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best starting trance dj equipment

Hey everybody, I'm new here but I've been listening to trance for years.

Anyways I was just curious on DJing, I used to have some friends back home that did it (not trance music though, and I don't know if they still DJ :/) and I was thinking about starting with DJing.

So my basic question is what equipment should a beginner DJ looking to make trance music get? I probably can't afford the more expensive stuff like technics and what not, but what about all the other stuff? What turntables (or cd decks that use CDs? and someone mentioned something to me about "PC DJing" using my computer ... is that any good?), mixers (and whats a good mixer to start on? I don't wanna get one overly complicated for a beginner, yet one that I can still keep for some time and do good on), cartridges, vinyls, etc?

Thanks in advance for any help.

quote:

what equipment should a beginner DJ looking to make trance music get?

Well, there's a difference between mixing music and making music. If you want to make your own tunes from scratch, you should ask in the production forum.

As for mixing (I assume you just had a flaky second there, we all do), I very strongly suggest that if you're serious about mixing, and if you can, save your money and buy Techs. You will have the best decks you can get, plus if you decide to quit you can sell them very close to the price you bought em for. Any lesser turntable, you'll never sell it for anything close to what you paid for it.

How much are you looking at spending?

quote:

If you want to make your own tunes from scratch, you should ask in the production forum.

I'd possibly like to do a bit of both mixing and producing but I figure that'll be costly, what do the people here recommend I do? I'll probably make a post in the production forum just for feedback in that area.

quote:

How much are you looking at spending?

Well not very much, I suppose I could go up to $1000 or so (I consider spending more than 1k to be a big investment for something I'm doing for fun), which is why I thought I should avoid techs (damn they're expensive) even though I figure they're the best option. (thats about how much I *could* spend, I'd like to avoid spending as much money as possible, but at the same time not buy crap equipment because of it ... those two don't exactly go hand in hand, but I'm sure you guys understand my feelings on this :/).

have a look at numark tt500's, they are great starter decks. also, have a look at some of the vestax decks, the pdx2000 goes for �300 each here, and in my opinion they are better than technics, particularly better than the technics 1210mk2, which is the cheapest tech you will find..

as far as cd decks go, have a look at the numark axis9, pioneer cdj100 (overpriced, but very solid), & vestax cdx05. those three are probably the best budget cd decks around.

mixers, if you are looking at cheap mixers there isn't many for you to choose from that are actually any good. look at the vestax vmc02, & gemini ps626i. now the problem with most low price mixers, is that they always die after 6 months of hard use. the price difference is worth paying for a middle of the range mixer in most cases. for a middle of the range mixer, you really need look no further than the vestax pcv275, best mixer for the money by a mile!

Well, since you said that you don't want to spend too much and you're just starting out, then I would go for the cd players, because you're going to be saving a lot of money on not having to buy vinyl.

check out www.djtronics.com ... they've always got good stuff.

Also, if you check out ebay.com, make sure you know what you're getting; email the seller and ask why they're selling, if anything's wrong with them, blah blah blah... just know what you're getting before you get too excited.

I've got a pair of Pioneer CDJ 800's and I love them... they're a great value.

As for the mixer, the best budget mixer has got to be the Gemini 626, but if you're willing to spend a wee bit more, you could always go for the Numark DXM06 (it has all the effects, so you'll grow into it as you start spinning more often... so definitely go for that one).

BUT... Pioneer is doing a $200 mail-in rebate on all of their mixers. And, if you're looking for a good mixer, go for the DJM 300, which runs for $265... but at the end will only cost you $65, which is pretty darn good for a Pioneer.

Get a good pair of headphones too. Everyone here says that the Sony MDR V700's break on you... and that may be so, but I've had mine for 1.5 years now and they're still perfect (well, that's because I treat them like the expensive piece of equipment that they are... I mean, a lot of people twist them around and pinch them between their shoulder and ear (which, I think, is just for show... because that's really not necessary), and then they complain about them when they break).

Either way, PM me if you get cd players and I can give you a quick crash course on how to use them, cue them up, blah blah blah... because I know how hard it is if you're just getting started on this stuff without any advice.

quote:

Originally posted by crchingtiger BUT... Pioneer is doing a $200 mail-in rebate on all of their mixers. And, if you're looking for a good mixer, go for the DJM 300, which runs for $265... but at the end will only cost you $65, which is pretty darn good for a Pioneer.

yeah i forgot about rebates. if you can get one, go for the pioneer djm300

quote:

Either way, PM me if you get cd players and I can give you a quick crash course on how to use them, cue them up, blah blah blah... because I know how hard it is if you're just getting started on this stuff without any advice.

you should have read the manual

+1 on the Cd decks

if it's just for fun then id also recomend not worrying about vinyl as it gets expensive pretty quick what with decks, catridges/styli, record bags/cases...not to mention if you ever take your setup to a friends house or house party etc... the shit gets Heavy

vinyl is more for the turntablist/enthusiast and DJs who are looking to make somekind of career out of it as well as us who have little orgasms when mixing 12inches rather than a little CD - Vinyl is special for some, its really hard to explain

i dont own any cd decks(yet) but if you're going for the fun factor, Cd turntables seem to be more promising than a slot/tray loading rackmount player

-Headphones
you're just doing this for fun so go with what appeals to YOU, theres alot of headphone nazis in these forums who swear by whatever brand they own but IMO the best thing you can do for headphones is get what you think will be best.

