How do I become a DJ?

Question

I want to start doing Trance/Hard Trance/Techno, ect. type music and just want to know what kind of equipment would I need to pley this kind of music. I did find a DJ effects mixer thing called a yamaha DJX-IIB rythmym and effects unit that allows me to play electronica style music but I havent seen anything else like it or know of any other equipment used to play electronic music. I DO NOT want to do any rap or hip hop style electronic music! I thought of getting some turntables and a mixer unit for doing it but I dont think they will produce the effects stuff as heard in trance or techno music. any help in becoming a DJ will be most helpful!!

Answer 1

really all depends on what you want to do.

do you want to spin records/cds or do a live PA?

regardless its going to become quite pricey, if youre ready for that.

if you wanna go with the classic vinyl and decks...
tables, i always suggest tech12's of course (technics 1200s)

mixer, anything in your price range that isnt a piece of garbage and is going to get a bloody fader/levels in a week.

records are gonna cost you about 8 to 10 bucks a track, you can start looking on sites such as imodj.com, juno.co.uk, and htfr.com, or search on ebay for people selling lots of 10 or more, its a good way to start up a collection for cheap.

needles, i always suggest shure m447's because theyre my fave.

if you wanna go the route of digital play, you could either invest in cdjs (i suggest pioneer cdj1000's, or if you wanna go cheaper get the 100's) you could also stick with the tables and get a laptop and serato scratch (research it for details)

livePA would become a bit more pricey than all of these because you would need to invest in quite a few keyboards/synths/etc. all your sets would be live straight from your head pretty much, but carrying all that equipment around is a lot tougher than lugging a crate.

another route you can take is producing your own choons. learn software programs such as cubase, protools, reason, acid, etc then you can take whatever you produce to cd and play it digitally on cdjs, and also possibly market it to be picked up by a label and pressed or sold digitally.

i think ive covered everything. hope this helps. good luck :)

p.s. - always support the electronic music scene and buy your tracks legally. soulseek is a no no.

Answer 2

It always comes down to the turntables first master the basics because when you spin at events that's what you'll be using mostly as well as cd-mixers a good cd mixer can produce the same effects as a 1200.

For gear check out the shop at www.ministryofsound.com and don't be afraid to ask questions in forums like the ones there or at djforums.com and find a mentor.

Get a board with at least 4 channels. You'll also want a notebook computer with say Sound Forge software and PCDJ Red.

Answer 3

I really understand you and I can tell you, that there is just one way not to go crazy: relax. There is not much you can do. Be the best girlfriend he can wish for and don't start to nag him about it because he will get annoyed and he will start to look at you in a different (worse) way. Sadly, there will be girls playing and coming to him, you can just hope he's mature enough not to go with them. In a case this happens and he goes with another girl, I know is easy to say, but obviously he wasn't right for you; if he does it so easily then you don't need a cheater. And remember - you have to have trust in him but especially in you! If you don't believe you are a nice girl, think about the fact that such a good looking boy choose to stay with you! Always be yourself and good luck ;)

Answer 4

Start on your PC mixing with like virtual DJ..see when i started back in 82 there where only turntables and cassette decks..its so much easier now in days..the software beatmixes both tunes with a click of a button..start with that then go on turntables and mess with those .. go to tjdj's.com or other message boards to get more info..good luck

Answer 5

I have a lot of friends who are DJs and they have a HUGE amount of cds [about 6.000] . that's the first thing..
then you can start by playing in parties and you go on doing that as a job..

Answer 6

go to a black homeboy