Wanna-Be Dj.

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Wanna-Be Dj.
Posted on: 04.01.2014 by Salome Chmelar
Hey guys... I turn 18 the 15th, and going to pick up a New laptop. Thinking about dropping some money on a mac...


Anyways, I have had a real love for music for awhile now. My uncle even use to be a Dj. I thought with going into college next year, and parents don't want me to have a job, djing would be a good alternative. Do a party every so often for some extra change.

1 problem


I don't even know where to start.

What hardware is required.
What software is required.
How to stay cheap, but efficient and so on.



Can anyone give me a bit of a lesson?
Tera Baragan
05.01.2014
Originally Posted by JonnoI
There's other DJ software other than Serato, I assumed the OP would want them out to find what suits his workflow the best; be it VDJ, Traktor, Mixvibes,Deckadance,Torque.
And MIDI mapping is pretty much an essential skill if you want to become proficient with digital DJ'ing.
The only software that are allowed at any clubs venues or even outdoor parties are traktor and serato around here. I understand there are alternatives but I would point OP in the most direct route. Get an s2, comes with traktor and its native so no need to map.

Mapping is such a miniscule thing in djing. Unless you feel the need for 100 hotcues on a song or 5 fx super knobs. Which I use neither a lot.
Ara Tima
05.01.2014
Originally Posted by JonnoI
There's other DJ software other than Serato, I assumed the OP would want them out to find what suits his workflow the best; be it VDJ, Traktor, Mixvibes,Deckadance,Torque.
And MIDI mapping is pretty much an essential skill if you want to become proficient with digital DJ'ing.
I'd worry about the basics before you worry too much about MIDI mapping though. I've been DJing for 10+ years with 4-5 of those Digital and I don't believe I've ever mapped an entire controller.... Between the internet and buying a controller that suits the software I used I've never had the need.
Tera Baragan
05.01.2014
Originally Posted by JonnoI
I believe it's worth looking into MIDI Mapping if you're going down the controller path, getting something that can work with different software can payoff quite a bit later on if you want to try more creative stuff with your controller.
What advantage is there to midi mapping your controller? Most controllers have all the things you'd need and more off the start.

Goodluck trying to map to Serato without it being Serato certified. Lmao.
Salome Chmelar
04.01.2014
What would be a good set up for house parties?
Salome Chmelar
04.01.2014
Hey guys... I turn 18 the 15th, and going to pick up a New laptop. Thinking about dropping some money on a mac...


Anyways, I have had a real love for music for awhile now. My uncle even use to be a Dj. I thought with going into college next year, and parents don't want me to have a job, djing would be a good alternative. Do a party every so often for some extra change.

1 problem


I don't even know where to start.

What hardware is required.
What software is required.
How to stay cheap, but efficient and so on.



Can anyone give me a bit of a lesson?
Ming Devis
06.01.2014
Buy a second hand S2 mk1 a laptop and rig that up to your stereo if you have one and practice. The most expensive part you will find is music. To be a good DJ it is 80% the music you have and your knowledge of it.

Turn sync off and teach your self to beat match by ear at least until you are proficient at holding two tracks together or leave it off if you are enjoying playing that way.

A set up like that will be a cheap and easy way to get into it. The main thing though is to get into digging for music and appreciating music and learning what fits and how to fit them together.

I believe allot of DJ's these days with cheap gear want to grab pop bangerz and slam on some effects which is piss easy to do.
Track selection and knowledge of your tunes will separate you from the guys that want to be a Digital DJ rock star.
Delilah Laurin
05.01.2014
That's a very valid point, the S2 is by far the easiest and most efficient start to Digital DJ'ing (even more so now that Mk.1 S2's are really cheap). The whole Numark range is kinda "Eh" some guys i know swear by them and some hate them.
Traktor and Serato are the most "popular" but I've seen MixVibes used at a few Bars and VDJ to a lesser extent but I have no idea as to state of the scene elsewhere.
Tera Baragan
05.01.2014
Originally Posted by JonnoI
There's other DJ software other than Serato, I assumed the OP would want them out to find what suits his workflow the best; be it VDJ, Traktor, Mixvibes,Deckadance,Torque.
And MIDI mapping is pretty much an essential skill if you want to become proficient with digital DJ'ing.
The only software that are allowed at any clubs venues or even outdoor parties are traktor and serato around here. I understand there are alternatives but I would point OP in the most direct route. Get an s2, comes with traktor and its native so no need to map.

