Starter Dj... what gear should i get? and which macbook?

[frankvail]

i want to get into the whole dj scene, i just dont know were to start
i've been saving up for a macbook because i dont like using windows anymore
is the Behringer BCD-3000 good with macs? guys got any suggestions on what i should get? all help will be appreciated, thanks

 

[gothamm]

honestly, i would stick with windows for dj'ing.

i could recommend some headphones?

 

[xparaparafreakx]

honestly, i would stick with windows for dj'ing.

i could recommend some headphones?

Why windows?

Here are two websites to help you out on DJing on computers mac or pc.

skratchworx.com
djtechtools.com

A regular macbook would be fine unless your your mixer is a firewire mixer in that case your going to need a Macbook Pro. I DJ with an Air and a 17" MBP. It is all about preference and what your going to do with it. I plan to start video DJ in the spring.

The Behringer BCD-3000 should be fine with Traktor or Ableton Live.

As for headphones, denon dn hp1000, xone xd and ultrasone proline 750 are some good headphones. I used these three with my mixes.

 

[cmcbridejr]

NI Traktor. Nuff said.

 

[frankvail]

how bwt the older macbook? that has firewire still

 

[revisionA]

I use a Vestax VCI-100 usb mixer and motu ultralite firewire audio. I had a powerbook which ran Traktor just fine and had better performance using an external hardrive (7200rpm) for my record bin.

Good luck, and beatport.com is a nice play to drop your $$$.

$

 

[dalvin200]

after selling my full on kit (2 x 1210's, rane ttm54 mixer, 2 x denon s5000's) to make room for the family, i am now left with my macbook.. an external hard drive and the M-Audio Torq Xponent using the Torq software.

It's all I actually need..

Personally, I don't care about the bells and whistles and effects etc.. I just want to be able to mix and scratch track A with track B.. done..

I would highly recommend this for you... as you can use the jog wheels to emulate turntables and learn how to beat match etc... it's a small simple package that will serve you well and it is much better than the behringer 3000 "thing"

I used to use my blackbook with it and now use my aluminium macbook.. works perfectly fine.. m-audio has done a great job plus it's all usb connections (none of this firewire rubbish )

Check out the vids on youtube if you have any doubts and also www.torq-dj.com

 

[Consultant]

honestly, i would stick with windows for dj'ing.

i could recommend some headphones?

Nope, windows have all kinds of problems with driver and device compatibility, in addition to the inexplicable slow downs after a few months.

Macs are much better for Djing and many other tasks.

 

[vadim.iablokov]

Torq Xponent

I am also considering getting into Djing. Is the Torq Xponent the best of its kind out there (DJ mixer and usb soundcard all in one), or are there even better products out there?
Does it work well with different DJ software out there?

 

[DJJONES]

i want to get into the whole dj scene, i just dont know were to start
i've been saving up for a macbook because i dont like using windows anymore
is the Behringer BCD-3000 good with macs? guys got any suggestions on what i should get? all help will be appreciated, thanks

your asking what gear to get? but your going to use a mac.
then all you need is software and a controller dont worry about gear.

if you want to dj get 2 cdj's and a mixer. learn how to use those.

imo , controllers are terrible , too many software issues and compatibility issues. doesnt give the real feel of djing, constantly staring at wav form displays instead of using your ears.
im sure any macbook would be fine. but i would get the 2.4ghz macbook.

i use serato scratch live and 2 technics 1210's on the penryn macbook pro no hiccups ever.
its never froze or crashed on me its never crapped out during a gig or even when im multitasking while running a set at home.

for dj headphones look at the sennheiser hd280's really good if you actually dj in a live setting because of the great sound quality and sound isolation.
ultrasone dj1's and dj1 pro's
sony mdr v700 heard great things about them ive used them ones but i didnt like how much of the outside music washes into the headphones.

 

[Flowbee]

after selling my full on kit (2 x 1210's, rane ttm54 mixer, 2 x denon s5000's) to make room for the family, i am now left with my macbook.. an external hard drive and the M-Audio Torq Xponent using the Torq software.

It's all I actually need..

I have the same setup, and I love it.

I am also considering getting into Djing. Is the Torq Xponent the best of its kind out there (DJ mixer and usb soundcard all in one), or are there even better products out there?
Does it work well with different DJ software out there?

