What equipment do I need to begin digital DJing?

Red link in my sig, for how to set up being a DJ for under $300.

@ ElmoNZ

You’ve got Jester.NZ in your backyard = DJ Master Yoda (x a million)

hahaha B :slight_smile:

Alright thanks =) Yeah I was thinking that the S4 would be awesome to get, but it is reeealy expensive… I think it’d be a good idea to find a cheaper controller to start off with on second thought… How much does a VCI-100 cost? Or Maybe I should just start with a X1 and sound card?

Coz all I need now is the controller, sound card (if necessary) and maybe some speakers… I might have to skip on the speakers for a while. I’m gonna be living and practicing in a dorm, I think I might just hire or get someone else to supply them if I play at house parties.

Exciting :3

A used VCI + a brand new x1 are around the same price

Dj-Tech I-Mix club edition mixer:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instruments/PA-pro-audio-DJ-equipment/Mixers/auction-347216475.htm

Numark Total Control:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instruments/PA-pro-audio-DJ-equipment/Mixers/auction-346861620.htm

THese are in my country and in my price range. What do you guys reckon? One of these or the x1? Then I’ll be sorted =)

both links go to the i-mix

but i have a TC and i love it. im using a really good mapping for it too, so that makes it much better.

links fixed =) They both look good to me aye.

i only payed $200 for the TC

elmo i have a imix club edition at home :stuck_out_tongue:

Next on your list is a soundcard mate, a decent one. I can hook you up with a legit copy of Traktor LE if you like which you can upgrade later (i have 4 i think). If you wanna go the X1 route you’ll need 2 (just ordered my second one) @ around $760 NZD (with bags) from NI, delivered. Then you can mix at home using one of my awseome 4 deck mappings, and/or when you get access to a mixer you can go external like i showed you the other night. The imix CE is actually a great little starter controller, my one has been thrashed for 2 years and still going strong. It’s pretty weenie tho but good for learning the ropes with.

Good advice so far, I can just elaborate on a few tidbits already mentioned…based on my noobness experience a few years ago :sunglasses:.

I found starting out on Windows (XP) to be a trial-by-fire in that it was fucking horrible (lol) but it taught me a lot about how the stuff works and what it needs. Even carted a tower PC to a few RSL gigs lol. Controller and hardware recognition mainly, but also Traktor’s online/offline policy and NI’s service center (:open_mouth:). You generally need drivers for everything on Windows, OSX however (I’ve since switched to a Macbook) just works lol. So I wouldn’t feel disheartened starting on Windows, great way to cut your teeth before a Mac just does everything for you :slight_smile:

And yeah, I’d hold off on the S4 for now. It’d be like learning to drive in a ZONDA R :wink:

If you haven’t gotten your headphones, I HIGHLY recommend Audio-Technica ATH-M50’s. I’ve had these for a little while now, and for the $95 i paid for them, the sound can’t be beat. The isolation is amazing, and they have great balance, the bass isn’t too overpowering, but you still get that nice thump while hearing all the high end frequencies crisply.

Yeah bro I went into Ken Hams today actually and asked about the Audio 2 DJ and controllers. They only have a few DJ brands available, not including anything from NI, but I thought it’d be better to try and get my hands on a second-hand controller anyway. The A2DJ I don’t mind buying new at all. I think I’ll order one online if you don’t know anywhere near or in NZ that sells them? Haha.

I’ll be getting the Audio 2 DJ either way I reckon. I can’t find one on trademe :I

So… The controllers… Lol.
The 2 x1’s sound pretty expensive. I loved using it though that time I was with you. Thing is nifty!
But… Which do you think would be better?

a) Buying a single x1, learning to DJ (mostly) on 2 decks? I guess I’d have to if I only had one x1? I technically could get two x1’s, but going to uni this year I guess it’d be wiser to try minimise what I spend.
b) Get the cheapie controller to learn on before I move up to the big guns haha.
I’d buy your old imix if you’re keen, that’d work out nicely haha. Otherwise I’ll get on trademe and get the one listed, seems really decently priced. 250? Awesome!

So where I go from here?

(exciting :3)

Well, you could also think about getting an X1 for the stuff it’s intended to do and maybe an X-Session Pro or so for the mixing (or a UC-33e), that way you can later upgrade the latter part, but keep the X1 around as it is way too versatile and awesome to not keep :wink:

(With this approach you could also easily go the external route if you chose to, can never hurt to leave some options available)

Aye, just nothing too expensive. If I were to get traktor LE to begin with, I’d only need one x1 wouldn’t I if it’s only 2 decks capable? I think learning on 2 decks would be far easier than 4 haha. But then are there any significant differences between the x1 and the imix apart from the jog wheel?

I suppose if I got an x1 I could always just get another if I got pro, but then if I had 2 x1’s, might I as well have a S4 instead?

I don’t know the difference between ‘internal’ and ‘external’ haha. And I think I’d rather keep sticking to digi-djing than CDJing and vinyl whatever they are lol.

Ok a warning to start with, when I bought my X1 I tried it out on a shop PC that only had Traktor LE and it doesn’t support some functions, most notably hotcues which are damn useful.

Also, with the right mapping it’s perfectly possible to use 4 decks with one X1. And if you’re just starting out there’s no need to worry about 4 deck mixing for a while yet!