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Starting out?

Hi, Probably the wrong section and people are sick of new guys coming along with questions. I have always been into trance music, while this doesn't mean that I am able for DJ'ing I always wanted to give it a try.

So basically for a guy with genuine interest and a will to learn, where should I start? I am at the very beginning here.

Should I get myself some cheap decks and try and learn from there?
Should I join the College Dj society?
Where do you suggest I start from?

There is definitely a lot of good information on this website and on the Internet in general. Use the search function and see what you can find...also read as much as possible online as far as how to start and tutorials and whatnot.

It really depends on what direction you want to take. Some people think they want to learn to DJ and realize that actually they want to Produce music.

The traditional route would be to buy a pair of CDJs or Turntables and a mixer and just learn to mix the music you like. From there, the learning process will take you on your own journey.

Another way would be to invest in some software like Ableton Live and Traktor. In my opinion you will miss out on some of the fundamentals earlier in your learning than you would if you went the traditional route.

My personal recommendation is to buy a pair of Pioneer CDJ200's and a Vestax VMC004. Probably the cheapest set up you can get that will be reliable and will last you throughout the learning process. Also good resell value if you decide DJ'ing isn't for you.

Hope this helps!

quote:

Originally posted by SPAWNmaster The traditional route would be to buy a pair of CDJs or Turntables and a mixer and just learn to mix the music you like. From there, the learning process will take you on your own journey. Another way would be to invest in some software like Ableton Live and Traktor. In my opinion you will miss out on some of the fundamentals earlier in your learning than you would if you went the traditional route. My personal recommendation is to buy a pair of Pioneer CDJ200's and a Vestax VMC004. Probably the cheapest set up you can get that will be reliable and will last you throughout the learning process. Also good resell value if you decide DJ'ing isn't for you. Hope this helps!

Cheers for that. I was looking into getting the decks and mixer was unsure where to start. Dj seems to be the first language to most on here and I'd like to pick up on that aswell.

I have Virtual Dj and play around with that but would that be similar to tracktor?

Cheers for the reply. I have already asked about joining the DJ soc in my college, it will give me a taste of whats to come and hopefully my first experiences of learning to mix and bet match will be good and I can continue from there.

Any other tips or warnings of common mistakes would be much appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by Philanthropist Cheers for that. I was looking into getting the decks and mixer was unsure where to start. Dj seems to be the first language to most on here and I'd like to pick up on that aswell. I have Virtual Dj and play around with that but would that be similar to tracktor? Cheers for the reply. I have already asked about joining the DJ soc in my college, it will give me a taste of whats to come and hopefully my first experiences of learning to mix and bet match will be good and I can continue from there. Any other tips or warnings of common mistakes would be much appreciated.

Sure, the biggest tip would be stick with a style and genre and learn it. It'll be overwhelming to learn too many styles (ie beatmatching one day and then trying to learn scratching the next, hip-hop vs. house, etc.) so just try and learn one thing within your genre and then practice it until you have it down.

quote:

Originally posted by SPAWNmaster Another way would be to invest in some software like Ableton Live and Traktor. In my opinion you will miss out on some of the fundamentals earlier in your learning than you would if you went the traditional route. My personal recommendation is to buy a pair of Pioneer CDJ200's and a Vestax VMC004. Hope this helps!

Great advice in your post mate but the above is a little contradicting. I wouldn't invest in some cdj200's as in my opinion when you start of dj'ing part of the challenge and fun is trying to master beatmatching. Something you find incredibly difficult at first which eventually turns into second nature and then becomes probably the least important element of Dj'ing.

The cdj200's however only work in cdj mode (Philanthropist, look up cdj mode and vinyl mode on youtube, will clarify what the two terms mean to you ) so you don't get that vinyl emulation which I personally think is a great way to learn the art of beatmatching.

Anyway i could go on and on.

Have a look at this website.

http://www.djtutor.com/index.php
On the left hand side is a demo tab, have a look through some of the videos on there. Although crude it'll give you a visual start and aid on how things are done.

and this one

http://www.recess.co.uk/ (a lot of people started off at this site..)

Definitely join the dj society. You'll get some hands on experience on some equipment and they'll also be able to answer any question and show you how it's done. I'm sure there'll be tonnes of people who dj in your college who'll be more than willing to help out.

In the mean time ask any questions you want in here. Even though they questions have been asked time and time again it'll give us something to do as the dj booth isn't the busiest place

Gotta disagree with you there Nellmeister General.

CDJ200s only have stutter cue, and not a cue like the 400s, 800s and 1000s - you are correct - but this doesn't mean you loose the ability to beatmatch - the same process applies, start your track, and move the pitch slider and platter to get the two locked in.

The only thing the 200 doesn't have is vinyl mode, but this makes no difference when beatmatching.

