DR K8O

Bunyip, post: 32331, member: 2464 wrote: Wisdom, right there.

Right on ….. Word!

I have to agree. Start out with a cheap (or expensive if you must) all in one controller. Do some gigs at your friends parties a few times or elsewhere, make sure you like the performing part. That will boost your motivation or kill it… I’ve heard both stories 🙂

Re: Controllers (my opinion :): You will be amazed at what these controllers can do with the amazing software out there. As far as CDJ’s: CDJ’s are all hot and sexy, and clubbing and all and sure we would all love to have 4 of them with a Pioneer or Rane mixer, BUT IMHO: In 5 or 10 years they will be further evolving and changing much as turntables, vinyl and CD’s are heading….heck laptops too probably… so don’t get me wrong I am not putting down the roots of DJing they all are part of the NOW of DJing. But put on some virtual binoculars and take a look down the road. Look last night David Guetta received the first American Music Awards for EDM… personally thought it would be Skrillex but anyway… what I am alluding to is that this DJing and music in general is going to transform on a steep curve and fairly quickly… the hardware and software will too….Take a look at Pioneer’s DDJ-SX…. uhhhh that is basically compartmentalizing 2 CDJs and a mixer…. just may not look as cool and sexy in a big club as 4 CDJs and a mixer, but it could definitely perform as well…. (IMHO: I think it would look pretty hot in a club). Analogy: Remember cell phones 10 years ago…. and NOW? Start basic then evolve up cause “the times they are a changing” (B. Dylan). Oh yeah don’t even get me started on laptops…seeing I just bought a Macbook Pro 🙂 Would recommend putting your money there to start btw.

Primlock, post: 32241, member: 4778 wrote:

🙂 I really don’t have anyone to ask, and if I did I’d still want more opinions.

Cool dude: So if you are just starting out: And I am fairly new to this myself so again it is only My Opinion and what I did: BASICALLY: Save your money if you are starting. Yes all this gear is seductive but once you can logically and wisely go from big wheel to tricycle, to bike with training wheels, to take off the training wheels, all the way to racing bike… without crashing and burning (frustrating and demoralizing) you will be better off. In other words don’t try driving a race car till you master the basics in a junker automobile…. unless of course your finances are limitless. So I would say: Invest in some cheap gear so as to start learning how to mix. Make sure this is really what you want to do and not something you will loose interest in. There are lots of folks and parents who end up shelving systems or craigslisting them after a while because they lost interest. However, that being said, it really sounds as though you have a real passion for this DDJing….Since you are on this forum I figure you are planning to go all digital, no vinyl or CD’s. I suggest you first invest in a laptop that is going to perform and last. Personally IMO: Mac’s are the way to go… lots of pros and the the only con is price… but a worthy investment and you can find used. Stable OS for use with all DJ software. I started off learning on simple software: iTunes (obviously) Virtual DJ (which is free for a limited version of the full ) and Allgoriddim DJay for Mac ($20 US) also got the app for my iPad just to fool around on… invest in Phil’s “How to Digital DJ Fast” You can get fairly good at mixing fairly quickly if you start simple and follow some of Phil’s excellent advice. Also you don’t really need an external controller, you have one on your laptop key board basically. But I wanted an external controller so I could get comfortable with the common buttons and jogs and because it looks to cool: so I purchased a Numark Mixtrack Pro ($250 US). I did all the research and this is the best bang for the buck to start on. Purchased a pair of M Audio AV 40s to provide the sound for “monitoring” as well as a pair of Behringer headphones (which were cheap but got the job done). Once I got the hang of mixing, (manual beatmatching and scratching still not that great at by the way, but thats why there is software to help) and got the “bug” I invested in speakers, did my first gig with Allgoriddim DJay, my speakers, and the Mixtrack Pro controller (also some lighting and fog). Next as my attraction to Djing and also electronic dance music blossomed I purchased my next controller : A Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 with the included Traktor Pro2 software. Continued to practice on the S4. After continuing my studying/reading DJ books, You Tube, internet forums, internet DJ sites, books on music production, OD music production on line course (which is promoted on this site), going to clubs of course, etc., etc. I purchased a Kontrol F1 to add more control over the remix decks in Traktor. Currently, I am in the process, probably around the holidays, of purchasing Abelton Live 8 software with the new Akai APC 40 controller. That is if I have enough money after upgrading my Macbook. I am still trying to decide between a Macbook pro vs. Macbook Air. Bottom line, in my opinion. Spend a little Seed money for a laptop and controller (if you must) + software and start practicing. Once you get good… (ask a friend or sibling), then start slowly spending your cash…. this can all evolve (going from seed equipment to a full system etc) over the course of 2-4 weeks depending on how you bide your time. Took me 3 months to do my first Gig and now it has been about a year and I am cautiously working my way into more production related areas. We will see how this goes. This is how I did it… look forward to see what others suggest to you. Good luck 🙂

Hi: Had the same question 2 months ago when I did my first gig…I suggest you Research the Behringer Product Line. Excellent reputation and quality at a reasonable price in my opinion and I haven’t been disappointed. Compare to JBL which in my opinion are WAY overpriced for the sound and quality. I am new to DJ ing and have started some weekend mobile DJing. I extensively researched PA systems within my price line which was less than $1000. I ended up and started with a pair of Behringer B215D mounted on reasonably priced speaker stands. The speakers are active (amplifier built in) and provided more than enough sound and reasonable Bass for a venue of 100 people or so. However, for a bigger gig, I caved in and I ended up purchasing the Behringer B1800D-PRO subwoofer (18″) to complete the system and that made the system awesome… but added $650 (us) to the cost. It allows me the potential though to play venues of up to 300-500 though, (weddings, etc.) Note though that the 18″ Sub is very heavy so you need a good transport system to get it in the gig… but it is worth it for the body shaking bass. If you want to be set up quick and portable you may need to go with a smaller sub like the B1500D-Pro perhaps, but cannot comment on the sound quality of that sub. Anyways that is my 2 cents on the PA matter: Behringer B215D’s and B1800D-Pro Sub + stands + cords = less than $2000 (US) 8)