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Beginner DJ
So lately I have really been debating about trying to get into DJ'ing. The problem is, i am completely oblivious to anything about it. Also i am a college student with no money. So my question is, what would you recommend for me to do? Is their a cheap way to try out DJ'ing to see if i like it. And any tips/advice on how to do it? Im a big fan of Sasha & Digweed (who isnt on these boards it seems..) but i like others too. Anything at all that anyone thinks would help please let me know.
Thanks a lot
If you're not sure if DJing is something you want to do, and you don't have much money, try using software. If you don't like then you won't have pieces of gear that you need to get rid of. If you enjoy it, and later on want to get more gear, then by all means upgrade to decks and a mixer. But if you don't know if you will enjoy it,
what is some software i can get? like i said im oblivious to everything. Sorry haha
use google to start, try searching this forum with good keywords
or there's the whole DJ Booth Information Thread... judging by the title, i think that just might contain some sort of useful information
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...5858&forumid=8&
i agree, in your case using dj software and doing it on the computer is the way to go.
if you like it enough then you can graduate to buying dj equipment but until then software is a good way of testing the waters. because if you actually like dj software then you'll love doing it on actual equipment
cool thanks for the tips. Anyone got any suggestions on which software to start with? Im in class now but when i get home ill start google'ing and looking around.
I suppose software is a good place to start but i will admit that when i first started messing around with software i hated it.
Couldn't move the mouse fast enough, beat matching with a stupid visual slider was a PITA and the whole experience left me frustrated.
It was the tactile part of dj'ing that i've found so much fun.
Tweaking the sliders, pots, pitch... So much fun.
I still hate using software like traktor without a physical element involved.
I too was in a similar situation that you find yourself in. None of my mates were dj's. I just decided to dive in at the deep end. Bought myself some technic 1210 Mk3D's and haven't looked back since.
Though having said all the above do have a look at digital software just so you can mess around with something while you read about dj'ing and you'll get the idea of what happens when you tweak different elements of a mixer/turntables.
Either way have fun and keep in mind that it's a lot more fun when you've got equipment.
That's my 2c.
Steven
NI Traktor 3 you can run on MAC/PC as a demo for 30 mins
Honestly if money is an issue then i would scour Craigslist for someone selling a used setup that can get you started and if you decide that you dont like it then it shouldnt be hard to sell the equipment even if at a small loss.
I started with the bottom of the ladder Pioneer CDJ-100s and DJM 300 mixer aka Dj Box-1. (Sorry i have WAY to many CDs and had absolutly no space where I used to live to go vynal). This setup has proven to be a very good setup for what I needed to learn at first. Which is beatmatching and blending not to mention getting the feel for the flow of your set weither practicing or DJing a friends party. Alot of people go straight for scratching and trying to be bigger than they are and it hinders them because they are not taking the baby steps to build a foundation on.
Check out Musicians Friend (www.musciansfriend.com) If you decide to buy but do a Google search as they do pricematch if you can give them the website the better price is on and that will take alot of the guesswork from trying to get what you want to do (they are more than willing to answer ANY question you have as well). If you want to start on Vynals the starting costs is usually alot less for a STARTER setup. Maybe 3-600 at most. CD package systems can cost you bout 400 on up to 1000+ for a higher end starter system (I am a Pioneer fanatic when it comes to CD/Mixers. If you can afford the all Pioneer plunge for CDs I highly recommend that). The immediate benefit of CD tables is that you have CDs so you can get started immedatly after you take them out of the box whereas with Vynal.... get to shopping. Either way you can get a package system that lets you dip your toes in the pool without worrying about diving in head first blindly.
I do not recommend going with the purely digital setup to start out with simply because it disconnects you from the feel of actually sliding the fader over and hearing the first time you get a perfect beatmatch into the next song. Hell do a google search and see if you can find a Music or Record store in your area and call them if ur unsure about spending a few hundred on a setup. Ask if they have a setup that you can try out just to see what its like. You will be suprised by the shops that say yes just to give you a taste and bitten by the bug.
Another recommendation would be to GO TO BORDERS!!!!! Or another bookstore you have around your house (or online). I have 2 books that have proven invaluable to me. The better of the 2 is called "How to DJ Right: The Art and Science of playing records" I Highly recommend you buy this book and read though it. The other book I bought you can get better information from the video tutorials here (www.recess.co.uk). Theres alot of good info on that website you may find beneficial.