That said, I fucking hate the 200s, it's like playing on a fun size kids toy - it's too small and fiddly. If you can stretch to a 400 or 800 then I'd definitely give them a go, good resale value also and it's got vinyl mode, so Nelly can come round and give you some tuition!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Jarvmeister Gotta disagree with you there Nellmeister General. CDJ200s only have stutter cue, and not a cue like the 400s, 800s and 1000s - you are correct - but this doesn't mean you loose the ability to beatmatch - the same process applies, start your track, and move the pitch slider and platter to get the two locked in. The only thing the 200 doesn't have is vinyl mode, but this makes no difference when beatmatching. That said, I fucking hate the 200s, it's like playing on a fun size kids toy - it's too small and fiddly. If you can stretch to a 400 or 800 then I'd definitely give them a go, good resale value also and it's got vinyl mode, so Nelly can come round and give you some tuition!!!!

Granted I get where you're coming from but. Physically pushing and slowing down the track (IMO) is a lot easier when you're starting off.

By all means ride the pitch as I find myself doing more and more these days as it definitely is the better way to 'beatmatch', but if that's how I had to learn when i started off I would have had a hell of a lot less fun. Again this is all purely opinion based.

Completely agree on the size comment. I've only touched them a few times (that sounds perverted) but you're right they do feel like they're toys.

personally, I'd go down the lines of a DVS system. Biased as i have one (look up Serato and Traktor Scratch Pro philanthropist to see 2 of the available Digital Vinyl Systems, you can use cd's or vinyl with them, you'll understand what i mean when you read up about them)

Anyway i'm waffling as i'm hungover to shit after seeing Derrick May last night (savage night by the way, can't believe he's 46!) But i think half the fun about dj'ing when you start off is 'vinyl mode'..

quote:

Originally posted by n3lly Granted I get where you're coming from but. Physically pushing and slowing down the track (IMO) is a lot easier when you're starting off.

Yes, but you can use the platter in the same way to push on or slow down the track on the CDJ200 as well as all the other Pio CDJs, in other words pitch bend.

I think we're on the same page TBH, it's just that the vinyl mode on the CDJs gives limited extra flexibility IMO, just allowing you to scratch and spinback really. But I grant you, the stutter cue sounds AWFUL!

Reading over both of your posts, a lot of the lingo I'm obviously not familiar with but looking forward to learning.

N3lly, cheers for the link I'll look up that and try and see where I am afterwards.

What is Vinyl mode? That is probably a basic question but I'm curios is this a mode for CD's or for playing vinyl?

Re: Starting out?

quote:

Originally posted by Philanthropist Hi, Probably the wrong section and people are sick of new guys coming along with questions. I have always been into trance music, while this doesn't mean that I am able for DJ'ing I always wanted to give it a try. So basically for a guy with genuine interest and a will to learn, where should I start? I am at the very beginning here. Should I get myself some cheap decks and try and learn from there? Should I join the College Dj society? Where do you suggest I start from?

Get a Cheep dj kit off ebay !
Thats what i did!
http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Audio-...=item5636287c5c

Re: Re: Starting out?

quote:

Originally posted by atxbigballer1 Get a Cheep dj kit off ebay ! Thats what i did! http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Audio-...=item5636287c5c

Cheers for that, that looks perfect to start out.

What does anyone else think of the above?

i think this would be a good deal if you think you will lose interest in djing in a week or so! then not much money is wasted!

but personally i would invest a bit more and get 2 cdj200s and for example a numark dxm06!
that are damn good cd players (i use them now for about 3years without any problems) and a great mixer to start with!

quote:

Originally posted by Philanthropist Reading over both of your posts, a lot of the lingo I'm obviously not familiar with but looking forward to learning. N3lly, cheers for the link I'll look up that and try and see where I am afterwards. What is Vinyl mode? That is probably a basic question but I'm curios is this a mode for CD's or for playing vinyl?

vinyl mode emulates turntables but you can switch to cd mode in any (at least pioneer) cd player!

quote:

Originally posted by Tenshi i think this would be a good deal if you think you will lose interest in djing in a week or so! then not much money is wasted! but personally i would invest a bit more and get 2 cdj200s and for example a numark dxm06! that are damn good cd players (i use them now for about 3years without any problems) and a great mixer to start with!

Well the other offer was for Americans only so that's me out.

CDJ200's seem to be pretty much the suggestion so will look into getting a good deal on them.

DJ TUTOR : Want Help In Becoming A DJ?

quote:

Originally posted by djkopernikus DJ TUTOR : Want Help In Becoming A DJ?

Cheers for that, been looking at his Dj Tutor website, the videos are brilliant, so informative and break everything down.

Thanks to everyone replying

Re: Re: Re: Starting out?

quote:

Originally posted by Philanthropist Cheers for that, that looks perfect to start out. What does anyone else think of the above?

You can see me dj with that setup i told u about!
I love how small the setup is and i love the case it came with!
I can take them any where!
http://www.evolutionsounds.com/live_stream.html

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