I am new to DJ and I am very interested in EDM. The only thing I have now is a software (Serato and Virtual DJ), and it surely doesn’t help.
I plan to buy a DJ hardware. Such as mixers, turntable, etc. But I am just not sure about all the things I need.
I’ve also seen that the Pioneer has a DJ system, does that include everything that has to be bought separately? Or should I buy each of the hardware? I just don’t know where to start, what should I get to fulfil my needs?
Here’s the link to DJ system I mentioned above:
I really appreciate any help and beginner tutorial
Well…I’m not sure how you’re trying to use Serato, since it requires hardware to work. I don’t know anything about those Pioneer DJ System things except to say that no one even half serious about what they’re doing uses them. That might be habit, or it might be because they’re junk.
As far as I’m aware, DJTT is a bit lacking on absolute beginner information. Fortunately, there are other forums and sources that cover this.
One source is “How to DJ right”, which you can look up on Amazon or wherever, though it’s information about equipment is probably dated.
I’d read those and come back with questions, but here’s a quick rundown of just the gear, or at least a few options.
Turntables and a mixer:
This is a normal hip-hop setup. A pair of SL-1200s costs $500-800 used depending on condition, revision, and when they were made…and they’re not being built new anymore. Modern top-end turntables cost twice that, and a lot of people say they’re not as good (I agree with them). The mixer can cost anywhere from a couple hundred to a several thousand and come from a good number of companies/people with a lot of differences. You can add a laptop and a “Digital Vinyl System” including an external USB sound card and records with an audio time code on them to play digital files off the computer as though they were on records. This setup (with a mixer like the one pictured) is the standard for Hip Hop, though some guys add other gear.
This is basically the modern club standard for everything but hip hop. Exactly as pictured, this setup is about 6 grand. Mixers are the same story as above, and the CD decks can be anywhere from a few hundred for basic models to $2000 for top of the line. You mentioned EDM, and if you mean the modern festival guys…this is what the vast majority of them play on. The term CDJ or “CD decks” is a bit misleading, since they can play files directly off USB flash storage, SSDs, or Hard Drives or directly from a computer…probably also phones or tablets, but I’m not aware of anyone actually doing that. Some guys add another CDJ or 2.
Modular Controllers:
This is an example of modular controllers. There is a CDJ and some other stuff in the picture, but he doesn’t use them. All of the music comes off the computer(s), and they’re controlled with the devices sitting on the sides of the mixer. There’s a lot of power held in these diminuative systems. For example, Richie Hawtin (in that pic) has control over 4 decks and a complete live production environment. The controllers tend to cost anywhere from about a hundred bucks to several hundred…up to thousands if you have something custom made, plus the mixer (a hundred to several thousand), the laptop (several hundred to a couple grand), and an audio interface (fancy sound card; $100 to several thousand).
All-in-one Controllers:
All-in-one controllers contain everything you “need”…except headphones, a laptop, and speakers…so, decks and a mixer. They also tend to have control over effects and “do more” than just turntables and a mixer. You can find them from around a hundred bucks to a couple thousand. They tend to come with software (but not always). They’re not a bad way to go as a beginner because they simplify everything, BUT the cheaper ones definitely feel cheap and are more limited. The 3 above (top to bottom) cost a couple grand, close to a grand, and a couple hundred respectively. The top one can also control 4 decks (the deck sections each have 2 layers) while the others can only control 2. And the top one functions as a standalone mixer if you wanted to add CDJs or Turntables, and it supports DVS time code if you wanted to add vinyl turntables and use them to control 2 of the decks (or play records).
So…the takeaway is that there are a lot of different way to DJ that cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars (plus the computer you probably already have) to well over ten grand (for 3 top end Pioneer CDJs and a top end mixer). They all have different capabilities and feel different. And they all largely do the same thing.
This is mine:
I’m using a Pioneer all-in-one unit just as a mixer and modular controllers. I’m doing it this way mostly because I’m between setups and still deciding on all of the pieces and when to buy them.
This is one of my favorites that I’ve ever seen:
Ryan Ruel won a DJTT competition in 2012 basically for most-awesome setup. If you click the picture, he talks about the stup. What I like about it is that it has a lot of straightforward options on how to play, and the rotary mixer seems to fit my style. The setup I’m moving to will end up looking a lot like it, except without the CDJs…the next step is just to replace the all-in-one with a rotary mixer.
If I were starting today, I’d either buy a Pioneer DDJ-SR or a NI Konstrol S2, disable any kind of synchronization functions, and start learning. I’d also go ahead and buy good headphones ($100 for good ones, $200 for ones that will last over a decade if you take care of them) and a set of decent 2.1 computer speakers. This is, of course, assuming that I already owned a relatively recent laptop and wanted to use it. Also remember to budget for music, which tends to cost a $1.50 to $3 per song if you’re playing digital files, or $12/single if you’re playing vinyl. My trips to the online music stores tend to cost $80-150 each time I do it, which happens every couple weeks when I’m seriously into it.
