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-- Just a thought.

Just a thought.

Well I've been reading thru the posts here in the dj booth and there are plenty of noobs wanting to know about what to do to start and what to buy and stuff ( I myself asked the same typical noob post not to long ago) and everyone of them gets without exeption, put onto this path of buying top end equipment for millions of dollars or else they should not even bother, or they'll suck.

I feel that some people that ask for comparisons between bottom end equipment might only need bottom end equipment and after they have posted will not get the answer to what bottom end stuff to buy, and they will be totally discouraged, and after all it's ALL about the music

I've got a friend that has 2 cd players(no pitch control no features) and a bottom end numark mixer he has an amp and speakers and a mic a smokemachine and some lights and a pc(only winamp). We have had the most awsome parties with only that equipment and no one has to even be the dj, various people can go and change songs at random, and they guy who's stuff it is doesn't have to worry about people fucking up vinyls and he doesn't have to dj all night cause no one else knows how and he can party like everyone else. Maybe alot of these noobs only need something to keep a party going.

And telling 10 to 16 year olds to buy $100000000 dollar equipment, thats just not right. At 10 to 16 most people don't even know what music they actually do like, I think DJ packs might be just the right thing for some people.

Thoughts?

True.

But if someone is really serious about dj-ing, they would be better off buying some high-end equipment, don't you think?

If someone just wants to throw a nice party every once in a while, I don't think they need all that expensive stuff. There's no need to pay for something you don't need.

Anyway, I started with low-budget equipment, but now I only own equipment that you'll find in most Dutch clubs. From Gemini/Behringer to Technics/Dateq is a big step, but was worth the extra money.

My point is:

- If you are really serious about dj-ing, you are simply better off buying decent stuff.
- If you aren't sure if you like dj-ing, some of the low-end equipment might just suit the bill as well.

Just my 2 cents.

I just cannot believe that so many people could be so serious about DJing that only high end equipment would work for them.

I would even go as far to say that prob only 1 out of 50 people that post about what equipment to buy could actually be serious enough about DJing to buy good equipment, the rest would only have wasted the money (then again this makes for a good secondhand market)

quote:

Originally posted by Gunyouken I just cannot believe that so many people could be so serious about DJing that only high end equipment would work for them.

Well, I am. And I found that only high-end equipment works for me. Maybe i'm just spoiled.

quote:

Originally posted by Gunyouken I would even go as far to say that prob only 1 out of 50 people that post about what equipment to buy could actually be serious enough about DJing to buy good equipment, the rest would only have wasted the money (then again this makes for a good secondhand market)

We just give advice. We do not tell them what to buy. It is still up them to decide what equipment to buy.

It is a proven fact that crappy equipment does not increase the pleasure of dj-ing. In fact, it can even make people forget about dj-ing, when good equipment might have just made them love it.

And, like you said, there is a good second hand market that can make high end equipment affordable for a lot of people...

what is annoying, is when someone posts about something that is bottom end, and/or wanting a comparison between bottom end equipment, and someone bangs on about technics or pioneer etc etc.

thats no what they made the thread for. there are plenty of bits of kit that don't cost �97312723 that are great for starting out on and all that.

quote:

Originally posted by djxtension It is a proven fact that crappy equipment does not increase the pleasure of dj-ing. In fact, it can even make people forget about dj-ing, when good equipment might have just made them love it.

i disagree, but not entirely. i was someone who bought cheap equipment (because it was the only stuff i could afford at the time) and it was fantastic to learn on. in fact it probably made me better as a dj, because if you spend enough time/effort thinking about having to get it just perfect (which is hard on some low end equipment, particularly turntables), then when you make the step up to proffesional equipment you are free to think about other things like being creative with the mix, doing something different etc etc.

although if someone isn't enthusiastic about it, they wont bother buying new kit later on and they will get sick of it. but that's their own stupid fault for shelling out for kit that, lets face it, is going to be expensive whatever you buy, when they arn't enthused about it enough to make it worth while spending that money in the first place.

quote:

Well, I am. And I found that only high-end equipment works for me. Maybe i'm just spoiled.

I'm busy saving for high end equipment myself.

It just doesn't seem right that people always get told what to buy when that was not what they asked , like sometimes a guy asks if some behringer prod would be better to buy than a gemini or something cause he just has $10 and then people come and tell him that he's crazy and should save $10000 bucks to get a pioneer or tech or something that he would never be able to afford or find neccesary in his life. I just think that for most people saving might be a bigger dampner on DJing than cheap equipment.

quote:

Originally posted by tu_face i disagree, but not entirely. i was someone who bought cheap equipment (because it was the only stuff i could afford at the time) and it was fantastic to learn on. in fact it probably made me better as a dj, because if you spend enough time/effort thinking about having to get it just perfect (which is hard on some low end equipment, particularly turntables), then when you make the step up to proffesional equipment you are free to think about other things like being creative with the mix, doing something different etc etc.

