Any advise for a total newbie?

Well Grant,

you are where I was a few months ago.

I can really relate to your situation; the information “out there” is overwhelming and usually skips the basics so you don’t even understand what you dont understand..:-)

I will try to be as brief as I can:
1. There are three main softwares that you can use for Djing; Traktor, Serato and Virtual DJ. Now there is also Pioneers new Rekordbox (+ few others) that is also a full DJ software and not just a preparation software like it was before. It will probably be very good but they just started with it a few days ago so you dont even have any good reviews about it yet. So for the moment stick to those three first ones…
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-software/traktor-pro-2/
https://serato.com/dj
http://www.virtualdj.com/
https://www.rekordbox.com/en/
2. those softwares work with certain hardwares (controllers etc) and the basic rule is that Traktor works best with its own gear, Serato only works with certified hardware (it is mentioned on the gear) and Virtual DJ works with whatever they list on their pages. The controller controlls the software so when you play music you “play it” with that controller. Its that simple:-). You can use Traktor even straight from your laptop, but its easier and more fun with the controller.
3. You can of course map this and that hardware to work with certain softwares but in the beginning its easiest to stick to those rules that I just mentioned…maybe even later too. With your budget its wisest to get a good controller (+software) and then once you learn more start piling up the gear:-)
4. Serato is mainly about classical DJing with very good visuals to look at, Traktor is more producer oriented, because they add Remix decks and Stems to their system (I use Traktor and also have Serato) and Virtual DJs main thing is that you get to use their music collection…to be honest I do not know too much about VDJ, but hopefully someone can explain better.
5. If you buy f.ex Traktors S2/S4 MK2 controllers you get their full DJ software included. Same goes for Serato controllers, but you just need to make sure they come with the full Serato DJ software and not for example Serato DJ intro which you will eventually want to upgrade quite soon. Same goes with Traktor (Traktor Pro software vs Traktor LE2 software). When you buy 2nd hand just make sure the sellers also gives the software serial numbers to you and also lets go of his rights to that software. That is done through the manufacturers webpage.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-controllers/
https://serato.com/hardware/all/controllers
http://www.virtualdj.com/
http://www.pioneerdj.com/en/product/controller

6. you need a decent computer (mac is better, but PC works too) and a set of headphones + speakers and your good to go. You can use your computers soundcard (if the controller does not have one) to hear what you play.

So first decide the software Serato/Traktor/VDJ/Pioneer/other
Then look for the controller that comes with the top software
Get your laptop ready and make sure its “as fast as you want it to be”
Get the headphones + almost any speakers (active) and thats it

The rest you will figure out as you start doing it. The manuals in both Serato and Traktor are very good and easy to follow.

DDJT has a very good catalogue about different controllers so pick that up and you’ll know more.

I buy all my music from Beatport, DJ tunes & Itunes. The good thing about buying your music is of course that you support the people that make that music, but also since you need to pay for it you also need to think about it which is a very good thing once you start planning your sets… You will eventually find your own genre and hopefully people will appreciate that once you play live…

Hope this helps a bit.

Happy DJing,

M

ps. of course you can just get two turntables (for vinyl or CDJ) and a 2 channel mixer, but I guess thats not what you are looking for…

Well its a question of opinion.. Anyway I think Pioneer is about to release new “CDJs” any day/week/month (left side of DDJ-SZ/DDJ-RZ). The really old CDJs (like CDJ1000Mk3) can be used with control cds’ (just like turntables->DVS vinyl), but then you need a Mixer and DVS system and that costs. Then if you think of the Pioneer Nexus 2000/900 series which are top of the line at the moment, my opinion is that you should wait and see what happens, but also remembering that those or their future replacements are expensive. Better spend a little now and then once you use the system you end up with, you will know what to do in the future.. then you will probably spend quite a lot, but then you know what you’re spending for.

Many of the Pioneer controllers come with Serato so there is no reason for you to skip them if you want Serato. Its just the last two models that work with their new software.. You’ll see all that on their website.

Personally I like a combination; I have 2 Technics 1210 MK5s, 2 Traktor D2s and Xone DB4 mixer and use Traktor Scratch Pro 2. I am waiting what Pioneer will do and maybe (maybe) then its time to put the Technics aside at least for a while. I can not scratch, but working with the vinyls (even if DVS) is just pure fun. There is no real reason for me to use them:-)

My first system was Traktor S4 MK2 + 2 F1s which I almost sold a month ago, but did not eventually and now that I joined the DDJT Scratch course for controllers I am more than happy I didn’t. Maybe after the course I will sell it, who knows. The F1s are awesome and I still use them even though the D2s can take care of almost everything, but there are a few things the F1s are better when it comes to the Remix decks. You’ll see if you end up with Traktor.

One more thing; make the decision as soon as you feel comfortable, because you can really sink into this gear hell and postpone your DJing… I spent two months searching for answers day & night but luckily now I spend my time rehearsing and not speculating about the gear and If I do speculate its so much easier now that I am doing the thing these machines are for.

Take care.

M