Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
DJ Amps and speakers
For any aspiring DJ they will always start their career mixing it up, locked away in their bedroom and cranking all they can from there Multi Media system or struggling hi-fi system. Everyone has fancied themselves as a DJ at some point in their lives and everyone has given it a go, blasting out intermittent commentary to their poor unsuspecting neighbors, on the mentioned equipment. This is all very well and good if you want to spend the rest of your life as a bedroom DJ but if you have any ambitions then you need to be taking that next crucial step and get hold of a proper DJ Amp and DJ Speakers.
An amplifier and speakers allows you to take all of the sounds that have come from the turntable and into the mixer and turn them into legible noise that fills the room where you are playing.
In some cases you can buy the amp and speakers combined but this tend to make it more expensive so for now you’re much better buying these two pieces of DJ equipment separately.
Before we move on to the product reviews we would like to first give you a basic lesson in understanding in how your amps and speakers actually work.
How does an amp work?
Amplifiers surround us in many different guises. The most well known type of amp will obviously be present in the form of your personal stereo or your television. These two devices are both amplifiers in a sense as they both receive sound vibrations and amplify them outwards so that you can hear them. And the list doesn’t stop there. Amplifiers can be found in computers or CD players and in fact anything that uses a speaker to transmit sound.
Obviously sound is the one thing that the amp feeds upon. Sound itself is a very unusual yet totally natural phenomenon. Sound waves are formed when an object such as the string on a guitar is plucked, and the air around the string then vibrates in unison with the vibration of the string. This vibrating air is then resonated outwards in a pulse like motion until it reaches your ear and appears as sound. The ear itself works by picking up this vibration and fluctuations in air pressure and then the brain begins the process of deciphering these signals so that you can make sense of it.
An amplifier does pretty much the same thing by receiving an electric current and then converting it into another signal whilst boosting this converted signal at the same time.
Ok so this is a pretty basic explanation but hopefully you may be able to understand a little bit more about the process.
An amplifier and speakers allows you to take all of the sounds that have come from the turntable and into the mixer and turn them into legible noise that fills the room where you are playing.
In some cases you can buy the amp and speakers combined but this tend to make it more expensive so for now you’re much better buying these two pieces of DJ equipment separately.
Before we move on to the product reviews we would like to first give you a basic lesson in understanding in how your amps and speakers actually work.
How does an amp work?
Amplifiers surround us in many different guises. The most well known type of amp will obviously be present in the form of your personal stereo or your television. These two devices are both amplifiers in a sense as they both receive sound vibrations and amplify them outwards so that you can hear them. And the list doesn’t stop there. Amplifiers can be found in computers or CD players and in fact anything that uses a speaker to transmit sound.
Obviously sound is the one thing that the amp feeds upon. Sound itself is a very unusual yet totally natural phenomenon. Sound waves are formed when an object such as the string on a guitar is plucked, and the air around the string then vibrates in unison with the vibration of the string. This vibrating air is then resonated outwards in a pulse like motion until it reaches your ear and appears as sound. The ear itself works by picking up this vibration and fluctuations in air pressure and then the brain begins the process of deciphering these signals so that you can make sense of it.
An amplifier does pretty much the same thing by receiving an electric current and then converting it into another signal whilst boosting this converted signal at the same time.
Ok so this is a pretty basic explanation but hopefully you may be able to understand a little bit more about the process.
DJ Headphones
For as many different types of Decks and Mixers there are probably 3-1 headphones to match. The choice is dazzling and you will be amazed at how many there are. What you’re looking for when starting out is fairly simple headphones that do what there supposed to do. Try to avoid working with or buying in ear headphones, they have a tendency to allow in noise pollution which complicates things when you’re attempting to work with the beat and get your timing right.
The best bet is to go for headphones that close over the entire ear which is known as a ‘can’. I could spend all day going on about the best model vs the worst model but that would be pointless and it wouldn’t help you in the slightest.
As makes go it seems that Sennheisser are the most popular choice amongst DJ’s but Sony are chasing there tail very hard with innovative and new models being developed all the time. With this in mind it all boils down to budget and what you can afford. There is nothing wrong with buying second hand and then upgrading your equipment once the money starts rolling in.
