Live DJ Set Up

[SamEyes]

Hey guys, kinda new to these forums (as a member anyway) so hi!

Just wondering what kit I'd need to be able to do a basic set at a club, looking at using mp3s, I've got Traktor, Serato, Virtual DJ, all that stuff, but was wondering what the sort of "industry standard" set up was for a professional DJ so I can start trying these out. Mainly looking towards CDJs rather than vinyl but whatever's cheap and good will be fine.

I've got a fair bit of cash to spend but not a fortune, and been offered quite a big set with a well known DJ next year so need to get going!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[ninjadog]

If you already have serato why would you want to get cdj's? Serato and Tracktor both have professionals backing it so I really don't know where your going with asking what the professional standard is. No offence but seems to me if you have to ask that your no where near a professional level. Go and buy Serato or Tractor for real. Or buy your CDJ's if you don't like using vinyl either one is club worthy.

[samkablaam]

u got offered a set with a well known dj. and u dont even know what to use? mate, serious luck there.

either use decks, or cdjs.
you can use real vinyl/cdjs or timecoded vinyl/cdjs
if you use timecode, then you can use traktor or serato (or more).
traktor and serato are both industry standard.

also, just a tip. a lot of people dont like other people naming what software they have obviously cracked. some people on here have spent a lot of money on shit. if you had bought serato or traktor, i bet you would know how to use it.

[Basic A]

Anything with play buttons, pitch faders, and a cue out is industry standard. This hasnt changed since the 80's, they just keep switching the file type on people.

[SamEyes]

If you already have serato why would you want to get cdj's? Serato and Tracktor both have professionals backing it so I really don't know where your going with asking what the professional standard is. No offence but seems to me if you have to ask that your no where near a professional level. Go and buy Serato or Tractor for real. Or buy your CDJ's if you don't like using vinyl either one is club worthy.

I'm looking to improve my skill level over the next few months as much as possible, I meant I had the Serato software which is free to download, I wanted to know what HARDWARE was professional standard. I've since been recommended some CDJ1000's and DJM800 mixer. I don't want to use decks because they're too big to be practical as transport will be an issue, so anything that will save on size will be helpful, as well as the fact things seem to be moving over to CDJs in most places I've been to, thought it'd be easier to learn on them, although it does feel a bit like learning in an automatic car so I might pick up some decks too.

u got offered a set with a well known dj. and u dont even know what to use? mate, serious luck there.

either use decks, or cdjs.
you can use real vinyl/cdjs or timecoded vinyl/cdjs
if you use timecode, then you can use traktor or serato (or more).
traktor and serato are both industry standard.

also, just a tip. a lot of people dont like other people naming what software they have obviously cracked. some people on here have spent a lot of money on shit. if you had bought serato or traktor, i bet you would know how to use it.

I've become quite well known for my tracks online and was offered it through my popularity in the area the night is being put on. Not being arrogant or up my own arse, just explaining how I've ended up in this situation! Serato software is free, and wasn't cracked, and I've been using a demo of Traktor which I will purchase if I get good using it with a full set up. Virtual DJ well, ahem, sorry. I have spent over a grand on music production software so I'm not one of them. This post was aimed more at the hardware I'd need in terms of reliable types of mixer and CDJs but I've been talking to one of my DJ mates who uses a lot of stuff and he's helping out!

[Basic A]

dont sweat having an Allen n Heath/Vestax mixer and a set of Technic turntables at home.

Get something you can practice basic beatmatching and effects on, and a good Audio Interface

[AJGR]

industry standard is:

Technics SL1200/1210
Pioneer CDJ-800/900/1000/2000
Allen & Heath/Pioneer mixer

you will find at least some of this in any serious venue that has DJ's playing.
for practicing at home you can get away with having a different mixer.

don't worry about transporting your gear. nobody takes their decks to the club unless your running the night or something. the whole point of it being industry standard is the venue should have it all.

[SamEyes]

dont sweat having an Allen n Heath/Vestax mixer and a set of Technic turntables at home.

