Top 8 Pieces of DJ Equipment You Need to Start DJing

DJing is a dream for many people from all walks of life. For many, it seems like a perfect way to make a living while doing what you love. But, "What DJ equipment do I need?" And is it as easy as it seems? In this article, we'll look at the essential DJ equipment you need to get started and give you a few tips to choose the right gear for your needs. So read on to learn more!

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Music Collection

As a beginner DJ, building an extensive music collection is critical. If you can play many different songs, you will keep your audience engaged. You'll need to include a variety of genres to make your sets unique and showcase your creativity. In addition, always keep an eye on the latest releases to ensure your collection is always fresh and up-to-date.

When asking what DJ equipment do I need? You must understand that your music collection is the foundation of your sets. To build a large selection, you can buy CDs, download tracks from online stores, or rip CDs you own into digital format.

Laptop & DJ Software

If you've ever been to a club, you've probably seen a DJ mix music using vinyl turntables and a mixer. While this setup is still popular and essential DJ equipment for some DJs, it's not the only way to DJ anymore. With the advent of laptops and DJ software, it's easier than ever to start mixing music. All you need is a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, some speakers, and a copy of a DJing app.

These apps allow you to mix music from your laptop by playing two tracks simultaneously and fading between them. You can add effects like EQ, reverb, and delay to your mix. Best of all, you can use DJ software to mix music from any digital source, including CDs, MP3s, and even streaming services like Spotify. A powerful laptop and quality DJ software are definitely DJ equipment that you need.

Turntables & Vinyl Records

So, what DJ equipment do I need? It's a common question asked by beginners. If you ask highly-skilled DJs, they'll tell you that vinyl records and turntables are essential pieces of DJ equipment. However, they're not just for those with experience. They're also a smart option for beginner DJs on a budget. Here's why. Turntables are inexpensive, easy to find second-hand, and simple to set up. Using them is easy, and you can start DJing without spending too much money on laptops and software.

And while digital DJing has its advantages, there's something to be said for the tactile experience of working with vinyl records. There's a reason so many experienced DJs still swear by turntables. They're tried-and-true technology that can help you master scratching, beat juggling, and enhance your creative control to make great music.

Mixer

If you're new to the world of DJs and DJing, you may wonder, "what DJ equipment do I need?" Professional DJ Mixers help you get the most creativity out of your sets. They allow DJs to control the volume and mix of the music they are playing, as well as giving them the ability to add effects like echo and reverb.

Mixers also provide a way for DJs to connect multiple audio sources, such as turntables, CDJs, and laptops. This versatility makes them an essential piece of DJ equipment for any DJ. While many different types and brands of mixers are available, they all serve the same purpose: to give DJs the power to create the perfect mix.

Headphones

Headphones are equipment that DJs need for a few reasons. Most importantly, they allow the DJs to preview the next track they want to play without the audience being able to hear it. This way, they can ensure a smooth transition before they cue it up. Headphones also allow DJs to equalize the audio levels of each track so that they sound good together and to add effects like reverb or delay without the audience hearing it in real time.

Finally, headphones give DJs an ideal reference point for what the music should sound like at its best, so they can calibrate the speakers and make adjustments if necessary for the best possible sound. In short, when contemplating, "what DJ equipment do I need?" Be sure you include quality headphones.

High-Quality Speakers

Any musician, artist, or performer knows that speakers are mandatory, essential equipment that DJs need to throw a successful set or party. After all, what's the point of playing amazing tunes if your guests can't hear them? High-quality speakers give you more control over the soundscape and allow you to fine-tune the audio experience for your crowd. But what exactly makes a great set of DJ speakers?

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First and foremost, they need to be powerful enough to fill the venue with sound. They should also have clear, rich audio quality so that every note can be heard loud and clear. Additionally, it's crucial to look for speakers with a wide frequency range so that you can reproduce every kind of music accurately. And finally, durability is a must - you want speakers that can withstand hours of booming bass without skipping a beat.

Do you love music? Are you constantly discovering new genres and artists, and turning your finds into great playlists? If the answer is yes, you’d probably make a great DJ. And, if you’re interested in learning how to mix, there are so many good reasons to start; from the buzz of getting your friends on the dancefloor at the next big house party (once it’s safe to do so) to finding a new creative outlet for self-expression, to even making a full-time career out of music.

Getting started and knowing what gear to buy can be daunting when you're totally new to the world of DJing. But it's not as complicated as it first appears. Read on for a breakdown of what you need for your first DJ setup; from decks to headphones, to monitor speakers. You’ll be ready to rock the crowd in no time.

What equipment do you need as a beginner DJ?

