ATTN: DJ dudes! Need some Newbie advice

[Rodoni]

So I've been thinking about pickin up some DJ equipment to try it out. I'm not gonna go crazy with it (make a career, play at clubs etc) I just want something to start with and practice and get kinda good at. I'll mostly play in my house/room just messin around and some parties my friends and I would throw but that wouldn't be for awhile. At least til I'm comfortable with it.

My questions are what kind of starter kit Should I get if one at all? Would it be better to piece something together? I won't really be looking for turn tables, I'm more interested in mixers and mp3 kinda stuff.

Not trying to break the bank, lookin to spend around 200-300 max not including speakers. If possible I would like to find a "turn key" starter kit within my budget that isn't cheap. I'm guessing it's not possible. I would be interested in buying some of your shit if you are tying to unload some stuff.

Advice/input is appreciated. Also throw me your $.02

[JUMPNYC]

Best bang for your buck, is picking up a AKAI APC-40, it comes with Ableton Live software.

You can mix mp3's with it and loop beats, add effects, that piece will keep you happy.

I have tons of equipment, CD Mixers, Turntables, Serato, Sampler, drum machines, etc and I picked one up last month, and its been amazingly fun piece to play with.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Akai-Pro...53-i1437919.gc

You should be able to find a coupon or wait for a sale to get the price down. I got mine for $325 on sale.

[Fcknslo]

hercules dj console rmx. plug and play usb to access all mp3 on computer /thread. I have it and love it.

[JUMPNYC]

Actually the Hercules console is a good unit for the price, having the jog wheels is great the software is a little limited (lite version), and I am sure you will want to buy the full version of the software as soon as you can. If you are only planning on bedroom DJing I would recommend that for MP3 mixing beginners. I don't own one, but my buddy has one of the Hercules consoles and he outgrew the Hercules console quickly. He went to upgrade to a Vestax VCI-300 and Serato Itch within a few months. I will ask him if he wants to sell the Hercules console if you are interested.

[Massive Lee]

Interesting topic. Beyond the bedroom DJ, there's the in-bed DJ... I use Traktor Pro from Native-Instruments to mix mp3s and have fun with myself, in bed. It's a simple software. Just plug your earphones in your laptop, load your tracks and experiment. If you like it, then get some hardware.

Go to the website and download the PC/Mac free demo.

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/dj/traktor-pro/

[JUMPNYC]

Traktor Software is great! I have used Traktor and Serato both extensively. They both have their good and bad. Either way if you get Traktor, you have a huge choice of hardware support for that software (if you need it). Also the Hercules console is a USB audio interface as well. So you get alot of outputs for the money.

[Massive Lee]

It will cost a "bit" more than $200 as requested by the OP, but nowaydays, it is possible to groove a party with your laptop and a small USB mixer. And as DJs usually get laid by party goers, a few hundred quids in equipment is a good investment... ;-)

[Rodoni]

Ive been trolling DJF (djforum) all this morning since my morning class got cancelled (fuck yea). I stumbled across another newb there asking pretty much the same thing I am w/ the same budget. Most people there reccommended the RMX. A couple others reccommended the VCI-100.

All of the OG's (I guess thats the word Im looking for?) said just wait and spend 1k on a quality setup because youll just want to upgrade within a year. I dont see myself getting that good that quick. I dont see the need to drop 1k, like I said, Im not trying to make a living, just tryin to spark a new (cheap) hobby.

Edit: JUMPNYC, I would be interested in your friends RMX. LMK what he says/pricing. Thanks a lot

[Fcknslo]

yeah I got my rmx off craigslist for 200 so that would be the best investment to figure out if djing is for you or not. and its perfect for just in home mixes and just having fun

[Rodoni]

Lol, Ive been trolling CL for the past 10 mins.

[Massive Lee]

Traktor Pro and RMX's Hercules and you good to go.

[Rodoni]

Wow, that thing is smaller than I thought it was. The pictures online make it seem a lot bigger. That seems like a really good size. I just looked at the RMX and the VCI-100. I like them both so those seem to be my two prospects. When I get home (to my desktop computer) Ill check out traktor. Im resisting the urge to download a trial version on the gfs laptop lol

[Rodoni]

bumping

[Massive Lee]

I think the ball is in your camp now. Go get Traktor Pro and a Hercules. Brand new Hercules are $325usd w/ mixing software. Buy Traktor later.

[Rodoni]

I think the ball is in your camp now. Go get Traktor Pro and a Hercules. Brand new Hercules are $325usd w/ mixing software. Buy Traktor later.

Ya I know, I was bumping so JUMPNYC would see my post about his friends RMX. Im messing around with traktor right now. Shits cornfusing I think itll be easier once I have some hardware. Im like running around like a headless chicken

I have a line on a RMX for around 200$ this weekend. Im pending pics though.