DJ Gear Decision for a Beginner

[BennyJ]

If it appears to be what you want, keep it…there's going to be a learning curve with anything.

Sorry to DJTT, but there aren't great beginner resources on this site I've found

http://www.djforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=19

The stickies at the top are good, especially

http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91270

The OP is a DJ based out of Midlands UK who's tried to retire and can't. He's spun for Hed Kandi and was playing in Ibiza before trance went completely over the top batshit and now plays good House. He knows his sh*t, and those videos have helped out more than a few.

As for your other question…my first experience DJing was normal for the time and for decades preceding it. I started on a pair of sl-1200mk2s and a POS, broken, bleeding-fader Gemini 2-channel mixer and a crate of vinyl I ended up hating 99% of that I got from a friend of a friend. I nearly went broke buying records so I could trainwreck my way through learning. I got so damn sick of my first 5 records, that I'm pretty sure the only record I still have from my first 6 months is a record of cafe del mar remixes that I've repurchased digital copies of.

I stopped trainwrecking quite so badly in a matter of days/weeks, but it was a couple months before I thought I was even pretending to be competent. I completely killed that mixer, had a Behringer die in a matter of days, and went with a vestax that lasted me through a LOT of other equipment until about a year ago when I finally went 100% computer.

DJing has a very serious learning curve if you want to do it right. Modern stuff–like the NS7 and it's sync button–helps in only the most basic ways, so if you thought that going digital was going to flatten the learning curve, well…it won't do nearly as much as you thought it would. You get to skip over my first few weeks. After that…nothing is different.

If you want to flatten the learning curve, take the way we used to learn and do what you can. Pick like 5 songs you have that go together (similar style…preferably longer songs…similar BPM, etc.) and mix the hell out of them. It might be best to choose songs that you like but aren't really attached to, because–as I said–I threw away 4 out of my first 5 records because I got sick of them.

Even with sync, it'd be worth using the old trick of mixing between 2 copies of the same song…just to learn structure. And, to learn manual beat matching, there's no better way. I think doing some of that might save you from the digital curse that plagues so many young DJs…they skip over that first step and immediately think that effects, hot cues, and "eclectic sets" are what real DJs do. They all skip an important evolution, and learning the old way–even with modern tools–is how you avoid it.

This is what ive been doing. I got like 20 songs im mixing like everyday and its helping. Im developing a style. Its good advice listen to this guy!!!

[swiftninja]

search for ellaskins on google. He has like 300+ tutorials.

[TekMann]

Thanks for the help guys, I am learning little by little, but there is a new problem that has popped up, a more technical one.

So AT THE MOMENT, just to get a start, i am running my NS7's off of the line-in on my computer. When i can afford it, i will buy some decent speakers. The odd thing though is that only the left side of my speakers work. Currently I have Y stereo cable hooked up to my NS7 and it connects to my computer. I am using the built in sound card on my motherboard, which is a Realtek (Not the best, i know). I tried using a stereo to mono converter too, but the same results occurred. I have also tried a line in cable to my mp3, and the same thing happens. Now i am willing to bet that it is my sound card that is faulty, but is there any way to double check it isn't my NS7? Or maybe i am overlooking a setting? Thanks for all the help guys!

[V-Hoff]

You need to check inside Traktor Audio Configs to see if you are routing two Audio Outs to your master channel, if you are routing only one audio channel out your master, you will listen from only one side of your speakers.

Another way to use both speakers is to check the checkbox "Mono" on master, this way both speakers will use the same audio channel

[lowdog5]

I'm partical to the NS7FX because I own one and LOVE IT. If your a turntableist like myself you will love the motorized platters because they react just like real turntables and no other controller is like this. The feel of a record when scratching and beat mixing is unbelieveable! For the money its totally worth it, but in a cheaper man's world it is a bit price'ie. But very rugged and professional looking. I get complments all the time just about the gear. If you can swing it....NS7FX is the way to go.......I'm just saying...

[buddha131]

I got a pair of vestax pdx 2000, and stanton carts, for 550.
You have enough for a mixer and mixvibes cross and a sound card and maybe an lpd 8. I'm too lazy to do the math, but it should be in your budget.
But go for the ns7 if you want, i tried it and loved it myself.

[Sublim&All]

Thanks for the help guys, I am learning little by little, but there is a new problem that has popped up, a more technical one.

So AT THE MOMENT, just to get a start, i am running my NS7's off of the line-in on my computer. When i can afford it, i will buy some decent speakers. The odd thing though is that only the left side of my speakers work. Currently I have Y stereo cable hooked up to my NS7 and it connects to my computer. I am using the built in sound card on my motherboard, which is a Realtek (Not the best, i know). I tried using a stereo to mono converter too, but the same results occurred. I have also tried a line in cable to my mp3, and the same thing happens. Now i am willing to bet that it is my sound card that is faulty, but is there any way to double check it isn't my NS7? Or maybe i am overlooking a setting? Thanks for all the help guys!

Why not just use ITCH? Especially for a beginner, it's the perfect software and it's idiot proof as it's just plug&play...