So, you want to become a DJ? Good news! Thanks to modern technology, almost anyone with a creative spark can start DJing.
Practice makes perfect and it might take a while before you are ready to get on that stage, but when you work hard, you will get there.
It is important to create an enormous database of wav-files of songs you like because you can’t mix songs from Spotify.
But before you start: these are the things you need when you want to start DJ-ing.
DJ Decks
The first thing a DJ needs is a so-called DJ deck. This is the thing you play your music on, your disk jockey booth.
There are many types of decks to choose from. If you’re just starting out, a DJ controller (which combines a deck and a mixer) is a great option.
It’s affordable and gets the job done. When you’re becoming a professional, a CJD system is the holy grail.
This offers a range of features that are invaluable for advanced DJ sets. If you’re looking for a middle ground, an all-in-one DJ system is a great option.
Headphones
Aside from a deck, such as an alphateta, a real DJ needs good headphones.
Headphones are crucial when you are mixing live because you can listen to the next song before mixing it into the song that’s currently playing.
At the same time, good headphones are needed when you are pre-mixing as well.
Beginner DJs may struggle to choose the right headphones since they require different features than those found in regular consumer models.
You are going to use these headphones a lot, so they need to be durable and comfortable.
The quality of sound is crucial. You can check the quality of your headphones by playing an mp3-file and a wav-file right after each other.
Do you hear the difference? With good headphones, wav-files will sound way better than mp3-files.
Speakers
When you perform as a DJ, there will usually be speakers at the venue. But when you are premixing at home, you want some good quality speakers.
Listening through speakers while mixing is crucial because your audience will be hearing the music through speakers, not headphones.
While the difference may be subtle, the sound produced by speakers isn’t quite the same as what you hear in your headphones.
Go for two speakers for the stereo effect. When you are just starting you’ll be fine working with portable Bluetooth speakers, but there will come a time when you will prefer quality over practicality.