DJ Guide

Everything you need to know

DJing is an art form that has evolved rapidly over the last 30 years. It all began in the 1970s when the concept of "beatmatching" first appeared, which is the rhythmic matching of two tracks during the process of transitioning between them. The DJ setup back then consisted of two decks and a mixer, similar and in some cases identical to the setup that is still widely used today. This guide was created to help beginner DJs choose the equipment that suits them wisely.

Turntables: Commonly known as "turntables," they were the first device that enabled DJs to successfully mix two tracks. The most famous turntable in DJing history is the legendary Technics SL 1200, or simply MK 2, which even today remains the "weapon" of many DJs around the world due to its robust construction and exceptional sound performance. Choosing and purchasing turntables requires attention, as their build quality and ease of use will determine how quickly or slowly a DJ's skills will develop.

CD Players: DJ CD players came into the spotlight with the rise of Compact Disc players and the well-known CDs. To make things easier for us, they offer the ability to "mark" a track at the point where we want to start it, and allow us to increase or decrease the track's tempo to achieve a successful mix. With technological advancements and the introduction of MP3s, modern DJ CD players can play MP3/CDs, read tracks from USB sticks, and can also be used as controllers for DJ software, as we will discuss later.

Mixers: The mixer is perhaps the most important element in a DJ’s setup. It determines what goes “on air,” in other words, what the DJ’s audience hears. It also allows the DJ to listen to the next track they select in their headphones without it being played out loud. CD players, turntables, or even controllers are connected to the mixer. The reason it is so important is this: it is the primary pre-amplification of our sources. This means that no matter how good our sound system, MP3 files, CD players, or controller may be, if they are connected to a low-quality mixer, the mixer will amplify the signal poorly, and that low-quality signal will reach the listeners' ears, affecting the entire equipment chain.

Headphones: Headphones are the primary monitoring tool, meaning that through them, the DJ listens to the next track they are about to select and mix. A good pair of DJ headphones should provide good isolation from external noise and be comfortable to wear, as the DJ might wear them for long periods of time. Additionally, the headphones should have relatively low impedance (32-80 ohms) to reach the desired volume in a club environment without distorting the sound, depending on their build quality. This leads us to the question: is it worth investing a significant amount in headphones? – Absolutely. Even from the first steps in DJing, choosing the right headphones is crucial. Headphones that reproduce music clearly ensure accurate monitoring, making the mixing process easier, even from the very beginning. And the most important thing? We protect our hearing. When we hear clearly, with good isolation, there’s no need to turn the volume up to the maximum, thus preventing strain on our ears.

Basic setup

2 Turntables / 1 Mixer

This setup consists of two turntables of our choice and at least a two-channel mixer. The turntables are connected to the corresponding channels of the mixer via RCA cables, and the mixer's output goes directly to our sound system. The mixer's output can also be RCA, but for more "professional" connections, mixers with XLR outputs are used, as they provide better sound quality.

2 or more CD Players / 1 Mixer

This is the most common setup one can encounter. It consists of two CD players connected to our mixer via RCA cables. Similarly, the mixer’s output goes to the sound system. In more expensive setups, mixers with XLR outputs are used to achieve the best possible sound quality. All state-of-the-art CD players can play various audio formats (WAV, MP3, AIFF, FLAC, etc.) and can also connect to USB sticks.

Dj controller Setup

It consists of a MIDI controller, software (Traktor, Serato, Virtual DJ, etc.) installed on a computer, and a laptop. The controller, depending on its capabilities, can be used simply for triggering (playing) the tracks or even as a mixer, as many controllers now have a built-in sound card that can be connected directly to our sound system, bypassing an external mixer. A controller that includes a sound card also performs signal pre-amplification and converts a digital signal (MP3s, WAV) to analog. It should be noted that the on-board sound cards of laptops are not suitable for professional use. For this reason, purchasing a basic MIDI controller (without a built-in sound card) should be accompanied by the purchase of a suitable external sound card.

Ηybrid setups

With this term, we refer to any setup where we use CD players or turntables as controllers. Essentially, we use CDs or vinyl records with timecode to play MP3 files through our computer using an external sound card. To achieve this, we connect the outputs of our turntables or CD players to the input of the sound card. Then, the vinyl or CD communicates via the timecode with the sound card, which in turn "translates" our movements and applies them to the digital file (MP3, WAV) loaded on our computer. For example, when we increase the BPM on the turntable or CD player, the BPM also changes within the software.

Setup Examples:

2 CD players, 1 external sound card, laptop

2 turntables, 1 external sound card, laptop

DAW Dj-ing

The term DAW refers to all Digital Audio Workstations, such as Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase, and Ableton Live. The latter is essentially what laid the foundations for the evolution of all DAWs in the realm of DJing. Using Ableton for DJing requires a good understanding of the program and the basic functions of its "Session View," as well as an external sound card and a MIDI controller, through which the DJ controls the entire program, performs mixes, and adds various effects. In reality, for a beginner DJ, using Ableton may seem quite challenging, but with this setup, the DJ's capabilities are only limited by their imagination.

Conclusion

Regardless of the style of music a DJ chooses, what they must understand from the very beginning is that practice and in-depth knowledge of the equipment they use are their main tools for growth. A DJ who practices and knows their equipment well is far more likely to “move” their audience compared to someone who simply switches tracks one after another. Finally, a DJ should feel “secure” and comfortable with their choice of setup so they can focus entirely on the creative and artistic aspect of DJing, as well as on entertaining their audience.