What to Do When buying DJ Equipment

DJ-ing means not only to play with the tracks and use the equipment skillfully, but also to know the tricks to buy good DJ equipment. These equipment that include mixers, turntables, headphones and speakers are all highly technical and expensive too. And that is why before getting them, the DJ should be well acquainted with the buying techniques. There are several procedures in buying DJ equipment, which are to be followed before buying them.

First of all, it is necessary to decide what kind of equipment to prefer. It may be branded ones or may be used or second hand ones. You may already be aware that branded DJ equipment would cost much more compared to the used ones. But then the problem with the used products is that the quality is not assured. However, it all depends on the budget that you have in mind.

In the case of the budget, if it exceeds the limit, it is better to buy equipment one at a time. In fact, if this technique is followed, the best thing would be to settle for the branded ones rather than the used products. since the DJ equipment are quite technical, the new ones will always give quality service. However, while buying the DJ equipment (old or new) a few technical things about some of the components should be checked.

As turntables are important pieces of the whole DJ equipment they need good research. Just as in the drive mechanism, direct drive is better. Then, turntables with more torque are better for the mix. Finally, the tone arms should be straight.

Mixers are the basic components of the DJ equipment. The top mixers are those which have four-channel mixer plus two mic levels and have the ability to mix the signal running into the headphones. It should be taken into account that cheap and average mixers are also available that vary in their features.

Usually, there are two ways in which the buying can be done. One is to visit the stores and the other method is through online. But it should be kept in mind that there is a huge difference between both the processes. In the case of the stores, there is the facility of personal visit, which will give the opportunity to go through the equipment carefully. This process will be a bit tiresome, as it will include more of research about the equipment. Visiting different stores and companies is necessary to ensure that it is the best buy and that the price is reasonable.

However, in the online process, there are several advantages. Unlike visiting the stores, the whole online buying process can be completed from home itself. In fact, the online process provides more choice as compared to the visit to the stores and moreover the equipment available there are generally inexpensive. Even the price can be compared easily as every kind of detail related to the equipment is given in the sites.

But there are some disadvantages in buying DJ equipment online. First and foremost, the quality is not assured and everything depends on the information on the sites. Though the price is quite low, it may include shipping charges. Moreover, most of the time there is no facility of examining the equipment before buying them.

Dj Gear and Equipment

A successful performance by a disk jockey depends on the presence of the right equipment. This, along with along with adequate musical talents plays a very important role in the career of a DJ. Having the right equipment is the best advantage a DJ can have. Any DJ gear other than real pro gear will only throw a person's skills and techniques off. It is always advisable to get the right DJ gear the first time. The Technics-1200/1225 turntables are industry standard and are widely recommended by most DJs as a starter kit.

However, the most important thing to remember is that it is not the equipment that entertains, but is definitely the DJ himself. Owning the latest equipment won't make a person any better as a DJ. It is possible to start up on a budget of about $2000, which will enable a person to purchase a sound system and a few lighting effects. In case the budget won't stretch to this, a person may need to consider buying 2nd hand or leasing the equipment.

Purchasing a wide-ranging music library is far more important than how much lighting a DJ has, and should be the first consideration. A DJ can build up on the lighting, and upgrade the sound system if required once the work starts coming in to substantiate it. The most important equipment required by mobile disc jockeys consists of sound recordings in preferred medium, which is often vinyl records, compact discs and mp3s. Two devices for playback of sound recordings are also required for the purpose of alternating back and forth and creating continuous playback. A sound system meant for magnification of the recordings is required for broadcasting the music. Apart from this, a DJ may also need a mixer and a microphone.

Headphones used to listen to one recording while the other is playing, without transmitting the sound to the audience is also strongly recommended. Other equipments may also be added. These include drum machines, samplers, effects processors, and computerized performance systems. Opinions of other experienced DJs, magazines and a number of websites prove to be an efficient guide in purchasing the right kind of equipment.

Get DJ Equipment For Less

When someone plans to be a DJ, one of the major stumbling blocks is the astoundingly steep price of the equipment. That said, DJ equipment is not one-piece equipment, but an assembly of several components. A DJ can mix and match components of different qualities and price ranges to make the entire outfit suit a budget.

The greatest margin on price can be made on the sound mixers. Sound mixers can have a great number of features; and so their prices may be as low as $200 and also as high as $2000. A DJ working within a limited budget can opt for a small mixer, which could easily be afforded at $200 to $500. These mixers can work just as fine as big ones and are ideal buys for amateur DJs. Even big names in the DJ equipment market such as Numark, Gemini, Aiwa, Akai, etc. produce such small economy speakers.

DJs that are keen on remixing their music opt for turntables instead of CD, DVD or MP3 players. Turntables are more expensive than players, but Gemini manufactures good quality affordable turntables within $400. Though direct drive turntables are a tad bit more expensive than belt driven ones, DJs prefer them as they play the record faster without any time lag.

Players are much more affordable than turntables; but they cannot provide features such as scratching and back-spinning of records. Players only provide sound output as it is on the CD or DVD and facilitate no scope for its alteration. DJs that just play original records go for players.

DJs trying to reduce their expenses on equipment can also shop around for speakers. The price of a speaker essentially depends upon its output. A low wattage speaker can be selected to save costs. There are small woofer-type speakers available that can output stereophonic sound and are available at prices at low as $20 apiece.

Another way to reduce expenses is to buy all equipment in bulk as a DJ package. A package contains the basic components and the necessary peripherals like headphones. Buying a package entitles a DJ to a discount. Packages are available generally for the mixers. In most cases headphones are given free with the package.

Using cheap equipment may take its toll on the music that a DJ provides; but DJs can make up for their equipment with their talent and creativity. Typically, the major buyers of cheap equipment are the amateur uncertain DJs who are still in the process of trying out the profession.

Disk Jockey and DJ Equipment

Companies manufacture DJ equipment like turntables, decks, CD players, VCD and DVD players, equalizers, sound mixers, speakers, headphones, etc. Bulk orders of this equipment are taken over by wholesalers at prices that are barely above the manufacturing costs. This constitutes the profit margin to the manufacturer. The wholesalers outsource this equipment to retailers, who put a final price tag on the equipments. This final price tag is inclusive of the profit of the retailer and the various taxes that are applicable during sale.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, the retailers may decide to lower the prices on the equipment. They may waive some of the price on equipment that has become out of fashion and has been replaced in the market by newer equipment. These items come under the category of discount DJ equipment. A part of discount DJ equipment is those which come under stock clearance sales. Before the beginning of a new marketing season, retailers often try to clear their pending stocks by selling them at discount rates.

Discount DJ equipment rates are most often a very economical buy to the customer. Prices are lower than their MRP which existed when the particular piece of equipment was new. Most of the time, discount DJ equipment is not too old; they may have been introduced in the market just a few months ago. Hence, the buyer is assured of getting quality equipment at a low rate.

The prices of discount DJ equipment go lower as more and more time elapses. Even equipment of big brands like Numark, Pioneer, Stenton, Gemini, Behringer, Ministry of Sound, Aiwa etc. are put up on discounted prices as these companies keep on modifying their products and launching newer versions. Prices may even get slashed by 50% within a year of their inauguration in the market. Due to this some DJs adopt a wait and buy policy, which helps them to avail themselves of the equipment at discounted rates.

Discounted DJ equipment provides the same benefits as new equipment. Their prices get lowered; but their warranties and guarantees remain the same. They enjoy the same after sales services and maintenance. Some DJs prefer to buy discounted equipment not just for the lower rates, but because they are able to hear reviews of previous owners of the product before buying them.