People have very strong opinions when it comes to DJ equipment and software. If you think Mac fans are fanatical, spend a few days in the Serato forums.

Torq Xponent is a good solution for someone who is interested in digital DJing. Software, hardware, and soundcard in an affordable package. A lot of people love it (myself included), A lot of people think it's garbage. Then again, a lot of people think you're not really a DJ unless you use turntables and vinyl.

Check out the 21 Torq video tutorials for an in-depth look at what the software and hardware can do. You should also check out the video for the new version of Torq, which was just released a few weeks ago. It adds a number of cool features.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

For video DJ:

1200s or CDJs, TTM 57SL, Video SL and Macbook Pro.

Using more than two 1200s or CDJs.

1200s or CDJs, Xone Mixer or Korg Zero 4 or Zero 8, Traktor Scratch Pro.

Controlers:

VCI-100 and Traktor Pro.
VCI-300 and Serato Itch.

Want to go insane with samples:

Midi controler and Ableton Live 7

 

[dalvin200]

I have the same setup, and I love it.

yep.. but i must stress that if you're going straight into digital dj'ing, then please please please learn how to mix with your ears rather than using the screen.. get the feel for beat matching... you still need to learn the basics..

do that and you can dj on any gear

can't stress that enough and can't stand wannabe dj's who just let the software do it all for them as they're not really "dj'ing".. just playing songs, which anyone can do really..

dj'ing is an art.. like with any instrument, you should learn the basics, which will give you a great understanding for future

*gets off soap box*

 

[rareflares]

Having DJ'ed for 5 years, here are my thoughts:

What are you going to be doing while DJing? Playing live at club/bar or private event? Making mixtapes? Scratching? I only have experience playing live and all I need is Serato Scratch Live on my Macbook. That software, once connected to equipment, allows you to do almost anything with your mp3 collection. It is very intuitive.

As far as equipment goes, I live and die by Pioneer CDJs. They are not budget by any means, but I've used dozens of cheaper alternatives and they all are unimpressive in some major way (imagine pressing the cue/play button and there being a half-second delay...completely effs your mix). Denon CDJs are the only other ones I've experienced that really come close to Pioneer.

If you're looking to scratch, however, I highly suggest Technics brand of equipment (old-school vinyl). CDJs do come with scratch but it just doesn't feel quite the same as scratching on vinyl. Technics are also quite expensive.

When I started DJing, I spent roughly $4000-4500 buying all the equipment, computer, and software necessary to do it and I was able to make that back in about one year (but I also had very useful connections in the nightlife industry). You could probably make that back MUCH faster if you were able to DJ private events like weddings.

A lot of people might disagree with my advice, but I'm also slightly old school in my tastes for equipment. I have not really done too much research on the most recent equipment available and any developments made by other brands since I already bought all my equipment several years ago. But these are my two cents.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

Having DJ'ed for 5 years, here are my thoughts:

What are you going to be doing while DJing? Playing live at club/bar or private event? Making mixtapes? Scratching? I only have experience playing live and all I need is Serato Scratch Live on my Macbook. That software, once connected to equipment, allows you to do almost anything with your mp3 collection. It is very intuitive.

As far as equipment goes, I live and die by Pioneer CDJs. They are not budget by any means, but I've used dozens of cheaper alternatives and they all are unimpressive in some major way (imagine pressing the cue/play button and there being a half-second delay...completely effs your mix). Denon CDJs are the only other ones I've experienced that really come close to Pioneer.

If you're looking to scratch, however, I highly suggest Technics brand of equipment (old-school vinyl). CDJs do come with scratch but it just doesn't feel quite the same as scratching on vinyl. Technics are also quite expensive.

When I started DJing, I spent roughly $4000-4500 buying all the equipment, computer, and software necessary to do it and I was able to make that back in about one year (but I also had very useful connections in the nightlife industry). You could probably make that back MUCH faster if you were able to DJ private events like weddings.

A lot of people might disagree with my advice, but I'm also slightly old school in my tastes for equipment. I have not really done too much research on the most recent equipment available and any developments made by other brands since I already bought all my equipment several years ago. But these are my two cents.

Also if you decide not to DJ after a few months, the resell vaule is still ther for Pioneer CDJs and Technics 1200s.

