Anyone DJ on the side?

[BuffaloMO]

I was thinking about getting setup to dj on the side. Can anyone give me a list of what equipment they use or other advice.

I know don't do it!

[vindy500]

really big subs

[BuffaloMO]

Anybody?

Do you think this Kustom PA KPA4 PA Package would be worth buying, or is it too small for anything?

Kustom PA KPA4 PA Package Features:

- Compact 4-channel 80W powered mixer
- Built-in reverb
- Cabs house a 10" woofer and piezo tweeter
- Comes with speaker cables

[LooseFit]

I dabble in DJing... mainly for fun as a hobby but I've spun at house parties as well.

As to that package... the mixer would be extremely difficult to work with while djing (although there are some rotary mixers by Rane and others). It's more effective to have a dj-specific mixer hooked to a power amp to pa speakers or monitors.

Do you know whether you want to spin digital or vinyl?
I started on vinyl and then added a final scratch to my setup to add versatility.

If you go with a vinyl setup... make sure you get direct drive units... belt drives wobble and make it difficult to keep the tempo/pitch consitent

Be prepared to spend a fair amount on new music to keep with.

As far as gear... you'll need a mixer (2 channels is fine to start with.. I have a Stanton 3 channel w/ a sampler hooked into the 3rd channel until I have the cash to pick up a decent cd-deck)

Good headphones are very important. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD-280pros (set me back about $100). Great frequency response, comfortable and they block out the sound so you can accurately hear the cue mix.

You allready pay attention to beats being a bass player so you should pick up on the basics relatively easily.


Of course... if you meant to be the generic human jukebox type mobile dj the any crappy mixer and some cd decks will do (American DJ, Gemini make entry level, Numark makes entry through midrange with Pioneer and Denon making midrange to high end.

Add a power amp and some pa speakers and you are set to go.

[Dave Grossman]

Originally Posted by vindy500

really big subs

Here's my rig:



http://www.meyersound.com.au/brownnote.shtm



- Dave

[BuffaloMO]

Originally Posted by LooseFit

Of course... if you meant to be the generic human jukebox type mobile dj the any crappy mixer and some cd decks will do (American DJ, Gemini make entry level, Numark makes entry through midrange with Pioneer and Denon making midrange to high end.

Add a power amp and some pa speakers and you are set to go.

Yes, a generic human jukebox is all I was going to do, not the scratching. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

[BuffaloMO]

Nice rig Dave!

[RWP]

I once DJ'ed a college dance and it was really fun. You get a real feeling of power spinning the CDs and talking it up. The local Radio station gave us some free stuff to give out for mentioning their name so I came up with some dance contests.

Do it, especially if you like running the gear and you can talk the talk. Wait.... will you have to play rap?

[BassManPatsFan]

You said DJing...that can mean two very different things.
Example A: I had a DJ at my Bar Mitzvah. He was middle-aged, weird, and he made us play dumb games.
Example B: If one were to journey into South Side Bronx, one would find many a club with DJs and MCs spinning records and spitting rhymes.

Which one do you mean?
-Alex

[BuffaloMO]

@ RWP
No rap for me

@ BassManPatsFan
Probably middle-aged, weird without the games.

It may costing more to get setup than it is worth.

[LooseFit]

To be a functioning mobile DJ would probably be an outlay of close to about a grand...

$150-200 for a cheap 2-cd deck
$150-200 for cheap rack mixer
$200-400 for some PA speakers
few hundred for some lights/fog machines/rack for your gear/ etc.

browse around this site: www.pssl.com they often have some nice refurbished deals and they've got tons of gear targetd at mobile djs

You also have to consider the fact that you WILL have to play anything and everything... Including rap and the current chart hits... all those one hit wonder songs and cliche overplayed tracks will get requested and/or expected to be played.

[MichaelVee]

DJ's are what are killing live music everywhere. There's no way that serious musicians should ever contemplate DJing. Sorry for the negative response, but technology is part of what the problem with local live music is, everywhere.

[LooseFit]

Originally Posted by MichaelVee

DJ's are what are killing live music everywhere. There's no way that serious musicians should ever contemplate DJing. Sorry for the negative response, but technology is part of what the problem with local live music is, everywhere.

You haven't heard a REAL DJ then.
In fact I think there is a good amount of the reverse where live music hasn't kept up to the standards people expect now at a party. That and people who just get pissy at change. There are plenty of hack musicians out there.. and there are plenty of hack djs out there... just like there are great ones. Don't complain about something you can't change instead of trying to adapting to it

I don't see many cover bands doing live mashups or doing non-stop mixes blended together.

[RWP]

Frankly it sounds like fun. You would always be at a PARTY! How bad can that be? Is your back up to moving the gear? For me, sound would be very important. I would want equipment that would be as light as possible but sound really good.

Check out this site:
http://www.123dj.com

[G]

Laptop -> Mixer -> Carvin power -> Carvin speakers.

Done lots of weddings etc. with this setup. Works like a charm.

[BuffaloMO]

Originally Posted by G

Laptop -> Mixer -> Carvin power -> Carvin speakers.

Done lots of weddings etc. with this setup. Works like a charm.

That sound like it might be the way to go. Sure beat taking all the CDs with you.

[BassManPatsFan]

So you're talking about one way records?
No scratching?
-Alex