Equipment: Hints and Tips...

A DJ without equipment is just a regular member of the public, but choosing the right equipment to buy can be a real struggle for beginners or inexperienced DJ's.
Regardless of the type of DJ you choose to become, there is always a basic set of equipment each DJ must purchase:

• 2 x Turntables
• 1 x Mixer
• 1 x Headphones
• 1 Pair of monitor speakers (optional)
• 1 Pair of PA speakers (optional)

Not a big list, but a vitally important one.

One mistake which is often made by enthusiastic DJ's is choosing equipment in a rush. The best advice we can give would be to research what would suit you the best and pay for quality equipment that will last you for years to come... A good carpenter would choose a reliable set of chisels and look after them because they are the tools of his/her trade... The concept is the same for DJ's and their equipment.

Firstly, let's look at turntables...

In order to keep up to date with the newest technology, I would recommend buying CD turntables rather than vinyl turntables. However, if you like the old-skool way of DJ'ing and want to buy some vinyl turntables then I would suggest buying Technics 1210's.

Technics 1210's are not the most expensive turntable out there but are one of the most reliable. They are built like army tanks, are direct drive, and have the best quality of sound that money can buy.

The next generation of DJ's however should be looking for turntables that are a bit more hi-tech...

Introducing the CD turntable...

CD turntables have quickly become the newest and best way to mix music. They have seen a rise since the late 90's and are now the most popular way in which professional DJ's spread their sounds. Music being produced on CD's is easier to access and cheaper to buy than vinyl records and the CD decks come with awesome gear built into them.

With the addition of the internet, DJ's can buy their tracks on websites like Beatport, iTunes and many other online retailers. They then burn the tracks onto CD and are ready to use them in their mixes without even having to leave their seat. The absence of needles, slip mats and cartridges is another benefit of CD turntables.

It's no doubt that the Pioneer CDJ-800′s and CDJ-1000′s have become the standard for CD turntables. The CDJ’s are used globally in clubs, bedrooms and most parties for their reliability and features. So I would recommend buying a pair of these. However, if you're lucky enough to have an extra few pennies to spare, you might want to look at the CDJ-2000's.

The next thing you will need to buy is a reliable mixer...

A mixer connects all the pieces together; speakers, turntables amplifiers and most of the other equipment will all be connected to the mixer. If you was to compare a full set of decks to the human anatomy, the mixer would be the heart. It is the beating heart of the set-up and a good mixer will help you to create some monster beats.

To be honest, most mixers have pretty similar capabilities so it is not essential to buy the most expensive one you can find. As long as you buy one that has the basic requirements for DJing i.e. a crossfader, the knobs (bass, synth, snares etc.), input/output connections for turntables etc., a headphone jack, and a sound meter. Also, it may be wise to get one that has the flick switch to 'kill' the bass, synth and snare. This can add some fun effects once you master the basics of DJing.

I would recommend the DJM-800 mixer, or the DJM-400 as a cheaper alternative.

Pictured is the DJM-400: A multi-platform mixer with professional capabilities. Reliable, affordable and capable of effective music creations.

Almost essential to every DJ set up is a proper pair of DJ headphones...

Headphones provide DJ's with a way to listen to cued tracks in one ear while monitoring the track currently being played; the basics of beat matching.

As a DJ, you’re going to be in situations where the music is extremely loud all the while people are shouting and making noises. The DJ headphones provide a way to drown out the sound so you can accurately listen to your mix.

You’ll want to get a pair of headphones which can handle the lows and highs of the music you’re playing. You should look for closed ear headphones, the kind which completely wrap up and cover your ears, these give you an added touch of isolation without completely blocking out all noise and are very comfortable.

There are many sets of headphones that match these criteria, however because I've inserted photos for the other bits of equipment, I thought I'd show you my favourites. The Pioneer HDJ-1000's...

Now you have the equipment to mix the tunes and hear the sounds yourself, it's time to let the world hear you.

You're just a good pair of quality speakers away from shake shake shake shaking tha room!!!...

PA speakers are meant to be loud and bassy, these are the speakers you see in front of the booth and around the dance floor. They have a large dynamic range and can handle the abuse of cranking up the tunes to peak levels for prolonged periods of time.

Active PA speakers are your best bet because they include the amplifier and power supply within the cabinet, making it very easy to lug around from venue to venue.

My favourite are the Mackie S215's...

SO NOW YOU'RE GOOD TO GO!!!

You can check local shops, or browse online for cheaper equipment. There are always people selling their gear to upgrade or DJs that are getting out of the game.

If possible, try to test out every piece before you buy; make sure nothing is broken and that it will work well with your other pieces of equipment

DJing can be a lot of fun and open up a world of opportunity.

Now, get out there and start mixing!

CC.

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