What headphones to buy all depend largely on what kind of DJ work you are aiming to specialize in? Obviously the main priority is to hear the music without any outside pollution. A lot of stores will be happy for you to try out there equipment before buying so it might be best to visit a DJ equipment store so that you can try out each range.
Bigger tips to follow are making a list of each model and try to determine your choice on the benefits of each brand. Once you have your list you can then begin the selection process. It is important at this stage that you investigate each product using the internet. What you will find in many cases is the cost on the internet can sometimes be half the price of what you might pay at a bricks and mortar store.
The best bet is to go for headphones that close over the entire ear which is known as a ‘can’. I could spend all day going on about the best model vs the worst model but that would be pointless and it wouldn’t help you in the slightest.
As makes go it seems that Sennheisser are the most popular choice amongst DJ’s but Sony are chasing there tail very hard with innovative and new models being developed all the time. With this in mind it all boils down to budget and what you can afford. There is nothing wrong with buying second hand and then upgrading your equipment once the money starts rolling in.
What headphones to buy all depend largely on what kind of DJ work you are aiming to specialize in? Obviously the main priority is to hear the music without any outside pollution. A lot of stores will be happy for you to try out there equipment before buying so it might be best to visit a DJ equipment store so that you can try out each range.
Bigger tips to follow are making a list of each model and try to determine your choice on the benefits of each brand. Once you have your list you can then begin the selection process. It is important at this stage that you investigate each product using the internet. What you will find in many cases is the cost on the internet can sometimes be half the price of what you might pay at a bricks and mortar store.
DJ Mixers
It is important that before we feature or review any type of mixer that you first understand some of the jargon that can be associated with DJ Mixers as this is an important step if you want to master your art.
Apologies for the DJ’s out there who already know their business but we all have to start somewhere and this is as good a place to start as any.
The DJ mixer will give the DJ the ability to have ultimate control over the input and output of their music. This will aid them when cutting in from one track to another, cueing the next song and mixing the next song with perfect timing and precision. It is quite popular for Mixers to control the lighting as well as the sound.
The typical Mixer will have:
• Two channels both left and right. These channels are used to source the sound from each of your two decks. Obviously the left channel controls the source from the left turntable and the right channel controls the source from the right turntable. This will give the DJ control over which source, left or right, they wish to cue music or sound from.
• Selector switch that allows you to cue your headphones. This will also give you the option on which source (turntable) you want to hear from. DJ’s will use this function to find the right place to cue the music from so that they are one step ahead of the crowd.
• Gain switch which controls the volume of sound coming into the mixer from the two decks.
• Equalizer which will give you low frequency, medium frequency and high frequency.
• Basic cross fader. Allows you to fade music in and out of your two sources.
We have to stress that buying the mixer doesn’t make the DJ and to our earlier point you will have to work long and hard at becoming a success in this profession. The great news is anything is possible and if you put the time and effort in you will and cannot fail.
In later articles we will be exploring the varying techniques that DJ’s use to get the most from their mixers and how they form a unique DJ Mix style that becomes a recognizable footprint of their work.
The mixers set out below are featured again with budget and practicality at the forefront of our research. We will aim to give you reviews on each of the featured products but this isn’t always possible.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Dj Equipment
Seeing that you have come this far you are probably adamant that pursuing a DJ career is just the right career path for you. Well first of all congratulations you have just started out on a very exciting and fun filled career…………………….that is if you learn from the start that you will inevitably have some hiccups along the way.
Hopefully you have taken notes from the first and second articles ‘how to DJ’ and ‘learn how to DJ’ and you have applied some of the points that we have made reference to. By now you should have gained some or not lots of relevant experience within your chosen DJ field and you are ready to strike out and make that first and most important step to buying your own DJ Equipment.
DJ Decks
Don’t the very words ‘DJ Decks’ fill you with a growing sense of excitement and awe? Every great DJ has Decks and they are just as important to the great DJ’s as they are to you. The market is awash with every conceivable type of Decks or Turntables so choosing the right ones that will give you great and lasting service yet won’t break the bank is a very important factor.
First of all let’s understand a little bit about the decks before we move on to making our first purchase.
Belt Drive At the cheaper end of the market, turntables can be found in two different forms. On one the turntable is driven by a belt drive which basically means a motor is connected to the turntable by an oversized elastic band, which drives the turntable or platter when the motor spins.
