How to Buy Your First Set of Dj Equipment

We all have watched our share of DJs and wished we could be them. In all honesty, it's really not that hard of a field to start out in. All you need is the right sound and lighting equipment and some good promotion, and you too can be DJing parties of your own.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sound equipment
• Lighting equipment

How to Buy Your First Set of DJ Equipment

1. Your first step is to sit down and make a plan. What is your budget? What kind of gigs do you want to do? How much room do you have to store and transport your equipment? These are all crucial questions to ask yourself before going shopping for DJ equipment/

2. Research your audio equipment. You can't get a party started without music, right? Well, there is definitely a certain level of sound equipment that you need to have to function as a DJ. The equipment you cannot live without includes at least one set of speakers, a set of subs, a CD player (preferably with dual CD drives), RCA cables, a microphone, microphone cables, an amplifier, a small soundboard and headphones. You can get out cheaply at around $3,000, but I would recommend investing at least $5,000 to get semi-quality speakers and subs. The more money you spend, the more professional your system will sound. The more professional you come across as being, the more gigs you will get.

3. Buy some turntables. You can operate without these, but you really can't be called a DJ unless you can operate some turntables. A beginner's set will cost you about $1,000.

4. Research stage and effect lighting. A DJ is nothing is he's unable to create an atmosphere to accompany his sound. A basic lighting setup will include: a lighting control board, dimmers, at least eight par can fixtures, two tree stands and four DMX effect lights. Effect lights can include moon flowers, strobes, intelligent lighting or lasers. You simply must invest in a hazer; not a fogger, but a hazer. A hazer will create a thin haze throughout your venue that will reflect your lighting and create an incredible effect. If you have the money, invest in DMX lighting for both your pars and moving head fixtures. DMX lighting will give you the ability to do color changes, movement and effect lighting at the touch of a button. It will also turn your light show from adequate to "wow."

5. Buy your equipment. Now that you have done all of your pricing research, decide what you can live with (and what you can live without). Make sure that you get all the basics; then, if there is anything left over in your budget, apply it toward equipment upgrades. Again, the higher quality equipment you purchase, the better show you can put on. The better show you can put on, the more gigs you will get in the future.

Tips & Warnings

• Always go into a showroom and talk to a sales rep before buying your equipment. You can still buy your equipement online or from another dealer, but a salesperson will most likely be able to tell you if you need other equipment to operate what you have purchased. There is nothing worse than using up your budget on equipment and then realizing that you need another piece of hardware to operate what you have already bought.