As a DJ, you need certain equipment to mix, scratch and play records at house parties and clubs. By obtaining the correct equipment from the start, a DJ can present himself in a professional manner and perform his duties with class and expertise.
History
Spinning records became a popular way to get crowds dancing in the late 1960s and has evolved using modern technology in the form of CDs and mp3 players. The original DJs of the '60s spun early versions of electronic dance music in clubs for minorities, women and gay men in large markets such as New York City, where dance clubs rose to fame in the disco era. Early adopters of DJ equipment used turntables to spin hard-to-find underground records in the '70s as there were no set standards for the process.
Turntables
Turntables were a necessity for a DJ until recently. Many modern DJs continue to use turntables to play vinyl records. In order to understand the basics, buy two turntables from Numark or Stanton with direct drive. Direct drive is great for scratching and cueing records, and and there are many models available ranging in price from about $100 to more than $700.
CD players
In the mid-1990s, DJs began using CD players to mix records at clubs. The high-quality sound made the CD a particular favorite medium of DJs across the globe, and many still use tabletop CD players instead of turntables. They have a smaller footprint and CDs are easier to store and carry around than vinyl. Buy two tabletop CD players for mixing from companies such as Pioneer, Gemini and Stanton. These companies also make CD player DJ workstations that combine two players and a mixer. Single tabletop CD players can be bought for as little as $100 each and workstations range in price from $500 to $2,000 for professional models.
Mixers
Mixers are essential pieces of equipment that allow you to mix two independent sounds from CD players or turntables. They often have built-in effects to help you create new and interesting sounds. many have more than two channels to add equipment and mix their sounds in with your two turntables. Effects include reverb, delay and flanger, and their pricing runs from $300 for the lower end two-channel models to well over $1,000 for professional versions that include up to 16 channels and eight simultaneous effects.
Headphone
Headphones allow a DJ to cue parts of songs and get them ready for play while playing other songs or samples material. A DJ should have at least one pair of professional headphones that are lightweight and have a closed design as to not allow any outside sound interference. Good headphones by Technics, Denon or Stanton can range in price from $50 to more than $200.
