Anyone into DJ'ing

**Lil' J** · 8th July 2005

Hey
I was wondering if anyone is into dj'ing and if so what do they use, decks or computers or a mixture of both.

**Ryan5262** · 8th July 2005

computers any one can use them ! i use numark cd decks that have the cd scratcing pad that i hardly use as it sounds really cheezy.they are really good was going to take up vinals but too hard/expencive to get music for it

**chubblies** · 8th July 2005

Used to DJ for Luminar leisure, did 7 years on club circuits until all my stuff got nicked so bang went that.... You should definitly get into vinyl if you want to get known, most clubs have just 2x Technics, a mixer and a CD player that is held together with lager!
If you want my advice, save up, get a pair of 1210's, and get practising....You will get much more respect and recognition if you can mix properly and do all things on vinyl that you cannot do on CD or PC's, and it is "actually DJ'ing", whereas if you are using PC's to mix mp3's themselves, then you might as well just put on a mix cd and go home...
Also, whilst vinyl can be a pain, I NEVER had a record jump or anything in all the time I did it, but if you do, you can nudge the needle on and nothing stops. If a CD jumps or PC crashes, you are fucked!!

If you do get good, there is no better feeling than having a club full of people worshipping you like a god just because you have done a seamless mix of a chooooon!

**dtsrulez** · 9th July 2005

Hi Lil'J

Take my advice mate. The technics cd decks are not very good in my opinion. They are way too sensitive to mix with. I have 2 Denon DNS 5000's and a DNX-300 Mixer. The Denons are cd decks with a scratch plate on top of a moving platter. They are superb and I found it very easy to move over from vinyl to cd. CD mixing is the future and don't let anybody tell you any different. Most of the clubs use the Pioneers cdj's as standard. They are also very good but I do prefer the Denons. I have them plugged into my laptop so I can record live mixes. They have never crashed even once and are very good for editing sound effects to add to your mixes. Once you have done a live mix into your laptop you can edit it if you like and add different things to it. The only ones to buy are either the Denons or the Pioneers in my opinion. Anymore questions please ask.

Cheers.

**chubblies** · 9th July 2005

Well, when I was doing clubs, the CD players usually varied, and as technology moves on, they will bring out new models that will be different to what you are used to. The 1210's have not really changed in design since they were 1st introduced some 30 years ago, why? Because they do the job superbly no matter what you throw at them and they NEVER break down.
The guy who originally hired me now runs a DJ agency, with around 120 high-end jocks on his books, and they are still nearly all vinyl pushers. I appreciate that CD's are an easy way in for a bedroom DJ or similar, but turn up to some big clubs with a box of CD's and a laptop and they will laugh at you! Also, would you really want to take your laptop to a club? I certainly wouldn't. Go to any high end club or see a top DJ and they will use decks, simply because it is the best way to do the job
I have had loads of problems when using CD's, the lasers do not appreciate hot, humid and smokey conditions, and as I said earlier, if they stop suddenly, you are screwed!
At the end of the day, stick with what you like, practice like fuck and good luck to you!

**urbsy** · 9th July 2005

I used to dj places in the early 90's with a pair of SL1200's and a Made to Fade mixer.

Best days of my life.

urbsy

**chubblies** · 10th July 2005

Originally Posted by urbanmiffs

Best days of my life.

Aye, miss it big time......and the women, I was a right dirty slag when I DJ'd:thumbs

**dtsrulez** · 10th July 2005

I agree...practice, practice and practice. And then practice even more. Hehe even ugly DJ's get the girls. Thats not directed at you chubblies....well unless of course you are an ugly mofo Haha!

**hxbro** · 11th July 2005

I have some technics 1210s and pioneer cdj800's, I have two mixers a pioneer djm 300 and a gemini pro 626

**burner1** · 11th July 2005

Guess there's a 'mix' of old school and new school in this thread, live on the old school I say. As a few guys here, I was a well known local jock in the 80's/early 90's myself, started with two cheap sony belt drives I built into a wooden cabinet and a 10p mixer I got from radio shack. It took over my life, for 2 years, if I wasn't working, I was non stop practicing alone in my flat, I would wake up in the middle of the night with a fucking good idea for a mix/breakbeat in my head, fire up my decks and try it out, that's dedication! Used to drive to londons Fulham Palace road and buy my 12" imports from a shop called 'spin offs' run by DJ Richie Rich. Then I got my Technic 12's with stanton 500 nibs, if you start with crap like I did and get good, you can imagine how much better you would get on the tech decks..got work through local contacts after giving away hundreds of tapes of my mixes (free) and made a good earner doing the best job I ever had.

I don't think you could ever better the vision of a class real-time mixmaster slaving over a couple of hot turntables with vinyl, CD's just don't give the same effect.

Best advice as been said mate, stick with what your comfortable with gear wise, sell yourself when you feel you are good enough, but you'll have to sell yourself for nothing at first. Don't be like some who think they are gods gift and don't wanna know for less than a grand a Night. If you are up to it, you will get a rep and turn the money side to your favour (But don't do it for the money, do it for the love of it, and the fanny.. and the beer!)