I never said cheap equipment, i said crappy equipment...

There is a lot of stuff that is cheap and crappy, and a lot of stuff that is cheap and good.

I also started with cheap equipment, and it was great to learn on for me as well.

Some people just pick the wrong equipment, because it's cheap. If you look a bit further, you will find cheap equipment that is a whole lot better.

That was my point.

quote:

Originally posted by djxtension I never said cheap equipment, i said crappy equipment... There is a lot of stuff that is cheap and crappy, and a lot of stuff that is cheap and good. I also started with cheap equipment, and it was great to learn on for me as well. Some people just pick the wrong equipment, because it's cheap. If you look a bit further, you will find cheap equipment that is a whole lot better. That was my point.

fair anough

technics are like 300 on ebay, not that much

Techs are 300 on ebay...then you still need a mixer and phones, and you still need the most important part of all THE MUSIC!

And as far as I can see most people can't afford $300 TTs or are not willing to (If you are not willing then you are not serious I must add)

I on the other hand don't want to buy anything off Ebay, No matter how cheap, and most people only ship in the US. And I just don't trust the secondhand buying system of classifieds and online auctions.

Three important lessons I learned over time dj'ing:

1) The better the mixer the better the overall sound quality and the better your mixing sounds ( i.e. those long blends sound really nice ) If you plan to play trance high-end mixers have a better mid-hi end range. Thus imo those breakdowns and synths sound crystal clear. In my expereince the best mixers have a high price tag.I think if you spend around $400 and above on a mixer you can get some good stuff. Lesson #1 buy what you can afford but understand that if you can save some money you can buy a nicer sounding mixer.

2) Good decks and cdplayers make mixing alot easier. I dj'ed on some shitty decks before and holdin a mix was a f#ckin challenge. Technics are the best imo. Solid build and excellent motor.
Lesson #2 If you want to save yourself the pain of learning how to mix on sh!tty decks buy good TT and cd decks.

3) This is an expensive hobby. If one cant afford the equipment than how the can you manage to afford vinyls that cost $20 each; knowing that you probally need to buy around 10-15 vinyls per month!? And trust me you arent gonna find good songs on MP3's for free. You will have to open your wallet if you want your mixes to sound artistic. Once you make the commitment to become a DJ than I beleive you will try your hardest to find the best gear you can afford.
Giving people reccomendations on high quality gear imo gives them an idea of whats good. It is ulitemely their choice. However, by pointing out to them what sounds good or what has good build they can do their own research and find stuff they can afford which they feel is similar in quality but cheaper in price.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Piazza Three important lessons I learned over time dj'ing: 1) The better the mixer the better the overall sound quality and the better your mixing sounds ( i.e. those long blends sound really nice ) If you plan to play trance high-end mixers have a better mid-hi end range. Thus imo those breakdowns and synths sound crystal clear. In my expereince the best mixers have a high price tag.I think if you spend around $400 and above on a mixer you can get some good stuff. Lesson #1 buy what you can afford but understand that if you can save some money you can buy a nicer sounding mixer. 2) Good decks and cdplayers make mixing alot easier. I dj'ed on some shitty decks before and holdin a mix was a f#ckin challenge. Technics are the best imo. Solid build and excellent motor. Lesson #2 If you want to save yourself the pain of learning how to mix on sh!tty decks buy good TT and cd decks. 3) This is an expensive hobby. If one cant afford the equipment than how the can you manage to afford vinyls that cost $20 each; knowing that you probally need to buy around 10-15 vinyls per month!? And trust me you arent gonna find good songs on MP3's for free. You will have to open your wallet if you want your mixes to sound artistic. Once you make the commitment to become a DJ than I beleive you will try your hardest to find the best gear you can afford. Giving people reccomendations on high quality gear imo gives them an idea of whats good. It is ulitemely their choice. However, by pointing out to them what sounds good or what has good build they can do their own research and find stuff they can afford which they feel is similar in quality but cheaper in price.

I agree with Dave on this. I see nothing wrong with pointing a novice DJ in a the direction of quality equipment. However, flat out telling them that nothing less than techs and an expensive mixer is worth it is stupid. There is plenty of cheap equipment out there that will do the job and satisfy the DJ'ing need it's just up to them to decide how much of an up-front investment they're willing to make.