-Note: if you want to mix you need GOOD headphones, check the headphones thread for more info

comment on the PC Djing - sucks unless you have a good comp/laptop dedicated to djing only, lots of problems with spyware/viruses...

I see, so no real DJs use CD decks? It seems like CDs are kind of the "wave of the future" so to speak though?

And if I were to buy CD decks, is there a type/brand of decks thats more specifically suited for trance?

And yea I am looking into this for personal enjoyment/fun, but I suppose it would be nice if somewhere down the line there was the possibility of getting money out of it too (after all, we all like to be payed to do what we like :P) - so CDs wouldn't be good for then, but for now I should go with whats cheapest to see if I like it and to learn with them too? (is CD djing really different than vinyl? It doesn't seem like it other than the medium used?)

I didn't want to spend too much eiter, so I got two used Numark TTX1's off craigslist.org for $225 each, and they're arguably just as good, if not better, than Tech 12's (although most likely less durable).

I started with a shitty Stanton RM-THREE mixer I was going to buy from my friend for $100, but realized it was crap so I splurged and went for the Vestax PCV-275, and love it so far (I've had it less than a week). PSSL.com has it for $299.99 and the slightly lower end PCV-175 for $229.99. I highly recommend them.

(2) Numark TTX1 - $225 x 2 = $450
(1) Vestax PCV-275 - $300
(1) Sony MDR-V700 - $90
(2) Ortofon Concord - free from friend, but probably ~$200

Total = around $1000 for, in my opinion, a pretty damn good setup

quote:

Originally posted by trance85 I see, so no real DJs use CD decks? And if I were to buy CD decks, is there a type/brand of decks thats more specifically suited for trance?

not neccecarily(sp?)

alot of real DJs use both, ever see Tiesto in Concert? hes got 2 Cd decks and 3 turntables. if youve been to a club you might notice that the dj booth(s) are equiped with usually at least 1 Cd deck along with the normal 2 turntables and mixer

i dont think they make cd decks suited for a certain genre of music, most are engineered to have all the capabilities of a vinyl turntable + a few digital features

as far as brands go, i dont know for sure but i do know that you wouldnt be dissapointed with denon or pioneer

quote:

alot of real DJs use both, ever see Tiesto in Concert?

Unfortunately no, he's my favorite DJ

quote:

(2) Numark TTX1 - $225 x 2 = $450 (1) Vestax PCV-275 - $300 (1) Sony MDR-V700 - $90 (2) Ortofon Concord - free from friend, but probably ~$200 Total = around $1000 for, in my opinion, a pretty damn good setup

A pair of TTX1 turntables cost as much as one technic turntable? And btw since I've never looked into vinyl shopping, how much would an average vinyl cost in comparison to the same average CD?


And what about PC (computer) DJing programs? I heard alot of people are starting to use them and you could do essentially the same thing as with turntables? (just you have to use a mouse rather than your hands which might be slightly annoying -- also ignoring all the aesthetic feeling that goes with working a turntable).

I didn't mention they were used, but in very good condition (less than half a year old). If you look around you can find some very good deals.

As for PC DJing, the most popular software is probably Traktor DJ Studio, and theres also PCDJ. You can get controllers that plug in USB if you don't want to use youre mouse a lot.

But computer DJing is kinda lame, in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by cheesy But computer DJing is kinda lame, in my opinion.

agreed, i do it in my bedroom though since i have no CD decks, i use Mixvibes

its free and simple, 3band EQs, the newer version has a feature that allows you to change either speed/tempo/key

again.. its really simple but it gets the job done better than playing my cds and mp3s from a portable cd player lol

it does have a crossfader feature but it sucks since the only way to isolate the cue track from the playing track is to play one on the right speaker and the other on the left

pointless as a lone mixing tool but i use it for beatmatching

quote:

Originally posted by trance85 I see, so no real DJs use CD decks? It seems like CDs are kind of the "wave of the future" so to speak though?

Not at all. Sasha is CD-only these days, and a LOT of top DJs are already headed in that direction.

