New to DJing, What Gear to Purchase?

Primlock, post: 32241, member: 4778 wrote:

🙂 I really don’t have anyone to ask, and if I did I’d still want more opinions.

Cool dude: So if you are just starting out: And I am fairly new to this myself so again it is only My Opinion and what I did: BASICALLY: Save your money if you are starting. Yes all this gear is seductive but once you can logically and wisely go from big wheel to tricycle, to bike with training wheels, to take off the training wheels, all the way to racing bike… without crashing and burning (frustrating and demoralizing) you will be better off. In other words don’t try driving a race car till you master the basics in a junker automobile…. unless of course your finances are limitless. So I would say: Invest in some cheap gear so as to start learning how to mix. Make sure this is really what you want to do and not something you will loose interest in. There are lots of folks and parents who end up shelving systems or craigslisting them after a while because they lost interest. However, that being said, it really sounds as though you have a real passion for this DDJing….Since you are on this forum I figure you are planning to go all digital, no vinyl or CD’s. I suggest you first invest in a laptop that is going to perform and last. Personally IMO: Mac’s are the way to go… lots of pros and the the only con is price… but a worthy investment and you can find used. Stable OS for use with all DJ software. I started off learning on simple software: iTunes (obviously) Virtual DJ (which is free for a limited version of the full ) and Allgoriddim DJay for Mac ($20 US) also got the app for my iPad just to fool around on… invest in Phil’s “How to Digital DJ Fast” You can get fairly good at mixing fairly quickly if you start simple and follow some of Phil’s excellent advice. Also you don’t really need an external controller, you have one on your laptop key board basically. But I wanted an external controller so I could get comfortable with the common buttons and jogs and because it looks to cool: so I purchased a Numark Mixtrack Pro ($250 US). I did all the research and this is the best bang for the buck to start on. Purchased a pair of M Audio AV 40s to provide the sound for “monitoring” as well as a pair of Behringer headphones (which were cheap but got the job done). Once I got the hang of mixing, (manual beatmatching and scratching still not that great at by the way, but thats why there is software to help) and got the “bug” I invested in speakers, did my first gig with Allgoriddim DJay, my speakers, and the Mixtrack Pro controller (also some lighting and fog). Next as my attraction to Djing and also electronic dance music blossomed I purchased my next controller : A Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 with the included Traktor Pro2 software. Continued to practice on the S4. After continuing my studying/reading DJ books, You Tube, internet forums, internet DJ sites, books on music production, OD music production on line course (which is promoted on this site), going to clubs of course, etc., etc. I purchased a Kontrol F1 to add more control over the remix decks in Traktor. Currently, I am in the process, probably around the holidays, of purchasing Abelton Live 8 software with the new Akai APC 40 controller. That is if I have enough money after upgrading my Macbook. I am still trying to decide between a Macbook pro vs. Macbook Air. Bottom line, in my opinion. Spend a little Seed money for a laptop and controller (if you must) + software and start practicing. Once you get good… (ask a friend or sibling), then start slowly spending your cash…. this can all evolve (going from seed equipment to a full system etc) over the course of 2-4 weeks depending on how you bide your time. Took me 3 months to do my first Gig and now it has been about a year and I am cautiously working my way into more production related areas. We will see how this goes. This is how I did it… look forward to see what others suggest to you. Good luck 🙂

Hi there, Primlock.

When I first started out a few years ago, I had a similar budget. DJ Dan brought up a good point, starting on entry-level gear may be a good idea to consider especially with a limited amount of money. You want to make sure that this isn’t just a moment of passion. As a parallel, I’ve seen people get very passionate about physical fitness and their top-of-the-line elliptical and training equipment becomes just a fancy clothes-hanger after a few months.

Buying used or second-hand via Craigslist really helped me out, I was able to construct a simple PA and purchase my first few pieces of gear (Numark Mixtrack Pro and Pioneer HDJ-1000 Headphones) for under $2000 USD. Something to think about, because life happens when you least expect it. You may need some of your DJing budget to dig you out of an unfortunate event.

Your plan is good and there certainly is a lot of literature both on this website’s blog and in the forums to digest. First things first, though. As far as learning to mix: I would recommend Phil’s “How To Digital DJ Fast” course, especially the videos about beatmatching and classic mixing techniques if you plan on transitioning towards club DJing. Other great online resources are YouTube channels like Ellaskins and DJ TechTools. I’m still in the transition phase to learning about production so I can’t recommend too much about that.

Macs are great, but not vital. I use a Windows laptop and it works just fine for me.

Sounds like you’ve got a good plan worked out, best of luck.

I don’t mean (and I’m sure none of the other guys did) to patronize you, you’re a grown up and seem very motivated.

Still I’d like to add that you don’t lose ANYTHING by first of all getting a small, cheap all-in-one controller (only for a few weeks to get the basics down). When u burned through it, just sell it off on ebay, craigslist whatever.

See, you think that DJing would be living your dream (and maybe it is, I’m not the one to tell you otherweise) – I’m just gonna say from my OWN experience, that oftentimes things seem different from the outside (even if you think you know everything about it) than when actually DOING them. Motivation BEFORE doing something doesn’t count for much, you need the motivation once you’re doing it.

I thought, even after joining, that I wanted to go down the specops route in the military. But guess what: A couple months in an infantry batallion totally cured me of that belief. How many people have you met that were highly motivated to start lifting weights, get their diet in order, start running… and 4 weeks in that motivation was gone. (But a pair of running shoes is only 10% of the cost of a CDJ … 😉 )

Not saying that it must happen for you, but why not make sure before spending that kinda cash?

Anyways: good luck with your endeavours 🙂

Bunyip, post: 32331, member: 2464 wrote: Wisdom, right there.

Right on ….. Word!

I have to agree. Start out with a cheap (or expensive if you must) all in one controller. Do some gigs at your friends parties a few times or elsewhere, make sure you like the performing part. That will boost your motivation or kill it… I’ve heard both stories 🙂

Re: Controllers (my opinion :): You will be amazed at what these controllers can do with the amazing software out there. As far as CDJ’s: CDJ’s are all hot and sexy, and clubbing and all and sure we would all love to have 4 of them with a Pioneer or Rane mixer, BUT IMHO: In 5 or 10 years they will be further evolving and changing much as turntables, vinyl and CD’s are heading….heck laptops too probably… so don’t get me wrong I am not putting down the roots of DJing they all are part of the NOW of DJing. But put on some virtual binoculars and take a look down the road. Look last night David Guetta received the first American Music Awards for EDM… personally thought it would be Skrillex but anyway… what I am alluding to is that this DJing and music in general is going to transform on a steep curve and fairly quickly… the hardware and software will too….Take a look at Pioneer’s DDJ-SX…. uhhhh that is basically compartmentalizing 2 CDJs and a mixer…. just may not look as cool and sexy in a big club as 4 CDJs and a mixer, but it could definitely perform as well…. (IMHO: I think it would look pretty hot in a club). Analogy: Remember cell phones 10 years ago…. and NOW? Start basic then evolve up cause “the times they are a changing” (B. Dylan). Oh yeah don’t even get me started on laptops…seeing I just bought a Macbook Pro 🙂 Would recommend putting your money there to start btw.