Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums > DJ Forum

New to DJing, want to try it.

(1/6) > >>

Chris Grimshaw:
Hi all,

So I've been involved with live sound for years, have all the gear etc etc etc. I've also been told that I put together "really good" playlists.
I've worked with DJs before, and have a reasonable idea of what's going on when it comes to beat matching, transitions, etc.

I'd like to try my hand at DJing, starting out at home putting playlists together, practicing moving between songs smoothly and then maybe one day heading out and doing it for money. I already have the live sound stuff sorted, and the DJing would be an extra service I could offer.
We're looking at mostly pop/party music. I won't be composing anything so launchpads etc aren't something I'm after.

My question is this - what would be a good start-up USB controller?
There's loads out there, so I thought I'd ask. Looking for something cheap-ish, reasonably solid, and comes with software that'll let me do what I'm after. I'm running a reasonably powerful Windows 10 laptop with plenty of USB connectivity.
If I get good and start getting paid for it, I'll be stepping it up and buying a more expensive controller, but for now I'd like to keep it at the budget end of the market.

Help and guidance would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Chris

Uniz Kazz:
Hi Chris,

I reckon since you’re in the live sound world and have come across thousands of tech riders in your career, you’ll notice that the absolute majority of the time when asked for dj setup or playback system, they’ll usually spec Pioneer CDJs (2000/900). They are and have been the industry standard for over a decade now and nothing on the horizon would allude to that changing.
Since you’re starting out and might gradually move up to ‘pro gear’ (which you can add to your rental fleet if not already available), you’re best bet might be to go with Pioneer’s own Dj controllers. The layout, functionality, and experience on the controllers are very easily transferable over to the decks.
Also, their own software is no slouch whatsoever. Does all your categorising or your music and id3 tagging for you (bpm,key,etc). The whole ecosystem they’ve built is quite robust and user friendly.

Good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dennis Wiggins:

--- Quote from: Chris Grimshaw on May 04, 2018, 09:30:32 AM ---
...I'd like to try my hand at DJing, starting out at home putting playlists together, practicing moving between songs smoothly and then maybe one day heading out and doing it for money. I already have the live sound stuff sorted, and the DJing would be an extra service I could offer.
We're looking at mostly pop/party music...


--- End quote ---

Go to every Goodwill, St. Vincents and other resale shops/flea markets to buy CDs.  They are usually $1, but some are as high as $2(!).  I just picked up 6 Gaelic Storm CDs for $6. Rip everything you have to MP320k. A deep library will get you more gigs.

Just don't shop in the 25-125 mile radius NW of Chicago; that my territory! >:(

Unless you are wanting to beat mix (I haven't in 40 years) there is no need for a "controller" to just play/mix/blend tracks. 

I stopped using WMP, as anything MS O/S beyond XP (anything Winxx) ruined it.  AIMP is what I'm using on Win 10; it is free., and works great.

-Dennis

Rob Spence:

--- Quote from: Dennis Wiggins on May 04, 2018, 01:00:08 PM ---Go to every Goodwill, St. Vincents and other resale shops/flea markets to buy CDs.  They are usually $1, but some are as high as $2(!).  I just picked up 6 Gaelic Storm CDs for $6. Rip everything you have a MP320k. A deep library will get you more gigs.

Just don't shop in the 25-125 mile radius NW of Chicago; that my territory! >:(

Unless you are wanting to beat mix (I haven't in 40 years) there is no need for a "controller" to just play/mix/blend tracks. 

I stopped using WMP, as anything MS O/S beyond XP (anything Winxx) ruined it.  AIMP is what I'm using on Win 10; it is free., and works great.

-Dennis

--- End quote ---

Don’t forget royalty licenses. If you play a real gig.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Luke Geis:
Pioneer, Numark and Rane are pretty much the front runners in the DJ field. If you buy anything that is of median grade from either company, you will have what 90% of the dj's are using. If you want to go A rig status, then its Rane 62 or bigger for the mixer and Pioneer CDJ 2000's for your control and turntable scratching. Honestly the $1k all in one DJ consoles are making pretty much every wedding dj and private show punter happy.

I am not a DJ, but I if you pay me I will play one. I am predominately what I call a corporate dj. I only play music in which I specifically control it for my corporate clients. I actually get to be a dj tonight! Fun gig when everyone is happy. Stressful when the group has A.D.H.D.....

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page