May
13
2011
When DJing, the beat is incredibly important to your music, it helps keep your track in time, gets the listeners/audience pumping, and it drives the song. Most likely, you’ll be looking at getting a drum machine to provide the backbeats to your creations. There’s many drum machines on the market, from new models to old skool sounds. The best drum machine for you will depend on what style of music you create, your technical capabilities and also your budget.
If you are going for an old skool sound, the internet has plenty of options available to you. The older machines may not have all the features of the newer models, but they make up for it with their sound and quality. In the 80s, Yamaha drum machines such as the RX series, ended up in so many songs due to their programmability and ease of use. Looking on second hand sites such as ebay and some specialist sites is the best place to find them, and often they are very good value for money. When using older machines, you’ll start to hear the samples used in some of your favourite songs, which will bring a smile to your face.
Those looking for more features and a more up to date setup will be looking at the new models on the market, such as the classic MPC range from Akai or Roland’s Boss range. These machines have more space for storage, and can often double as a sampler or a sequencer in some instances (Although this may not always work out the best with some machines.). Newer models range in price, and can be quite a costly investment.
Lastly, for those who DJ on their laptop, there are numerous software choice around for you, that can be easier to use for beginners or for professionals who want to cut their tracks in the studio.
April
18
2011
For a DJ, there are a few pieces of equipment needed and wanted for their ideal setup. None of this, the lighting, speakers, cables, software etc, means anything unless it’s all brought together by a quality turntable. No one makes turntables like Technics, a favourite of DJs worldwide.
Technics SL 1200MK5
The 1200MK5 turntable by Technics is a top of the range model that combines the features that have made the brand favourites of many DJs with some new toys to keep it ahead of the competition. This is for the professional DJ who values and cares for the music he/she makes.
The 1200MK5 has been around for a few years now, and it is still being used due to its quality in terms of sound, reliability and ease of use. Many users claim that these turntables never break, so they are a great investment for the professional DJ.
Technics SL 1200MK2
The 1200 range of turntables from Technics more or less changed the way many DJs used their instruments. The reliability of the series is renowned, the precision of the mechanical parts is second to none, and it has been used in almost all styles of music, from hip hop to rock flavours and so much in between. While the 1200MK2 may be a little outdated now when compared to the newer models, it is still an awesome product and an amazing turntable. As with the 1200MK5, this is for the professional who see their turntable as more than just a machine, but as a way to live.
Having a vibration resistant construction (Meaning that your records won’t skip if the bass is too high, or from a train rattling past underground.), low and ultra high torque settings and is designed with less parts, so as to avoid any random malfunctions from a convoluted interior.
April
12
2011
Korg have been making musical products that have pushed the limits and boundaries for many years for musicians in all areas and genres. One of the most advanced and sort after products by Korg is the Kaoss pad, in all its various forms.
The Kaoss pad’s name speaks volumes about the device. While it can be used as an instrument on its own, the true power of it comes in the fact that you decide and control how you use the device. DJs worldwide love this piece of equipment, as well as so many bands, musicians and producers. Matt Bellamy of Muse has a Kaoss pad put into his guitar setup so he can take his music further.
Using a touch pad, the user is able to control many different presents, such as drumbeats, vocoder and synthetiser sounds to create music. The effects that the Kaoss pad comes with include:
- Talk filter
- 8 band EQ
- Filter (Low-pass / High-pass / Band-pass / 72dB/oct. and Low-pass)
- Phaser
- Flanger
- Broken modulation
- Slicer
- Auto-pan
- Isolator and distortion
- Mid pitch shifter
- Tape echo
- Decimator
- Reverb
- Gate reverb
- Various types of delay
- 16 bit, 48 KHz sampler and more…
The Kaoss pad comes in various models, the top of the range KP3, the miniKP, and the KO1 Kaossilator. These products are only limited by your imagination and creativity. In a DJ setup, a Kaoss pad can be used to create a wider range of sounds to set the crowd off or to trip them out of their minds.
Compared to some other products on the market, the Kaoss pad range isn’t too highly priced, with the KP3 priced at $399, essentially a bargain for what you are able to do with it.
February
3
2011
Have you ever looked online for a pair of headphones? There are tens of thousands of choices, and
I will let you in on a little secret: about 80% of then suck. Headphones are among some of the most
temperamental pieces of equipment you will buy, simply because the DJ headphones is not the same as
those you would buy for recreation.
Not only do they have to offer superb sound quality, but they have to be flexible, versatile, long lasting,
affordable and have great noise cancellation abilities. And in the world of headphones, all are not
created equal. Most aren’t even created on the same wave length. Which is why you should follow by a
few tips when looking.
