How to Hook up DJ Equipment

If you're a live DJ in a club or even if you like to entertain at friends parties with your own mixes, hooking up your own DJ equipment like turntables, CD players and mixers isn't as complicated as it looks. Here's how to hook up your equipment so you can get the party started.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vinyl records
• Needle
• Cartridge
• Two turntables
• Mixer
• Slipmats
• CD player

1. Assemble your DJ equipment before hooking it up. You'll need two turntables. Choose from brands like Numark, Technics and Stanton. You can buy turntables, headphones, cartridges, CD players and mixers separately or save money by purchasing a bundled set.

2. Unscrew the ground connection on the mixer, but don't remove it. Attach the ground lead from the turntable to the mixer. Then tighten the screw and repeat the procedure for the second turntable. Test the turntables after hooking them up to the mixer, and secure the connections if they aren't working properly.

3. Replace the rubber mats on your turntables with slip mats. These cloth mats allow vinyl to slip better when positioning it for a DJ mix. You can buy wildly designed slip mats or make your own for an individual touch.

4. Consult the instructions included with the cartridge and needle before inserting them. Be aware that only certain cartridges will work with your turntable's tone arm, so check product numbers before purchasing.

5. Connect the CD player to the mixer. Attach the leads to the same color line input on the mixer.