Beginner's Guide To DJ Equipment Setups

Purchasing your first DJ setup could be an overwhelming assignment. Utilizing our information and experience, we'll try to spell it out as easily as possible. These are the most prevalent DJ setups.

Turntable DJ Setup

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

2 x DJ Turntables 2 x DJ Cartridges (needles) DJ Mixer DJ Headphones Slipmats (felt mats that go between record + turntable platter) Vinyl Records RCA Cable (to connect mixer to audio output)

BULLET POINTS

• this is the base / foundational DJ setup
• recommended setup for learning how to DJ
• most tactile form of DJing
• can be used as a digital setup with addition of Serato Scratch Live, Traktor Scratch, etc.

Turntable DJ Setup using DJ Software

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

2 x DJ Turntables 2 x DJ Cartridges (needles) DJ Mixer DJ Headphones Slipmats (felt mats that go between record + turntable platter) Vinyl Records RCA Cable (to connect mixer to audio output) Audio Interfaces (Sound Cards)

DJ Interface Packages usually includes

• interface (connects your equipment to your computer)
• DJ software
• control vinyl (special records for use with DJ software)
• all necessary cables (RCA cables, USB cable)
• please note: some high-end DJ Mixers have interfaces built-in such as Rane Sixty-Two / Sixty Four and Traktor Z2.

BULLET POINTS

• still allows for tactile feel of the turntable setup
• setup preferred by many professional DJs
• allows you to play both vinyl records + digital files
• DJ software opens up many additional features

CDJ DJ Setup

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

2 x CD DJ Turntables DJ Mixer DJ Headphones

BULLET POINTS

• offers more control + features than a Turntable setup
• CD turntables with USB inputs can play digital files from thumb drives, hard drives, etc.
• create custom CDs to play
• setup preferred by many club DJs
• can be used with most DJ programs including Serato Scratch Live, Traktor Scratch, etc.

CDJ DJ Setup using DJ Software

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

2 x CD DJ Turntables DJ Mixer DJ Headphones DJ Audio Interface (Sound Card)

DJ Interface Package usually includes

• interface (connects your equipment to your computer)
• DJ software
• control CDs (special CDs for use with DJ software)
• all necessary cables (RCA cables, USB cable)
• please note: some high-end DJ Mixers have interfaces built-in such as Rane Sixty-Two / Sixty Four and Traktor Z2.

BULLET POINTS

• setup preferred by many professional DJs
• allows you to play both CDs + digital files

DJ Controller Setup

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

DJ Controller DJ Software Audio Interface (please note: some DJ controllers have interfaces built-in)

BULLET POINTS

• allows for tactile control of music
• allows most control over DJ software / most manipulation of music
• you can customize controller setup to your preference
• very portable

Ableton DJ Setup

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Computer Ableton Software Audio Interfacee ( Sound Cards )

BULLET POINTS

• great for DJing with tracks that you built with Ableton
• requires a lot of track setup for DJ sets
• lots of effects can be added to your mix
• very portable
• check out Building A Track With Ableton Live Videos
• read our audio interface guide

All Computer DJ Setup

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Computer DJ Software Audio Interface (not necessary, but recommended)

BULLET POINTS

• if you have already have a computer, this is an inexpensive option
• most compact setup
• harder to be creative without controller
• most portable
• we recommend Native Instruments Traktor Audio 2 for this setup
• read our audio interface guide

Recommendations

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