Spending 'a lot' on DJ-ing Equipment: ADVICE NEEDED

[TooMuch]

So since being at Uni i've really got into mixing tunes. I spend hours doing it being at Uni and having a lot of free time there.

My DJ little timeline:

- Started in early October just using my laptop.

- Got a mixer for Christmas (Numark Mixtrack Pro) which didnt cost me a penny being a present. Its a great little mixer for the beginner and thats what people told me when i planned to get it.

- Present Day: I've started saving up for something more advanced and expensive but I haven't made a final decision on what yet...

A few things come across my mind which with your input can help me a hell of a lot.

1. Im a full time student and am spending a lot of time on my new hobby. I thoroughly enjoy it and am constantly getting better but I have hit a bit of a wall.

2. I don't make tunes. Ive wanted to but seeing other people do it and describe it make its sound way above me. + I don't really have tunes in my head floating around that I could just produce like i'm guessing most producers have.

3. From a personal opinion I don't think I could do a live gig yet. Thats why i havent tried handing out mixtapes and shit out. I have a bit of a link in Huddersfield who runs a monthly night and maybe I can get in there after a while as DJ who is on the bill. Nothing like a headliner im not looking that. Just someone to fill up the spaces (for now). So the possibility of being paid is kinda there i guess.

4. At the moment it is definitely a hobby and nothing more.

Baring these factors in mind is it worth spending £1000+ on a mixer or even more on CDJ's?? Ive liked the look of the Pioneer DDJS1 or DDJT1 (both approx £1000) whilst my mate has urged me to forget that idea and get CDJs and a decent mixer.

Im really stuck. All i know is that I want to move on from what I already have because I feel i can't go any further but is it wise to go out and buy top of the range stuff? Its not like buying football boots for £130 now is it. £1000+ is a lot of money for a hobby.

Cheers in advance for the points and advice,

Tyler.

[Radiant]

So since being at Uni i've really got into mixing tunes. I spend hours doing it being at Uni and having a lot of free time there.

My DJ little timeline:

- Started in early October just using my laptop.

- Got a mixer for Christmas (Numark Mixtrack Pro) which didnt cost me a penny being a present. Its a great little mixer for the beginner and thats what people told me when i planned to get it.

- Present Day: I've started saving up for something more advanced and expensive but I haven't made a final decision on what yet...

A few things come across my mind which with your input can help me a hell of a lot.

1. Im a full time student and am spending a lot of time on my new hobby. I thoroughly enjoy it and am constantly getting better but I have hit a bit of a wall.

2. I don't make tunes. Ive wanted to but seeing other people do it and describe it make its sound way above me. + I don't really have tunes in my head floating around that I could just produce like i'm guessing most producers have.

3. From a personal opinion I don't think I could do a live gig yet. Thats why i havent tried handing out mixtapes and shit out. I have a bit of a link in Huddersfield who runs a monthly night and maybe I can get in there after a while as DJ who is on the bill. Nothing like a headliner im not looking that. Just someone to fill up the spaces (for now). So the possibility of being paid is kinda there i guess.

4. At the moment it is definitely a hobby and nothing more.

Baring these factors in mind is it worth spending £1000+ on a mixer or even more on CDJ's?? Ive liked the look of the Pioneer DDJS1 or DDJT1 (both approx £1000) whilst my mate has urged me to forget that idea and get CDJs and a decent mixer.

Im really stuck. All i know is that I want to move on from what I already have because I feel i can't go any further but is it wise to go out and buy top of the range stuff? Its not like buying football boots for £130 now is it. £1000+ is a lot of money for a hobby.

Cheers in advance for the points and advice,

Tyler.

Few friends of mine said that the DDJT1 are a good preparation for mixing with the CDJ 1000's, they share a lot of layout similarities and can get you used to the pioneer feel. Also, your mate is probably not realizing you're doing it for a hobby, the CDJ 1000's are pro grade and have a price tag that suits it. Maybe the lower-digit CDJ's (CDJ-800) could be a good starter kit as well if you're planning on ending up on the CDJ-1000s.

One of my friends used the CDJ-800 with a DJM-350, and he's now a resident DJ and told me that the transition to the CDJ 1000 mk3s was easy.

[Fbac]

Whats wrong with using your laptop with a controller?
Native instruments have some cheap and expensive ones Native instruments X1 about 170 with your mixer or Ni kontrol s4 (i think its called) for a 1000... then you could spend more money on tunes...http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/ ... aktor-pro/

as for comment 2. i havent got any tunes floating around my head and enjoy producing, i dont think you should be put off by it. As now adays u have youtube videos and DSF to help you produce,.

There is a Dj bible above which may help http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=191685

What do you want to do on decks? Mix only or scratch as well?? From what i hear, the software these days its about loops and remixing on the fly.

[Zöo Pop]

I recently just bought an S4 and loving it, its also great because it has a built in sound card. If you really have the patience to save then get the CDJ1000's or 2000s. I see it like this; if you get the 850s, you might love them but also notice that the 2000s fit you much better. I have tested the DDJ-T1 a little but noticed that some knobs were flimsy but what really sold for me is that the S4 comes with the new Traktor for free .

The S4 and DDJ-T1 are much different and we could go on in a debate about how much better one is than the other. It all comes down to which you prefer. Try testing out every kind of equipment if you can because that will settle your needs.

IMO I still want a pair of CDJ's because they are beautiful.

[JustabitMajestic]

get traktor s4, you can use it with any system anywhere. It has built in effects that you will love (you don't have to use them if you're not into this sort of thing)
for 1000 dollars it beats fiddling around with CD's while the crowd watches you and asks "what are those weird disks?!"
I can't tell you how many times I've been to a show where the DJ could have been hyping the crowd up but instead was fiddling with CD's.
I can tell you thought that playing with S4 is the way to go.

[AxeD]

Look into timecode systems (Traktor and Serato) been using it for a few months now and I don't I'll ever
swich. Make sure your laptop can handle it though.

Also 300 pounds is way enough for a 2 channel mixer for home use.

[TooMuch]

something to add is. What are the major differences between Traktor and Serato and what would you say is the better software for Dubstep? Currently using VDJ because thats all i can use my mixer with. One major reason I want to upgrade

[Shum]

Traktor is cheaper.

[TooMuch]

I take it you get Serato Itch with a DDJS1? Would expect to when paying over a grand for a mixer..

[Zöo Pop]

Ya you do get Serato with the DDJ-S1.

Its really all about preference because they do have their own differences and key advantages to themselves. Its best to probably test each one out for an hour or so I'd say so you can get familiar with what is different between the two and why you would like one over the other.

[TooMuch]

where can you go and test them for an hour? Id love to do that, it would make them much much easier. You dont really see DJ shops in the high street where i live.

[Zöo Pop]

Guitarcenter is your best bet, DJ needs everywhere it that store plus every other thing music needed ha.