Creating your first professional DJ setup is a challenging task. What equipment does a beginner DJ need to create great mixes? What do all these knobs and buttons do? We’ll walk you through the basics of audio for beginner DJs, including mixers, controllers, headphones, and monitors. Understanding the equipment will help you start working on your own mixes and discover the amazing world of DJing.
With so many options for DJ equipment and software platforms, making informed decisions about where to spend your money is a key step in creating a setup that fits your budget and skills. In this guide, we’ll tell you what equipment you’ll need for your system so you can be confident in your purchases.
DJ mixers
A mixer is the core component of any professional DJ setup. It is a type of audio console that allows DJs to create various effects and tricks. It helps DJs transition from song to song, apply various effect loops, or control the multitude of audio signals coming into the console.
A DJ mixer allows you to control how music selections are presented to listeners and how they are mixed with other mixes. A mixer will always have at least two channels, so that one piece of music can be played while another is being prepared. It then allows the signal from both channels to be played simultaneously—this is mixing. Regardless of what device a DJ uses to play music, it always passes through a mixer.
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DJ controllers
With the advent of digital DJing software, DJs have gained a wealth of opportunities to control and influence the music they play. With these opportunities come a wealth of ideas and solutions on how to use the new techniques. Controllers offer the ability to control your software, select, play, and loop tracks. They allow you to use effects such as reverb, delays, flangers, filters, and more. Controllers allow you to add other layers to the mix, such as samples, loops, and other tracks.
DJ headphones
Often, when people start DJing, they use whatever headphones they already have. However, DJ headphones have a number of features that make them more comfortable and can even help improve your DJ set. Here are some important features.
Durability. DJ headphones are designed to withstand the heavy wear and tear that comes with constant travel and long gigs. A good pair will last for years if you take care of them.
Sound isolation. Effective sound isolation blocks out ambient noise, allowing you to focus on the details of your mix.
Functionality. Most DJ headphones include a number of features that make them easy to transport and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. With a flexible headband and rotating ear cups, you can wear your headphones in a variety of ways. For example, you can keep them on your head with one ear cup over your ear so you can hear the next track while you mix it and the one currently playing.
Sound quality. DJ headphones deliver rich sound so you can pick out every detail in your music and know exactly what your audience will hear when you play your next track. The ability to clearly control the frequencies you’ve isolated from the rest of the track with your mixer will help you mix with precision.
Monitors — hear the mix for real
If you already have headphones in your home setup, monitors will help you take it to the next level. Every DJ needs to practice, and practicing at home requires a pair of monitors that will give you an accurate idea of how your mix sounds and allow you to decide which transitions, mixes, effects, and tracks will work best.
Here are some affordable monitors you can use to get used to hearing your mixes during rehearsals. Remember that the size of the room will help you determine the size of the speakers you need. Monitors for rehearsals don’t have to be big, they just need to give you an informative sound that is true to life.