Before we go further, here’s a basic overview of the main pieces of equipment in a DJ setup, whether it’s in the home or a nightclub:

• Decks: The things you play music on. Two or more are connected to a mixer.
• Mixer: The unit that enables you to play music from two or more decks so your audience can hear it all at the same time.
• Monitor speakers: It’s important to have these so you can hear what your audience is hearing.
• DJ headphones: You’ll need these to listen to the next track you want to cue up without playing it through the speakers.

DJ decks: finding what’s right for you

The first thing you’ll need is DJ decks. There are a few options to consider.

• DJ controllers: DJ controllers are in many ways perfect for those who are just starting out, as entry-level models offer fantastic value for money. With two deck sections and a mixer built into a single unit, a DJ controller looks a lot like a professional CDJ setup you’d see in a nightclub. And, depending on the model you choose, it could have many of the same features. The major difference is that controllers don’t play music from USB drives, CDs, or SD cards. Instead, they control DJ software running on a laptop or mobile device where the music is stored. Some controllers such as the DDJ-200 – which is designed for beginners – can even connect to smartphones and, depending on the DJ app or software you use, you can mix with music from streaming services such as Beatport and SoundCloud Go+.
• All-in-one DJ systems: Just like DJ controllers, all-in-one DJ systems are single units containing a mixer and two deck sections. However, while you can also use them to control DJ software on your computer or mobile device, all-in-one DJ systems can work on their own. So, you can plug in a USB drive loaded with all your music and leave your laptop at home. These are powerful pieces of gear that inherit many of the advanced features you’ll find on a pro CDJ setup.
• CDJs & mixer: CDJ multi players are popular among the pros as they’re highly versatile and reliable, and they can play music without a laptop. CDJ setups – with at least two players and a mixer – are the club standard and what you’ll see in the DJ booth in most venues. If your heart is set on eventually playing at your favorite club, investing in CDJs might be the right choice for you. XDJs also come as single units and are very similar to CDJs, but offer slightly different feature sets.
• Turntables & mixer: Mixing with vinyl is how modern DJing started — DJs in ’s New York first started manipulating records and seamlessly mixing them together at block parties in the Bronx. Many people prefer the hands-on feel and warm sound that vinyl offers. You'll need two turntables and a mixer and there’s a steeper learning curve with analog mixing, but keep at it and you’ll achieve a truly intuitive (not to mention respected) understanding of the artform.

If you decide to start with a DJ controller, there are some great entry-level options that offer fantastic value. The DDJ-200 and DDJ-400 are designed specifically for beginners, and both are among a large range of Hardware Unlock devices that give you free use of Performance mode in rekordbox, our professional DJ software. Just plug your controller into your laptop or compatible device and start DJing.

What makes DJ headphones different?

Often when people get into DJing, they’ll use any pair of headphones they happen to own already. But if possible, it’s well worth buying a good pair designed specifically for mixing – even for your first setup. DJ headphones have a number of characteristics that make them more comfortable and can even help you improve your performances.

• Durability: DJ headphones are built to withstand the heavy wear and tear that comes from constant travel and performing long sets in dark, chaotic clubs. A good pair will last for years if you look after them.
• Sound insulation: Effective sound insulation blocks out the ambient noise around you so you can focus on the details of your mix.
• Functionality: Most DJ headphones include a number of features that enable you to transport them easily and wear them comfortably for long periods. With a flexible headband and earcups that swivel, you can wear your headphones in various ways. For example, you might keep them on your head or drape them around your neck, sometimes with one earcup on the ear and the other one off, so you can hear the next track as you mix it in via your headphones while also listening to the track the audience can hear through the speakers.
• Sound quality: DJ headphones offer rich sound so you can pick out all the details in your music and know exactly what the audience will hear when you play your next track. Being able to clearly hear the bass and kick drum, or monitor the frequencies that you’ve isolated from the rest of the track via the mixer, will help you to mix with precision.

Monitor speakers let you really hear your mixing

If you’re looking to take your home setup to the next level, consider getting some monitor speakers. These will give you a more accurate sense of what your mixing sounds like, which will then help you to develop your skills and prepare for performing in front of an audience.

A pair of the Bluetooth-enabled DM-40BT is a great choice to start with; offering clear sound, portability, and wireless flexibility. And if you position your gear right, you can use these speakers to monitor your mix and provide the music for a party at home when you’re ready to play a set for your friends.

Next steps: develop your skills and grow your music collection

Once you have your first setup, it’s time to hone your DJ skills and build up your music collection. Expanding your musical horizons and finding new genres and tracks to mix and experiment with is all part of the learning process.

Don’t forget, you can mix music from streaming services such as Beatport, Beatsource, TIDAL, and SoundCloud GO+ (each requires a subscription) when you use Performance mode in rekordbox, which is free to use with various setups including many of our DJ controllers and all-in-one DJ systems. This offers an easy way to grow your music collection and find your sound when you’re starting out.

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