•
Never skimp on price. You don’t have to invest in a pair of $750 headphones if you are
working as a wedding DJ or doing high school dances. But you don’t want to cheap out and
buy something that has been marked down to $40. Remember, there is a reason these items are
cheap, and we are talking about a business here.
Pay attention to reviews. If you see an awesome sales pitch for a pair of headphones and you
go on Amazon and see about 3 dozen people said they were crap, they were probably crap.
Consumer experience means more than company promises.
Stick with well known brands. There might be a few good generic brands out there, but when
it comes to electronics of any kind you usually want to go with the big boys who have proven
themselves. Think Pioneer, Panasonic and Skullcandy.
Choose based on durability. If you have a DJ headphone that costs $150 and one that costs
$250, you may be tempted to go with the cheaper option because it is still high end enough to
be a good set. But remember that if the more expensive will last longer you will end up paying
less in the end than if you have to replace or repair them.
December
14
2010
Buying equipment is usually a fairly straight forward process in the entertainment industry. Because of
the number of personal reviews online, the habit of DJ’s sharing knowledge and tips with one another
and the ability to try things in-store you can be assured you will get just what you want.
When looking as DJ mixer software it can be a little more tricky. Because you are dealing with
software and not physical equipment, things like features, sound quality, price and functionality can
vary to a huge degree. There is no way to really tell the best DJ mixer programs on the market, though
it is one of the most common questions we are asked.
But there are some that can be considered better than others, and are probably in the higher tier of
available software programs you can purchase.
•
Mixxx
One of more popular open source multi-platform DJ mixer programs, An all-in-one program, you
don’t need anything specific to run this software, and it is available of Windows, Mac and Linux for
extra versatility. It also have plenty of sound features but with an easy to use interface that makes it
appropriate for both long-time and beginner mixers.
•
Virtual DJ
A CNET favorite, this program continues to be one of the most well known and used available today.
Providing plenty of effects, samples and vinyl quality transitions, it partners all of this with a great
user-friendly navigation system. There are also tons of tutorials and guides all over the net, which make
it the ultimate mixer for anyone who is looking to create a nice mp3 mix.
•
Ultramixer 2
Not my favorite, but what makes this DJ mixer a unique program is that it has a free edition. This is
a major benefit to both people who are strapped on cash, and those who would just like to take a bit
to grow accustomed to using a mixer before purchasing one. Available on pretty much all operating
systems, you can download it and start using it straight away. Be sure to check out their iTunes export
feature.
November
24
2010
When looking for the right deck for your equipment, you basically have two main options: DJ CD
players or turntables. Each will have a number of variations (such as mixers or just based on the
features they offer), but you will almost always be dealing with one of the other. So, which one is write
for you?
What’s the Difference?
There is one key difference between these two decks: a turntable plays vinyl records, and a DJ CD
players plays and records CD’s. Simple, right? Of course, this is not the only difference you will
usually find between the two.
Quite possibly the greatest factor involving a decision will be based on sound quality versus effects.
Many people who prefer a turntable do so because it allows for a more classic sound, which can really
only be found in vinyl. Of course, this creates a problem of choice and availability, and CD’s are still
pretty good when it comes to the quality.
With DJ CD players you will have more effects, generally built into the deck. For example, a CD mixer
will have the mixer built into the deck itself, unlike a turntable which has no such features available
for the user. But these effects have a much for electronic sound, which is great if that is what you are
looking for, but a major con if you prefer the warmer tones of vinyl.
So, which is better? The short answer is: neither. They are both great pieces of equipment, but
are based on the specifications of the user. Of course, there is the issue of cost. DJ CD players are
relatively less expensive to replace, fix upgrade. Vinyls are also harder to find and usually cost way
more than a CD, and are more easily damaged.
In the end, turntables are more delicate and easier to break, and more expensive, but give a different,
more natural sound. DJ CD players have less quality to the audio, but are ore feature based and cost
less to maintain. Which you choose is up to you.
November
10
2010
Alright, so you have the skills, you have the desire and you have the cash. But what you don’t have is
the DJ equipment, or the best way of going about picking some up for the first time. As a beginner,
this can be a daunting task. There are plenty of options, but if you have taken a bit of a look around
the net you are sure to have come across about a dozen reviews on equipment that broke during gigs,
malfunctioned or had bad features or sound quality. When you are making your living as a DJ, this can
spell the death of your career, so follow these steps to make sure you don’t get ripped off.
Make a budget before you buy. You need to look at exactly what you can afford, and work
within that range. If you can’t really afford much of anything, then you should do one of two
things; 1) get a loan if you are looking to do this professionally, or 2) take some time to save up
until you have enough money to spend on quality DJ equipment.
Pay close attention to consumer and professional reviews. I don’t mean random websites, here. I
am talking about consumer forums, product review websites and magazines. Anything that will
give you plenty of data to see the average experience using certain pieces of DJ equipment. This
is especially important when you get into headphone, turntables and lighting/effects.
