DJ Equipment
Summary: Getting the right basic equipment is important to becoming a competent DJ. DJs need to pick equipment that fits both their style and their budget.
DJ Equipment That Finds the Right Beat
If you’re going to get the crowd on your side in a club, you need to have the right DJ equipment, and know how to use it properly.
When you’re laying down a mix, you need to skillfully use all of your DJ equipment together as a single musical instrument. Having equipment that you’re comfortable with, that’s reliable and that you can easily use is important.
DJs have a variety of equipment they use in their act. CD players, mixers, even old turntables all have their place in the mix. Perhaps one of the best known tools of the trade is the Technics 1200/1210 turntable. With this venerable bit of equipment, beginning DJs can work on their beat mixing and other skills.
Today’s DJ has a lot of toys to bring to the party. The standard set-up seems to be two turntables or CD players, stereo cables, a mixer, an amp and headphones. If you’re on a budget, you can take a shortcut by using
the axillary input from your home stereo instead of using a high-priced amp and speaker combo.
Choosing equipment that fits your style
When you’re buying DJ equipment, you need to select gear that works with your style. If you’re a strictly hip-hop person, you’ll probably want to get some scratch/battle mixers and direct-drive turntables. Corporate and wedding specialists will likely want to get CD players or computer software programs.
Good DJs will know how to use a range of equipment, including old school turntables and the newest computer programs.
DJing and the digital age
DJ mixing software has become an integral part of every DJ’s equipment set. It’s important to find software that you can easily learn and use when you’re on stage. Some industry leaders include Mixxx, Traktor and VirtualDJ.
An important factor to weigh in selecting a DJ mixing program is its compatibility with your other equipment. You should pick a program that can easily be used along side your hardware and that’s user friendly.
With the right equipment and plenty of practice, you can learn to gauge a crowd to determine their energy, and then lay down the beats that will keep them dancing all night long. Take a look at your ability, your needs and your budget, and pick the DJ equipment that suits those factors best.
