New to all this, have plenty of questions…LOL

OK folks, I will post this here first, and likely follow up with more specific threads in appropriate sub-forums.

For starters, I am NEW to all of this, I have always been into home and car audio, not necessarily a “bumping” system, but quality sound, although I had my share of “systems” in my 20s…LOL  I love good music of all types and genres, basically anything upbeat, loved dancing when I was younger(and embarrassing my wife now..LOL)  I was in the DJ club in High School, I actually met my wife helping DJ her freshman orientation dance.  I never went anywhere with it, back then I couldn’t afford a good mixer and tables, and life, marriage, kids, etc…

This brings us to the recent past… I picked up a cheap score on Craigslist, it’s a pair of entry level Numark tables and an iM1 mixer, also got a little iPod.  I use this with my home stereo, one TT, use the mixer to get a few more inputs, as an iPod dock, and lately to record my mixes and listen back… also recording some samples from records…  I have a Mixtrack Pro 2 and am learning a lot, hope to outgrow the MTP2 and Intro by spring, and have an upgrade path chosen.  I may get a Denon MC2000 and stick with DJ Intro for a while, as the MTP2 isn’t up to road use IMHO, and I can give the Mixtrack to my son when I get a new lappy…

Now, on to the present/future….LOL   I am working on trying to get some time with my music, and time with Serato and the Mixtrack a little every day, it’s actually working out about 4-5 days a week with practice, and listening to tunes every day more than was normal a year ago…  Also, relaxing at night and some during the day when I take breaks, to read online and watch videos about gear, techniques, etc…  I hope that while we’re snowed in this winter, I can really work hard at all of this and get a lot better.  I have done some small parties, and a couple of wedding receptions for my friends, have picked up a dance light, decent Shure mic, and am buying more music whenever I get to town…. live miles from pavement, and still like actual CD’s, and vinyl…LOL

For right now, I am doing lots of research, I am hoping to start a mobile entertainment company over the next few months, well by spring, snow is usually around until at least April around here…LOL    I am wanting to do mobile DJ work, like dances, parties, weddings, etc… as well as some bar/club gigs (not really any clubs close, but bars, and I could travel to larger towns to play an actual “club”).  Aside from doing mobile DJ work, I would also like to do sound and lighting for other events, like possibly Karaoke night at a local bar for a special occasion, or for local small bands that could use more PA, or lighting, to make a gig really stand out.  I really want to get into organizing and promoting local events as well, where I could do sound, lights, and possibly also be an opener, for other talent from the area… someday maybe even book some pretty big headliners us locals could open for, like at the casino…(the biggest venue I could think of around here…LOL)

I am looking into PA speakers, lighting, etc… I have a list of gear I’m looking to get, and trying to figure out what to fit into my startup budget…LOL  There’s always more gear to want…LOL  I’ll post the gear list shortly, for input.   Hoping folks can help me get what I need to get started, without buying too much that I don’t need right off the bat… I can always get stuff later, like a gobo projector for weddings and such, where custom gobos might be a hit.. or extra lighting and DMX…

So, here goes the list.

Audio sources, I’m looking into small format CD players, like the CMP.800… use a CD player for backup right now, and want a decent one, but no need for something the size of the CDJ800mk2 I have on loan right now.  I use an entry level Shure mic, hope to get a couple more, better, Shure mics in the future, like an SM58 and the Beta58a.  I am running the Mixtrack Pro2, along with other inputs and the mic, through a Stanton M.203 mixer, I like the mixer and it was a steal, $29 refurbished.   I hope to someday own a better mixer, possibly Pioneer, as well as more pro controller, like the DDJ-SR, and Denon MC2000.  Also, as this all progresses, I’d like to get a “quality” turntable, looking at AT-LP1240, as well as ST.150, will also research the new Reloop tables with MIDI buttons.  I’d love to someday be able to use vinyl and DVS well.  Last, I want to get Maschine Mikro Mk2, and give producing a try, think it would be fun, and think adding Maschine in for live beats might be cool eventually…

As far as PA is concerned, I’m mainly looking to get powered/active speakers.  I think my startup setup will be a pair of EV ZLX 12″ tops, and a ZXA1 Sub… later I plan to add :  second sub, 2 15″ tops, 2 15″-18″ subs…;ater a backup for each pair of tops(3rd ZXA 12 and P1500x)_ Looking at maybe the Cerwin-Vega P-Series to fill this role, or something similar.  I’m sure new products will be out before I get this far…LOL  Something like that would be versatile, would give me backup plan, or secong system for ceremonies and such… also, the whole lot would be plenty for a large venue I’d imagine, something like a gymnasium, or should even be plenty for outdoors…

Concerning lighting, I have a Mini Kinta, and hope to add a stand, 2nd Mini Kinta, and 4Play CL, along with a starter uplighting setup like the slimpack56… beyond that I’m looking to add lasers, fog, a strobe like the mega strobe 12fx, something like Gobo Zoom 2.0, more wash/uplighting fixtures, Obey40 or the wireless version,  10ft truss, etc…. someday a pair of scanners like the Inno series, and maybe a pair of moving heads…. and I like the Motion Drape set, would be cool for certain cicrumstances.  A lot of this is situational, like the strobe and gobo zoom, etc… but I think the above would set me up for pretty much anything, and blow a lot of local folks away when they see the show… even without the moving heads and scanners….

I am also looking to pick up a better set of headphones, a table and something along the lines of the Grundorf carpeted façade… as well as cables, adapters, black extension cords and power bars, etc… so I can be ready for whatever comes my way…and a gig van….LOL

I will post a list of what I’m considering as the barebones startup gear later, sometime this week probably.  And looking for input on that, as well as what else I may be overlooking, or what would be good to get next, etc….  I plan to keep the MTP2 for at least a couple paid gigs, then get something more pro.  One bit at a time, but after newyears and the kids Christmas is done, it’s time to get serious….  I plan to spend about 2-3K on startup, about 2-4K on additional gear down the road, and about 4K on additional PA down the road… Pleas folks, if you have read this far… please help me with the startup list of somewhere in the $2000-3000 range…

Thanks again to all who make this site so great, sorry for the book, and thanks to any and all who take the time to respond, give input, or even read this whole post….LOL

Sincerely, Isaiah

Oh, and input on the name I’m considering would be great.   My middle name is Moonshadow, thinking of using that, but not sure I want to be DJ Moonshadow…. thinking just calling myself Moonshadow, or something like that… I want to name my company Benewah Beats, after the county we live in… any thoughts are welcomed…  keep shining friends…