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DJ equipment?

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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483

i really wanna get farther into to djing and mixing beats and such. im looking into buying a cd mixer so i can scratch and beat match.  i would go for a turntable but records cost too much to buy everytime.

so far i have really been looking into this    http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gemini-CDM3600-Dual-CD-Mixer-DJ-Workstation?sku=801674   but not too sure if it is very good or not.  im looking for something that isn't very pricy and is something decent to start out on

Nov 6 2009 5:17PM
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Dbouch
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 13
Yeah, correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think that is going to scratch.
Just because it has jog wheels does not mean you are going to be able to scratch with it.

If I were you, I would look for a software/midi controller setup to start out on.
Like Taktor and a Numark Omnicontrol or something.
It's just really handy having your entire music library there for you to mix.
Nov 6 2009 6:02PM
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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
your more than likely right. im new to this. haha. but yeah the software/midi's can be hooked up to speakers right?
Nov 6 2009 6:09PM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Never buy gemini, and you can not just hook up software to speakers, you need an audio interface

just get some used technics and serato
Nov 6 2009 6:10PM
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factory81
Posts: 3967 - Karma: 63
Hercules DJ Console RMX
M-Audio Torq Xponent
Vestex VCI-100 or VCI-300

All great midi controllers with built in sound.

Nov 6 2009 6:12PM
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Dbouch
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 13
Thats a little pricy for someone just starting out, but if you like mixing, you will probably end up with this set up after awhile anyways.
Nov 6 2009 11:12PM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
expensive for someone starting out is anything that wont last 25 years.

its best to just start out with the best gear so you dont have to upgrade
Nov 6 2009 11:17PM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
The whole respect thing is so true. I, and every other "core/vinyl" dj hate microwave DJs, if you are going to DJ, learn to do it the right way
Nov 7 2009 12:13AM
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factory81
Posts: 3967 - Karma: 63
Yeah learn to DJ the right way, with electronic bpm match and shit..........

Buy some turntables if you want to buy new needles and have an 8ft wide table to give up for a mixer / 2 turntables. And when all is said and done you will just be another digital DJ playing around on their laptop with Serato.

It "looks more respectable", but lets not get out of hand, you could sit with a simple midi controller and do the exact same thing in Ableton without having to carry a coffin case around.

I use the Hercules DJ Console RMX and a laptop. I can fit my entire setup in my backpack, and I like it that way.

I don't think anyone should ever start out with a pair of CDJ1000's and a DJM800 or a Xone 4d, Macbook Pro, and 2 SL1200's and Scratch....

While you are at it....start out with 4 decks......oh and don't forget how much space vinyl takes up, and how much it costs...and how hard it is to find locally sometimes.

Milk cartons full of fuckin vinyl lol. I remember this one kid had a whole pickup truck full of vinyl, he thought he needed it all for this one party where he was going to DJ for 2 hours. He spent as much time setting up and taking down as he did playing.

Nov 7 2009 12:35AM
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rYb
Posts: 944 - Karma: -12
Ive just been messing around on virtual dj pro.

Im looking into getting into DJing, if i get okay ill DJ my schools dances and stuff but would need some advice as well as to what equipment to get.
Nov 7 2009 1:28AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
No you cant.

Lets see you scratch in ableton with a midi controller or mix tracks with out warping them.

And carrying around a coffin case? Every single place I have spun has techs, only thing I ever carry is my serato box, and sometimes my rane ttm 56
Nov 7 2009 1:43AM
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mattster
Posts: 4120 - Karma: 41
Serato is amazingly useful, but dont stare at the laptop the whole time or youll look like a computer nerd
Nov 7 2009 5:37AM
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Brenone
Posts: 4944 - Karma: 296
start out with a pair of technique 1200's. you can find a used pair and a mixer online somewhere. when your ready to spend some money buy Pioneer CD J's. please dont learn how to dj with software.
Nov 7 2009 9:05AM
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idontactuallyski
Posts: 1320 - Karma: 19
just get dj hero, it's legit.
Nov 7 2009 10:04AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
This isnt such a good idea. I had cdjs and hated them, so boring to use, I know alot of other djs that feel the same way
Nov 7 2009 10:12AM
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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
i really just wanna start out as cheap as i can price wise. i am really on a tight budget. but is the stanton dj lab 2 a good choice to start out with as a basic setup? ill be looking to upgrade the mixer later
Nov 7 2009 10:16AM
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Bigwoods
Posts: 3116 - Karma: 76
I started out with a Gemini mixer and a laptop with virtual DJ. Sounds like a weak setup, and it is, but I learnt how to beat match, what songs go with what, how to mix and all that shit, did about 20 parties with it and it made me great money. Cost me $40 (virtual DJ = free and laptop i had)

Now I'm running a MacBook, DJIO, Scratch Live, 2 CDJ200s and the SAME Gemini mixer. Before I bought all that I really considered:
Hercules RMX
Vestax VCI-100
Those are very good pieces of DJ equipement and im sure you could find them cheap. Just remember though, im pretty sure the VCI 100 (dont know about the RMX) doesnt have dual channel, meaning you can connect headphones but you cant listen to the next song, thats when you buy a DJIO which acts like a second sound card and you can now mix.

Good luck
Nov 7 2009 11:02AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Never buy DJ in a box kits
Nov 7 2009 11:13AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
And you're just going to have to realize that DJing is very expensive, just save up more. My setup is about 6grand (claim) and I got it all working min wage
Nov 7 2009 11:14AM
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factory81
Posts: 3967 - Karma: 63
If you go the expensive route........

Meanwhile I have a buddy with a used M-Audio Delta 44 that he bought off ebay for $37 shipped. The he bought a M-Audio UC-33 for $179 open box at Guitar Center........needless to say he can do all the digital mixing he wants with all those rotary knobs and sliders.

My RMX was $229 open box @ Guitar Center, it just needed its firmware flashed. And its respectable enough to use in one of Chicagos top electronic music night clubs (Blank & Jones used it last time they were at Vision).


Nov 7 2009 11:35AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Im talking about "traditional/real" dj setups.


but if your talking cost, factor in the cost of ableton as well, same price as serato.


anywho im making a custom midi controller right now for one of my engineering classes, ill make a thread when its done
Nov 7 2009 12:34PM
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Larz-the-Ninja
Posts: 2976 - Karma: 14
Buy my DJ headphones! check my threads
Nov 7 2009 12:41PM
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Dbouch
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 13
The custom midi controller thing is awesome, is it just going to be all buttons, or are you throwing knobs and sliders and such in there too?

Awesome website for DIY Dj stuff http://www.djtechtools.com
Nov 7 2009 1:30PM
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wobbly_panda
Posts: 155 - Karma: 10
This is true. They're not nearly as satisfying and just feel like a toy.
Nov 10 2009 12:58AM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
buy my tech 12s and mixer! and then pick up scratch or serato off craigslist for 200 more and youre set!!!
Nov 10 2009 1:13AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Knobs, sliders, and monome buttons
Nov 10 2009 1:16AM
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