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Absolute Beginner – What to buy

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  • December 20, 2014 at 8:20 pm #2110831
    Osama Zulfiqar
    Participant

    Oh and my genre of choice is progressive house, frankly at this point, I’m not even sure how sub-genres break down, (been really a couple months i started getting serious)..but yea that’s what get generaly gets me going.

    Thanks

    December 20, 2014 at 10:12 pm #2110841
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Hi Zulfi,

    First let me point you in the direction of the free 2015 controller guide for all the information and reviews you could ever need and also in the direction of the truly hundreds of posts about the same subject here on the forums (use the search function for “first controller” for example).

    Secondly, let me point out that nobody can help you pick your controller for you as this is a highly personal choice.

    Thirdly, you are starting with hardware based on a budget. This is about as upside down as you can get in the proces of picking your first controller, imho.

    The most useful order, I have found, is to start with deciding what kind of DJ you want to be and what your workflow will look like (approximately and based on your current assumptions, as you don’t have the long history to help you with that – yet). Next, figure out what software will fit that workflow and DJ style best. Our advice is to go with the big 3 or 4 (depending on who you ask) of Virtual DJ, Serato, Traktor (and Cross DJ). Next try to decide what features you think you really need and which would be nice to haves. Then set a budget and finally find the controllers that fit all your criteria within your budget.

    We have somewhat of a “favorite” shortlist of starter controllers.
    In no particular order:
    * Numark Mixtrack Pro 2
    * Reloop Beatmix 2 (and 4)
    * Pioneer DDJ-SB
    * Denon MC-2000
    I have the feeling I am leaving one out, but I am sure there are some people who will add some other makes and models.

    My personal choice would not be in the diretion of Hercules, Behringer, American Audio and such, often they don’t come with any of the 3-4 big name software. Don’t forget to calculate the full version of your favorite software into your budget. A controller with a full version of the software might be cheaper than a cheaper controller with and LE version where you have to buy the upgrade.

    It seems you will be taking your gear out to play, meaning you’ll have to buy a means of transportation, at the very least a good gear bag or a flightcase. So take that into consideration too.

    Hope that helps some.

    December 21, 2014 at 10:04 pm #2110921
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Vintage said it all and I think you got all of our favourites.

    December 22, 2014 at 8:40 pm #2111361
    Osama Zulfiqar
    Participant

    Hi guys,

    Thanks for pointing out to the guide, I’ve read through it and I feel I understand the overall concept better. As I said earlier, I really do have zero experience, I see what some DJs do in clubs with the music and I want to do that to my personal liking.

    Going through the guide, my understanding has been as you said software is more important. The three big names are the obvious ones Traktor Pro, Serato and VDJ. I see that I cant use laptop to try out Serato unless I have a controller plugged in. So that leaves me with Traktor and VDJ. To be honest, it has left me confused on what software to pick, I did check some review, the impression I got is it’s about personal preferences and ‘workflow’. I have no idea what that is :), you really dealing with absolutely total noob here.

    I went to a hardware store and pressed random buttons and jogwheeled on Pioneer DDJ-SB and Mixtrack Pro 2. I honestly could’nt say what’s better and what’s not. Next month is a huge country wide sale, so I’ll wait until that to buy a controller, it also gives me more time to get a fix on software.

    How can you guys advise me on the software? Also, what are your thoughts on rekordbox? It’s free and light, could be good to get hang of basic concepts. I installed DJay on android and got some v.v. basic hang of cue points etc, needless to say I was horrible even with the much-hated-dreaded auto sync button heh.

    Thanks

    December 22, 2014 at 8:59 pm #2111371
    Osama Zulfiqar
    Participant

    DJ Vintage,

    To answer your queries:
    Currently, I’d like to be a Bedroom DJ, Gradually I’d like to expand it to friends and private parties etc and share my work online. By that time, I’ll have good idea as well on how I wish to progress. All in all, I’d like to pursue this as a hobby at this stage, what the future is, I dont know, but I’m open to any.

    My workflow:
    I absolutely have no idea about this, I do not know on what to base my assumptions. Would be grateful if all of you guys can share examples from your experiences.

    Features:
    Again, I do not know, would love some examples to try and make sense of it.

    Thanks!

    December 23, 2014 at 5:57 am #2111511
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    It’s exactly why we tell you not to go and get a very expensive and elaborate controller to start with. Actually less is more when you are starting. Like with most things, it pays to start and learn the basics (well) before diving into the more advanced features.

    All four of our preferred beginner controllers will work with most software and are all suited for a beginner. You can’t really go wrong there. They have the necessary features to keep you busy for a while, are built well enough to last you through that time. The also have half decent resell value should you want to upgrade in the future.

    Also consider taking one of the Digital DJ Tips courses, like this one http://www.digitaldjtips.com/how-to-dj-training-courses/digital-dj-fast/ , it’s well worth the investment and will get you kickstarted.