Mapping is such a miniscule thing in djing. Unless you feel the need for 100 hotcues on a song or 5 fx super knobs. Which I use neither a lot.
Delilah Laurin
05.01.2014
Oh definitely, and controllers are great for grasping the basics. Just in case though, say having to map something like and LPD-8 or a X1 can add quite a lot to a DJ's performance.
Ara Tima
05.01.2014
Originally Posted by JonnoI
There's other DJ software other than Serato, I assumed the OP would want them out to find what suits his workflow the best; be it VDJ, Traktor, Mixvibes,Deckadance,Torque.
And MIDI mapping is pretty much an essential skill if you want to become proficient with digital DJ'ing.
I'd worry about the basics before you worry too much about MIDI mapping though. I've been DJing for 10+ years with 4-5 of those Digital and I don't believe I've ever mapped an entire controller.... Between the internet and buying a controller that suits the software I used I've never had the need.
Delilah Laurin
05.01.2014
There's other DJ software other than Serato, I assumed the OP would want them out to find what suits his workflow the best; be it VDJ, Traktor, Mixvibes,Deckadance,Torque.
And MIDI mapping is pretty much an essential skill if you want to become proficient with digital DJ'ing.
Tera Baragan
05.01.2014
Originally Posted by JonnoI
I believe it's worth looking into MIDI Mapping if you're going down the controller path, getting something that can work with different software can payoff quite a bit later on if you want to try more creative stuff with your controller.
What advantage is there to midi mapping your controller? Most controllers have all the things you'd need and more off the start.

Goodluck trying to map to Serato without it being Serato certified. Lmao.
Delilah Laurin
05.01.2014
I believe it's worth looking into MIDI Mapping if you're going down the controller path, getting something that can work with different software can payoff quite a bit later on if you want to try more creative stuff with your controller.
Shira Narwold
04.01.2014
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00412...pi=SL500_SS115
And
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002MV...ims_6?pi=SS115
And a laptop
$200, you get software, an audio interface, and a mixer.
Margie Pavell
05.01.2014
Buy whatever laptop you desire. Then go here Free DJ software for begineers. And Find your music at places like: Beatport, Itunes, trackitdown, juno, audiojelly, traxsource...

worry about controllers and all that later...
Lakeesha Storman
04.01.2014
But technically, you don't need decks, mixer or even a controller. You can start out with just a laptop, software and some audio files. Some people on this site got started that way and I did a few mixes that way as well before branching out to a controller. It's more difficult, but it can be done to start - or save you money if after doing it for a bit you don't feel like it's for you.

And beware, this is an expensive addictive hobby. (or actual job for some) I've gone from laptop with headphones to S4 controller with monitors, to 2 different sets of turntables and finally to a full-blown mixer with multiple sets of headphones all throughout. That's not to mention the records and digital files I've purchased. Thank God I'm divorced and don't need to worry about S.O.'s shoe purchases.
Ervin Calvery
04.01.2014
Check out the show your setup section for many permutations of people's gear , and get a feel for what you like. There's people like me that have huge setups http://community .djranking s.com/showthread.php?t=49085, people who just went for an all-in-one controller like the Traktor Kontrol S4, and everything in between.

There are essentially three ways to go -

1. Decks and a Mixer

2. DVS

3. Controllers

For decks and a mixer, you'll need decks and a mixer and records. The decks can be turntables or CDJs.

For DVS, you'll need decks, a computer, and either a particular mixer or any mixer and a particular soundcard.
This is the most complete option.
(This is actually not quite as expensive as some people feel it is - buying the Traktor Kontrol Z2 will get you going with a great mixer/controller, a copy of Traktor Scratch Pro 2, and the control records. Used Technics 1200s/1210s can be had for about $600/pair if you look hard.)

For the third option, you could just need a computer and a controller - the S4 is popular, controls most functions of Traktor out of the box, and comes with Traktor Pro 2.
Chung Rosaro
04.01.2014
Being cheap and DJing is becoming the norm today. This is not the cheapest hobby, but there are ways around it if you cannot or do not want to spend money. You just may not get the full experience. In my opinion, nothing is better than turntables and a mixer. However, you can purchase a controller and software (Serato,Traktor) and have decent control over your mixes. Maybe you should save money by buying a used or refurbished Mac, then spend some money on a controller. You will need a laptop, controller/software, headphones for a minimum. If you are smart about it you can save a lot by looking on the community s here, or on ebay/CL. I have found my share of gear from there.
Lakeesha Storman
04.01.2014
Bare minimum is a laptop, (see system specs of the software you want to buy, any new laptop should do the trick) some mixing software, ($99 for Traktor or Serato I believe?) some digital files and being good at pressing the right keys on your keyboard at the right time, although headphones would come in handy as well. You can move up from there..

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