| Whether you're interested in becoming a club DJ who | | | | source so that you can create a smooth flow |
| spins the decks at the hottest clubs, or wish to go the | | | | between tracks. Mixers come in all many different |
| mobile DJ route, playing weddings and events, you | | | | shapes and sizes for different applications. If you only |
| need to get yourself kitted with the right equipment. | | | | plan to use a basic setup, such as two cd players and |
| Although DJ'ing is, to a large degree, about skill and | | | | a microphone, all you need is a simple two or three |
| practice, a DJ can only be as good as the equipment | | | | channel mixer. If however you plan to have multiple |
| he works on, so it's essential that you get started on | | | | sources, a five channel "club" mixer or even a mixing |
| the right foot. | | | | desk would be better suited. Once again, this all boils |
| Whilst DJ equipment is an ever-developing and | | | | down to application. |
| evolving topic, we can split it up into three main groups: | | | | 3 - Output Equipment |
| 1 - Input Equipment | | | | Here I refer to the equipment that actually makes the |
| Here I refer to whatever equipment is involved in | | | | sound, namely the speakers. There are two options |
| actually providing the source signal (the music). This | | | | when it comes to speakers - powered and |
| could be a turntable, a CD player (commonly referred | | | | unpowered, otherwise referred to as active and |
| to a "CDJs") or even a laptop or desktop computer. If | | | | passive systems (respectively). Active speakers have |
| you enjoy a hands-on approach to the art, you'll | | | | a built-in amplifier which is perfectly matched to the |
| probably want to go the route of turntables or CD | | | | speaker. Passive speakers on the other hand, are |
| players. This sort of gear gives you the most | | | | purely speakers, and require a separate amplifier in |
| "hands-on" feel of each and every song. If, however, | | | | order to work. You will usually find that mobile DJs |
| you prefer things to be as organized and as easy to | | | | prefer active speakers, as this equates to less |
| use as possible, you may want to consider using a | | | | equipment to carry around, whilst clubs and bars use |
| laptop or computer setup. Both of these have their | | | | passive systems, as they never need to move any |
| respective pros and cons, and are common subjects | | | | equipment. Once again, both systems have their pros |
| of what I call "DJ debate". Ultimately, it all boils down to | | | | and cons, and deciding on what suits you best is a |
| application: If you're planning to go the "Club DJ" route, | | | | question of application. |
| then you want something that allows you to be as | | | | And that sums up the basics of DJ equipment. Of |
| artistic and interactive as possible (turntables, CDJs). If, | | | | course, there are other types of equipment, such as |
| on the other hand, you are going to be playing for | | | | microphones and headphones, but I've stuck to the |
| weddings all the time, you'll probably want something | | | | basics here. When starting out, I suggest that you rent |
| that can hold a wide variety of music at all times, and | | | | some equipment from a sound hire company and try it |
| is easy to use (such as a laptop with DJ software). | | | | out before buying. This also affords you the |
| 2 - Mixing Equipment | | | | opportunity to play around before committing large |
| Here I refer to the mixing desk (or mixer). The mixer's | | | | amounts of money to the cause. |
| task is to give you control over the volume of each | | | | |