First of all, you may be wondering what DJs really do. You have to understand that they do more than just play music. They are music professionals who remix popular songs, which are usually heard in discotheques, dance parties, night clubs, and in other events where music and dancing is concerned.
Remixing songs on the spot is not an easy thing to do. You need to understand that you will be modifying the beats, mix sound, and even altering the bass or treble effects. It will also involve adding effects on the music, such as adding echo, flanger, and other music effects.
Sometimes, DJs juxtapose two or more songs together in order to create a unique music piece. As you can imagine, being this creative means that you have to have a lot of equipment.
Basically, a DJ will need at least two decks or CD players, mixers, speakers, and a good pair of headphones. Today, LP records are still very popular among a lot of DJs. LPs are played on turntables and the sound is read by a stylus.
The great thing about turntables is that DJs can input scratching effects in the music. If you decide to get a turntable for your deck, you can choose from four popular styles, such as direct drive, belt drive, mixer hybrid, and portable.
However, if you want the best quality turntable, most DJs would suggest that you should get the direct drive turntable as they are superior to the other types of turntables.
You can also use CD players or DVD players as an alternative to turntables. Laptops with special DJ software can also play MP3s can also be used. The only problem with these decks is that they can only play back the sound and will not really provide you with the means of modifying the sound, such as incorporating scratch effects. If you want to play music without remixing it, then these decks are for you.
The sound mixer is also very important for DJs. This particular equipment will enable you to balance the sound. It can let you balance the bass and treble, noise reduction, and a lot more.
Today, most mixers have provisions for phone and line selections. Also, they have jacks that connect to microphone devices.
The headphones or headsets are also important for DJs. And, you need to remember that you should only get good quality headphones. The headphones will enable you to listen to the mix you are doing with the songs without hearing the external unwarranted noise.
These are basically the equipments you need in order for you to start DJing. Today, you will find music stores that will be able to provide you with DJ package. This package will usually include everything you need, such as decks, mixers, headsets, speakers, and the cables.
Always remember that when it comes to buying DJ equipments, always go for reliable brands that are known to provide the best quality sound.
These are the equipments that you need to have if you want to become a DJ. With these equipments, you can start practicing your skills which will eventually keep the party going.
As a DJ, one of the most crucial decisions that you need to make is the purchasing of turntables. You need to keep in mind that turntables can be very expensive, especially the fact that most DJs need two of them.
For starters, you have two options. You can either buy a new one or you can buy a used turntable. So, what should you choose?
You have to keep in mind that brand new turntables can be expensive but it will be able to exceed your expectations when it comes to quality and durability. Another great thing about buying brand new turntables is that it will usually come with a warranty, which used turntables don’t have.
However, used turntables have its benefits. For starters, it will be less expensive than its brand new counterpart. If you are on a budget, buying a brand new turntable will definitely be put a strain on your wallet.
Also, by purchasing new turntables, you can be sure that it will not have any defects. If it has, you can just return them and get a replacement for free because of the warranty. If you purchase used turntables, you really can’t be sure if it is still properly working or if repairs have already been made.
If you are serious about your DJ career and you want only the best equipments to play and mix music, then you should buy a brand new turntable. Also, you may want to go for the direct drive turntable instead of the belt driven variety. The direct drive variety is considered as superior in quality compared to the belt driven turntables. It may be a lot more expensive but it will be able to meet or even exceed your expectations.
But, if you are not that serious about your DJ career and you only want one as a hobby and for playing music in small parties, then a used turntable can do the job. It’s a lot cheaper than buying a brand new turntable and it will be able to provide you with good quality sound output in small events and gatherings.
When buying a used turntable, always ask why they are being sold. Some will sell it because they want money fast while others may sell it because the turntable is already defective.
This is why you need to carefully take a look at the used turntable being sold before you buy it. It may look fine in the outside and it may even work fine the first time you use it but if it is defective, you may encounter problems in the future, which is what you don’t want to happen.
This is why it is important for you to carefully examine the used turntables you plan on buying. By doing so, you will be able to make sure that everything is in proper working order.
Whether you choose to purchase a brand new turntable or a used turntable, just make sure that you are purchasing one that is of good quality and one that will be able to meet your expectations once you start performing on the booth.