hey guys, i have a few questions on the gear i should buy and if im making the right choices.
First off, im brand new to DJing. In fact ive never actually touched a CDJ or a controller of anything besides messing around on virtual Dj ,but Ive taken a strong interest in wanting to be a DJ. Ive been doing a lot of research on hard/software on the internet and Ive got an idea of what i want to get. Now keep in mind that Im on a very tight budget and will probably have to save up for every piece individually due to not having a consistent flow of money but i plain to have a job soon.
Anyways i figured the best controller i can get would be the Mixtrack pro due to the low price and descent reliability.
Software wise i was thinking traktor pro because from what ive herd it feels more professional and has more effects.
Finally i was thinking of getting a midi fighter classic to help me with effects and creating build-ups and stuff.
of course ill need a laptop but what about speakers? can i just use any ol’ speakers i have for now? or am i going to have to go out and buy really expensive ones just to dj in my room for now? what else will i need besides headphones?
If you have any recommendations on anything such as things im leaving out or different soft/hardware i should use please let me know your opinion. thankyou , nick…
save your money on a midifighter if you are just starting out. You can do plenty with a mixtrack…in fact, I’d probably use the money for a midi fighter for a better controller that will last you.
My advice to you is learn the basics first. Learn to beat match, learn music theory and phrasing tracks before spending money on something that you press a button just to get an effect.
Do you contradict yourself on purpose or that’s just some kind of temporary brain disfunction ?
You’re right though, basics are important. To be honest, you don’t need anything else than solid basics to be a decent DJ. No one really cares (beside yourself) about an ubber transition with 3 tracks and 12 samples layered with 4 different FX and stuff.
PS : Not that I want to diss the midifighter, but get your mixing right before starting to even look at such toys. It can be fun, but that’s more some kind of fantasy than a real game changer. Please don’t even google “midifighter” in your first 6 months of DJing, or you will be tempted by shiny buttons you won’t even know who to use properly.
You have it right with step one… doing lots of homework… you want to check things for not only the good reviews but also frequent problems or inconsistancies. One of the worst things to have happen is have brand new equipment but at the gig something doesn’t work.
Everyone has what works for them, though the same set-up might not work for you. Having an idea of where you may want to go musically will help. Different styles of music have equipment that works and sounds best for that genre. Also provide yourself with room to grow, the midi-fighter is an excellent example of doing that.
The speakers… well I cut some corners and purchased Harbinger Speakers from Guitar Center… and while they got me through my gigs I felt there was something missing so I added a sub. Later as the money flowed better I purchased new speakers. Both times I sought out to get the best bang for the buck. I found that Alto makes a speaker series (Trusonic - also avail. at Guitar Center) that sound exceptional and are very competitive with some of the more expensive brands. Think about how large the venues are that you would like to gig at and make sure you won’t have to clip out the speakers to fill the room.
If you are going with Traktor software you are making a great choice, it is a leader in the industry and is innovating from a performance dj stand point and provides many powerful and comprehensive tools for progressive dj’s. For a controller, think about the full integration with the Kontrol S2 or S4… they are built for the software and will come complete with integrated mapping, other controllers may have mapping for Traktor, though they are built with the software “in mind”. One thing a new dj may want to avoid is a controller that they will have to figure out how to map it properly to get the most out of the hardware.
I have tried a few different controllers from a few different brands and by far the Traktor S2 has been the most powerful, reliable and exciting tool to dj with. Providing both a powerful and comprehensive software paired with a controller built to link the dj to those tools for and exciting performance for both you and your audience.
One final note… once you start djing there will be no end to what more you want… welcome to the begining of a life long love.
regarding the question about buying speakers and or using the computer speakers you already have…
i have to PLEAD with you my friend.
REALLY REALLY REALLY PLEASE… take the time to learn how to cue and mix completely in your headphones.
for many years i have been seeing way too many djs never know how to do this and to me its frustrating.