Direct Drive Considered being a more reliable form of drive is the direct drive which doesn’t have an elastic band connecting the motor to the platter. The direct drive consists of a motor that is attached to an object known as a spindle which is placed directly in the centre of the platter.
Which is the best you are asking???
It’s generally considered that the Direct Drive is better than the Belt Drive and for several logical reasons.
• A belt drive is reliant on the tension or strain on the belt to keep the platter spinning at a regular speed. Loose just a little of this tension and you may find that your beat isn’t quite as sharp as it is supposed to be.
• It is inevitable that you will want to mix it up and as part of your mixing technique you will want to drop records on the beat. Direct drives have the ability to propel them up to speed very efficiently and are quite accurate yet the same can’t be said for the belt drives.
With these points taken into consideration you are no doubt reliant on the budget you have in terms of buying your decks. Direct Drive will no doubt give you a superior set of decks but you will also have to shell out more for the privilege. There are probably 1000’s of DJ’s who started out with Belt Drive Decks and for the pleasure of owning this inferior brand, they no doubt have a very unique style that has been partially adapted by the quality of the DJ Equipment in their possession. What we are saying is even the most expensive brand on the market doesn’t guarantee that you will be a successful DJ!!
Below we have listed some of the more popular Decks with budget still in mind. With each DJ deck we have done our best to provide you with relevant and up to date reviews (if available) on the featured product so that you can have the best insight into the technical advantages of this equipment.
Hopefully you have taken notes from the first and second articles ‘how to DJ’ and ‘learn how to DJ’ and you have applied some of the points that we have made reference to. By now you should have gained some or not lots of relevant experience within your chosen DJ field and you are ready to strike out and make that first and most important step to buying your own DJ Equipment.
DJ Decks
Don’t the very words ‘DJ Decks’ fill you with a growing sense of excitement and awe? Every great DJ has Decks and they are just as important to the great DJ’s as they are to you. The market is awash with every conceivable type of Decks or Turntables so choosing the right ones that will give you great and lasting service yet won’t break the bank is a very important factor.
First of all let’s understand a little bit about the decks before we move on to making our first purchase.
Belt Drive At the cheaper end of the market, turntables can be found in two different forms. On one the turntable is driven by a belt drive which basically means a motor is connected to the turntable by an oversized elastic band, which drives the turntable or platter when the motor spins.
Direct Drive Considered being a more reliable form of drive is the direct drive which doesn’t have an elastic band connecting the motor to the platter. The direct drive consists of a motor that is attached to an object known as a spindle which is placed directly in the centre of the platter.
Which is the best you are asking???
It’s generally considered that the Direct Drive is better than the Belt Drive and for several logical reasons.
• A belt drive is reliant on the tension or strain on the belt to keep the platter spinning at a regular speed. Loose just a little of this tension and you may find that your beat isn’t quite as sharp as it is supposed to be.
• It is inevitable that you will want to mix it up and as part of your mixing technique you will want to drop records on the beat. Direct drives have the ability to propel them up to speed very efficiently and are quite accurate yet the same can’t be said for the belt drives.
With these points taken into consideration you are no doubt reliant on the budget you have in terms of buying your decks. Direct Drive will no doubt give you a superior set of decks but you will also have to shell out more for the privilege. There are probably 1000’s of DJ’s who started out with Belt Drive Decks and for the pleasure of owning this inferior brand, they no doubt have a very unique style that has been partially adapted by the quality of the DJ Equipment in their possession. What we are saying is even the most expensive brand on the market doesn’t guarantee that you will be a successful DJ!!
Below we have listed some of the more popular Decks with budget still in mind. With each DJ deck we have done our best to provide you with relevant and up to date reviews (if available) on the featured product so that you can have the best insight into the technical advantages of this equipment.
Learn How To DJ
Learning how to DJ is like anything in life, the more time you dedicate to this activity the better you will become at being a DJ. Think about this for a second. Do you think that a world class football star or a number 1 seed tennis player got to the place that they are at by flirting with their profession? Of coarse they didn’t. They got to where they are through determination, persistence and through practice, practice and more practice.