    Once you follow the course, you will understand better what we mean by workflow for example.

    December 23, 2014 at 9:19 am #2111651
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Most of the beginner controllers: Mixtrack Pro II, DDJ-SB, reloop Beatmix 2, will work with Serato, VDJ and Traktor.

    So get any of those controllers (which ever is more appealing to you or has nicer colors) and be done with it.
    Then get Serato Intro (prolly in the box) and the VDJ and Traktor trial versions.
    Play around with it a bit, best guided by some free tutorials and then decide which software is more comfy for you.

    January 11, 2015 at 11:06 am #2118911
    Osama Zulfiqar
    Participant

    Hi all,

    I’ve decided to go with Numark mix track pro 2, I can try both serato and vdj. I’ve played around with vdj, I feel its intuitive enough, tho, controlling with keyboard can be a very clunky affair.

    I’ve managed to get a used once, opened once controller at 30% ofd, so I feel its good enough now to proceed ahead.

    For speakers in thinking the usual 2 speakers and woofer setup similar to ones you get with PCs etc. Nothing too lavish, I feel it should suffice, but pls advise.

    Headphones: I am all ears on this, would love to hear feedbacks, in 50-100 dollar range. Nothing too lavish, I wouldn’t mind upgrading it later, can always pass it on to siblings heh.

    January 11, 2015 at 11:19 am #2118971
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Speakers: you might not need a sub to begin with. if you plan on starting to do house parties and such soon, you might consider getting a set of PA speakers (used), like 10″ active speakers from a reputable brand. Bass should be plenty for bedroom/practice use.

    If you are not playing out of a while, I’d stick with a decent set of monitor speakers. If budget allows, the KRK Rokit G3 (and even the G2 if you want to buy used) 6″ are very good for the purpose. Unlike the 5s which are a tad low on bass, I think you will have no problem practicing with the 6s. And if, after a while, you decide you really miss a sub, there is always an upgrade path to the KRK 10″ active sub.

    Headphones: In that price range there really isn’t anything I’d wholeheartedly advice. Better to get a 20-30 dollar Sennheiser HD201 pair. They are the hidden gem that can hold their own with anything into the 100 USD range. After that there is a bit of a leap to get into the 200+ headphones.

    January 11, 2015 at 7:41 pm #2119131
    Osama Zulfiqar
    Participant

    Just bought senhieser hd201 and the numark mxp2, really excited :-).

    About speakers, ATM the ones you suggested aren’t available here, importing would be v. Costly.

    Right now I’m just planning to play out loud in my room and if there’s a party, it will be in my apartment lounge, any suggestions for that? Something in 30-50 range?

    January 12, 2015 at 7:33 am #2119221
    Osama Zulfiqar
    Participant

    I just checked prices for second hand speakers and can get decent systems, (sub plus 3-5 speakers) for very good prices, eitherway, I don’t think the speakers would be any hurdle.

    I played around with serato and I liked vdj waveform to be much more simpler, perhaps I don’t know yet what the different colors mean yet.

    Anyway, what is the next step now, what are the things I should learn?

    Any good guides you can recommend? Preferably free ones that you could recommend at this stage?

    Thanks

    January 12, 2015 at 9:00 am #2119301
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    You are seriously considering a surround sound system for DJ practice purposes? I’d stick with two speakers or 2.1 setup if I were you. If you are looking at some more budget speakers for this purpose, the M-Audio AV40s are a pretty good choice and you can read reviews over at the blog on other types of (DJ) monitor speakers.

    Software choice is highly personal, so you will have to work out for yourself which you prefer.

    There is plenty of guides around, even free ones. If you want to really kick start things, our How To Digital DJ FAST course is worth checking out. It’s not free, but yours for life after signing up and it comes with a no questions asked 12-month money-back guarantee.

    January 12, 2015 at 9:05 am #2119321
    Osama Zulfiqar
    Participant

    The surround sound system in question, used, Sony, is going for $30…I feel its a steal…

    I don’t know if your question mark is whether that system is an overkill or a poor choice…

    Also thanks, I’ll probably buy the guide 🙂

    January 12, 2015 at 9:22 am #2119391
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    There are no shortcuts in sound reproduction, i.e. there is no cheap alternative for good sounding speakers. The more speakers (like a sub and 3-5 speakers for 30 USD), the more that money has to be cut up over more components. The AV-40s I mentioned pan out to about 150 USD a pair and I would consider that about the bottom for DJ monitors.

    So if your budget is really low, get only 2 speakers for that money, don’t try to get a sub and more speakers.

    The KRK’s I mentioned earlier (6″) are 200 USD a PIECE. Adding a sub is another 400 USD.
    An alternative would be the LD systems Dave 10 G3. This is also usable when you play out at small parties. Cost of sub with two speakers is about 500-600 USD.

    Just my two cents of course

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