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Advice for beginner setup
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| stringfelowhawk |
| I was wondering what some of you technical experts out there would recommend to someone for a beginner setup. I have waited a long time to make sure I didn't jump into something and lose interest but I think I'm ready to committ now. I am hesitant about spending too much but I don't want to buy cheap equipment to simply turn around and want better stuff soon after. I am thinking of getting Technics 1200MK2 with a modest Vestax mixer. Also, I don't have many friends or anything that have stuff setup that I could look at, so what else would I need (monitors, cables, etc.)? Thanks for your help. |
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| Vizay |
ok first on the player/mixer stuff
2 tech and a vestax PCV 275 should do pretty fine to start with...or if ya got the money start with a DJM 500 right off
and then I guess you will need 2 monitors for this, and of course cables to connect it all
as monitors I'm using my good old stereo but on the other hand it is 2 damn large speakers :D (no ministereo here, HIFI all the way) :p
can someone fill me in on what I've missed |
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| Devbert |
| quote: | Originally posted by Vizay
ok first on the player/mixer stuff
2 tech and a vestax PCV 275 should do pretty fine to start with...or if ya got the money start with a DJM 500 right off
and then I guess you will need 2 monitors for this, and of course cables to connect it all
as monitors I'm using my good old stereo but on the other hand it is 2 damn large speakers :D (no ministereo here, HIFI all the way) :p
can someone fill me in on what I've missed |
I agree on this setup. |
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| TranceGeek |
why is everyone recommending vestax mixers?
they are scratch mixers people... notice the faders on those mixers??
at least the ones i worked with... |
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| big dave |
2 techs 1210s or try the silver Stantons!
vestax 175 or 275 at least but if you got £ get a pioneer djm 500 or 600!
decent headphones!!!
some vinyl and just use your old hi fi speakers to get you started! and when you got more £ get *GOOD SOUNDING* speakers! they dont have to be huge beasts cos your neighbours will complain so get clear crisp and detailed speakers so they dont have to go as loud! seems nice to start with :D |
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| MERiDiAN5i2 |
here we go...
cartridges - IMHO stanton 500 series and shure M44Gs are perfect for beginners, good enough for the pro's, and dont cost much.
monitors - definitly need a decent set of clean, crisp speakers.. but dont have to be overly powerful. try not to get something with alot of low bass response - you want to hear the full low bass from the mains as crowd is hearing it, but be able to hear the midbass and highhats (most important elements of beatmatching) at close range (IE little sound-travel delay) to aid in your beatmatching. Personally, I've found my set of cerwin vega (car audio) 6x9's to work perfect. the highhats on them are crisp, the midbass is tight and free of distortion, and there's not alot of low bass response... so it fits what i look for really well. I simply mounted the 6x9's in standard carpeted boxes, and put them on stands on the DJ table i built at head level facing right at me.
amp - your gonna need something to connect the main out to the main speakers and drive some power. anything will work here for a home audio setup, even a standard hifi reciever. if you want a pro amp, check out the crown XLS-202, it's fairly cheap and built pretty well (and pushes good power)
headphones - i'm gonna get blasted for saying this, but i really like the MDR-V700's... alternatives are the sanheiser 280PRO's, the sony MDR-V7506s (studio reference headphones, very clean) -- and the new pioneer 5000 series DJ headphones are said to be quite nice.
recording - to improve your skills, you need to be able to record yourself and listen to it at a later time. anything works here.. a computer with a linein input and a soundforge, a minidisc deck, a cd recorder, etc etc... even a tape deck will work. it just helps to listen to yourself the next day after and critique yourself.
hope this helps a bit... read over the board you'll probably find a thread about all sorts of stuff.. or head over to futureproducers.com and check thier DJ hardware forum, lotsa good info there !
peace |
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| Dj Flesch |
Well, everyone has a different idea of "not a lot" of money is. I would honestly recommend that if you have waited for a while and are sure you want to commit to this, then don't skimp on the eq that you get otherwise you'll end up with a several hundred dollar regret a month after you buy it. Research the eq on the manufacturer's web site. I personally like Pioneer eq. It also depends if you want to use vinyl or cds. This is also something that you have to think long and hard about if you can't afford to get both. (I wouldn't get only one of each either). After you go to the manf. web sites, then find dealers for their products (most likely a link or search feature on their web page) and go to this store so that you can use the eq first hand and get a sales person's advice. He probably knows a lot more about a great number of mixers/ttables/cddecks etc than anyone here. It's his job ;)
I would recomend getting a very good mixer, otherwise you can't use your tt or decks to their fullest extent, if you get good ones. My opinion is that Technics are the best--the 1200mk2 is the best IMO. For cd decks, Pioneer CDJ-100s are my favorite and are a lot more cost effective than the cdj-1000s. For mixers, I would recommend the Pioneer DJM-600, but NOT the 500, as some people above have suggested. If you can spend $800 on the 500, then spend the $1150 on the 600--save up if you can't afford it, but I would definitely NOT recommend the 500. (I have a 600, and can vouch for it's integrity!).
Other than that, it is your job to do your research. There are many posts here on this website in this forum on eq and the like. Read read read before you buy! So many people love to offer up their advice to those in need :) |
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| stringfelowhawk |
| Thanks for all the feedback. I think I am pretty much sold on the 1200MK2's for my TT choice. Based on what I've read in other threads, the MDR-V6 seems to be a good headphone choice for my current situation. I'll pry end up just getting a stereo for my monitors since I won't be able to play my music too loud where I live anyway. But can someone provide a link where I can read some reviews about some different mixers as the opinions seem to vary more greatly on this matter. I just need to read up on what is better for different types of mixing (ie most people suggested Vestax but was pointed out that they are scratching mixers). Thanks in advance for any more assistance you care to provide. |
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| MERiDiAN5i2 |
vestax makes both mixing and scratching mixers. and some that are great for either.
the 275 is a great mixer from vestax that's not a scratch mixer.
the gemini UMX series are good beginner mixers. if you want to drop some cash on a mixer, check out the allen & heath xone series... or the rane TTM series. or if you want vestax and a really light wallet, check the PMC-55.. very nice console but pricey.
personally, i use the a&h xone:32 and I *love* it for many reasons. simply put, it's the most versatile 10" mixer out there. they are workhorses, and the build quality is great. to top it off, they are fairly simple and have plenty of space (IE controls are not packed tightly)
-mer |
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| SeventhSun |
I think u started on the right track
when i started i got
2 tech 12s and a Vestax pcv175 3channel mixer
happy as i can be
wont need to upgrade till i'm a star. |
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| musicaddict |
| quote: | Originally posted by SeventhSun
I think u started on the right track
when i started i got
2 tech 12s and a Vestax pcv175 3channel mixer
happy as i can be
wont need to upgrade till i'm a star. |
yeah..same here except i started with 2 M3Ds and a the old Vestax PMC03A mixer:sadgreen: saving to get my 275. |
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| club4life |
| I have 2 MKII's and a Vestax PCV-275. I love my set-up. I had the opportunity to play on some mid-grade numarks yesterday, and they can't touch my Technics. They don't hold a pitch nearly as well, and they just don't have the right "feel." I also tried mixing for the first time with no monitors and crappy headphones, and it was hard as hell. I have a pair of $99 per pair yamaha 3 way speakers for monitors, and they make a world of difference. Be sure to get good headphones and monitors. If you are going to spend the money, do ti right so you can learn correctly and don't get discouraged. |
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