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To DJ or not to DJ?
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| Ph03n1x |
I need some advise. For about the last four months I've been hanging out with some friends that DJ. We usually have a house party every month and when we do, they let me spin their records. Now I want to have more parties just so I can spin.
I'm a rookie, but I just love that feeling when I matched the beats and transitioned into the next song. :D
I think I have a new addiction.
The problem is I don't have any tables, mixer or records. I'm trying to justify throwing down the money for the equipment. It's a big step and a lot of money.
What do you guys/girls think? |
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| Zeonfiend |
I'm kinda in the same boat. I got to spin for the first time just last weekend, and it was pretty ing exhilirating, but I'm not wholly certain I'm ready to devote enough of my scant credit or my salary into buying mixers, amps, or any of the other accoutrements of the practice. I love electronic music, but I've never given a lot of thought into making it myself (I prefer to revel in the labors of others and just dump money into them to keep doing it).
I don't know what to tell you, truly. If you figure it out, by all means clue me in.:tongue2 |
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| cowboyspike |
When I first started listening to trance music about 5 years ago, all I wanted to do was learn how to produce. I bought fruityloops because I heard it was a good program to mess around with for beginners, but I grew tired of it quickly. I got a pair of turntables and a cheap 2-band eq mixer for my birthday 2 years ago, and bought a few records. Since then I've upgraded my mixer twice, bought about 150 more records, and spend at least 6 or 7 hours every week mixing. I don't play live, at least for big crowds (usually just for curious friends), but I still love it.
My advice would be this; if you're willing to spend the money, go fo it. But I wouldn't recommend going out and buying a pair of 1200's and a Allen & Heath mixer. Go cheap, I wouldn't spend more than $500 total on equipment until you're absolutely sure it's something you want to further invest in. Besides, you'll probably end up spending all of your money on vinyl anyways :D |
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| stefanoc |
first of all do u like the music?
do u enjoy giving ppl a good time?
ill tell u honestly, u might love mixing now and love it everytime u mix at ur friends deck, but once u get ur own u will get sick of it probably. u cant find that out though. i say get it, and if u end up not liking it, u can always sell it with a bit of loss but atleast u wont regret it and uve been experiencing it.
but i tell u this much, once u start mixing u think u got it. but once u get ur own stuff and practice more and listen to ur old mixes, ull realize how bad u were. mixing is great cz u always get better not by just beatmatching, but blending, volume adjustments for perfect transition, improving song selection to mix.
if i were u, i would definetely do it. ull learn alot about music that way and appreciate it. its easy to dj, but its not easy to be a DJ |
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| Ph03n1x |
I don't think I'll get tired of it, because if it's something I love, which it is, I'll want to do it as much as possible. For example, I love Mix Martial Arts and I can't get enough of it. I train and fight whenever I can.
Thanks Cowboyspike, I think I will start out cheap. The main reason I want some decks is I can practice more. I don't want to suck. I want my friends to just look over at me on the decks and nod. Just like I do to them when they have a good set. You know what I mean?
| quote: | | its easy to dj, but its not easy to be a DJ |
Yeah, that's what my friends told me.
What tables and mixer would you suggest to start out with? |
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| stefanoc |
if u want tables, technics are always the best. they are reliable, easy to sell if u ever wanna, and thats wut they used in lots of clubs.
pioneer mixers are great.
i think numarks are OK, i have a numark CD mixer and isnt too bad. but i suggest others about their opinions with numark.
do u wanna start out with decks? decks are awesome but are also costy.
i started out with numark cd mix, its about 300-400 range but its a good start. i love mixing but i dont have much time to do so and i can tell improvement annd ive noticed i became such a critic of my own work and others and also am very picky with mixing and song selection now that its annoyting hehe. once i start having more time djing i will definetely improve my tools. |
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| Ph03n1x |
Well, I went to Guitar Center after work and found 2 Numark TT200's and a Numark 1050 mixer for $400 including tax. I'll keep looking around for awhile and try to find the best deal.
I did see a Numark DXM06 for about $250. I really liked the features and I'm thinking about getting it.
Thoughts? |
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| The_One |
| quote: | Originally posted by Ph03n1x
Well, I went to Guitar Center after work and found 2 Numark TT200's and a Numark 1050 mixer for $400 including tax. I'll keep looking around for awhile and try to find the best deal.
I did see a Numark DXM06 for about $250. I really liked the features and I'm thinking about getting it.
Thoughts? |
Dude if you are seriously interested I got two Numark TT200s and Behringer DJX700 its good setup for a beginner. I just dont have the time to spin anymore cause of work and school. Let me know if you are interested I'd be willing to let the entire setup go for $350.00 plus the shipping costs whatever that may be. |
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| cowboyspike |
I started out with two Numark TT-1625's and a DM950 (or the Numark "Battle Pack"). It's a great deal priced around $400. You'll have to buy some monitor speakers (if you don't have some already), and probably a different set of headphones. It's a GREAT set for learning/practicing the fundamentals of mixing. I still use the turntables (with new cartridges). Coincidentally, the DMX06 is the mixer I upgraded to after buying this set. It's a great mixer for the price. The only real problem with it is you can't change out the faders.
Hope that helps. Good luck. |
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| NinjaBot 5000 |
| hey if u havent bought any equipment yet i have one technics 1200 mkII in really good condition for $250 if you're interested. i dont have any needles for it though.. i'm in the dfw area as well |
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| DCFreqNasty |
| Ever think about producing music instead? I've always thought, "how nice it would be to hear a big DJ hammer one of my tunes...?" |
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| Matthias |
All I can say is follow your heart man. Bottom line is its what its all about. I started spinning close to 4 years ago, and a year before that I was more interested in producing. Trouble with producing is that all the gear/software necessary for the level of production I am interested...is well more than I can ever afford.
Sont get me wrong...I'm still very much interested in producing, but a Clavia Nord Lead 3,Roland MC 909 or Novation Supernova 2K is still out of my budget.
I got into DJing not knowing where it would take me, and I am STILL in it not knowing where it will take me....so, all it is is a journey and an evolutive learning experience.
I guess a few bits of advice (and this is for anyone getting into it or considering):
-patience:
skills take time to develop. some people learn faster than others, some slower, some never get it...but mostly because they let frustration consume them and give up trying to advance any furthur.
-practice:
always, always, always devote some amount of time to practicing whatever you are trying to learn. Even after youve learned beatmatching, phrasing, harmonic mixing, and overlaying records for up to 5 minutes at a time without touching the platter ;) there is always something more to learn, and depending on how often you update your track selections, always new tracks to get accustomed to where they may fit in the sets with other tracks, etc.
-perseverance:
Probably the hardest thing about being a DJ/producer. Sometimes DJs give up due to frustration, waning motivation, or uncontrollable situations in life (finances, etc). I could go on and on about the challenges I went through the last four years as well as the ongoing ones I face now...but the important thing is that I have a continuing spirit to stick with it and never give it up. For those who are naturally ambitious as far as what they are passionate about...perserverance will be as easy as survival. But for those who are not..it may be a difficult thing if such motivations as money, social status, etc isnt always there. I can also say that the DJs who have had the most difficult time on their way up have alot more character and professionalism than those who...haven't.
That's pretty much it from me without getting into too much detail....but if your up for a good read, I highly recommend this book which will answer all of your questions:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=books&n=507846
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