Sure certain people are born with specific skills and talents but you can only improve these talents by continually practicing the thing that you are attempting to be good at. Learning how to DJ is no different to any of the mentioned skills so the very first concept that you just have to become accustomed to is the fact that you will have to work long and hard if you want to become good at being a DJ. We have all seen the rubbish DJ’s, who show up for parties with decrepit and old DJ equipment that stops working halfway through the party. Do you think these guys have worked hard honing their skills so that they give the public the best experience that they can??
I don’t think so………………
Number one rule – Be prepared to work hard learning your profession and understand the kind of effort that you have to put in before you even think about getting the show off the ground. There are a few things that you can put into practice that will help you measure this work in a practical way without having to shell out on expensive equipment.
Buy the equipment before you try the following points and you may find that you have made a very expensive mistake!!
Only you will know which area of DJ-ing truly excites you. You might want to DJ at parties/clubs or even fancy the radio. Whatever your inspiration it is important to gain as much relevant experience as possible. We recommend that you contact a local DJ within your desired area so that you can accompany them and get an understanding of what it is they actually do for a living. This will allow you to take a peek under the bonnet and gain invaluable experience without making expensive mistakes.
If you follow point one and you decide that being a DJ is for you then you may want to trial the profession before jumping in with both feet. Hopefully by now you have struck up some type of relationship with the person who ‘showed you the ropes’. There is no harm in asking if it is possible that you manage a few sets for them so that you gain great experience and you can get a real and live taste of being a DJ.
Try DJ-ing for family or friends at first. Ok it may seem a little daunting or embarrassing but at least you will have a willing audience who are desperate for you to make a great impression. This is also a great way to cut your teeth and gain some relevant experience.
Offer your DJ services for free for a few gigs. This way you will be able to gain relevant experience and build a fan base or work on a client base.
Number two rule – Be prepared to take feedback no matter what form it comes in. There is an old and relevant saying that goes like this, ‘Feedback is the breakfast of champions’. It is solid and undeniable fact that if you truly want to succeed at something and be a master then you must be open to criticism and be able to take feedback. Feedback will make you better and better but only if you act on the advice that is offered to you. Critics are essential if we are aiming to be world class in what we do so listen to them with an open mind. Even if you don’t agree with what they are saying at the time, quite often we walk away from a situation and on self reflection we can see their point more clearly.
Most DJ’s start out their career with very little in the form of equipment. This is usually down to cost, commitment or both but the basic equipment needed comes in the form of two turntables, a mixer which is integrated with two or more channels and of coarse a cross fader. Then you will need specialist equipment so that you can hear your sounds and these will include an amplifier some speakers and of coarsen what kind of DJ would you be without a set of Earphones?
In the next section we will be taking a look at DJ Equipment and aiming to understand what you will need to become a DJ with samples of basic DJ Equipment and the set up of this equipment. Throughout this article we will attempt to guide you towards the best value for money equipment so that you can start out your venture with some great DJ Equipment that hasn’t cost you the earth……………just in case it isn’t for you.
Sure certain people are born with specific skills and talents but you can only improve these talents by continually practicing the thing that you are attempting to be good at. Learning how to DJ is no different to any of the mentioned skills so the very first concept that you just have to become accustomed to is the fact that you will have to work long and hard if you want to become good at being a DJ. We have all seen the rubbish DJ’s, who show up for parties with decrepit and old DJ equipment that stops working halfway through the party. Do you think these guys have worked hard honing their skills so that they give the public the best experience that they can??
I don’t think so………………
Number one rule – Be prepared to work hard learning your profession and understand the kind of effort that you have to put in before you even think about getting the show off the ground. There are a few things that you can put into practice that will help you measure this work in a practical way without having to shell out on expensive equipment.
Buy the equipment before you try the following points and you may find that you have made a very expensive mistake!!
Only you will know which area of DJ-ing truly excites you. You might want to DJ at parties/clubs or even fancy the radio. Whatever your inspiration it is important to gain as much relevant experience as possible. We recommend that you contact a local DJ within your desired area so that you can accompany them and get an understanding of what it is they actually do for a living. This will allow you to take a peek under the bonnet and gain invaluable experience without making expensive mistakes.
If you follow point one and you decide that being a DJ is for you then you may want to trial the profession before jumping in with both feet. Hopefully by now you have struck up some type of relationship with the person who ‘showed you the ropes’. There is no harm in asking if it is possible that you manage a few sets for them so that you gain great experience and you can get a real and live taste of being a DJ.
