Beginner CD Mixing setup.
Discussion
First of all, please excuse the probably incorrect terminology in the title for I a but an completely inexperienced newbie to this end of the music spectrum! 
So, it's that time of year again and having a few pennies left from the Christmas spending I have decided to embark on a purchase that I've been considering for quite some time now - the only problem here being that I am rather clueless as to what I am looking at.
From my very limited understanding I think this kind of thing is what I'm looking for - ie; something I can fire two CD's into and then mix together learning the basics such as Beatmatching.
Am I right in thinking that this is all I would need to get started, if so - does it look alright or should I be saving up for something of better quality?
Also, how difficult will it be to teach myself the basics of this fine art, at the age of 17 I consider myself to be quite musical as a self taught guitarist playing since the tender age of about 7.
Thanks in advance for any advice folks.
So, it's that time of year again and having a few pennies left from the Christmas spending I have decided to embark on a purchase that I've been considering for quite some time now - the only problem here being that I am rather clueless as to what I am looking at.
From my very limited understanding I think this kind of thing is what I'm looking for - ie; something I can fire two CD's into and then mix together learning the basics such as Beatmatching.
Am I right in thinking that this is all I would need to get started, if so - does it look alright or should I be saving up for something of better quality?
Also, how difficult will it be to teach myself the basics of this fine art, at the age of 17 I consider myself to be quite musical as a self taught guitarist playing since the tender age of about 7.
Thanks in advance for any advice folks.
Edited by St. Anger on Saturday 12th December 14:36
Looks decent enough for a newbie. I paid £300 per deck for each CDJ100s and £100 for a mixer as a newbie and decided it was boring. 
I assume you have an amp/aux in to a hifi system and therefore speakers. You'll also need a pair of headphones. I think if you get into it, these become disposable so I am not sure it's worth buying £100 headphones. I went through one pair in my time.
You can self-teach easily. Just listen and see how others do things. Stick to something easy like 80s house music with a fairly slow beat. When you're feeling up to it, try hardstep drum n bass.
I assume you have an amp/aux in to a hifi system and therefore speakers. You'll also need a pair of headphones. I think if you get into it, these become disposable so I am not sure it's worth buying £100 headphones. I went through one pair in my time.
You can self-teach easily. Just listen and see how others do things. Stick to something easy like 80s house music with a fairly slow beat. When you're feeling up to it, try hardstep drum n bass.
Edited by ShadownINja on Saturday 12th December 14:42
St. Anger said:
First of all, please excuse the probably incorrect terminology in the title for I a but an completely inexperienced newbie to this end of the music spectrum!
So, it's that time of year again and having a few pennies left from the Christmas spending I have decided to embark on a purchase that I've been considering for quite some time now - the only problem here being that I am rather clueless as to what I am looking at.
From my very limited understanding I think this kind of thing is what I'm looking for - ie; something I can fire two CD's into and then mix together learning the basics such as Beatmatching.
Am I right in thinking that this is all I would need to get started, if so - does it look alright or should I be saving up for something of better quality?
Also, how difficult will it be to teach myself the basics of this fine art, at the age of 17 I consider myself to be quite musical as a self taught guitarist playing since the tender age of about 7.
Thanks in advance for any advice folks.
Sounds like an excellent idea, there are masses of products on the market for beginners. Do you have a budget in mind? as I may be able to recommend stuff. So, it's that time of year again and having a few pennies left from the Christmas spending I have decided to embark on a purchase that I've been considering for quite some time now - the only problem here being that I am rather clueless as to what I am looking at.
From my very limited understanding I think this kind of thing is what I'm looking for - ie; something I can fire two CD's into and then mix together learning the basics such as Beatmatching.
Am I right in thinking that this is all I would need to get started, if so - does it look alright or should I be saving up for something of better quality?
Also, how difficult will it be to teach myself the basics of this fine art, at the age of 17 I consider myself to be quite musical as a self taught guitarist playing since the tender age of about 7.
Thanks in advance for any advice folks.
Edited by St. Anger on Saturday 12th December 14:36
One thing to bear in mind though is that the real budget stuff is cheap for a reason, doesn't work well, won't be easy to learn on, and if you do decide it's not for you down the line you may not be able to sell on for a good price.
Also have a think about what type of djing your gonna want to do, scratching for example? As some cd players say they are capable but are awful at it, some like any by Pioneer are great and others don't have the facility at all. Lot to think about.
ShadownINja said:
Looks decent enough for a newbie. I paid £300 per deck for each CDJ100s and £100 for a mixer as a newbie and decided it was boring.
I assume you have an amp/aux in to a hifi system and therefore speakers. You'll also need a pair of headphones. I think if you get into it, these become disposable so I am not sure it's worth buying £100 headphones. I went through one pair in my time.
You can self-teach easily. Just listen and see how others do things. Stick to something easy like 80s house music with a fairly slow beat. When you're feeling up to it, try hardstep drum n bass.
All good points here, though not sure I can agree about slow music, the theory of playing slower sounds easier. But essentially when there is more time between each beat (ie slower music) there is far more margin for error. This is the reason that a lot of people say Drum N Bass is easy. The problem there though is that you have to listen to DnB I assume you have an amp/aux in to a hifi system and therefore speakers. You'll also need a pair of headphones. I think if you get into it, these become disposable so I am not sure it's worth buying £100 headphones. I went through one pair in my time.
