Hi everyone, sorry for this tiring topic again. I searched, but I just can't get myself to spend $500 without some more imput from some experienced members... thank you!

I'm looking for a very inexpensive start-up DJ setup.

I'm considering a dual CD player and a cheap mixer. I don't think CDJ's are in my budget, possibly used 200's but they seem to sell too fast. Is used equipment a bad idea?

I ran into the Gemini CDM-500... would like some imput about this unit. Also looking for imput regarding dual CD players in general, especially ones with mixers built in. What are the cons of these units?

My budget for the mixer, cd players, cords, shipping, everything is $500+/-. Anything to point me in the right direction would be awesome.

Thanks very much guys.

2 Pioneer CDJ 200s approx $650 - $700 for a pair
1 Numark DXM 06 Mixer approx $250 - $300

So your talking roughly $1,000, more than you want to spend but if you can wait and save another $500, you wont regret it. Sometimes it's better to pay more for better stuff, which does mean saving money...waiting. You can get a dual CD player but they are usually used as additions to TT set ups. I haven't seen that many people use them alone, by themselves, unless it's something like the Numark CD-Mix type things. Your best bet is getting the CDJ 200s and a mixer like the DXM 06. This set up will last you a long time, because they are quality and should have a pretty good re-sale value in case you want to upgrade and or decide it isn't for you. You'll also need headphones, but you should be able to find a decent pair for around $60 or $70. Gemini doesn't make very good products, that's all I can say about that. They are notorious for poor quality products, up there with Behringer and American Audio/DJ as far as DJ equipment is concerned. If you want dual cd players, look to Numark (slightly better stuff than Gemini) or Pioneer, which has the best ones but expensive....CDJs are much better for stand-alone mixing setups.

Thanks very much Spirit for your help.

I just cannot afford $1000 as a college student. It would be a year wait at least. I guess I'm getting a bit anxious.

I've been playing around on my buddies dual CD player and ghetto mixer and its been a lot of fun.

Any more advice would be awesome.

quote:

Originally posted by epdarks Thanks very much Spirit for your help. I just cannot afford $1000 as a college student. It would be a year wait at least. I guess I'm getting a bit anxious. I've been playing around on my buddies dual CD player and ghetto mixer and its been a lot of fun. Any more advice would be awesome.

Haha well i'm a college student and have CDJ 1000 MK2s. It just requires making some sacrifices, like not driving as much or going out to eat as much and just putting away money. But if you don't have a job, then that's another story. Don't get too anxious or impatient though, it's best to wait till you can afford something that is worth it. Dual CD players are not commonly used these days, as more and more people, entry level DJs, are going for things like the CDJ 200 or the CDJ 800s, or the Denon DN-S1000 or DN-S3500. If you want a dual CD player, check out the Denon DN-D4500 for $589.

But I think you'd be most happy with a CDJ system, just due to the fact it's more intuitive and fun with them vs. Dual CD players. So what you could do is either buy one CDJ 200 and a mixer, and then save up for another CDJ until you can afford it, or see if there's any type of financing option you can do...pay over time.

the only thing i have to say is that if its something you really want then youll find a way to finance it or budget somehow...the problem is with this sort of equipment you always get what you pay for...sorry man hope you can figure something out... :/ try ebay i suppose, but warranties are voided through unauthorized resale so its a bit of a catch 22. good luck.

^Exactly. If you can, wait and get gear from well respected makers. Sure you could get a Gemini deck now, but you'd really be shooting yourself in the foot in terms of quality. I would look at Numark or maybe even Dennon if you can. Pio's are reguarded as pretty much the best but they're more expensive. I agree with Spirit though, the 200s will have you set. But again, look at the Numarks and Denons as well. Look for reviews online too.

___________________
Click the link below to stream all of my mixes past and present. New mixes go up about once a month. Enjoy!

www.mixcloud.com/jluger

do you guys think it's worth buying a dj system consisting of the following:

Numark CDN-88 Dual CD Players (Black)
Pioneer DJM-300 (Black) w/ 19 inch rackmount ears
Oddyssey 19inch wooden carpetted case

all for 650 dollars (used merchandise, but the cd players only used for about a year, around 5 actual gigs total, and pioneer mixer around 6 months, everything in great cosmetic and working condition)

any ideas?

Looks good in theory, just watch out since it's used.

___________________
Click the link below to stream all of my mixes past and present. New mixes go up about once a month. Enjoy!

www.mixcloud.com/jluger

Thanks everyone.

I'm just getting the itch so bad, I don't wanna wait a year. Maybe I'll consider a payment plan on some Pio 200's. Really considering the dual CD players at this point...

I can't even beatmatch and just need to get some time behind the decks to justify a $1000 purchase.

Anyone have some 200's for sale?

quote:

Originally posted by epdarks Thanks everyone. I'm just getting the itch so bad, I don't wanna wait a year. Maybe I'll consider a payment plan on some Pio 200's. Really considering the dual CD players at this point... I can't even beatmatch and just need to get some time behind the decks to justify a $1000 purchase. Anyone have some 200's for sale?

Hi, Im not sure if you know but try www.craigslist.org and go to your state and choose your region. go to music. instrument section. I found my CDJ-200's there and bought them used from a local DJ for dirt cheap ($230 each)

Check out Guitar Center or any other music store where you can get used equipment.

Good luck

___________________
Dan K

quote:

Originally posted by epdarks I just cannot afford $1000 as a college student

let's put it this way:
can you afford to pay $500 for crap gemini equipment now and then pay $1000 for the two cdj-200s and a decent mixer after about a year when the gemini crap breaks and you have to throw them in the bin?

___________________

Get Dropbox, with 250 MB extra space!

quote:

Originally posted by skip let's put it this way: can you afford to pay $500 for crap gemini equipment now and then pay $1000 for the two cdj-200s and a decent mixer after about a year when the gemini crap breaks and you have to throw them in the bin?

That's a very good point. Think the thread starter should take that into consideration. He may not be able to beatmatch now but that's why it takes time. And it's much easier to beatmatch and have it sound good with CDJ 200s vs. a crap gemini CDJ or dual CD player...with like 0.1 pitch resolution...