Get something you can practice basic beatmatching and effects on, and a good Audio Interface

Ah I'll look into them, it's gonna be a very hurried learning process and I've told the event manager I won't be perfect by then but I can do some basic beatmatching already. Hope to be at least average by then, not expecting anything amazing to happen but that's quite optimistic as it is!

industry standard is:

Technics SL1200/1210
Pioneer CDJ-800/900/1000/2000
Allen & Heath/Pioneer mixer

you will find at least some of this in any serious venue that has DJ's playing.
for practicing at home you can get away with having a different mixer.

don't worry about transporting your gear. nobody takes their decks to the club unless your running the night or something. the whole point of it being industry standard is the venue should have it all.

I see, I was wondering if it would be like that, I've heard about people bringing their own stuff so was a bit worried I'd have to bring my own! That's a load off, cheers . I'll look into Allen & Heath too, thanks

[EDN]

Your topic title is misleading, nothing about what you are doing is "Live".

[Basic A]

Your topic title is misleading, nothing about what you are doing is "Live".

Yes it is, he is DJing in a Live environement. Live in this case meaning he is there, in the flesh, djing, live in front of you.

I see, I was wondering if it would be like that, I've heard about people bringing their own stuff so was a bit worried I'd have to bring my own! That's a load off, cheers . I'll look into Allen & Heath too, thanks

Yeah man virtually noone hauls in kit unless you are playing off serato, then take your interface and your laptop, or if you require special dvd decks or something stupid. For the most part though, you can just take your record bag or your cd's and be good. I stand behind the philosophy that what I have at home only has to be good enough for me to practice and stay sharp on, it all translates very easily to every piece of kit youll be on. A volume fader will always be a volume fader, a pitch will always be a pitch, get me?

[EDN]

Hmm, fair enough in the literal sense, he is not just putting on a CD, but when someone say's "Live" to me I take it as meaning more than playing two songs at the same speed.
But anyway yeah, you won't need to buy that equipment unless you have a shit load of money burning a hole in your pocket. Just get something you can work with and practise lots.

[SamEyes]

Yeah man virtually noone hauls in kit unless you are playing off serato, then take your interface and your laptop, or if you require special dvd decks or something stupid. For the most part though, you can just take your record bag or your cd's and be good. I stand behind the philosophy that what I have at home only has to be good enough for me to practice and stay sharp on, it all translates very easily to every piece of kit youll be on. A volume fader will always be a volume fader, a pitch will always be a pitch, get me?

I think I probably am going to go for Serato, if I'm going to get the kit for it I'm going to get the proper stuff and I'd find it easier than burning CDs constantly! Had a go on my mates decks with Traktor timecoded vinyls for a while yesterday and already grasping a lot of the basics. Not amazing yet by any stretch but I can see exactly what I need to work at so hopefully won't be long before I can bust a set out!

Hmm, fair enough in the literal sense, he is not just putting on a CD, but when someone say's "Live" to me I take it as meaning more than playing two songs at the same speed.
But anyway yeah, you won't need to buy that equipment unless you have a shit load of money burning a hole in your pocket. Just get something you can work with and practise lots.

Yeah but it is a live appearance/set so I thought that would be accurate enough, can't imagine what else it would mean aside from DJing with a live band? Ah fair enough, I've been told that if I'm going to get CDJs there isn't really much point getting anything less than the industry standard which I'm told are the CDJ1000s, because the other stuff isn't that great. I've got the cash and they seem to hold their value fairly well so even if it does go tits up I could still sell them to gain a bit of the cash back. Thanks for your help guys.

[Basic A]

He means live production performances, like ed solo, jfb, flylo, ganja white night, beardyman... synthesis/sequencing/re-arranging/playing other instruments on the fly... Actually reeeeaaallly next level shit to see done, takes alot of skill, but if you start to learn to dj and produce youll be headed down the road too it.

[spencertron]

did just make a thread but probs seems quite apt here, this is a compressed version of our live set-up