 

[frankvail]

Thank you guys for the input, its really helpful
last thing...
im going to get a refurbished mac from the apple store online, and i saw that the difference between a brand new 2.4ghz macbook 13inch and the previous generation macbook pro 15 2.4ghz is just like a 100-150 bux
im like stuck between the two, if it ever pops out again and stuff

 

[nanoboy]

Paul van Dyk

Paul van Dyk (one of my fav DJ), does his sets with two 17" MacBook Pro.

There's a whole featured page on Apple,

and mentioned on Wikipedia (including software used):
"Paul van Dyk hosts a show on Radio Fritz every Saturday at 20:00 GMT. In his latest gigs, he blurs the line between DJ'ing and live performance engineering by utilizing two 17" MacBook Pro laptops sporting Mainstage (Logic 8 Pro) and Ableton Live software on both, two MIDI keyboards, enabling a more fully-featured club experience more akin to a concert than a standard night out at a dance club. On-the-fly remixes, mashups and compositions are just some of the capabilities of this new performance method."

 

[vadim.iablokov]

Elctro-house

I am really interested in learning how to DJ, mainly mixing electro, house, techno etc. songs. As I understand, there is little room for proper scratching in this type of music. So I don't understand why you would ever need turntables or even CDj's for mixig dacne music. CDJ's, although really cool when you look at the high end pioneer ones with their waveform displays, require you to haul a wackload of cd's around all the time to parties. What if they get scratched? I guess it's the same for vinyl.

For me I think the Torq xponent/ Macbook setup would be ideal. I have my whole library on me and all the equipment in a small package. I can use this to learn and eventually get into sample production and 4 channel mixers and what not as I progress. For dance music I think CDJ's are unnecessary. Unless someone can prove me wrong

 

[BayouBengal]

Paul van Dyk (one of my fav DJ), does his sets with two 17" MacBook Pro.

There's a whole featured page on Apple,

and mentioned on Wikipedia (including software used):
"Paul van Dyk hosts a show on Radio Fritz every Saturday at 20:00 GMT. In his latest gigs, he blurs the line between DJ'ing and live performance engineering by utilizing two 17" MacBook Pro laptops sporting Mainstage (Logic 8 Pro) and Ableton Live software on both, two MIDI keyboards, enabling a more fully-featured club experience more akin to a concert than a standard night out at a dance club. On-the-fly remixes, mashups and compositions are just some of the capabilities of this new performance method."

Ok I'm at least aware who Paul Van Dyk, Oakenfold, etc.. are but not really that into that style of music but I do have a question about it. When a DJ performs live I assume he is doing the mixes and whatnot on the fly? So in other words each show should be somewhat unique like you'd see with a traditional band?

 

[nanoboy]

Ok I'm at least aware who Paul Van Dyk, Oakenfold, etc.. are but not really that into that style of music but I do have a question about it. When a DJ performs live I assume he is doing the mixes and whatnot on the fly? So in other words each show should be somewhat unique like you'd see with a traditional band?

Yeah each live set is different. It's quite a good read if you go to that page on Apple i linked in my last post. Paul van Dyk said he got inspirations from his live sets when he's trying new stuff, and then use the materials as the basis of producing some new tracks.

 

[frankvail]

ok, simplified to get to the point... is firewire absolutely still necessary?

 

[bntz313]

vinyl all the way! I used to dj and I had 1200s and vestax pdx's. I liked the vestaxs better than the 1200s. They seemed better for scratching, and have more options. Almost everyone will tell you to get 1200s because that has been the standard forever. I would check them both out.

 

[willjax]

I'm a DJ and have been playing around my city for about 3 years now and interstate. I have also been producing and expecting my first release in about a month of so (end plug) haha.

If you really want to learn how to mix, go out and buy the pioneer CDJs and and a decent mixer. This will actually teach you how to beat match listening to the music and you will be a much better mixer. As someone else mentioned, pioneer are the industry standard worldwide and if you want to play in clubs etc, these are what you would be using so you may as well learn on them.

You only really need to DJ with the software if you are going to be sampling a lot and using lots of loops, otherwise there isn't really much need for it. Plus, anyone can mix with computer software, it makes it too easy and takes away from the 'art' of DJ'ing. You can loop and sample with pretty well with the CDJ 1000mk3s and the new pioneer mixers have built in samplers etc.