| If you are interested in getting into DJing, you will not | | | | A mixer will not be suitable for use as a piece of DJ |
| only need to learn some skills, you will need to make | | | | equipment if it does not come equipped with a |
| sure that you have all of the DJ equipment that you | | | | crossfader. This is a volume control that allows you to |
| need. For the purposes of this article we are assuming | | | | turn one audio source down and another one up at the |
| that you are interested in DJing for party environments, | | | | same time. A DJ can use this feature to seamlessly |
| not corporate events and weddings, which requires an | | | | transition from one song to the next. To be effective, |
| entirely different type of equipment setup. What | | | | there should be crossfader controls that allow you to |
| follows is a general guide for what to think about when | | | | blend between any two of the audio sources. |
| you are building your DJ equipment setup. | | | | Equalizers allow the DJ to further tweak the sound of |
| Turntables: | | | | the music by adjusting the bass, treble, and other |
| Turntables are the first thing that comes to mind when | | | | features. The equalizers that come standard with |
| the subject of DJ equipment comes to mind, but not all | | | | most mixers are not typically high enough in quality for |
| turntables are created equal. The type of turntable that | | | | professional use. Most people will buy a separate |
| you should be looking for is referred to as a | | | | equalizer as it's own piece of DJ equipment in order to |
| direct-drive turntable. These allow you to scratch and | | | | exercise the most control over their output as possible. |
| mix music in a way that traditional turntables do not. | | | | Speakers and Amplifiers: |
| Traditional turntables contain belts which can become | | | | When you buy an amplifier, make sure that it is large |
| stretched or even snap if you stress them by | | | | enough to handle any venues you are considering |
| scratching your vinyl records. In addition to this, you will | | | | DJing in. An amplifier is a vital piece of DJ equipment, |
| need to have two turntables of the same make and | | | | because it is the final source of the music. If it is low in |
| model in order to transition from one song to the next, | | | | quality or not powerful enough, the music will sound |
| blending them together without pausing in between. | | | | distorted or quiet. Make sure that any speakers you |
| In addition to the lack of a belt, direct drive turntables | | | | buy to go with it are of the correct impedance. If they |
| should use needles that are designed specifically for | | | | are not, you may not be able to get the most power |
| scratching. Unlike traditional needles, these will not | | | | out of your system as possible. In some cases you |
| damage your vinyl records. Nevertheless, these | | | | could even end up damaging your system. Don't |
| needles can and will break after extended use, so it is | | | | waste money by buying the wrong equipment to start |
| a good idea to buy spare needles and keep them with | | | | with. |
| your DJ equipment at all times. | | | | Headphones: |
| Mixers: | | | | If you are new to DJing, you might wonder why you |
| A mixer is a piece of DJ equipment that that you use | | | | would need headphones if you are playing music that |
| to connect your turntables and your CD or MP3 player | | | | everybody in the room should be able to hear. It is a |
| to the amplifier. You can use a mixer to control the | | | | common misconception that DJs wear headphones |
| volume of each turntable separately. The mixer allows | | | | strictly for stylistic purposes. You will need headphones |
| a DJ to blend the end of one song into the beginning of | | | | in order to hear all of the subtle quirks that most |
| a new song by turning down the volume on one | | | | people will not be able to hear. You must be able to |
| turntable while turning up the volume on another. A | | | | hear your music better than anybody else in the club in |
| professionally designed mixer will come equipped with | | | | order to provide them with the best experience. |
| hook ups for two turn tables, a CD player or other | | | | Insulated headphones are the only variety that are |
| music source, and a fourth audio input for anything else | | | | suitable as a piece of DJ equipment. These types of |
| a DJ might think of. A high quality mixer will not only | | | | headphones are required in order to hear what you |
| allow you to control the volume of each individual audio | | | | are doing without distractions from the party. |
| source, but to adjust the overall volume output as well. | | | | |