I need help getting into this thing.


mostly, I need some comments regarding equipment. I worked as an old-school DJ long ago when we had turntables and LPs.


Now.. I am trying to get back and I am not sure where the trend is moving to: CD Mixers OR MP3 + Laptop + software??



Okay... I know most of us have all our musics on HDD in MP3 formats.... But I am not sure if current up-to-date DJs are using Laptops and software instead of physical equipment such as CD scratchers and things.



I've seen some KEWL mixing software like these:


http://www.mixvibes.com/
http://mp3-player.audio4fun.com/dj-music.htm



and I am sure there are MANY others software.... and they all look nice... but the question is: is that the way to go?



Thanks guys...


BB

Wow,

Just so you know, there is no right or wrong answer that addresses the needs of every dj.

If your intended market is the wedding/barmitzvah/corporate mobile dj market, and you are starting from totally from scratch, I can see you benefitting from investing in the PCDJ arena. It has many pros and cons, like any configuration will, and you can search this forum for the voluminous information and abundant discuccions on the very subject.

If your aim is the club or school market, you have a much harder decision.

I operate in both mobile & club/school markets and I have used and enjoyed my CDJ1Ks since they became available with absolute satisfaction and no regrets.

The only hard and fast rule you must abide by is, "If you go the PCDJ route, don't be a leach, buy your music legit."

From a physical labor perspective you'll find djing today a lot easier. It's good to have a laptop as part of your setup. And it's also convenient in general to have a laptop. Whether or not you use it for djing like Rox said depends on your market. The CD dj route is a safe bet because eventhough you can use just a PC nowadays the conveniences that come with a CD/turntable mixer setup are tough to duplicate. For example if you like to scratch with one hand and play with the fader with the other hand you'll find it impossible to do that solely with a laptop. Also let's hope your laptop doesn't freeze up on you.


Do some research and stop by your local music store and see what works for you. Also do a search in this forum and you'll get more ideas. In the meantime here's a link you may find helpful Virtual DJ.

This is the same situation for me a few years ago, I went with CDJ 1000's however today if the technology was avaialble then I wouldve certainly considered a Serato/Apple G5 notebook set up thats available today. You can use your old TT's (assuming you have some like i did...dummy me sold em ) and mixer so the feel and what you are familiar with will be the same plus the technological advantages...Im still considering Serato. Being the purist that I am any PCDJ (ie no TT interface) set up is out for me...but to each their own. I say reserach you a$$ off and know exactly what you want before commiting.

Thanks for the inputs guys!!!!


i've been reading a LOT about both approaches and I am leaning towards the conventional path.


My reasoning is the following: a real nice laptop is too much $$$. And a cheap one could freeze up just like mentioned. The software is another $$$.


So what i was checking is some cheap CD players and a mixer. But then another question came to mind: I know the sotware replaces the CD player & mixer... but I am not sure what else I would need to get to the speakers.




Please confirm the following, for each approach:


CDPlayer > Mixer > Receiver? > Amp? > Speaker

Assuming I go conventional.... that means I need to buy (2)CDplayer, (1)Mixer... and what else? I am not sure about receiver & amp or if they are the same.


Can someone please clarify???




Now if I went PC-DJ...


PC+Software > Amp? > Speaker

Is that right???




Thanks


BB

It sounds like you have a firm budget. My advice would be to buy some real nice pieces of equipment (1000's, turntables) and if that's all you can get, then fine. But then you save up again and then you go for that nice mixer so that sound you produce is a representation of what you are. (bad mixers bring bad experiences, whether for home dj's or out-making-money dj's) But I only really think as a businessman, and if you are in it for business then go for the better equipment, otherwise you spend it anyways on replacements. I can only imagine that a bedroom dj would want the best equipment also. But if you can truely settle for a budget then be prepared for less results. ( I hope I'm not on the wrong side here ) This is only my opinion, but I've worked 80 hour weeks in the crappiest of call centers to get the equipment I have now. And I am never let down, where-as cheaper (especially a mixer) is not always better. I'm sure you have an itch to get everything at once...but saving for better is always nice.

Biggun must be reading my mind. I second that - don't skimp on gear. It'll turn around and bite you when your back is turned. I've been there. Not fun. Bite the bullet and go for the good stuff. Chicks dig DJs with nice gear. Well, at least that's how I justified the purchase.

People who try to go the "cheaper route" always end up having to buy replacements. I would say mk2s, but that is just me.

You get what you paid for....I always went the cheap route on mixers, till i decided to go with pioneer. Not had one problem yet

i picked up a djm707, thinking i was taking a cheaper route. well okay i knew it was a quality mixer, but it felt like i was taking a cheaper route, and you know what? no qualms whatsoever! tremendously solid mixer.

agreed to what they're saying, don't cut yourself short initially, you'll regret it later.

I used an Apple laptop with an external soundcard and Traktor for two years, only because I already owned the laptop. I wasn't very happy: sound latency, software bugs, mp3 quality.
Then I bought two "cheap" cd players and mixer: no comment.
After six months I bought 2 cdj800 and a djm707.
Now I'm fine!
If you played with turntables, the laptop could be a nightmare.
Consider also that in less then two years your new laptop will be obsolete and you'll need a new one for the newest software.
Cd will survive I hope some more.

My advice is: buy quality equipment, you save money!

Ciao!

yo Gene,

What you did was less expensive NOT cheaper. That's a major diff.

sorry. -_- the more inexpensive option. :P didn't mean to offend anyone, hehe.

i'm cheap.