How to Be A DJ - Part 4 - The Basic Equipment Setup

As a DJ, there's a certain way to place all of your hardware for maximum efficiency. Below, I will go over the simple industry standards for your basic DJ equipment setup.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Your basic setup should look like something similar to the image on the left. Please click to enlarge. Two turntables, with a mixer in between. Depending on your comfort with the height of the equipment, you can choose to take the turntables out of their cases for a lower setup, leave the turntables inside their cases for a little higher setup, or leave the turntables inside and place the lid of the case underneath for maximum height. It's up to you.

2. 

   If you're going to be doing any scratching, you'll need to turn each of the turntables 90 degrees counterclockwise, so the base of the arm on the turntable is at the back of your setup. (See image) The reason for this is because the arm is out of the way for all of the basic scratching techniques you'd be doing. The last thing you'd want to do is hit the needle with your arm while scratching and risk damaging the record, or even worse, your needle. I recommend this setup even if you're not scratching. It just looks better.

3. 

   The laptop is for use with a program such as Serato Scartch Live, where you can map your mp3s onto the vinyl on the turntables. Notice the laptop placement in front of the setup on it's own stand. This is better than to the side of either of the turntables, as you don't have to keep moving back and forth between tracks. A laptop stand in front of you will make things a lot more accessible, and you have the ability to always keep your eye on the tracks and face forward toward the crowd at all times.

4. If you're just working on a setup at home, just place your speakers anywhere that is convenient for you. You want to make sure you have your left and right speakers setup correctly. If you're DJing a party or event, I shouldn't have to tell you where the speakers should go, nor should you be reading this beginner's article, hah! But just to fill everyone in, you should have your speakers spread out in both the front and the back of the rooms (at least 4 total for the full surround effect.) You should also have a monitor set up close to you, underneath your table or right behind you so you can hear the real time sounds of your music, and not your echos, which would make you get off beat.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're not comfortable with the way things are set up, you can always move your equipment around until it works for you.
• Your turntables should always be flat and never angled in any direction, as this will affect the quality and speed of your music. Usually, turntables have adjustable feet that can level off most uneven surfaces.
• Please follow the instructions of each piece of equipment in order to properly connect everything and finally get a sound out of your speakers.

Resources

• Part 1 - How to Start
• Part 2 - The Best Equipment To Start With
• Part 3 – Additional Equipment to Think About
• Part 5 – Understand How DJ Equipment Works

[Sidhartha]

on 11/12/2008 awsome info