If you have to skimp on something because of budget, I’d skimp on the controller (going down to a reloop or numark unit) and headphones (down to about $60) first. The rationale is that they’ll still let you learn and play, and you’re probably going to end up selling your first controller after you learn more about how DJing works and start to figure out how you want to do things.
the XDJ Aero will work just fine and of all the pictures above only the Traktor S4 and Reloop come close to what you NEED to DJ, the other pictures are overkill.
You need a controller + sound card (or a controller with built in sound card) that let you control 2 decks and has a mixer section. Headphones to listen to the song you want to mix into some speakers to hear the master output.
Welcome to DJTT heres my .02 cents on where to start at. The videos below show the the difference between a modular setup and an all in one setup. As you see I just got a Numark 4Trak DJ Controller which I think is pretty cool. I plan on keeping the modular setup because you really dont need platters to dj as evidenced by NI F1 and X1-MK2. I know you have Virtual DJ and Satato so you may want to look at a contrller that supports Sarato or Virtual DJ.
i personally started on vinyl, then moved to software. i would look at a cheap controller like the mixtrack pro from numark. it should be enough to wet your appetite, last thing you want to do is spend money on somethying you may not be interested in in 2 months
The thing with starting with just a keyboard, mouse and software - which is how I started for the record, is that it can actually be quite frustrating to have the key combinations memorized, get the speed and response of a controller, not press the wrong key because they’re all spaced so close together, etc. If you can realize those limitations, then this is the cheapest way indeed and a good way to come to a conclusion if you’ll like DJing.
But, I think even a cheap controller makes it not only easier, but more fun to DJ - which will be a better approximation for the feel of DJing and whether you’ll actually have fun.
without the controller how are you gonna get into it? with just a mouse and the software itself, i couldn’t even mix like there are many audiences listening. a headphone and soundcard are also crucial i guess.
i agree that i shouldn’t buy any expensive gears, since if i get bored in a few months it’s just the same like burning cash off. but with so limited equipment, isn’t it supposed to be i can’t feel the real DJ-ing?
I know that trying to get a nice gear when I don’t even know how it works sounds crazy. But if I start with just a software itself, how am I gonna get the feel into it?
Let’s say that I can’t actually mix songs without a headphone and soundcard. All I need now is how to money-wise and buying all what a beginner needs. I’ve literally tried doing it with only software on my mac, and to be honest I can’t find it’s any appealing. Even the Serato DJ doesn’t provide more than one desk without a hardware.
So I think it’s all about me being consistent once I get the hardware. I know that being bored in a few months will turn into burning money so.. what is the wisest thing to do as for now?
sarasin and others have given you the best advice. Watch a LOT of youtube videos of routines, setup, tricks, overviews, etc…and get some idea of which workflows appeal to you. Then you can invest in that software and the associated controllers.
mostapha gave you a REALLY great overview of the common options. Most controllers favor one software over another - Traktor or Serato or Virtual DJ. Those are the three “big” options…and they differ in (subtle) ways in terms of the workflow for the DJ. That said, there are no “fundamental” things that are unique to any one kind of software.
I have been using a two deck controller (Traktor S2 and VCI-100 Arcade) for many years. In part because there are only two decks, I have pushed myself to find ways to be expressive within that limitation. It is a good thing…but not necessarily for everyone. After years in the experimental stage, the four deck techniques are ready for prime time use…so it is safe to jump directly into those setups…but only if those techniques appeal to you.
Ean’s “Stage Principle” is more or less my go-to technique when I am mixing. I was playing around with this idea for almost a year before Ean put this video out…and he solved some of the problems I was having…and he did it better than I was even trying for. Even so, the struggle was still fun. This is an example where I had a (somewhat) clear idea of what I wanted to achieve, and I was able to find inspiration from watching what other DJs were doing. At this point, you need to get some idea about what you want to achieve.
Agreed. Not saying it can’t be done, but the only way to really get a feel of DJing is by using it with appropriate hardware.
I’d recommend getting an all-in-one controller. It’s the perfect beginner setup; It has everything you need and can be purchased for a fair price. I started with the Native Instruments S4 and I don’t regret it one bit. It taught me the ins-and-outs of the software while giving me the “real” feel of digital DJing. If you feel like you’re ready to move on to other pieces of hardware, you can always sell your controller or keep it lying around. Years later, I still show my S4 some love once in a while
drewjonn, How serious are you about wanting to DJ? I mean is it something that just kind of peaked your interest or do you really love music and want to give it a go? Are you willing to give traktor a try?
