DJ Help

[testrada3]

I have messed around with my friends DJ equipment and loved it. I lost contact with him and i wanna start to DJ. My fiance is supporting me 100% cuz she is amazing . But i wanna know what i would need. And some good products to go with. I would appreciate the help.

 

[omegatron]

Good Tips for DJ Equipment

 

[testrada3]

Thx

 

[electrotune1200]

Are you wanting to DJ with a PC or actual Dj equipment? Are you wanting to DJ in a digital format (Cd's or mp3's) or good old fashioned vinyl? What kind of music are you wanting to DJ?

There are so many options.....The safest bet would be to muck around with some software and see if you really enjoy doing it before shelling out some really serious cash. You have to remember this is going to be the most expensive hobby you'll ever have.

I myself learned on Technics 1200's and later moved to CDJ's because it's cheaper to buy mp3's over vinyl, plus it gets really tiring carying a crate of records as opposed to a book of CD's.If you're looking into a nice set of CD players I recommend "Pioneer CDJ 400's". A perfect set for beginners that perform quite well.

If you have any questions or need any advice on getting started feel free to ask. I'm sure I can be of some help in this department.

 

[FZ21Z]

Set of Technics 1210's, and amp and speakers. I have a few friends with that set up which does the job for them, but they're in to banging techno, so it depends on what you want to DJ for.

 

[testrada3]

I have a program on my laptop that i want to use. It's the virtual DJ program. But idk what else i need. Techno

 

[omegatron]

I have a program on my laptop that i want to use. It's the virtual DJ program. But idk what else i need. Techno

You need to figure out what type of DJ you're going to be. What's your main line of work? Are you going to be working clubs? Private Parties? Weddings?

Then you need to research what's the popular in your scene. Techno, R&B, Rap, Country, 80's...

Then you need to familiarize yourself with the genre of music you want to spin.

Need to know what's hip and what's not. What's popular now. What's been around and still favored.

Then you need to work on some playlists you can spin that sounds good and going to get people off their butts and onto the dance floor...

 

[testrada3]

I wanna start working clubs but i don't got any equipment. Just my laptop. Thanks you guys are helping a lot

 

[CoolioG]

When DJs USED to come to my middle school they would use iTunes lol

 

[electrotune1200]

What you should start looking into is a program called "Ableton Live". It's a bit tricky to get used to but the possibilities are endless. You should start with basics first, understanding measures and bars and just learning where tracks should be mixed. Later on you can get into re-editing tracks so you control where the track builds and breaks down, so on and so forth.

I recommend a few years of practice before you subject yourself to the club environment. Do not rush yourself in there because if you do not impress your first time out there, it's nearly impossible to get back in. DJ'ing in a club is a whole new can of worms, and can be quite daunting your first time. You have to devote yourself to self promotion. Whenever you go out to a club or an event, have about 50 CD's of a solid mix of your own. You should do this every weekend and make as many contacts as you can. It's a tough field to get into, as there are tons of DJ's out there.

When you're ready what you need is a STABLE PC. A PC that you have complete faith in. A PC that crashes during a live gig is pretty embarrassing. Preferably a PC that is devoted to music and music only. Not loaded up with unnecessary programs, security suites, so on and so forth. And you need a solid external soundcard (No Creative, or anything you can buy in a standard PC shop).

If you're interested in any mixes, send me a pm and I'll send a link over to you for download.

 

[Phase]

I wanna start working clubs but i don't got any equipment. Just my laptop. Thanks you guys are helping a lot

Ahh..good old DJing days.

If you want to start working clubs, getting major equipment should be the last thing on your mind IMO. I've been doing parties & promotion in Toronto for over 6+ years. 90% of club now a days have their own built in equipment such as Pioneer CDJ-1000's (worldwide known club standard cd players) or Technics 1200's for turntables.

The first thing that you should be working on is your music collection. I would research ''paid record pools'' or start torrenting alot of Billboard Top 40's, & keeping up to date on music.

Since you have a laptop, thats a major equipment, you can use Serato or Traktor, they both have an audio box that lets you connect your laptop directly to the clubs equipment to start doing live mixes etc. They also both feature ''bins'', its a personalize way of storing/keeping track of your music and having it organized.

They retail for about $599.99 CND (just for the actual ''box'' with wires), the software you can download for free or torrent.

Secondly, I'd invest in a good pair of headphones, personally I'd recommend AKG, they have a wicked DJ headphone that I purchased two years ago, still going strong, for approx. $160.00 CND

If you want to play using CD's, invest in binders (Slappa makes professional binders and I would rate them as #1), know how your going to organize/burn your music, make your track lists.

Theres so many things you need to make sure of first before you actually start worrying about equipment, most club djs dont even bother getting equipment until there about 3-5 years in the business, keep in mind, you can also rent equipment to try them out and see which ones you respond to best. DJing is harder than it seems - trust me.

Just a few pointers, let me know if you need any other help!

 

[testrada3]

Thanks a lot. I'm going to get started with all this new information. If i run into any more problems i will be sure to ask you guys