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Equipments Needed To Be A Successful DJ by Olaphysics(m): 4:37pm On Sep 09, 2015 |
The electronic dance music (EDM) scene has
taken over the country the past few years and
there’s no denying that. Thanks to DJs like
David Guetta and Skrillex, EDM has risen
from the underground and is now being
played on radio stations, sporting events,
bars, and even television commercials. It is
no surprise that more and more people are
aspiring to become electronic music DJs as
opposed to a guitarist in a rock band or a
singing pop star. So if you are one of those
people, keep reading as we will tell you what
type of DJ equipment for beginners will be
required.
But before you go out and spend a lot of
money on equipment, make sure that you are
ready to make the investment. Just because
you like the style of music and you want to
be in control of the dance floor, doesn’t
necessarily mean you should make the
plunge towards becoming a DJ. It requires
having knowledge in music theory
and electronic music. However, if you feel
ready to begin your journey, then let’s move
ahead to the first step on purchasing DJ
equipment.
Music\MP3s
One thing every DJ needs, obviously, is
music. The art of mixing and scratching has
come a long way since the days of vinyl
records. Most of today’s electronic DJs
mostly use a laptop and digital audio formats
as their source of music, and it’s easy to see
why. There’s no need to carry around records,
it’s less likely to get damaged, and it will
save you money in the long run. A 64GB
USB memory stick can store about 16,000
songs. And with the type of mixers and DJ
software out on the market these days, it’s
almost a no brainer that digital audio files
such as MP3s are the way to go.
There are a lot of websites on the internet
where you can purchase high quality MP3s
and other digital files. Make sure your media
files are of good quality though, because
nobody wants to dance to music that sounds
distorted or grainy. Familiarize yourself with
all types of music and new artists, and start
downloading a ton of music so you build a
decent size library of songs.
Headphones
Having headphones is a must for any DJ, and
having a good pair can drastically improve
your executions. They are primarily used for
cueing, allowing you to listen to the audition
tracks without having to play them through
the main speakers for the crowd to hear.
Which type of headphones should you buy?
Technically, any type of headphones will do
the job, but it really depends on how much
you are willing to spend. Some of the most
popular brands out there include Sennheiser,
Pionner and Sony. We won’t tell you which
model to buy specifically, but there are
certain features you will want to focus on.
Isolation – The main purpose of using
headphones is to isolate the music from
the main speakers. You will want
headphones with a closed back to help
with that as well as a loud, crisp sound.
Read reviews and test out different
headphones to see which one will work
the best.
Comfort – Since the headphones will
be either around your neck or on your
head for a long period of time, you’ll
want something comfortable. If it starts
becoming bothersome, it can affect
your mixing and overall performance.
Cable length – Make sure the
headphone cable is long enough since
you will be moving around when DJ-
ing. At the same time, you don’t want
it too long where it will get in your
way or tangled on something.
Durable – Having a solid, well-built
pair will benefit you in the long run.
Headphones take quite a beating since
they are constantly in your bag, on
your head and around your neck. They
tend to fall on the floor once in a while
also, so it can be worth it to spend a
little more money on good
headphones.
Laptop
Unlike gaming and video editing computers,
DJ-ing laptops are not nearly as demanding
against today’s specs. The only thing the
computer needs to do basically is be able to
run the DJ-ing software efficiently. It is safe
to say that most of the new laptops out on the
market will meet the needs of DJ-ing, whether
it’s a PC or a Mac. The minimum computer
specs are 2GB of RAM, about 25GB of hard
drive space, a processor with Core 2 duo or
better, and a couple USB connections. With
that said, there are some specs you will want
to pay more attention to if you decide to
purchase a new laptop. Otherwise, you can
probably get away with using the one you
currently have.
Screen size – The standard screen size
for PC laptops is 15.6″, which is also a
good size for a DJ. Anything smaller
might make it difficult to read the song
names. You can get a bigger screen if
you like, but remember that laptops are
designed to be sat right in front of you
when DJ-ing, and not kept in the back.
USB ports – Your laptop should have
at least three USB ports, preferably
more. Most controllers require two
USB ports, plus you may want to plug
something else in such as a mouse.
You can always purchase a USB hub
also if you run out of ports.
Battery life – Although your laptop
will usually be plugged in during your
set, having a laptop with a long battery
life is good insurance in case you can’t
charge it. Having the ability to sort, set
cues and listen to music while in the
car or on the plane can also be
beneficial if you’re on the road. What
good is a DJ without a running laptop?
DJ Controller / Mixer
Since you will be using a laptop and MP3s as
your source of music, you will want to
purchase a DJ controller. There are all types
of controllers and mixers on the market, so we
will try to keep this as simple as possible for
you. Look for a controller connects to a
computer via USB and has a built-in
soundcard and audio interface because they
are simple to hookup and use, compared to
other mixers out there. Using a controller
with a soundcard, along with your computer
soundcard allows you to be able to hear what
is being played on the main speakers as well
as in your headphones. Numark and Serato
are reputable companies that make these type
of controllers. A lot of times they come with
DJ software packages, which is needed to
work with the controller.
DJ Software
There are different types of DJ-ing software
out there, and it’s difficult to recommend one
over the other. The two main players are
Traktor and Virtual DJ. While they
generally do the same thing, certain DJs have
a preference towards one over the other. Our
advice is to try out the free trial versions of
both and then determine which one you like
the best before purchasing it.
Speakers
Now you just need a set of speakers so
everyone can hear what you are spinning.
The type of speakers and sound system you
get will be based on your skill level and the
type of venues you are playing at. If you are
still learning how to DJ and aren’t playing
in front of an audience, you can get away
with a basic 2-speaker set with a sub woofer.
The subwoofer will allow you to beat match
easier since you can hear and feel the bass
sounds. Or if your budget will allow it, you
can jump right into buying DJ monitor
speakers, which are bigger and louder. Self-
powered speakers are a better choice because
they are tuned and optimized with built-in
amplifiers. Companies such as KRK,
Yamaha, Pioneer and M-Audio make good
quality monitor speakers.
Start Spinning Away!
Once you get all your equipment setup, just
decide on your DJ name and you are ready to
take off. You will probably be unfamiliar
with everything at first, but educate yourself
by asking other DJs for advice and research
online. If you are thinking about expanding
your role as a DJ, you can always learn about
producing EDM as well. You may need to
expand your musical knowledge, but a lot of
DJs are learning how to produce as well to
make themselves more lucrative.
As you become more familiar with your craft
and performing at venues, you can start to
invest in better DJ equipment. Using a better
controller or speakers doesn’t technically
translate to being a more skillful DJ, but it
will give you more control over the sound
and that can translate to more people liking
your style. And as a DJ, isn’t that exactly
what you want? 3 Likes |
Re: Equipments Needed To Be A Successful DJ by mendelsmattress: 11:07am On Oct 31, 2017 |
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