Purchase your DJ equipment in a package, but select the right one. There are so many stores
that offer package deals, and you will be amazed at the discounts you can get buy getting a
bundle instead of purchasing each item one by one. But keep in mind that you want all reliable
brands, so still research each piece of the package before buying.
Finally, be careful of used products. While you can find some great ones from professionals
who have upgraded, you can also find a lot of junk that people want to get rid of for a decent
profit. Don’t be hasty in buying used a DJ equipment…do it in person, so you can try it out, first.
November
1
2010
When you are setting together a show, you will be tempted to put everything into your equipment, song
selections and other audio-based concerns. This is all important, but you also need to pay attention to
the visual atmosphere, which will ultimately lend to the overall end result of the gig. This is centered
around your effects, and in particular your DJ lighting.
For some events you will relying on natural light to brighten things up, such as when you are outdoors
during the day. But any time you are dealing with something inside (which will be almost always)
you want to pay special attention to your lighting set up. You want something that will add to the
atmosphere. If you are playing a club, go with something moody or pulsing or even sensual. For a gala,
sparkling and bright. For a holiday event choose something festive.
Many DJ’s never suspect that they will be required to put interior decorating into the equation, but
the whole feeling visually or psychologically can completely ruin even the best music sets. At first, it
might be hard to get it right, but over time it will become more intuitive and will come more easily.
You will even learn to begin using DJ lighting to enhance your reputation.
Where do you get what you need? Any good DJ seller will have an effect section of their store. You
are better off buying in a package, but be careful to check that everything works properly. New bulbs
and even whole lighting sets are going to be more frequent expense, so look for something that can be
easily upgraded or repairs, and matched with other products for an overall effect.
Make sure you don’t jump into things with both feet in the beginning. That set of orange and red
flashing pumpkin light effects might seem like an awesome purchase for Halloween, but keep in
mind how often you will use them. You want more neutral items that can be applied in any number of
situations.
September
2
2010
For DJs just starting out, the cost of high quality equipment can often be
staggering and disheartening. Although it is important to have good equipment, it’s
also important not to spend above your price range. This is when finding cheap DJ
equipment to buy becomes significant.
It’s always recommended that you buy your DJ equipment through an
authorized retailer, but if you simply cannot afford those prices, you may want to
look for some secondhand equipment. If you choose to go this route, make sure that
the seller has a money-back guarantee. Make sure the seller is reliable, and talk to
other DJs to see if they can recommend a trustworthy vendor. If it is at all possible,
try to examine the equipment yourself. Double check that it has all the required
pieces and plug it in for a test drive.
You can also look at mainstream retailers and see if there is any older
equipment on sale. This is a great way to get cheap DJ equipment, but it also ensures
that your purchase is a quality one. Although the equipment might not be the latest
and greatest technology, as long as you know that it’s a reliable piece, it should last
you quite awhile.
As tempting as it is to buy the cheapest DJ equipment you can find, it is really
important that you view these purchases as investments in your career. Buying low
quality equipment can leave you with buyer’s remorse at a time when you least
want it (say the middle of a show, for instance). Finding cheap DJ equipment to buy
can be a tough process. However, if you do your research and take your time, you’ll
discover great deals on great equipment that you might not have found without a
little research.
Find out more by visiting DJ Seller.
August
11
2010
Lighting is always an important element for any DJ, and Chauvet offers
some great quality DJ lights at great prices.
The 4BAR light by Chauvet is
a great light for any DJ to carry in their equipment arsenal. This light allows you to
have a complete LED wash light system that can also be positioned
independently. The light also comes with a three-pedal foot switch, so that you
can change your lighting quickly and efficiently. You can also set up automated
light and sound activated programs that can be directly accessed through your
pedal. It also includes a tripod, packing bag, and transport case so that you can
pack your lights with you wherever you go.
Another great Chuavet light is the SparkliteLED Drape. This is a great piece of lighting
to have, as it can replace a boring backdrop with an LED star field. The drape is
roughly 20 feet by 13 feet, and it has 128 LED lights. The lights are split into eight
different sections that allow you to customize the background effects. When you
buy the SparkliteLED Controller, you can control the color, strobing and
brightness of each section. You can also create your own program, and change
up your background as frequently as you want. This piece of equipment ensures
that your audience never has to stare at a boring background again!
The Bob LED is a fun
Chauvet light that adds heat to your stage without actually lighting anything on
fire. The light’s simulated flame looks real, but is all LED technology. It includes 3
legs for table support and a chain if you’d rather suspend it. This is a sure way of
setting your beats aflame!
Regardless of the product you buy, Chauvet lighting is a great way to go
for any DJ.
Find out more by visiting DJ Seller.