You can self-teach easily. Just listen and see how others do things. Stick to something easy like 80s house music with a fairly slow beat. When you're feeling up to it, try hardstep drum n bass.
Edited by ShadownINja on Saturday 12th December 14:42
As the gap between each beat is so much shorter, hopefully that makes some sort of sense?Far better to start off with some decent paced house music around the 130bpm mark, preferably fairly simple stuff without masses going on, no great big vocals etc, just whilst you learn the basics.
djtex said:
ShadownINja said:
Looks decent enough for a newbie. I paid £300 per deck for each CDJ100s and £100 for a mixer as a newbie and decided it was boring.
I assume you have an amp/aux in to a hifi system and therefore speakers. You'll also need a pair of headphones. I think if you get into it, these become disposable so I am not sure it's worth buying £100 headphones. I went through one pair in my time.
You can self-teach easily. Just listen and see how others do things. Stick to something easy like 80s house music with a fairly slow beat. When you're feeling up to it, try hardstep drum n bass.
All good points here, though not sure I can agree about slow music, the theory of playing slower sounds easier. But essentially when there is more time between each beat (ie slower music) there is far more margin for error. This is the reason that a lot of people say Drum N Bass is easy. The problem there though is that you have to listen to DnB I assume you have an amp/aux in to a hifi system and therefore speakers. You'll also need a pair of headphones. I think if you get into it, these become disposable so I am not sure it's worth buying £100 headphones. I went through one pair in my time.
You can self-teach easily. Just listen and see how others do things. Stick to something easy like 80s house music with a fairly slow beat. When you're feeling up to it, try hardstep drum n bass.
Edited by ShadownINja on Saturday 12th December 14:42
As the gap between each beat is so much shorter, hopefully that makes some sort of sense?ShadownINja said:
djtex said:
ShadownINja said:
Looks decent enough for a newbie. I paid £300 per deck for each CDJ100s and £100 for a mixer as a newbie and decided it was boring.
I assume you have an amp/aux in to a hifi system and therefore speakers. You'll also need a pair of headphones. I think if you get into it, these become disposable so I am not sure it's worth buying £100 headphones. I went through one pair in my time.
You can self-teach easily. Just listen and see how others do things. Stick to something easy like 80s house music with a fairly slow beat. When you're feeling up to it, try hardstep drum n bass.
All good points here, though not sure I can agree about slow music, the theory of playing slower sounds easier. But essentially when there is more time between each beat (ie slower music) there is far more margin for error. This is the reason that a lot of people say Drum N Bass is easy. The problem there though is that you have to listen to DnB I assume you have an amp/aux in to a hifi system and therefore speakers. You'll also need a pair of headphones. I think if you get into it, these become disposable so I am not sure it's worth buying £100 headphones. I went through one pair in my time.
You can self-teach easily. Just listen and see how others do things. Stick to something easy like 80s house music with a fairly slow beat. When you're feeling up to it, try hardstep drum n bass.
Edited by ShadownINja on Saturday 12th December 14:42
As the gap between each beat is so much shorter, hopefully that makes some sort of sense?
Ok....
As DJtex has already said, the reason some of this gear is cheap is because its no bloody good. A friend of mine bought one of these for his son as he wanted to learn to be a DJ. I was invited round to give him a few lessons. Straight off the bat, when you pushed play, it took a split second to start playing, the pitch control for each 'deck' was totally inaccurate, and I was having REAL trouble mixing with it (and I've been DJing with Technics 1210's and Pioneer CDJs for years.) To be honest it was awful. To the point that I told his dad that he may as well take it back as not fit for purpose. Now they may have changed the spec as this was a couple of years back but I totally wouldn't recommend one of these.
If he wants to mix CD's Id say go for the base model Pioneer CDJs and a cheap mixer. They cost more but they are industry standard for a reason.
As DJtex has already said, the reason some of this gear is cheap is because its no bloody good. A friend of mine bought one of these for his son as he wanted to learn to be a DJ. I was invited round to give him a few lessons. Straight off the bat, when you pushed play, it took a split second to start playing, the pitch control for each 'deck' was totally inaccurate, and I was having REAL trouble mixing with it (and I've been DJing with Technics 1210's and Pioneer CDJs for years.) To be honest it was awful. To the point that I told his dad that he may as well take it back as not fit for purpose. Now they may have changed the spec as this was a couple of years back but I totally wouldn't recommend one of these.
If he wants to mix CD's Id say go for the base model Pioneer CDJs and a cheap mixer. They cost more but they are industry standard for a reason.
Right i just checked how much pioneer kit goes for these days and blimey its gone up a bit since i bought mine!!!!!
Do you know anyone who can already mix who can go to a store with you and try out some of the budget kit?
Having said that, my first set of Technics were a second hand pair and they were £600 and that was years ago, so I guess its just not the cheapest of hobbies to get into!
Do you know anyone who can already mix who can go to a store with you and try out some of the budget kit?
Having said that, my first set of Technics were a second hand pair and they were £600 and that was years ago, so I guess its just not the cheapest of hobbies to get into!
djtex said:
ShadownINja said:
hoathenfold said:
when you pushed play, it took a split second to start playing,
Oh! I assumed all CD decks for DJs would be instant start!Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff