So you’ve finally taken the big leap and decided that you want to pursue your passion in the world of DJing, right? Because of this newfound venture, you’re excited about what’s in store for you in the future. However, you also can’t help but feel a little bit confused since you don’t know the answer to the question, “I’m new to this! What DJ equipment should I get?”
Now, don’t go on a shopping spree for DJ equipment just yet. Before spending all your hard-earned money on DJ equipment that are unfamiliar to you, you need to consider your needs, budget for the DJ equipment and your target goals for DJing first. All these factors play a part in determining which equipment will be most suited to you.
Obviously, playing music at a few house parties or other informal gatherings is different from spending all your resources because you want to work on becoming a professional DJ someday.
In this article, we’re going to talk about the four beginner DJ equipment for beginners, together with their advantages and disadvantages. Each setup will also have specific features that can help you decide whether they’re the right fit for your DJing needs:
1. Simple Computer Setup
Truth to be told, if you’re a beginner DJ, you don’t need to buy a lot of DJ equipment just yet.
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In fact, if you already have a laptop, this is the most affordable option.
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You just need free DJ software like Virtual DJ and it’s relatively easy for you to load new songs in the program via the track pad and the keyboard.
As the most portable setup, the computer setup is also the most compact system for DJing. To suit your creative energy, a vast array of digital music is also available online.
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What you should consider in this setup is the addition of a basic audio interface which upgrades the sound output of your computer.
You need an audio interface to convert your music from digital to analog signal, thereby producing a better sound output, when amplified.
Keep in mind that in this computer setup, it will be a bit harder for you to mix different kinds of beats without a controller, though.
2. Computer/Controller Setup
Most DJ equipment for beginners packages include a USB controller which allows you to manipulate your music, control effects and loops, and other functions.
You can take your pick among different types of controller styles.
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Some controller styles are portable units which are suited for beginner DJs.
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If you want to go another route, you can also choose the enormous all-in-one decks.
In addition to having the freedom to choose the controller style you want to go with, you can also customize controller setup to your own preferences.
3. Turntable Setup
If you’re looking for the recommended setup for learning how to DJ, complete with the intricacies of beat-matching and mixing, the turntable DJ setup is the way to go. After all, it offers you a tactile feeling that you can never experience with DJ software and controllers.
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In the turntable setup, you’ll need two turntables connected to a DJ mixer. The DJ mixer is needed to give you control over the volume, EQ, and effects.
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Don’t forget to get a decent set of DJ headphones which are designed to let you isolate the sound and enable you to mix between tracks.
One thing to consider when getting a turntable DJ setup is that they can be impractical when you’re carrying a ton of records to a venue. Also, your music selection is limited to whatever vinyl you have with you.
4. CDJ DJ Setup
In this DJ equipment setup for beginners, CDs are your medium of choice. This setup is favored by many club DJs because DJs can cue up and mix tracks with the use of CDs. Because of this accessibility, the CDJ DJ setup offers more control and features compared to the Turntable setup.
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The main equipment you’ll need in this setup is the CD Turntable which can help you manipulate music while also having access to an LCD screen with details about frequencies, cue points, tempo, and more.
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Additionally, if you choose a CD Turntable with USB inputs, you can also play digital files from thumb drives and hard drives.
If you have the budget for it, and you’re really serious about becoming a professional DJ, the best beginner DJ setup is the CDJ – you get the tactile control and the collection of a ton of digital files that you can quickly access and manipulate to your liking.