i started djing just a couple weeks ago and i went ahead and got 2x pioneer cdj 200's and a behringer dx626 mixer...

i was just curious as to how much of a difference a better mixer (say a djm400... i'm new so i don't plan on going all out) would make for me? exactly what difference is it besides the effects and stuff that the djm has that my behringer doesn't?

First off, don't worry yourself about effects and added gizmos. You're far from ready to use them. Focus on music selection, beat matching, and eq'ing. Learn your music first. Once you've got a handle on that, then start playing with the knobs and gadgets available to you.

The mixer you choose should be one you can grow with. But don't spend all your loot on it quite yet. Realistically, you could be one of the hundreds of newbie dj's who spend a load on gear only to find out that dj'ing is quite an expensive hobby. Keep in mind that you may NEVER get a return on the money spent on this hobby. So with that said, it's best to stay with a budget until you are certain that this is for you.

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Originally posted by TwistedDUO First off, don't worry yourself about effects and added gizmos. You're far from ready to use them. Focus on music selection, beat matching, and eq'ing. Learn your music first. Once you've got a handle on that, then start playing with the knobs and gadgets available to you.

that's what i was asking about, though. am i limiting myself from anything important for me to learn mixing better using a crappier mixer? or is the only thing that i am limiting myself from is the added gizmos and other bells and whistles?

you will be fine with the mixer you have until you get the hang of beatmatching, EQing, and track selection...

If you at that time, you feel you still want to stick with it, then you could start looking at upgrading..

alrighty that was my plan to begin with just after reading through some threads here some people bash a lot on cheaper equipment, so i was just worried that by me having cheaper equipment it would slow me down in the learning process..

thanks guys for clearing it up

You'll find that if you work with Behringher mixers then upgrade to something of better quality your mixing ability and enjoyment of Djing will improve immensely. Just tank that mixer till it breaks then if you still plan on DJing, upgrade.

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Originally posted by ZeJayMan You'll find that if you work with Behringher mixers then upgrade to something of better quality your mixing ability and enjoyment of Djing will improve immensely. Just tank that mixer till it breaks then if you still plan on DJing, upgrade.

Exactly. My mentor told it to me like this:
"It's like driving. You don't go and get your license on a Ferarri. You learn on a beat up hooptie and when you get behind the wheel of something with power and all the bells-and-whistles. You'll be able to handle it with ease."

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that the exact same setup i started with.
i learned a lot with mixing and stuff then upgrade the mixer to a djm 400....
learn about mixing and beat matching with that mixer until your ready to bring in some effect where you can upgrade your mixer then.

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does dj equip really break that often as people say it does?? for my "cheap" set up it still cost me a decent amount lol i mean 90% of it was because of the cdj-200's... so as long as those don't break on me, i won't be too mad

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Originally posted by JD8180 does dj equip really break that often as people say it does?? for my "cheap" set up it still cost me a decent amount lol i mean 90% of it was because of the cdj-200's... so as long as those don't break on me, i won't be too mad

Not if you take care of it. Gotta kind of baby your equipment. I mean some like Technics 1200s, they can take more abuse. CDJs on the other hand, have a tendency to a be a bit more delicate, because they are essentially a computer mixed with a CD player. So you kind of have to treat it like you would a computer...don't spill liquids on them, keep them clean as possible, and don't let people who you don't trust play with them.

in that case it should be fine... i don't move them from where they are so they're not really going to take any abuse at all. thanks again everyone!

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Originally posted by TwistedDUO Exactly. My mentor told it to me like this: "It's like driving. You don't go and get your license on a Ferarri. You learn on a beat up hooptie and when you get behind the wheel of something with power and all the bells-and-whistles. You'll be able to handle it with ease."

Wise words Like everyone says the FX etc will be an unnecessary distraction until you can instinctively beatmatch & phrase correctly. Once you feel you can do that without having to think too hard about it then you'll be ready to move on. Good luck, enjoy your new gear

PS When you do decide to upgrade the big difference you'll notice with better quality mixers/headphones etc is in things like sound quality, the EQ's, faders etc are all much sharper giving better control.