com/item--IONICD04FX http://www.zzounds.com/item--ADJVERTIGO http://www.zzounds.com/item--CHVCH155 but im not sure what else i would need. I would like to have a laptop with all my music on it so that it would be easy to move around and work with. What are some of the better programs to use?

A) Get two technics 1200mk5's. a vestax mixer (there are different types depending on what kind of dj'ing you're doing). You want SURE needles, again differing depending on your style.

What DJ Equipment is needed in a typical mobile entertainment setup?

Q) What is the basic DJ equipment need in a typical mobile entertainment setup...like for weddings and dances? What should I plan on putting down cost wise to purchase it?

A) A basic set will include: 1 amplifier, stereo or mono. 100 Watt minimum output. A mixer, at least 2 channel with crossfade, and minimum 1 microphone input. (More inputs equals more flexibility in program. More than 1 mike input means you can provide wireless mike for toasts, etc., from wedding party and guests. 1 Microphone for DJ to make announcements, etc. (See note about wireless mike above for client's convenience.) 1 Pair speakers rated for amplifier output, or better. 1 pair speaker stands. (Speaker on a stick setup.) 2 CD players. 2 tables, folding, banquet style, min. 6' long. 1 for equipment, 1 table for holding music library. 1 Cloth to put over table to hide cords, other equipment, etc.. Patch cords (RCA) to connect CD players to Mixer. Patch cords (RCA) to connect mixer to amp. Cords to connect amp output to speakers. Cost for above will vary greatly depending upon quality of speakers and sound system equipment. All prices/costs are in US dollars. Minimum of $1,000 for above, and that is with Radio Shack quality gear. Max of about $4000 for above if top of the line pro-gear. Most likely cost for start-up will be about $2500 for sound system. Consider adding equalizer, second pair of speakers, etc. to improve quality of sound. Even if you are going to play music from hard drives of puter, you better have the CD's somewhere to show that the music was purchased, otherwise you will encounter some serious legal problems with ASCAP, record companies, etc. Music library, bare absolute minimum of 500 CD's if they are Greatest Hits, compilations, and the like. Include most of the "Now That's What I Call...." variety, as you can get more hits per CD. Adding light show and effects will cost a lot. 2 bars of 4 lights each, with controller panel will be an easy $800. Additional effects will be minimum of $250 per. Tuxedo. Cost $200 - $500 used, but good quality. (Cut offs and Megadeath tour T-shirts are not gonna cut it at a wedding. Well, not most of them. Parents who will be footing this expense expect professional appearance. (Good news: Haircuts, dental work, music, tuxedo and/or other outfits you wear to gigs......all tax deductible. You are a performer. Your personal appearance is crucial to commercial success.) Accounting software, and tax software will be crucial. Cost unknown. Depends on what you can use, and what programs will work for you. Some people use fairly cheap programs like Quick Books Pro, cost is $200-$250? Using an accountant on retainer - cost from $200 per year and up assuming that they do the taxes for you. Business cards, flyers to post at grocery stores, bars, etc., and other promotions/marketing...about $150 will get you a good supply to start. Advertising is absolutely necessary, and expensive. Depending upon size of market you may need to purchase yellow page ads costing $500 - $1000 a year. Online advertising, and website.....cost too variable to estimate. It depends on what you want to do, and what you can do for yourself. Web page development - $0 - $1000 with "shopping cart" and credit card checkout $250 a year minimum, (plus on average 3% of each sale.) website hosting - do it yourself for cost of DSL and server with firewall and hacker-proof software to run site, up to pretty reasonable for someone else to host - maybe $10-$20 per month. (Assuming that they are reliable and online almost all of the time.) Cost for 2 years of operation, advertising, etc., is going to run you about $4000-$5000. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THE MUSIC. (Cost of music computes @ minimum $10 per CD of new music.) Now, realistically how many gigs can you land in a year? How much revenue will each gig provide? How many gigs do you need just to break even each year? Equipment costs, music costs if building library from scratch, operating costs such as business phone (cell,) advertising, etc. will be about $10,000. (This is assuming that you have reliable transportation to get to the gigs.) Good luck. It was fun and profitable for me for about 20 years. Then I became too old, and not cutting edge enough, to compete with the new kids. (Rap sucks because people don't dance to it. If they ain't dancing, you ain't gonna get paid or you will get complaints from the check signer, and you will not get word of mouth advertising and repeat business. Gangsta Rap with copkilla and sexually explicit lyrics suck even more because not only will they not dance to it, but the parents are going to be offended. Who pays the bills? Really signs the check to hire your butt? Rarely the kids getting married. Normally the parents. So guess who ya gotta make happy? Count with me now, the lady in white cuz she's the boss, and whoever popped the bucks for the dance.)

What Dj Equipment is Best For Beginner?

Q) Im 18 and really into clubbing and electro and house music. I've decided i want to start dj'ing, and then play at big clubs like Benny Benassi, Bob Sinclar and Erick Morillo etc, but i don't know what equipment i should buy to start off. Most big Dj's started off with vinyl back in their day, but now, as the years have gone by, many superstar dj's play alot with CDJ's. What should is better, Vinyl Turnatbles or CDJ?

A) It all depends on what you want to do. Very cliche answer but it is the truth. Do you want to scratch or do you want to mix? Do you want to work in a club or DJ as a hobby? By the looks of your music taste you'd want to be playing a lot more house music which in my opinion would require you to have a decent mixer with good effects. If you are just starting and you want to put your little money somewhere, I'd pump it into your mixer rather than your turntables. A good mixer will allow you to really familiarize yourself with techniques that house DJs use. As for the the turntables you could try to get some off brand CD-J's that could be more affordable. Another advantage of getting cheaper CD-J's is you have allot more music at your disposal considering it is allot easier to make a MP3 CD with 100's of songs than a vinyl album with just a few. The only advantage of getting vinyl turntables is if you want to get seriously in scratching; if you plan on learning scratching with CD-J's it will be very difficult and not an "authentic" feeling.

What are the best sites to purchase mobile DJ equipment?

Q) I am starting my own DJ company and the local suppliers just don't do it.

A) Where are you located? In US "Guitar Center" store is good

Does anyone know about about entry level DJ equipment to use with a laptop?

Q) I have been playing around with Virtual Dj on my computer a fairly expensive program, but I really need some hardware to go along with it. I am wondering what kind of entry level mixer and turntable might include some type of USB connection to play through. Thanks.

A) Check out the DJ forums. They are very friendly and more than happy to help newbies out.