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The Basic Components Of A DJs Setup – Part 1

 

As a lot of DJs who visit InsideTheDJBooth.com are just starting out, I’ve decided to start a series focused on the basic components of a DJs setup…

Providing that you are going to become a DJ there are a few basic things that you are going to need.

The basic components of a DJs setup Part I

2x Turntables with Slip-mats or 2x CD Decks

2x Cartridges/Needles (Often Times Included With Turntables)

DJ Mixer

Pair of Headphones

Amplifier

Speakers

All necessary cables

Music (Records, CD’s, MP3’s)

What Type of Turntables do I need?

Turntables are the most important piece of equipment you will use when DJing. When choosing a set of turntables you should really do your research. There are two types of turntables (Belt-Drive & Direct-Drive) as well as many different levels and makes available. Primarily you must ensure you are getting turntables that are suitable for DJ purposes and not the turntables you may see on your grandparent’s shelf. Unlike your grandfathers turntable a DJ turntable will be equipped with a Variable Pitch Control. A Variable Pitch Control is the ability to speed up or slow down the tempo of a track. Rather than taking your mind in to many directions we will talk more about a variable pitch later on in another series…

What to look for in Turntables?

When deciding between a set of turntables there are several qualities that are a necessity and several that depend on your own preferences and style.

Torque- Is the power that causes the record to spin. A lot of torque is an essential for serious DJing. DJ’s need to have the turntable reach the desired rotational speed as quickly as possible. Because of the nature of DJing you will frequently stop and start the rotation of a vinyl record so a strong high torque motor is a must.

Variable Pitch Control- Controls the pace or rotation that which the records will be played. With a variable pitch control you can either increase (pull the slider towards you) or decrease (push the slider away from you) the speed of the turntable platter by a certain percentage. Anything with a range of +/- 8% is sufficient. There are turntables with a pitch range up to +/- 50% but this type of range would simply depend on your style of mixing.

Construction- When looking to buy tables you don’t want to over look how their built and what materials they are built of. As a DJ, you are going to be doing a lot of traveling and tables will encounter wear and tear with use, you want them to last. Check to make sure the platter and tone arm is not loose or wobbly. Make sure the over all table is heavy-duty construction. A lightweight table may sound great when it comes to transporting but usually means its not made as durable and wont last as long as another might.

Tone arms- Although this may not be important now, later as your skills develop you might need to know the difference in tone arms. There are two different types of tone arms.

n The S Arm = Better sound quality, less record wear.

S Arm is primarily for mixing

n The Straight Arm = Less sound quality, more record wear, wont skip. Straight-arm is primarily for scratching.

I wouldn’t worry about this too much; as you will not really notice a difference in sound quality at all, but if you are going to be doing a lot scratching you may want to go for the traditional straight arm. Some manufactures, but not all, offer both straight and S-shaped models.

Part II of the series… The basic components of a DJs setup we will go over a little more in dept on belt-drive and direct-drive turntables as well as the different manufactures

Category : DJ Equipment