Hey guys! This is my first post and excuse the total cluelessness lol but I couldn’t find anything specific enough on the FAQ’s or anything so I’m just gonna ask my stuff right out here =)
I’ve never DJ’d before, but am so incredibly keen, as I love dancing and club music etc and think it would be awesome to learn how to mix it. Next year I’m off to university and would love to be able to play at my own and other people’s parties! While I’m learning this website will effectively be my online bible, and I’ll also be seeking one-on-one real-life tutoring with an actual DJ for some solid personal guidance in learning this all I just wanna know how to trainsition between songs n’stuff well to keep the crowd dancing non-stop Nothing too fancy.
But problem #1… Haha.
I don’t know what I need. This is what I think I need so far…
-Traktor looks like an awesome program so I think I’m just gonna stick with that one. I know I need that so at least I know SOMETHING lol.
-I’m getting a laptop next year. It’s not a mac, although I would like one, they’re too expensive unless I can get one second hand which I’d prefer not to. Normal laptops will be fine I assume?
-MIDI mixer. The Kontrol S4 looks pretty awesome so I think that’d be awesome to get.
-Sound card. If I get the S4, will I need a sound card as well or does the S4 do the job of the sound card as well?
-Some decent headphones.
-Some awesome (LOUD) speakers that I’ll also use as computer speakers for in my room when not used for DJing.
So the idea is that, Traktor Pro goes on the laptop, the S4 plugs into the laptop and I use that for controlling everything, the sound card plugs into the laptop, which plugs straight into the speakers, and my headphones plug into the sound card too and I’m ready to rock?
Headphones and a mouse mate! You can add to your gear piece by piece as you need it, starting with a soundcard. Welcome to the forums & btw are you a kiwi dude?
Fuck yeah man! Haha NZ rep! Will be in Chch next year but I’m guessing you’re an Aucklander? lol (Hey, it’s usually safe to assume )
And yeah haha I forgot about the mouse! For sure Wired or wireless?
I’m in sunny blenheim mate. My advice would be to get an audio2 soundcard and a copy of traktor LE and go from there. You can get your skills up and then its cheap enough to upgrade to the pro version and add controllers from there. Or if you have the readies and are serious about giving it a go then grab the S4, as that includes the software, mixer and soundcard for a “one stop shop” type setup.
-Traktor looks like an awesome program so I think I’m just gonna stick with that one. I know I need that so at least I know SOMETHING lol.
You may want to look at S4. Its basically the same as Traktor Pro but it allows you to use samples. You can snatch them right out of the track and store them in a bar below the player. But you can’t go wrong with Traktor Pro either.
-I’m getting a laptop next year. It’s not a mac, although I would like one, they’re too expensive unless I can get one second hand which I’d prefer not to. Normal laptops will be fine I assume?
Yes. Preferably something around 2ghz dual core with a cougle GB’s of ram should do just fine. Look into refurbished laptops to find cheaper laptops.
-MIDI mixer. The Kontrol S4 looks pretty awesome so I think that’d be awesome to get.
If you can’t afford a laptop, you probably can’t afford a S4 console. Its atleast $800, but if you get some installment plans then you good to go with the S4. I’m starting with a Hercules MP3 E2 midi $80.
-Sound card. If I get the S4, will I need a sound card as well or does the S4 do the job of the sound card as well?
“Custom-tailored for TRAKTOR, the S4 fuses a premium-quality 4 channel DJ mixer, a built-in 24 bit/96 kHz soundcard, an intuitive controller, and the flagship TRAKTOR PRO S4 software into one fully professional solution - the ideal one-stop package for DJs who want pro features, instant usability and go-anywhere portability.”
-Some decent headphones.
You get what you pay for. Numark HF125’s are great entry level headphones for a unbeatable price.
Haha thanks deviant! Na man I will have a bit of money to spend leftover from saving up for uni these holidays, enough to buy the S4 =)
The computer that my family uses at home belongs to me so if I took it to uni next year then the family computer will be gone! So I made a deal with my parents that if I left it here they’d buy me a laptop for me to take next year That should include a mouse too woohoo. They just said nothing too expensive >.<
By the time I start uni I should have 1500-2500 spare dollars, of which I’ll use to buy the S4 and some speakers and headphones and any other little things I need and just put the rest away for vodka (LOL)
Just got a laptop, mouse, and some headphones. All I need now is the S4 and some decent speakers. Still wanna know more about what speakers I should get? 2 and 1 bass?
I have KRK Rokit 6s, and I love them. Completely love them. I also got a killer deal on them, so maybe that’s why I love them - and I didn’t really compare it to much when I was purchasing them.
They are a great route to go. Especially if you want to play small house parties and such.
as a guy who was in your position just over a year ago, I would actually suggest not getting the s4. i hear its a great piece of kit, but start with something simple and cheaper incase you decided later this isn’t what you want to do. I started (and still use) the vci-100 arcade edition sold here on DJTT which i bought in the buy and sell forum. for the first few months I didnt even touch any of the crazy possibilities that the vci allows for, as I forced myself to learn the mixing basics.
And now that I’ve started using the vci to more of its potential, I almost feel overwhelmed at how many possibilities I have that i’ll never stop exploring.
Some other reasons against the s4… if you plan on DJing at college parties, I cant imagine the s4 being your best choice. Multiple times i’ve showed up for a house party and was given barely enough room for my controller and laptop. the size of the s4 could definitely cause some issues here.
one last note on DJing while at college, especially if you are gonna be in the dorms I would suggest investing in a better pair of headphones before speakers. I got yelled at a lot last year for being too loud by people on my floor and my RA.
good luck in your gear search! you’re about to embark on an incredibly fun journey
Ok enough of the NZ man love! I’m in Melbourne and I’ll eat you all. Consider us to be the Godzilla of the South Pacific (sort of), you are Tokyo.
Anyway, I digress!!
If you can’t afford a Mac then you DEFINITELY can’t afford an S4 as well as a ‘normal’ laptop - just sayin.
I would suggest, save up the extra few hundred and get a Mac, it will be worth it in the long run. They just run so much better - but then again I’m an apple whore so you should probably talk to someone with a little less bias.
Like it was said above (apologies, I can’t remember who said it) get an Audio 2 DJ and make use of the LE version of Traktor that comes with it. Just map your keyboard the way that suits you and start practicing basic fades, eqs and just generally familiarize yourself with traktor.
If and when the times comes to upgrade to something a little more tactile then re-assess your options taking in to account where you intend to play, your skill level and how you intend to play - ie button mashing crontrollerism, hip hop scratching or EDM beat matching etc.
Peace out
EDIT**
My bad, didn’t realise there was a 2nd page and pretty much everything I said had already been mentioned. But I shall let it stand… purely for the Godzilla reference.
I just wanna know how to trainsition between songs n’stuff well to keep the crowd dancing non-stop 
)