One thing I know to be true is that if you decide you love DJ'ing you'll grow out of the cheaper stuff fairly quickly. I've had my set-up for 7 months and am already replacing my DXM06 with a DN-X1500 and looking at CD decks for a future purchase.

quote:

Originally posted by Wraith I agree with Dave on this. I see nothing wrong with pointing a novice DJ in a the direction of quality equipment. However, flat out telling them that nothing less than techs and an expensive mixer is worth it is stupid. There is plenty of cheap equipment out there that will do the job and satisfy the DJ'ing need it's just up to them to decide how much of an up-front investment they're willing to make. One thing I know to be true is that if you decide you love DJ'ing you'll grow out of the cheaper stuff fairly quickly. I've had my set-up for 7 months and am already replacing my DXM06 with a DN-X1500 and looking at CD decks for a future purchase.

Exactly.

Most people will want to upgrade their equipment after a year or so, because the current set-up they have does not satisfy anymore.

And vinyl is expensive too. Buying cheaper equipment leaves more room to buy music, which is a very important part of dj-ing.

I don't know about you guys, but I can easily buy 10 or more vinyls a month, my prob is the equipment. I can't seem to even get close to buying equipment.

A piece of equipment is worth atleast 3 months of vinyl And a whole setup is worth more than 9 months of vinyl. Unless you get cheap equipment.

quote:

Originally posted by Gunyouken I don't know about you guys, but I can easily buy 10 or more vinyls a month, my prob is the equipment. I can't seem to even get close to buying equipment. A piece of equipment is worth atleast 3 months of vinyl And a whole setup is worth more than 9 months of vinyl. Unless you get cheap equipment.

Welcome to the club


Lets be honest. You can have the best equipment in the world but you can still suck massive donkey dick. Programming a mix, beatmatching, tune selection, etc. are all skills your equipment cant help you acheive. Its nice to afford good equipment to DJ on but if you cant afford it than you gonna have to do your best on cheaper stuff until you can afford better shit.

Enjoy the music and have fun making mixes. Dont stress over affording high quality gear. If gear was the biggest issue to being a dj than only rich kids would be awesome DJ's; which isnt the case. IMO it can be a good learning lesson to work on shitty gear so when you finally get pro gear you will be awesome on it.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Piazza Welcome to the club

Thanks.


That is exactly why I don't understand people always giving noobs shit about equipment they want info on, and telling them to buy equipment they most likely could not afford. It's almost like telling someone they not allowed to drive a fiat cause a ferrari is much better.

I'm not going to buy a DJ package though.

quote:

Originally posted by Gunyouken I don't know about you guys, but I can easily buy 10 or more vinyls a month, my prob is the equipment. I can't seem to even get close to buying equipment. A piece of equipment is worth atleast 3 months of vinyl And a whole setup is worth more than 9 months of vinyl. Unless you get cheap equipment.

Yep, I'm in the same boat. I've learned that whenever I need to save up for somenthing I have to make a conscious effort to stay off record web sites and away from the record store b/c I will always invariably find something to buy. I'm positive this vinyl addiction is worse than heroin.

You've also brought up a very good point as far as equipment decisions are concerned. Yes, you can buy 2 Tech 1200's/Pioneer CDJ-1000's and a Xone:92 mixer to start out with, but what's the use of it if purchasing it means you can't afford any vinyl or Cds to play on it?? Yea, you can buy an awesome set-up, but how lame is it to buy it and then have to stare at it for a month until you save up enough money to buy music for it??

I will advise someone to buy technics over some peice of crap toy-esque turntables with gimmicky stuff on.
Considering you can pick up a pair of 1200s/1210s cheap used (probably the same amount as a pair of new but worse brand ones) its not really millions of dollars or out of reach of the average joe.
Having bought a pair of non techs to learn on, yeah it was fun- but now they are worth slightly more than f*ck all, and using them was harder than it should have been.
Hey- when i started out, i used one turntable and learnt to mix in with a cd playing from my hi fi.. if thats not ghetto i dont know what is.

i wont recommend mega expensive stuff to a newbie at all.
Hell, my mixer is 9 years old and cost me 50 quid from ebay. It also happens to be awesome, with features even brand new ones nowadays dont have. Its better than some in particular i ecounter at work regularly!

Also, nooone ever said it was cheap doing this!!!!!!! It certainly isnt! Turntables, mixer and headphones will be the SMALLEST investment in this- your record spending will far far outweigh anything else.

Loads more crap to do with this, but i have a headache, so im off to bed.

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