Anyways, if you're willing to spend $1000 then I do suggest technics (you can get em $400 each new, or a lot less second hand). But unless you're prepared to spend an assload on vinyl, consider a CD setup.

quote:

Originally posted by nrjizer But unless you're prepared to spend an assload on vinyl, consider a CD setup.

totally, vinyl is an addictive substance. be warned

So you say you want to get into both producing and DJing, but you don't want to spend that much money? I see a problem here...
If you just want to DJ for fun and don't plan on going much of anywhere with it, then by all means just get some DJ software on your computer. These DJ programs are plenty of fun, but from what I've seen you can't do anything too serious on them. If you want to get real DJ equipment (which is what I'm working on right now) you're going to be forced to fork out a lot of cash.
As for the production end... I don't really see how you could just "start off" on both DJing and producing at once! I've been producing '99, and let me tell you: it takes a lot of effort and a long time to be able to produce anything good. Not to mention you have to get the experience behind you to begin with to have the capability to produce quality trax... it took me a few years before I could start producing professional quality trance.

If you're just trying to have fun then I would suggest for you to do everything entirely on your computer... the hardware is some expensive shit. If you are using a PC then for producing I would suggest trying FLStudio or Reason (these are the best you can get), and for DJing I would suggest Atomix, (although I know there is probably better Djing software out there.)

quote:

Originally posted by Trunker If you are using a PC then for producing I would suggest trying FLStudio or Reason (these are the best you can get)...

Wtf? Don't lie man ur just going to confuse him
--> More pro's use cubase + logic. Whilst this doesn't mean they are the best (for you), you have to look into programs other than FL and Reason cause theyre both considered "worse" than some others... But it is all personal preference

You can get educational versions which are exactly the same for like... nothing (cubase is $600AUD or something)

lol something is wrong .... i can see my reply 3 times... maybe im drunk

...

hmmm... if i was you id go for this set up

2 technics sl1210mk2 (250 on ebay. maybe cheaper)
stantons final scratch (250- 300 on ebay.you can play your mp3s with your table an d your pc like its real vinyl) finalscratch.com i think
stanton smx 401.
headphones... if there is no money left use anything you can find at home for the first month and buy some DAMN GOOD headphones... your best friend (id go for the sony 7056 (i think thats the model) or maybe the pioneer hdj-1000 . pioneers cost more tho

you dont need new stuff. used will do. ebay is cheap and in my opinion reliable, since i ve been shoping from ebay long time now. (both eq and vinyl) take the stuff from ebay. and 1000$ can buy you a really decent set up if you know where to get it.

now... a dj with no vinyl experience is not a dj... i mean vinyl will teach you to mix using your ears + getting good tracks on cd is pretty hard (ex if its commercial). vinyl is more expensive but thats why i recommend final scratch. go to www.stantondj.com and have a look maybe thats what you need... you write your cds to your computer and you can mix both vinyl and cds.

but if its just for fun... tracktor dj studio 2.5 is good enough


any questions pm me

quote:

Originally posted by crchingtiger BUT... Pioneer is doing a $200 mail-in rebate on all of their mixers. And, if you're looking for a good mixer, go for the DJM 300, which runs for $265... but at the end will only cost you $65, which is pretty darn good for a Pioneer.

That would be sweet, but...

quote:

Purchase a Pioneer DJM-707, DJM-909, DJM-3000, DJM-600/600K, or DJM-500 from an authorized online or offline Pioneer dealer between September 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004 and Pioneer will give you a $200 rebate!

from http://www.pioneerprodj.com/popuprebates.html

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm Wtf? Don't lie man ur just going to confuse him --> More pro's use cubase + logic. Whilst this doesn't mean they are the best (for you), you have to look into programs other than FL and Reason cause theyre both considered "worse" than some others... But it is all personal preference

Well yes I guess it is all preference. My apologies.

Make sure you have enough money for vinyl. And I mean enough.

VAS (Vinyl Addiction Syndrome) is a very dangerous disease.

Once you buy your first batch, you will want to buy another one, and wait, there is another favorite you are looking for. And there are 6 more you've been looking for, but they are expensive, ahh screw it, gonna get them and then I'll stop.

Some time later: "OMG, What is that on the wall? That tune kicks ass , gotta get it."

This cycle continues.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm Wtf? Don't lie man ur just going to confuse him --> More pro's use cubase + logic. Whilst this doesn't mean they are the best (for you), you have to look into programs other than FL and Reason cause theyre both considered "worse" than some others... But it is all personal preference You can get educational versions which are exactly the same for like... nothing (cubase is $600AUD or something)

the guy is a beginner yeah? please don't recommend logic to a beginner, its more complicated than a woman.

reason and fruity are probably the easiest to get your head around to start off with. if you use reason you can rewire it to cubase anyway.

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