The last piece of advice I can offer you is Practice Practice Practice. Even if you feel that you are horrible keep at it and you will develop what your doing. I know that you said that you are a broke college student.. believe me I know that feeling but my fair warning is this is FAR from a cheap hobby. Hopefully theres something in my rambling that you find usefull or inspires you to look farther into your interest. When you do finally take the plunge just allways remember to have FUN with it.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Imagin Honestly if money is an issue then i would scour Craigslist for someone selling a used setup that can get you started and if you decide that you dont like it then it shouldnt be hard to sell the equipment even if at a small loss. I started with the bottom of the ladder Pioneer CDJ-100s and DJM 300 mixer aka Dj Box-1. (Sorry i have WAY to many CDs and had absolutly no space where I used to live to go vynal). This setup has proven to be a very good setup for what I needed to learn at first. Which is beatmatching and blending not to mention getting the feel for the flow of your set weither practicing or DJing a friends party. Alot of people go straight for scratching and trying to be bigger than they are and it hinders them because they are not taking the baby steps to build a foundation on. Check out Musicians Friend (www.musciansfriend.com) If you decide to buy but do a Google search as they do pricematch if you can give them the website the better price is on and that will take alot of the guesswork from trying to get what you want to do (they are more than willing to answer ANY question you have as well). If you want to start on Vynals the starting costs is usually alot less for a STARTER setup. Maybe 3-600 at most. CD package systems can cost you bout 400 on up to 1000+ for a higher end starter system (I am a Pioneer fanatic when it comes to CD/Mixers. If you can afford the all Pioneer plunge for CDs I highly recommend that). The immediate benefit of CD tables is that you have CDs so you can get started immedatly after you take them out of the box whereas with Vynal.... get to shopping. Either way you can get a package system that lets you dip your toes in the pool without worrying about diving in head first blindly. I do not recommend going with the purely digital setup to start out with simply because it disconnects you from the feel of actually sliding the fader over and hearing the first time you get a perfect beatmatch into the next song. Hell do a google search and see if you can find a Music or Record store in your area and call them if ur unsure about spending a few hundred on a setup. Ask if they have a setup that you can try out just to see what its like. You will be suprised by the shops that say yes just to give you a taste and bitten by the bug. Another recommendation would be to GO TO BORDERS!!!!! Or another bookstore you have around your house (or online). I have 2 books that have proven invaluable to me. The better of the 2 is called "How to DJ Right: The Art and Science of playing records" I Highly recommend you buy this book and read though it. The other book I bought you can get better information from the video tutorials here (www.recess.co.uk). Theres alot of good info on that website you may find beneficial. The last piece of advice I can offer you is Practice Practice Practice. Even if you feel that you are horrible keep at it and you will develop what your doing. I know that you said that you are a broke college student.. believe me I know that feeling but my fair warning is this is FAR from a cheap hobby. Hopefully theres something in my rambling that you find usefull or inspires you to look farther into your interest. When you do finally take the plunge just allways remember to have FUN with it. |
CDJ100s haha I love them though. Hopefully some 200s are in store before the year is up.
thanks, this is really helpin me out. Im trying to come up with some cash to try some stuff out. Ive been moving into a new house so i havent had a chance to go to a music store and try DJ'ing out but when i have time ill give it a try. Thanks for all of the help everyone.
By the way, is this a good deal? http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-Pair-CD...p3286.m14.l1318
It's been forever since i've posted here!
Anyway, i started out with Traktor, and moved on here to TTs, and i've finally gotten 2 CDJs. I'm far from being 'good'. I'm still stuck in my apartment spinning tracks that are not mixed in Key - don't really have an opportunity to play out >>>>>
**I'm in Lawrence, KS (ROCK CHALK Jayhawk!!)** there is no "scene" here. If i say trance, they think i'm talking bout Native American trances, if i say house, they think it's the house music from the 70s (Even then most kids dunno what that kinda house music is), I say 'TECHNO' and they roll their eyes... *** Sorry had to rant...
Anyway, to the OP who asked bout equipment. If you have paypal and an eBay account, there is potential 20-25% cashback from Microsoft if you use their search engine live.com to search for items e.g. CDJ-400s etc. That'll mean that you might get equipment below MSRP and whatnots, and 'sell' it if things don't work out, or DJing just isn't your cuppa tea.
Good luck, and good hunting. Remember to wear ear plugs when possible - i know, i'm becoming a little deaf in my right ear.... 
I wouldn't buy cd players anymore personally. I think USB midi controllers will be used more and more:
e.g.:
Vestax VCI-300
http://ci.vestax.com/en/products/
so with these midi controllers you basicly just plug them into your laptop and play files from there right? So this might be a dumb question but the only music i have on my laptop are Live Sets. Mostly S&D and Oakenfold. So how does everyone get single tracks? say like Dubfire - Ribcage or Chemical Brothers - Do It Again (Oliver Hunterman Remix)? I dont have any of those programs like Limewire or Napster (which may be my problem?). I looked up these tracks on Amazon.com thinking they might be on CD's but I can never find any? So i guess, how does everyone get these tracks?
Thanks
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Miller311 So how does everyone get single tracks? say like Dubfire - Ribcage or Chemical Brothers - Do It Again (Oliver Hunterman Remix)? I dont have any of those programs like Limewire or Napster (which may be my problem?). I looked up these tracks on Amazon.com thinking they might be on CD's but I can never find any? So i guess, how does everyone get these tracks? Thanks |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Trance-MB I wouldn't buy cd players anymore personally. I think USB midi controllers will be used more and more: e.g.: Vestax VCI-300 http://ci.vestax.com/en/products/ |
I'll keep my question in the "beginner" thread here. I've stated in a couple of other threads that using strictly Ableton is getting boring. I NEED the physical element of it. I've been to Guitar Center playing around on CDJ's quite a bit, and have a blast doint it (ok maybe sucking, and trying is a better way to put it).
I've been reading about Serato, and want to verify that I have it correct on what I may need: Couple turntables, a mixer, Serato, Scratch Live? Might have a little financial aid left over to get me started.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by DaveG I've been reading about Serato, and want to verify that I have it correct on what I may need: Couple turntables, a mixer, Serato, Scratch Live? Might have a little financial aid left over to get me started. |
2 turntables and a microphone..
lol well someone had to say it...
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