WHAT
A DJ NEEDS:The Equipment
WHAT
A DJ NEEDS:
*2 direct-drive turntables
*2 slipmats
*a good solid pair of headphones
*a mixer
*an amplifier and speakers
*records
*recording equipment: tapedeck/DAT, or minidisc recorder
THE DECKS
Turntables are often referred to by DJs as "decks", because they are the most essential fundamental element to playing records. It is impossible to mix records without a pair of turntables. When selecting turntables, it is best to use what is called direct-drive turntables. Direct-drive turntables differ from belt-driven turntables in that they have a stop/start switch which literally stops and starts the records immediately. A direct-drive turntable is great because you don't have to wait for a record to slow down or speed up when you adjust the speed. It all happens insantaneously.
There
are many different brands and models of turntables available. Gemini, Numark,
Vestax, Pioneer, and Technics are a few popular brands that are readily available
to most consumers. Technics "1200's" or just "1200's" are
considered by many DJs to be the ideal model of turntable. Their solid construction,
durable parts, and simple, yet functional design make them the ideal turntable
for heavy use and intense abuse.
Turntables vary in price and sophistication a great deal, depending on the brand and the model. Typically, they cost between $500 and $800 per turntable to buy brand new, with Technics 1200's falling in the price range of around $750 (Canadian) per turntable. DJ-ing is not cheap.
SLIPMATS
Once you have turntables, it is a wise decision to invest in a pair of slipmats. Slipmats are soft, felt discs identical in size to LPs. They are twelve inches in diameter and usually about half an inch thick. Their function is to buffer the pressure put on the records during mixing, so as to prevent scratching and warping when one is handling or manipulating the vinyl.
Slipmats come in a variety of colours and designs, and are sold for around $20 a pair.
HEADPHONES
A
good pair of headphones is virtually essential for DJ-ing as well. By a "good
pair of headphones", I mean a pair of headphones that far exceeds the quality
of most portable headphones or earbuds. A good pair of headphones has to fit
over your ears snugly and comfortably, have high-quality sound reproduction
(clear, loud bass and treble) and a rugged design.
High-quality headphones can cost anywhere from $50 to $300, depending on the features you desire and the brand you choose.
THE MIXER
The mixer. They come in all different
forms and prices. A normal mixer will have 2 channels which allows you to mix
2 of a total of 4 inputs: 2line ins and 2 phono ins. Some mixers are "one input,
one channel" but most modern mixers 
have
2 inputs for one channel. A button or flip-switch allows you to select the input
that is put through to the channel, phono in for the turntables and line in
for the rest of the equipment. (including pre-amplified turntables.) Each channel
needs at least a bass and treble or high range equalizer and the mixer needs
a VU meter. From here on it can only get better, more crowded and more expensive.
Higher quality will show in the durability and toughness of the mixer and the
better sound it will send to the amplifier(s). In contrast to the previous 2
items, the pair of decks and the headphone, if you get a poor quality mixer
it will not really effect your own mixing skills, the music itself will not
sound as good. Using poor decks and/or a poor quality headphone will make it
harder to mix right. Amplifiers and speakers, this is where things get slippery
because it depends on what you have in mind: go for living room hobby DJ or
try to cause some earthquakes on the dancefloor...
RECORDING EQUIPMENT
Recording equipment is a nonessential item. It is useful, however, if you are interested in pursuing DJ-ing as a serious hobby, and want to be able to make demo tapes/discs or recordings for your friends. Recording yourself mixing is also a great way to pick up on your flaws, and hone into exactly which areas of your mixing need improvement. Nothing reflects how you sound as well as a recording. It will allow you to enjoy your own music, and enable you to criticise yourself and improve your mixing considerably.
A tape deck, minidisc player or DAT player are the best bets for recording. Tapes and minidiscs both record with decent clarity and sound quality. They are not as good as DATs (Digital Audio Tapes), however, as tapes and minidiscs are recorded in analog, whereas DATs are recorded in digital sound, which produces clearer, crisper recordings. Unfortunately, DATs are ridiculously expensive, and not many people have DAT players, which makes tapes and minidiscs more desirable recording mediums, as they are both cheaper and more common.
HARDWARE CONFIGURATION
TURNING THE EQUIPMENT ON AND OFF
It is important to turn the components of your stereo setup on and off in a particular order, so as to prevent power surges, which invariably cause great damage to the equipment. I have outlined a list of important steps to follow when turning the equipment on and off.
1. Before you turn the power on or off, make sure the volume on both the mixer and the amplifier is at MINIMUM. On the mixer, the important volume knob to turn down is the MASTER VOLUME. Turn it down to the very minimum before turning the equipment on or off.
2. Turn on the mixer.
3. Turn on the amplifier(s).
4. Make sure the turntables are ELECTRICALLY GROUNDED (ie. the "ground" connectors are securely grounded to the GROUND on the back of the mixer). This will prevent static buildup, thus preventing your records from making hissing and popping noises when you play them.
5. Turn on the turntables.
6. When turning equipment off, turn off the decks first and foremost. Then reduce the volume on the amplifier and the mixer to minimum, and turn off the amplifier first, followed by the mixer.