Doing this is so important, i cant say it with enough conviction.
I have played at many clubs in NJ and NYC and if the monitor in the dj booth isnt working
the dj blames his poor performance on that.
?!?!WHAT?!?!
the perpose of a dj monitor is to have the sound right there in your booth because the PA speakers for the dance floor are usually a few dozen feet away. You get lots of sound reflection so your timing will be off.
If you are djing in your headphones… you cant get any speakers closer then that
on the midifighter thing, it is probably best to wait to see if another piece of kit will fit your intention with mixing better. for me however, I needed buttons almost right away. I think one of the most exciting part of digital djing is the ability to cue point juggle, the buttons for doing this on the S4 are not nearly as nice feeling as the arcade buttons and running a hybrid map that allows me to cue point juggle or use effects is great.
you can get by on computer speakers, or a home stereo if monitors are out of your price range, especially just starting out. getting a nice set of headphones is something you will take with you every where. don’t skimp because you will wind up buying better later, if you decide djing isn’t your thing, you will still probably appreciate the headphones.
Why is everyone talking about a midifighter.. Get the kid djing and learning phrases and good song selection first. Midifighter is a controllerist style and honestly doesn’t work that well unless your really really good at it.
First learn the basics, then get creative with some simple effects and samples, after that choose your own style. Do you want be be a controllerist, turntablist or maybe you will like cdj’s? I saw a lot of people on this forum evoluate like this. My last tip: Keep it simple and don’t overuse the effects!
well if thats the case ^^^
then i do have a dual CD deck if he wants to buy it
I never opened it or used it
it was for my fiancee but she never started with it
WOW! thanks for all the feedback guys! never expected that much.
as for your advice, im going to hold off on the midi fighter for a while to see if i even want it in the future.
and when it comes to my controller you all have got me leaning towards the s2 but the only thing is is around$400
because i already need traktor which is $100 not to mention a descent laptop for around $300. so thats $800 dollars right there without even thinking of headphones,speakers,or other things. its just hard to afford these things outof just wanting to dj as a hobby. dont get me wrong i would love to be an amazing dj but im gonna keep my feet on the ground for now and just do it for fun/interest. im just broke atm but i should have some money soon. would i be better off trying to find good deals on used gear? any of you guys have any old gear around going un-used that you could sell me? if so txt me with info 1-9-31-996-1046.
i wouldnt be able to get in a week. maybe not even a month or two depending on my job and your price but i really want to try this DJing thing out.
ANY advice for my situation or just tips on DJing be happy to post them for me and others!
lol i wasnt kidding
i have equipment that i DONT need and its still in its box
i have all the parts + books + and i even have extra cables for you to use it if you need
I even have an extra mixer that still works flawlessly
basically i have an entire dj setup without the speakers or amp and it seems at this point
you arent ready for those parts anyway so yea man
hit me up… i can help you out
yeah that’d be awsome if you was willing to help me out. like i said my budgets really tight right now but give me some more info on what equipment you have and a price and ill look into buying it from you. it may not be really soon but if its a good deal on my part then id defiantly start saving up for it. just get my number and txt me or reply back to me on here.
Either way, I hear ya man…it’s a lot of money to spend on a hobby if you’re just starting out and want to mess around at home a bit. Cheap options:
Used Mixtrack Pro - I’ve seen them local on Craigslist for 150.00; I’ve seen license of Traktor on this site go for 50 bucks.
Twitch is on sale here for about 260.00 and comes with Serato Itch; you’ll get a free upgrade from Serato to their new Software in a few months and can always use it with Traktor down the road if buy a license.
Also, try to spend as much as you can on your laptop.
This is gonna be the first time im recomending this but the Denon MC6000 is it… standalone 4 channel mixer as well as audio interface and controller. works with serato traktor and vdj. best bang for the buck in your price range and most versatile get good on it then upgrade!!!
