Getting into DJing

[OfficialDAPT]

I've never DJed before but I want to start. What are the best ways to start, best equipment to use, software? just anything that would help me out. Thanks!

[Wolverine]

You got moneys?? I'd recommend 2x 1210's, laptop, serato and some decent moniters, depends on your budget though.

[1point5]

Try out a friend's decks if you can, also DJforums has loads of great help for beginners http://www.djforums.com/forums/forum.php

[OfficialDAPT]

You got moneys?? I'd recommend 2x 1210's, laptop, serato and some decent moniters, depends on your budget though.

I've got a laptop, but can you keep the slang to a minimum please I'm not up to date on all of it. I assume 2x 1210's are decks? and serato is sofware?

[apmje]

2x Techics 1210s £300-400 (I got mine for £250)
1x Xone 22 (£250)
Decent pair of monitors/hifi speakers (£250)

Lots of vinyl - Skint for the rest of your life.

Prices based on what I paid for my stuff.

[Wolverine]

You got moneys?? I'd recommend 2x 1210's, laptop, serato and some decent moniters, depends on your budget though.

I've got a laptop, but can you keep the slang to a minimum please I'm not up to date on all of it. I assume 2x 1210's are decks? and serato is sofware?

Hahaha, sorry!!


Yea 1210's are Technics Turntables, Direct Drive and Serato is Digital Vinyl Software which enables you to use mp3 tracks on your turntables using control vinyl, very good piece of kit!! All depends on your budget and how serious you are

I would say aswell that if you dj out that most places use CDJ's so i'd recommend them aswell as turntables, down to preferance on that though.

[OfficialDAPT]

So i take it you guys aren't traktor people?

[bright maroon]

wait - do you want to...

spin records - play music in clubs - or just be famous for music

[rorz9992]

Try using friends' decks first...
Try vinyl.
Try CDs.
Try Serato / vinyl emulation software etc.
See which you like best.

It's a big investment so you've got to know what you want to get. Be honest with yourself about why you want to DJ and if you intend to play out or just do it at home as a hobby etc, this may have some influence regarding what gear you get. Weigh up the pros and cons of each format and decide which is best for you and suits tour purposes best. But in general you will need some decks, a mixer and some decent speakers. Do not buy shit decks or you will regret it, there's almost no point in buying cheap / budget ones as they are all crap. Mixer and speakers on the other hand, stick to a budget that suits you.

[OfficialDAPT]

I mostly just want to spin my own tracks and others tracks to myself for now but I want to eventually dj in clubs

[Attila]

For some reason everyone's only talking about cdjs or turntables, which in modern djing is like recommending good shoe and bike brands when a friend asks for car advice. Go the controllerism route and save yourself a grand/sanity. Look into the traktor s2, mixtrack and other things along those lines. Everythings moving to midi.

Definitely check out the djtechtools forum/blog too.

[Sexual_Chocolate]

im gonna weigh in with 'decks & serato'

best of all worlds

[deadly_habit]

For some reason everyone's only talking about cdjs or turntables, which in modern djing is like recommending good shoe and bike brands when a friend asks for car advice. Go the controllerism route and save yourself a grand/sanity. Look into the traktor s2, mixtrack and other things along those lines. Everythings moving to midi.

Definitely check out the djtechtools forum/blog too.

he asked how to dj, not how to press buttons and look at waveforms

[e-motion]

Nowadays? Traktor or Ableton Live.

Don't get me wrong, I used to CDJ because it was the top notch when I started. People used Vynil because it was top notch when they started (before you had K7's without pitch control). I'm actually someone who defends that people nowadays don't DJ, but... if you start now, get the top notch. What matters is what the dancefloor listens.

EDIT: But if you want to make a real skillfull performance live, with the top notch tech we have nowadays, make a setup in Ableton Live. Combine DJing, Live synths, Playing some loops, Some creative FX made by you, etc. You'll need skill BUT you'll put one hell of the show. It's the road I'm heading as soon as I have enough to get in the business again.

[e-motion]

*double post*

[mikeyp]

For some reason everyone's only talking about cdjs or turntables, which in modern djing is like recommending good shoe and bike brands when a friend asks for car advice. Go the controllerism route and save yourself a grand/sanity. Look into the traktor s2, mixtrack and other things along those lines. Everythings moving to midi.

Definitely check out the djtechtools forum/blog too.

[rorz9992]

Man I feel like such an out-of-touch idiot for using vinyl when I read threads like this, but I love buying actual records
If I actually played in clubs etc maybe I would have to change format

[Huts]

2x Techics 1210s £300-400 (I got mine for £250)
1x Xone 22 (£250)
Decent pair of monitors/hifi speakers (£250)

Lots of vinyl - Skint for the rest of your life.

Prices based on what I paid for my stuff.

This, great setup for an affordable price. Been using mine for years and picked up traktor when I wanted to play some digital tracks.

Controllers are a gimmick, and every random joe wanting to do these ableton 'live shows' makes me . Get some decks and learn to mix

[gh0ul]

For some reason everyone's only talking about cdjs or turntables, which in modern djing is like recommending good shoe and bike brands when a friend asks for car advice. Go the controllerism route and save yourself a grand/sanity. Look into the traktor s2, mixtrack and other things along those lines. Everythings moving to midi.

Definitely check out the djtechtools forum/blog too.

What this guy said, granted quality cannot be beaten when it comes to vinyl.
Start off with a controller, its less costly and also helps you develop your skills.
And as everyone else said, a good set of monitors is a must have.
Hope I helped.
Also, VirtualDJ pro is reasonably good software.

[Fingerflexor]

Nowadays? Traktor or Ableton Live.

Don't get me wrong, I used to CDJ because it was the top notch when I started. People used Vynil because it was top notch when they started (before you had K7's without pitch control). I'm actually someone who defends that people nowadays don't DJ, but... if you start now, get the top notch. What matters is what the dancefloor listens.

EDIT: But if you want to make a real skillfull performance live, with the top notch tech we have nowadays, make a setup in Ableton Live. Combine DJing, Live synths, Playing some loops, Some creative FX made by you, etc. You'll need skill BUT you'll put one hell of the show. It's the road I'm heading as soon as I have enough to get in the business again.

Ableton's great and in a lot of ways more cost effective than buying a bunch of other shit exclusively for djing if you also use ableton to produce.
The thing about ableton is that it takes beatmatching out of the equation which is frowned upon by a lot of djs but more practically it requires you to set up a bunch of your own kit on the spot rather than just being able to take over on whatever more traditional setup there is already.
I love ableton and how easy it is to make interesting creative mixes. I practice beatmatching on this cheapo gemini cd-mixer thing I got for around $200. Esp. if you're new to djing like I am it makes it easier to actually get slots to play when you know how to mix on decks and can just take out your cds/plug into the serato box and go rather than set up a bunch of extra gear. Plus beatmatching and the act of practicing it just helps give you better mixing instincts.