Try DJ-ing for family or friends at first. Ok it may seem a little daunting or embarrassing but at least you will have a willing audience who are desperate for you to make a great impression. This is also a great way to cut your teeth and gain some relevant experience.
Offer your DJ services for free for a few gigs. This way you will be able to gain relevant experience and build a fan base or work on a client base.
Number two rule – Be prepared to take feedback no matter what form it comes in. There is an old and relevant saying that goes like this, ‘Feedback is the breakfast of champions’. It is solid and undeniable fact that if you truly want to succeed at something and be a master then you must be open to criticism and be able to take feedback. Feedback will make you better and better but only if you act on the advice that is offered to you. Critics are essential if we are aiming to be world class in what we do so listen to them with an open mind. Even if you don’t agree with what they are saying at the time, quite often we walk away from a situation and on self reflection we can see their point more clearly.
Most DJ’s start out their career with very little in the form of equipment. This is usually down to cost, commitment or both but the basic equipment needed comes in the form of two turntables, a mixer which is integrated with two or more channels and of coarse a cross fader. Then you will need specialist equipment so that you can hear your sounds and these will include an amplifier some speakers and of coarsen what kind of DJ would you be without a set of Earphones?
In the next section we will be taking a look at DJ Equipment and aiming to understand what you will need to become a DJ with samples of basic DJ Equipment and the set up of this equipment. Throughout this article we will attempt to guide you towards the best value for money equipment so that you can start out your venture with some great DJ Equipment that hasn’t cost you the earth……………just in case it isn’t for you.
How to DJ
To truly understand “How to DJ” there are some key learning stages that need to be studied and rehearsed before any budding DJ is ready to move on and blast the audience with their unique and individual mixing style.
Knowing how to DJ goes beyond simply buying a mixing deck and amp and then attempting to cut it up. There are some definite basics that if learnt properly, they will give you the edge when applying your art. The more time you spend learning and applying these basics the better your skills will grow which will result in a much better DJ experience both for you and the audience that are sampling your sound!!
It doesn’t matter if your ambition is to DJ at weddings or to DJ at pubs and clubs. If done properly you are sure to please the people that this most matters to, the paying public or the landlord/club owner who is paying the bills. Get it wrong and the chances are that the venue organizer will not only refuse to pay you for your time but they may also damage your reputation with other event organizers by advising them to steer clear and recommend an alternative DJ source.
For any DJ there has to be a starting point. Throughout this site we will give you the key stages that you need if you want to succeed as a DJ!!
From this page you can access any of the links that are relevant to becoming a DJ. We have worked hard to create each article in a logical flow format so that once you have read, understood and applied the theory from one article you can then successfully move to the next article and begin your learning again.
Within the content of this site you will find the following articles:
Learn how to DJ – The very basics in becoming a DJ and how and what is needed to become a DJ.
DJ Equipment – Knowing what equipment to buy is essential for the ultimate DJ experience. Within this article we will also be giving reference to live reviews so that you can make some practical informed choices that are based on pure fact. This will hopefully save you time and money.
DJ Mix – DJ Mixing is a very important step in becoming a successful DJ and knowing how to DJ. The DJ Mix section will include tested theory from experienced DJ’s and a growing video collection that will keep you up to date with the latest trends that the pro’s are using in the clubs of today.
DJ Software – There are many DJ’s that are becoming more and more reliant on DJ Software for their DJ needs. We will attempt to cut through the hype surrounding the latest software and give you vital and informative information so that you can make the best decision for your DJ needs. This section will also include tutorial videos so that you can learn how to best use the DJ Software that is out on the general market.
Mobile DJ – Looking to become a mobile DJ? Here we will give you many useful tips in terms of setting up a mobile DJ business and then marketing your mobile DJ business.
Club DJ – Maybe you have moved up from a mobile DJ and you need to stake your claim and have people following your individual style. This section will provide you with hints and tips on what are the best steps to take if you want to become a Club DJ.
Whatever you’re looking for you should be able to find all of your DJ solutions at howtodj.org.uk.
With the DJ scene continually changing we would advice you to bookmark us or subscribe to our rss feed as fresh content will be added to this site on a regular basis.
© howtodj2009
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