Well to start I think a Numark Mixtrack Pro II is a good choice,just enough to learn the basics of djing without spending a lot of money.
It has a soundcard integrated and plugs directly into you computer by using the usb cable.
While learning your computer speakers or monitoring speakers (that you should have if already producing music) and a pair of in ear headphones should be enough.
For the software, it comes with Serato DJ Intro which is also good enough for learning.
Once you get the hardware and the sofware I suggest you read/watch tutorials. They are some good ones on youtube like this one:
There is also a nice dj course for beginners on this site: http://1.digitaldjtips.com/fast-info/
It covers everything you should know to begin in about 4 hours.
It is not free but I think it is worth it (You can find all the things it talks about on the Internet but it saves you a lot of time, time you don’t have to spend searching/curating).
Check out the Reloop Beatmix 4. This was only released a month or so ago and Reloop are having a special offer for free SeratoDJ in the box for “a limited time”. So if you get one with SeratoDJ, this saves you $129 on buying software. If not, Mixvibes Cross DJ is only $49USD and is as good (if not better) than Traktor, Serato and VDJ. This is my personal software of choice.
Follow your gut when it comes to hardware. You can always change your hardware if you want, but software typically stays with you forever so pick that first. And remember to ALWAYS look on eBay or other classified ads websites in your area for deals. I got a Reloop Beatmix 4 for $400AUD new, never used off eBay when they’re usually $600AUD from the stores.
I always advice starters to learn DJing first, then start producing, because DJing is a handy tool in the box 😀 . My advice for you, don’t go small (if you have the funds 🙂 ) buy yourself a Pioneer DDJ-SR. It has similar layout to the CDJs -for its price-range of course-. Watch tutorials, I definitely recommend ellaskins channel on YouTube for tutorials. Try not to use Sync, always try to beatmatch manually, count the bars like: 1-2-3-4. Never give up. Use the Cue button effectively, that’ll make your life absolutely easier when you’re DJing. Organize your music well, try not to do live mashups (if you can do it, then do it but if you’re a starter it’ll be a huge and unnecesarry risk).
If you have any more questions, feel free to mail me 😀
I was composing long before DJing, but I also think learning to DJ first would be a huge benefit. One really good reason is that you will gain a deeper understanding of the style you’re working in, and what makes those tracks work well with others. If the music you create mixes well with other tracks and sounds right for the style you’re shooting for, then DJs are going to want to play it more, which will help with exposure.
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