From parties to clubs to weddings and more, the DJ can be the center of the action, if not at least the center of the music. Are you looking to try your hand at being the DJ? Get the right gear and you can make it happen! Whether you're an aspiring professional DJ or just an enthusiastic audiophile, you'll want to have the right DJ equipment to get the job done. This DJ equipment buying guide will help you figure out how to buy the DJ equipment that will best meet your needs.
When you're shopping for DJ equipment, you'll first want to consider what equipment you want to incorporate into your DJ setup. You can then piece together that equipment to create a complete system of audio equipment. Let's look at the different pieces of equipment that you might want to include in your system.
Assuming you want your DJ setup to involve more than an MP3 player plugged into some speakers, you'll want a mixer. In fact, the DJ mixer is the heart of a DJ's audio system and is definitely one area where you won't want to skimp on features or performance.
Generally speaking, the mixer is the device that brings in all the audio signals from turntables, CD players, microphones and other audio sources; use controls to balance out the sound as the DJ sees fit; then output that final audio stream to the speakers or public address (PA) system. A rudimentary mixer will have at least a few inputs with volume and tonal controls for each, an output and a master gain control to set the overall volume. Beyond that, you can find mixers with many sets of inputs and output, effects, audio controls that give you fine control of each signal of the outbound signal, level indicators to let you make sure you're not red-lining and outputting a distorted signal, and much more. And don't underestimate the value of a built-in snake light, so you can see your mixer's controls in those low-light rooms.
Turntables have long been a DJ staple, allowing DJs to play their collection of vinyl records and giving them the freedom and versatility to do things like scratching records. Dual-record turntables are great for mixing multiple tracks together, performing on-the-spot sampling and more. Nowadays, turntables have entered the world of computer-based audio, and you can find a turntable with a USB connection to let it plug directly into your computer.
CD players are a great alternative to turntables, especially if you have more CDs than records. If you want to use CDs but still want to be able to move around tracks as easily as you can with records, look for a CD player with a jog wheel to let you skip around as needed. You can even find dual-CD players with a separate jog wheel for each, giving you great flexibility in a single package.
If your music collection is almost entirely in MP3, then you'll want to be able to connect that to your DJ system. While you should be able to run any portable MP3 player into a mixer and adjust the signal as needed, you can also use a computer as your MP3 player. In fact, with the right software, you could even use your computer as both MP3 player and mixer. Make it portable with a great laptop and you can consolidate your audio system into a small and powerful package.
No audio system is worth much if nobody hears it. While some venues will have an in-house PA system that you can plug your mixer directly into, other times you'll need to provide your own, so have a powerful set of loudspeakers to reproduce the sound just how you like it.
Speaker power
When you're DJing at outdoor venues or a particularly cavernous space, you'll want dedicated loudspeakers -- so don't try to get away normal indoor speakers; when the sound needs to carry across a large space, you need high wattage speakers to faithfully reproduce sound through the whole room. You'll want large woofers in those speakers, too; it takes large drivers, often twelve inches or larger, to reproduce powerful bass, and you'll need extremely strong bass to carry across large areas. While you may find some loudspeakers that are internally powered, other will require a separate pre-amplifier. Make sure they match the RMS (root mean squared -- or, in layman's terms, sustained) power (which is given in Watts) as well as the resistance (given in ohms) of the speakers with those of the amplifier. For example, your speakers may say that they can handle 500W RMS at 4ohms, so make sure your amplifier can provide a wattage that's very close to that at the same resistance, to each speaker. When it comes to matching RMS powers, you want to be as close as possible; an amplifier that's much too strong or to weak for your speakers can damage them irreparably. If you can, get your pre-amplifier and loudspeakers as a matched set.
Two-way and three-way speakers
One final note about loudspeakers: You'll often see speakers labeled as two-way or three-way. Two-way speakers have an internal crossover (an electrical device that separates frequencies) so that the woofer only receives lower frequencies while the tweeter receives the higher frequencies. The smaller the frequency range that you ask a speaker to reproduce, the louder (and clearer) it'll be able to do it. Three-way speakers take this idea one step further by having three separate drivers per speaker: a tweeter, a midrange speaker and a woofer, with all the necessary crossovers to send only the optimal frequencies to each driver. The price tag on three-way speakers is typically heavier because of these added components, but the sound quality often more than makes up for it!
Headphones are the DJ's way to hear what the audience should be hearing. You want the headphones and the PA system to sound similar so that, if everything sounds good in your headphones, you know the audience is getting a similar experience. Look for a pair of noise-canceling headphones so that outside sounds don't overshadow what you hear on the headphones. Many mixers can also use the headphones as a separate output, so you can queue up a track on your headphones without interrupting the music.
If you'll be doing announcing while you're DJing, then you'll want a microphone. When it comes to how your microphone is powered, make sure you match the microphone with your mixer's input -- so if your microphone requires phantom power (also called in-line power), your mixer can provide it. Also, don't forget how loud your voice is going to be reproduced -- get a quality microphone with a pop filter and the audience will never regret it when you do a voiceover. For even greater freedom, try a wireless microphone.
Once you have the basics, you can add anything and everything to your audio system. A multi-band equalizer is a great way to fine-tune your sound beyond what your mixer allows. Other effects units let you add things like compression, reverb, echo and much more. If you want to record your performances, you can always attach a multi-track recorder to one of the outputs on your mixer or simply run your mixer into your computer for recording.
You never know what kind of power circuitry a venue will have until you're on location. It never hurts to protect your equipment by adding a line-conditioner and surge protector to your audio system; that way, if there's any kind of electrical mishap while you're on a job, there won't be any catastrophic damage to your audio equipment. Don't wait until the first time you lose thousands of dollars of equipment from a power surge to invest in power protection. Get it right the first time and you'll never regret it.
What should I do to care for my DJ equipment?
DJ equipment is much like other electrical equipment: It doesn't like dust, heat, moisture or being jarred. If some of your audio equipment is rack-mountable, you can find a portable rack-mount case that provides excellent shock protection while your equipment is being transported; even if your equipment isn't rack-mountable, you can probably find anti-shock carrying cases for your equipment that will also keep our dust and moisture between jobs.
Can I use some DJ equipment in my home audio setup?
Yes. DJ equipment may be great for taking to an on-site job, but that doesn't stop it from working well as your home stereo equipment as well. After all, what house party couldn't be livened up by some skilled DJ work? You might not need any loudspeakers if you're just playing music indoors, but your mixer can still act as a central point for all of your music sources.
Stock up on music at Overstock.com
The more variety you have in your music collection, then the more versatile of a DJ you can be. Even if you have a favorite genre, you're bound to find things you like if you just take a stroll through all the music in the world. Check out Overstock.com's vast selection of CDs and find some great new music. Who knows, you might just find some music that mixes remarkably well with your current playlist!
Don't get lost on your way to a gig
If you're looking to go professional with your DJ work, then you're bound to have some on-site work all over your area. Don't show up late (and definitely don't be a no-show!) -- get to the venue easily with a GPS navigator in your car.
Turn your audio setup into a showpiece
Make yourself the centerpiece by giving your audience a reason to watch your every move. Incorporate some video players, lighting or anything else that strikes your fancy. You can add audio and video to your DJ setup for less when you shop for discount electronics on Overstock.com. Your creativity is your only limitation!
