Build Your First DJ Set Up
Setting up your first DJ set up can be expensive at first, but if you choose wisely your investment into your gear can last a very long time.
Decide on what audio formats you want to use. If you own a collection of vinyl records you may want to go with a turntable DJ setup. If you own a huge collection of CDs, then you may want to invest in a DJ quality CD player. There are turntables that can be plugged into your PC and can playback digital files. They also make units that can be fitted on a turntable that can control a CD player.
Some DJs like to work with their hands and be connected with the music, but both CDs and vinyl degrade easily this is why most opt for a digital player (you can bring your entire collection of CDs and vinyl wherever you go on your laptop computer). Just choose what you think is best for you...being mobile or risking your rare vinyl and CD collections.
You need the right gear, and that means spending some cash. If you're just starting out you don't necessarily need the top notch stuff to get the job done. The one thing you need to do is find a friend who already is a DJ that had the whole setup and ask them if you can try it out, put a little bit of practice in to find out if you really want to be a DJ. There's nothing like spending a whole bunch of cash on something to find out later that you really don't want to play with it anymore.
Once you know for certain that you want to give DJing a go, browse the internet and the local paper for DJ gear (turntables, CD players, speakers, headphones, needles, etc.). Two big sources are eBay and Craigslist.
This is what you will need for your first setup: Two turntables (or a DJ quality CD player), a 2 or more channel mixer (so you can mix your audio), amplifier, pair of speakers, some headphones, and needles (if you went with turnatables). You can save for buying the top notch stuff while you are establishing your self as a DJ.
Copyright M.Dudley
