Been DJing for about 6 months now, I’ve finally got my first public gig in 4 weeks (beyond a private party or house party etc). I’m DJing a high school dance at my former high school. I need some advice on equipment. The event will be in a standard high school gym, basketball court. Expected head count is probably 300-400. I’ve just been using my home theater with my S4, and I need some speakers etc now, but not looking to spend too too much.
i had the matrix’s in my frat basement when i was pledging. they were aiight, but gave out like a yr or so after we bought tthem. (granted we didtn take care of shit)…
whats your price range? you can always rent (and mix that into your rate so you dont have to pay for it )
ive got a pair of the fender passports (they fold up into eachother its wicked sweet) and they have some really good response and sound.
Would the matrix’s be good enough for a HS gym? I don’t exactly need a megaclub sound system for this obviously. I’ve thought of renting, but I think I just wanna buy equipment to have. Ideally I’d wanna keep the price under like $800.
Given your budget, maybe look at purchasing something used locally? I have found some absolute STEALS on audio gear over the years on craigslist. I know what its like to want something new and shiny, but for a new dj thats starting out, used gear is probably a better way to go.
Do you think if I find 2 used powered-speakers like those Behringers, that they would be sufficient for the gig I am doing? I can probably get used ones for like $400, but I don’t know if they are powerful enough. Would I also need a subwoofer with them?
Gyms are tough. Because of the echo you can’t go super loud. I have found those Matrix systems to be really good, and the sub will give you a nice bass response in a big room like that.
I cannot recommend Behringer speakers. There are definitely worse speakers out there, but the build quality on those things is garbage. I have seen more Behringer speakers fail at gigs than any other brand (and I’ve been a sound tech for almost 10 years, so I’ve seen a lot of gigs!)
Check your local music stores, try a lot stuff out, and rent some gear to see what you like before purchasing. It’s tough to drop a bunch of cash on PA, but it will be worth it in the long run not to go cheap. It doesn’t matter how good of a DJ you are if your gear sounds like crap or fails on you.
Really? A guy I know locally who DJ’s recommended Behringers to get bang for my buck. But it seems like you’d know what you’re talking about. I’ve been searching CL, my problem is I don’t have the knowledge regarding speakers etc to judge what is good haha.
id rent the gear for the event, tell the guy in the store where you intent to use them and how many people etc and he will recommend the right set up for you too rent,
and then after the gig you will have a better idea of what you will need to buy.
and if you like the set up you rented, then maybe you might be able to buy it from them at a discount
well thats what i did when i had my first gig…
If youre expecting 300 people and intend to rock the party a pair of behringers will not cut it. You will merely be background noise.
You will need at least 2 15" subs and 2 12" tops which in your price range will be tough. You also only have 4 weeks to get it sorted and soundchecked. What happens if you blow a speaker by not correctly hooking it up. Then your screwed.
Have a little look around, find someone local that can sort you out for a night. Maybe offer them the opportunity to advertise their company at your event too, that could net you a worthy discount.
Are you also in charge of getting a lighting rig sorted?
I’ll have to check out some local rentals. I’ve asked about lighting, I’m not required to even have any lighting, but it’s not something I would oppose. I do own strobes and a fogger, but I’m not sure how effective they’d be at this event / if I’d even be allowed for safety reasons.
In general, tops & subs is a better compromise for a mobile sound system than full range cabinets.
The B52 Matrix 1000v2 is the best bang for $$$ in the <$1000 market. The street price is about $800 (plus tax or shipping). Keep in mind that the package does not always include speaker stands or cables. Get stands that are at least 6ft tall, a pair of 25ft speaker cables (e.g. 14ga or 12ga speakon), and a pair of 50ft signal cables (e.g. xlr). Plan on about $1000 for an “out the door” price.
Be sure to place the subwoofer to take advantage of boundary loading…it makes a HUGE difference. Face the woofer toward a wall/corner, and keep the front edges of the cabinet 6" to 18" back from the wall/corner (experiment for best results). NEVER place a subwoofer with the woofer between 2.5ft and 8ft from a wall.
Put the tops on stands, 1-2ft over the heads of the audience, and about 25ft apart.
IMO, a single B52 1000v2 system will provide good sound for about 100 people in up to a 1500sqft space. For larger crowds and rooms, setup the system to be focused on the dance floor…others will be able to hear the music for sure…but it will not be “war volume” in the back of the room. That is OK. In any case, boundary loading for the sub is required…even if it is farther from the dance floor.
Still, if you can afford this setup, and plan to get additional gigs in the short term (next couple of months), then this is a good starter PA. Well cared for, this will last for years, and can eventually be used as a backup or second system. I would not buy this planning to sell in 2 or 3 years. This is not a system that will hold resale value as well as more expensive gear.
The B52 mobile setups are decent mobile setups, I have used a friends set when I had a gig larger that what my (back then) mobile rig would handle and it filled the place in nicely. I dont do mobile gigs anymore, its all clubnights and my residency now, but when I did it was 3 powered mackie srm-450’s and two srm-18’s. I have professionally DJ’d for about 8 years, as in its my only job and I live comfortably doing it, and what I have found is unless you are going to have consistent gigs doing shows like this, rent gear. You dont have to store it, you dont have to be super worried about it the whole time you are using it (that some kids gonna knock it over or spill something on it), just pay the money, rent the equipment and drop it off when you are done. I did enough shows and gigs that it made more sense financially to bu a system, but that usually isnt the case for someone who is just starting out or new to gigging out.
If you are going to buy equipment, save up and buy something good that you wont have to replace in a couple years, because it offsets the benefit of buying in the first place. Buy a system you can add on to.
hire some lights also man, and bring what lights you got also and dont forget your fog machine, even if they tell you that you cant use it due to fire alarms going off etc just use it very little just to help out with the light ray effect. this is your first gig and your budget aint enough to get a full system, (lights,spekers,stands,cables,eq,amp etc etc)
dont sweat it. rent good gear so you make a good impact, remember this may get you plenty more gigs, think about it… first impressions and all that
oh and i wish you look at the gig,
another tip, dont forget a microphone, you’ll look silly without one,
and get some pracitise on it, talk over it to yourself if you have too and record yourself, you may find out that your voice comes across very bassy, you dont wont to be finding that out mid gig and dont know how to tweek it oh and not to forget any feedback issues
as i always say in work,
“if your organised, your never pressurised”
HA! Been here! Yes remember a mic, and dont be too surprised by how your voice sounds on it, cause most people freak out at hearing themselves on a mic the first few times
Rent rent rent!!! The last thing you want to do in your first gig is to make a bad impression or a joke of yourself with bad sound.. especially to high school kids who will instantly plaster your name on Facebook as a horrible dj. A local rental company will make sure you have adequate gear and like someone else said you can then base your purchase on what they use.
Everyone knows what they say about first impressions!
For your first gig…less is more (that still applies after 20 years too). Lights are good…but not at the expense of your stress level at the gig. The fewer moving parts you have, the fewer buttons you have to mess with, the better you will do.
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