What do I need to start Djing?
You first need to choose if you would like to DJ with CD's or records. Most mobile DJ's prefer a CD based system. Club DJ's usually like turntables or a mixture of turntables and CD players. Depending on which you pick, here are your options:
1) A dual CD player (or 2 CD players) + a DJ mixer
2) Two turntables, a DJ mixer + 2 cartridges
Store recommendation for Turntable starters is the SCRATCHMASTER package by Gemini.
Store recommendations FOR CD DJ starters is the American CD DJ System
Do I need speakers and an amplifier?
No-- if you own a home stereo system with an auxiliary input.
Yes--if you do not have a home stereo. If you do need the speakers, you have two options:
1) Buy a set of small powered speakers
2) Buy an amplifier and speakers.
How much power do I need for my speakers?
This will depend on the power rating of the speakers. However, you will always want to have a little more power than what the speaker is rated for. This is because there will be times when you will have a very large surge of sound (i.e. a heavy bass drop) When this happens the amp will be pushed to it's limit. If you don't have extra on-hand power, the amp will clip and possibly damage your speakers. Remember, under powering a speaker usually will blow it before overpowering will.
What does the RMS/Peak power rating on a speaker mean?
RMS stands for root-mean-square. This is the average power that the speaker can handle, all day without blowing. This is usually .707 of the peak power.
Peak power- this is the power the speaker can handle instantaneously. Usually less than one second.
When listening to loud music, you will sometimes get a very strong surge of power (ex. A heavy bass note)
In these cases the speaker will have to put out more sound than usual. Thus peak power.
What's the difference between a belt-drive and a direct drive turntable?
Belt drive turntables work on a belt system. Belt drive turntables are generally used for playing records. Direct drive units use a motor that powers the turntable. This motor allows the user to scratch and back cue without skipping the record
What does a DJ mixer do?
A mixer allows the user to fade smoothly between two different sources. (Turntables or CD players) At any given time, you can be blending two sources at the same time.
How do I balance a tonearm?
1- Put the needle and cartridge on the tonearm and tighten it down.
2 Screw the counterweight fully inward (toward you) until it stops
3 CAREFULLY place the needle to the center of the record.(the needle should feel very heavy)
4 Slowly begin to unscrew the counterweight (away from you) until the tonearm is "floating" in mid air. It should be parallel to the record at this point.
5 Put the tonearm back in the rest and lock it down.
6 While holding the counterweight in place, spin the number dial in front of it until the "0" is aligned with the centerline on the tonearm.
7 Now turn the counterweight & number wheel toward you until you have reached the tracking weight you desire.
8 Lastly, if your turntable has an anti skate wheel, set this to the same number that you set the tonearm weight to.
9 Start mixing!!!!!!!!
Can I scratch with CD's?
You can create a simulated scratching sound with some CD players that offer the option. However, it will never be the same as actually scratching on a turntable. Check out the new Denon 2600F that has the scratch effect.
What is Anti Shock?
Anti shock is a great feature that actually supports the internal CD players, making it more resistant to skipping. Anti shock is an absolute must for mobile and club DJ's.
What does a sampler do?
A sampler digitally records small portions of songs or other small sound effects, enabling a person to play it back through a number of pads.
Which needle is the best for scratching?
You have two options. The first is the Shure M44-7. It is designed with a special wide diameter body for ultra high skip resistance. The second is the Stanton Trackmaster. The Trackmaster has a new design for better tractability. This specific cartridge is weighted a bit heavier so it more likely to stay in the groove when scratching and back cueing.
What do I need to Remix?
ROLAND MC303 GROOVE BOX- CREATE YOUR OWN DANCE MUSIC AND REMIXES WITH NO MUSICAL TRAINING
The MC-303 is a self-contained, retro-styled sequencer and integrated sound module with very high-tech features! What does this mean for you…..? With the MC-303 you can create entire tracks (HIP-HOP HOUSE TRANCE TECHNO REGGAES DRUM AND BASS). The MC-303 has every sound you’ll need, plus drum loops and effects for all types of music….
ADD THIS TO YOUR MC303 GROOVE BOX AND SAMPLE SOME VOCALS FROM OLD HIP-HOP ACCAPELLAS TO ADD SOME SPICE TO YOUR TRACK…
*BOSS SP202 SAMPLER WITH 32 MEMORY BANKS LOW COST, POWERFUL PHRASE SAMPLING!
The SP-202 features: 8 trigger pads; Up to 4 minutes and 20 seconds of memory (upgradeable to 32 min and 47 seconds with 4MB Smart Media card); 4 voice polyphony; Tap tempo; adjustable BPM; Pitch Control; Filter; Real-Time Time stretching (no change in pitch when changing tempo); Ring modulator; Doubling; Mic input mix; and Individual sampling grades for each pad.
Hook up these units to a dj mixer (line inputs) and you’re on your way to the remix world……
What is a CDR?
A CD-R is a Recordable compact disk! There are many types of CD-R's! Some have a matte finish on top, some are inkjet printable, and some come with a pre-printed face! Which one of those you choose is entirely up to you!
The biggest choice you have is what type of recording you wish to accomplish and what you are recording that format on! If you want to do strictly audio recording, then I would suggest choosing a disk with either a blue or green bottom face! These discs are able to burn the audio image deeper into the disc, therefore giving you a higher output and all around stronger recording! If you are recording strictly data back up, (like with a p.c. or some of the new digital recorders) I would suggest using something in a gold bottom face! Since data is a different image format then audio, these discs will hold the image much better and will allow the cd-rom to read the data back much quicker! The most important factor in choosing a CD-R is what type of burner do you have! Typically the Phillips and other home audio and consumer recorders will only accept a CD-R, which is for digital audio only! If you have this type of recorder, any CD-R that has the "for digital audio only" label will work, however I still suggest going with a blue or green bottom face! If you are using a professional recorder that will accept simple data discs, then generally any type CD-R will work! If you are using a home computer then you will have to be somewhat careful in choosing a CD-R! Not is the bottom face one of your choices, but also the name brand! Not every computer burner supports every type of
CD-R! It's very important that you know what type of CD-R's your burner AND your burning program supports! Your last decision is a very new one! There are now 80 min. CD-R's! So just figure out how much time the majority of your recording will be and have a prosperous and coaster free burning experience!
