So you want to be a DJ, but have no clue what you’re doing? Are you a complete noob? Well then, this article is for you. This is the first of a series or articles that will help explain some of the basic questions that seem to come up from time to time in the forums.
First. what does all that gear do?
It all depends on what it is exactly you want to do, but here are the basics that will point you in the proper direction.
You are going to need some sources of audio. The turntable (record/phonograph player) has been the standard for as long as DJing has been around. If you have turntables, you have to have a cartridge/needle to pick up what is on the record. As technology progresses, so do the opportunities, which is where CD decks and MP3 decks come into play. Some of these new decks will play strictly CDs that are in the format a store bought CD comes in, whereas others play MP3s solely, and some play both formats. Once again, it is all in what exactly you’re looking for.
In this edition of the Beginners Guide to DJing, we will be talking about things you need to know when you decide its time to buy your decks (slang for turntables). There are several features that are a must, and several features that depend on what your style of mixing asks for.
Belt driven v. Direct drive whats the difference?
There are two basic designs for the operation of the platter; belt driven and direct drive.
Belt driven turntables have the actual motor that spins the platter (the part you put the record on) offset from the center of the platter, and a belt (often nothing more than a big rubber band) is looped around a shaft extending from the motor, and connects to the bottom of the platter.
CD Decks In our last installment of the Beginner’s Guide to DJing, we talked about the “standard” (for the past few decades) DJ tool, the turntable. As modern technology becomes more advanced, performing artists’ options tend to increase. Not only do DJs benefit from technology, mainstream music, and “on the side” musicians benefit as well. In this edition of the guide, we are going to talk about the more recent addition to a DJ’s arsenal, the CD (compact disc) player.
What is a CD? If for some reason you’ve been cooped up in a cave for the past 20 years, a CD (short for Compact Disc), is a digital storage device. Thru the use of lasers, and “pits and grooves”, a CD can store up to 700MB of data, or 80 minutes of high quality music, all in a package about 5″ in diameter.
In this installment of A Beginner’s Guide to Djing, we will continue on with the basics of the DJ mixer. It is pretty clear that mixer quality (and features) can be a big factor in what a DJ can do (not to undermine the quality of music sources, or any other necessary gear, of course). Mixers come in a great variety of shapes and styles, and the specific functionality (fancy features) can vary widely from mixer to mixer, save the very basic mixers. Fancy features can be distracting and confusing to a new DJ, as will, quite possibly, some of the more basic features. Let’s jump right in and see if we can eliminate some of that confusion.
How many sources can I plug into my mixer?
Most mixers range from either two to four channels. This means you can either attach two, three, or four sources (turntables, CD players, mp3 players, etc.). Many models also allow multiple (usually two) sources to be connected per channel, with a selector switch on the face (the top of the mixer, where the faders, switches, and knobs are located). On a four-channel mixer, this multiplies the four sources into eight.
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