Whether you're a pro DJ or just trying to have some fun visit www.123dj.com. You are going to find some good info on DJ equipment as well as sound and DJ techniques. First question everyone asks is what am I getting with my package? With 123dj.com it depends on what package is ordered. Most come with everything you'll need except for amp and speakers. Be sure to read the description of the package you are interested in to be sure it comes with everything you'll want. Well OK, I have the package what now? How do I connect it all up?
Connecting your new equipment up may seem confusing, but if you follow these instructions, it's really quite simple. Remember we are here to help if you get stuck at any time:
1. Unpack and lay out all your equipment, as per the instruction book, but do not turn it on. 2. Next, take the cable from the left turntable or CD player, connect it to the back of your mixer marked. For turntables, you connect this to the input marks PHONO, and for CD players connect it to the input marked line. 3. Now do the same for the right hand turntable or CD - remember to chose the correct input - PHONO or LINE. 4. Connect the output connector from your mixer (usually marked OUTPUT or MAIN) to the AUX or LINE input on your hi-fi. If you are using small powered speakers, these should be connected to this output instead. 5. Now, turn on the turntables or CD players, THEN the mixer. Leave your hi-fi/speakers off for now. 6. On your mixer, make sure the PHONO/LINE switch at the top of each channel fader is in the correct position (see step 3 above). Make sure that the output volume control on the mixer is turned to about the half way position. 7. With the hi-fi/speakers still switched off, play a tune on the left hand turntable or CD player. Plug your headphones to the mixer, and push the cue button/switch which matches the channel you connected that turntable/CD player to. 8. You should now be able to hear the record playing. Leave the fader for that channel at the bottom. TIP: If you cannot hear anything - check if your mixer's headphone volume control. 9. Now, turn on your hi-fi, select your AUX/LINE input, and turn the volume up to a normal level. TIP: If you cannot hear anything - make sure your crossfader is in the middle. 10. Finally, SLOWLY bring up the channel fader on your mixer. If all is well - repeat this process for the right hand turntable/cd player.
Any problems, go back through the steps above again, making sure you have followed each point carefully.
That is every DJ's nightmare, failing equipment. When you are well known or making a name for yourself you cannot afford to have such mess ups and sometimes even quality equipment can't get you out of it. And in my time interviewing DJs from across the world, I have heard of a few tales of the ultimate terror. I have also witnessed a few when it comes to reviewing club night sand gigs. I can assure you that the audience is rarely sympathetic to the plight of the cursed DJ.
One such tale was a university gig, a DJ who was in the charts at the time came on to finish the night off, which he certainly did. The trouble with a headlining act is that often there are many hours of drinking that can take place before a foot manages to even step upon a stage or in a DJ booth. I know a lot of vinyl spinners who opt to drive to prevent the evil allure of beer taking over their senses, but not this guy. All was going well and then he tried to a super slick move whilst attempting a bit of a rewind, stumbled and sent the decks flying. Broken turntables, broken records and a badly bruised ego ensued!
Being the first on doesn't guarantee a simple start either. With so many buttons, switches, amps, lights and leads if the system doesn't start up, it can take a crack team of audio detectives to find out what is defective. A cry of 'the show must go on!' is all well and good, but sometimes a CD player and Kylies latest album has to suffice whilst the crowds bay for their entertainment. It's not that uncommon for things like that go wrong mid-set. One guy I knew was busy having a boogie to a good tune he was spinning when his dancing feet whipped a lead from a jack and like a hells angel gatecrashing a frat party, the whole lot went dead. He did say that a blip like that can ruin an entire night.
Whipping the crowd into a dancing frenzy is a harder job than many non DJ types realise. Us awkward lot have to be coaxed into dancing, built up to a heaving mass of excitement that is aimed to guarantee wolf whistles and whoops when the DJ drops the beat of the finest tune that has graced a living things ears. If that process is interfered with, and a five minute silence is all the punters have to hang on to, that vibe can be lost and is hard to claw back. Then there is the reputation to think of. Some stories can be a memorable blip that talent can get around; others are statements of incompetence that the paying public will not forgive.
Technical failures can exacerbate silly mistakes, but at least technical failures can be avoided by investing in equipment that has less chance of letting you down. Good quality buys are a must, and often taking your own equipment to a club or party will minimise controllable difficulties. I have heard stories from many DJs where bad sets have been the result of broken headphones; worn out needles, sub standard monitors and generally old equipment with no spares should something go fatally wrong. Invest in the best and take it with you if you want to spin with success.
Both Mike W & Shaun Parker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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