In this first step of the process, we’ll cover all things ‘gear’. I’ll start by showing you the various parts that all DJ set-ups share in common, so you can see past the marketing hype and ‘shiny new thing’ syndrome and be sure about what you really need. You’ll learn why nowadays it’s almost always necessary to have a DJ laptop (even if you want to DJ on the one hand with old-fashioned turntables, or on the other using just a tablet), and we’ll look at what software you’ll need to have for your laptop. With your head aligned to what’s really important and the computer side of it taken care of, I’ll talk you through your hardware choices – not only the DJ gear itself, but all the accessories and extras you’ll need to complete your set-up. And finally, I’ll show you how to set everything up properly for smooth, trouble-free DJing.