**sjunky2000** · 11th July 2005

ahh richie rich - salsa housa i still got the 12`

**lloydi** · 11th July 2005

i have been mixing for 7 years now started out with a cheapo pair of KAM direct drive turntables LOL they did the job and taught me the basics. Im really glad i learnt on vinyl the hands on physical side really gives you a better understanding of how to mix. I have used CD's since and although different and fun you cant beat a good ole pair of technics. I have played my best sets with vinyl when ya get that buzz in a club its fecking awesome!!!!!!!:thumbs

**proxi** · 18th August 2005

Had some CD decks for around 2 and a half years now and i'm hardly off them!

Got a Pioneer CMX-3000 which is a dual CD decks, a Pioneer DJM-3000 effects mixer and a KAOSS pad which also nice for FX! I'm still a bedroom DJ but look to be off next year abroad doing it in a bar for 6 months.

Gotta also say that after 7 or 8 months i was getting nowhere with the decks and was nearly gonna give up and sell them in sheer anger and frustration! But i instead took a month off and went back to it and the progress made was great.

**{{909}}** · 18th August 2005

i used to dj in me bedroom years ago on a pair of belt driven soundlabs, they did the job and i learned the basics but got tired of buying vinyl as its so expensive.

i went to red tape studios a month ago and had a play on thier pioneer cd decks and found them very good to use, its not the same as mixing with vinyl, but its damn close, is some ways its better, if i were to get into it again id def invest in a pair of those. esp since i can download all the latest dubplates off the net and mix em without having to spend upto 6 quid for one track thats already been played out for 6months on the scene

i used to mix drum n bass by the way

**chubblies** · 19th August 2005

Pay for records??? Get yourself onto record company mailing lists, you get free promos through the post:thumbs
They always release promos to DJ's as they promote their single, so when it does get a release date, the public know what the record sounds like, and hopefully buy it

**Lil' J** · 31st August 2005

Mmmm... well i got a hercules mp3 dj console now, need a good amp and speaker set to play out and get some cash

.

What am i'm looking at in price?

**QfanatiQ** · 31st August 2005

Ive got a couple of CDJ1000's and a nice DJM500, yes the CD scene can do alot more than is used to, but i still hold more respect (even as a DJ myself) for the vinyl users. It is very easy to pick up CD decks and get going, more skill needed for the vinyl DJ.

If you are going to do this seriously then get the best set up you can afford Deck or CDJ wise. Dont be shy on taking some music along and gettign hands on in the DJ shop, make sure you get a good go on the stuff. Its all very well seeing a guy who has been trained to do the demos.

Kaos pads are damn good, a nice addition. So to is a decent laptop and some good software.

What genre of music are you looking at?

PLEASE PLEASE dont become a (what i call) fat bastard DJ who CANNOT MIX or play ot the crowd!

Rave ON!!!!

Cheers.....Q

**DJ OD** · 1st September 2005

I have been a DJ for nearly half my life!

I can mix on just about anything, be it CD decks, record decks or even MP3's on a laptop. Made a couple of my own tunes too. Gotta say I will probably never stop!

Vinyl is expensive to buy, and it can be hard to squeeze promos from producers. However with the come about if CDJ'ing and MP3DJ'ing the costs are way less.

New Technics CD turntable has really had the best go at pushing vinyl to the side. It is the best CD turntable I have ever used. But they are pricey, but so are the industry standard 1210's.

Originally Posted by Lil' J

Mmmm... well i got a hercules mp3 dj console now, need a good amp and speaker set to play out and get some cash

.

What am i'm looking at in price?

My preamp (Gemini) was �120 from sapphire sounds (www.decks.co.uk; but I don't think they sell them anymore!), but this is not essential if your PC or mixer is pre-amping. Decent power amp should be about �150 ish. Mine was a Kam from sapphires sounds for �125.

Speakers cost as much as you want to spend. I bought some cheapo unbranded ones for about �200 a pair. But top quality ones like Cerwin Wega's are about �300 a pair.

Get a copy of DJ magazine and look the the ads at the back for local shops and deals etc'.

At the end of the day a micro hi-fi will do the job, but it won't rock a pub/club! �500 should give you an amp and speaker set sufficient to play out with, it won't be no Ministry of Sound, but will still kick ass.

Make sure you don't leave your stuff in a van overnight, I have some horror stories I can tell you...

DJ OD

**QfanatiQ** · 1st September 2005

Both in Bath and Reading in the different pubs i have gigged they had already installed there own speakers, often own kit. I woudl always prefer to use my kit (often easier for me) and plug into thier sound.

If it is possible for you to do this then you can spend a nominal amount of a sound set up for practice purposes only. Depends if you are looking to do preivate gigs in rented halls etc.

Cheers.....Q

**Lil' J** · 1st September 2005

I'm just starting out, but been doing my owm mixtapes for a couple of months or so. I'm starting to save now and hopefully by christmas i'll have a decent set up.

At the mo i gonna do small things but school disco's at secondary schools in the area seems like the plan for me exspecially for the school i just left.

They'll provide amp and speakers, i just bring the other stuff, i play dancehall and reggae however now and then need to do popular hip hop and r n b.

CD Decks seem so expensive compared to vinyl but saying that to build up a vinyl collection will cost soooooooooooooooo much.