Loading... 439 view(s)
Welcome to the world of DJing! If you’re looking to invest in your first turntable or computer setup, there are a few options to get you started. Before spending a ton of cash on equipment, though, you should consider your needs, budget, and reasons for DJing in the first place. For example, if you’re just looking to play music at a few house parties, you might want to start with a computer and a portable DJ controller. On the other hand, if you spend your nights scouring Discogs for rare records and dream of becoming a pro DJ, we recommend learning on turntables or CDJs.
Despite what many music lovers will tell you, there’s no right answer to the question “What do I need to start DJing?” In fact, there are countless examples of DJs slaying dance floors with just a laptop and a tiny controller (or no controller at all). Ultimately, the most important aspect of DJing is music selection and sequencing. Vinyl can have a warmer, richer sound than a lot of digital recordings, but almost every major club on Earth will also have CDJs in the booth. Below, we’ve outlined four beginner DJ equipment packages, their pros and cons, and why they might be the best choice for you.
Basic Computer Setup
What do I need to start DJing? Not much, in fact. If you already have a laptop, free software like Virtual DJ will get the job done, and it’s easy to load new songs into the program via the trackpad and keyboard. This is the most compact system for DJing by far, and you’ll be able to select from the vast library of digital music online. However, you’ll still probably want to invest in a basic audio interface, which converts digital audio and sends it to the DJ mixer.
- Audio Interface: At the most basic level, audio interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or the PreSonus FireStudio offer a couple of inputs and outputs for sending digital audio to a club’s sound system. As it passes through an interface, music is also converted from a digital to an analog signal, which sounds better when amplified. Most interfaces also offer a headphone jack, so you can preview music before mixing it into your set. Audio interfaces with more than two inputs/outputs are great for studio recording, but for DJ purposes, this is all you need.
- DJ Controller: There are dozens of unique controller styles, which range from basic portable units to massive all-in-one decks. Popular models include the Traktor Kontrol Z1 — which offers a two-channel mixer, crossfader, and basic EQ functionality — or the larger Kontrol S2 MKII, which includes remix decks and jog wheels for hands-on cueing. Similarly, there’s the Pioneer DDJ-SR, a two-channel controller that’s designed to work seamlessly with the Serato DJ software.
- Two Turntables: Far and away, the most popular DJ turntable is the Technics SL-1200, but it’s out of production and commands absurdly high prices online. However, there are plenty of high-quality alternatives out there. New DJs can’t go wrong with a pair of Numark TT250USBs or Stanton T.92s.
- Mixer: Next, your turntables connect to a DJ mixer, which gives you control over the volume, EQ, and effects for multiple audio channels. Just like the SL-1200 turntable, it’s common to find a Pioneer DJM-800 or a high-end Rane mixer in a club, but you don’t need to spend that much for a quality unit. If you’re on a serious budget, go for the Numark M101USB, but if you want a solid two-channel mixer with additional features, we highly recommend the Pioneer DJM-350.
- Headphones: Finally, you’ll need a decent set of DJ headphones to cue up and mix between tracks. Unlike studio headphones or consumer models, DJ headphones are designed to replicate low-end and treble frequencies like you hear them in a club, while also using a closed-ear design to isolate the sound. You can’t go wrong with headphone models like the Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2 or the Sennheiser HD 25.