DJ equipment for beginner

Get whatever your most comfortable with. But lots of people use serato so I’d look into the pioneer ddj sb2

It’s hard to advise on software as it’s a highly personal choice, based in large part on your workflow. Being a starting DJ, you won’t know too much about that workflow yet.

If you use an all-in-one controller, you don’t need a mixer. All you need to add is some active speakers (for practicing purposes a set of DJ/Studio monitors will do, even something as low-budget as M-Audio AV-30s or 40s.

My suggestion would be to get a used beginner controller (likely candidates are Mixtrack Pro 1 or 2, DDJ-SB, Reloop Beatmix 2 or MC2000) and to make sure you get the software license it came with. Usually a Lite/LE version of the software, only usable with that particular controller and with some features stripped, but plenty to get you started. As lots of them come with Serato Intro, this would give you a chance to play around with Serato too, to find out which you like better.

Then I would invest some of the money you saved by following our great and cost-save advice 😀 and get the How To Digital DJ Fast course. Then practice, learn, practice and practice some more. Start playing some parties for your friends and such. After a while you will start to find out what you feel is missing from your gear and you get more comfortable with your software or not. By that time you can draw up your intended workflow, be more ready to use the gear and software guides to determine which will fit best in your next step. And all that without investing heavily in potentially wrong gear or full version software.

Hope that helps some.

I started Digital DJing with VDJ Home, then Moved to a Liteversion that came with a controller and now use VDJ 8 Pro with a Denon MC6000. The advice I chose to follow was to choose a controller that works with your software of choice. I started with a Reloop Beatmix and the Lite version of VDJ. If you go 2nd hand a controller should come with the original discs, if not contact VDJ and I’m sure if you have the product code they’d give you a link to download. I moved on from the Beatmix as I wanted a Mixer/controller option. As a Controller only The Beatmix required a separate mixer to connecting to speakers or amp. fine if you’re in a club set up but a pain if using as a mobile DJ, requiring an extra bit of kit. I went to a Numark 4 and quickly onto the Denon MC6000, a fantastic bit of kit. The Lite version of VDJ is pretty good in my opinion. I chose to upgrade to Pro as I got a 50 percent discount with one of the controllers, which is common with VDJ. The licence is for life and all upgrades are free. I would suggest you find a DJ shop rather than Maplin or Argos. Maplin has some low end gear but not a great choice. A DJ shop will offer better advice and the opportunity to try the kit in store. There is bound to be one in a big City close to you. When looking for speakers I would suggest powered (built in amps) and there are great 2nd hand deals to be had, which are better value and performance than the Maplin speakers. VDJ, Serato, Tracktor, they all do the job, so it’s a mater of personal choice, depending on your workflow. None are better or worse than the other. Good luck

The problem is, what you are asking is “would someone else just guess what will work for me?” There is no way at all for us to know what kind of workflow is going to work best for you. Your best bet right now is to keep your purchases on the cheap side so that if you find you don’t work well with it, it’s not the end of the world for you to shift gears. If it helps you, roll a 4-sided die and use this table:

1. Get something that works with Traktor, like an S2.
2. Get something that works with Serato, like a Mixtrack Pro 2.
3. Get something that works with Virtual DJ (almost anything will work here – the DJ Control Instinct is nice and cheap (approximately $90) and lets you upgrade to full VDJ for $50).
4. Wildcard! Flip a coin and try either Mixvibes Cross or Rekordbox.

This is an unfortunate part of the early process is that you are going to have to make some guesses as to what will work for you. Rather than actually roll on that table above, what you should ACTUALLY do is research – go to YouTube and watch some tutorial videos on using the various softwares, read reviews, etc., etc., etc. It won’t give you a GOOD feel for any of them, but at least maybe then you’ll be able to make an educated guess.