Basic DJ Equipment for Beginners

Discover the setup recommended by Chuck Pereda for mixing electronic music

Always wanted your own DJ setup? Before you start preparing your set and get ready to make your DJ debut, you will need some basic equipment (in addition to a love of music.) Chuck Pereda (@chuck_pereda), a DJ and radio presenter with more than two decades’ of experience, shares a basic list of essential equipment for beginner DJs.

Chuck wants to point out that you will be able to acquire the following material second-hand. These are just recommendations, get together what you can, and turn up the volume.

CDJs

This is a CD player that also usually plays digital music files via USB. It usually has pitch control (speed) and the option to create loops. The models that Chuck recommends use a software called Rekordbox, so that you can see the tonic, BPM, and the number of bars in each track.

Example: Pioneer. The CDJ 400 model and upwards are compatible with USB.

Turntable

This is the machine you use to mix vinyls. It usually has pitch control so that you can adjust the speed and counterweight.

Example: Technics, model SL 1200.

Mixer

Using an audio mixer, you will be able to create effects such as a “fade in.” It comes with controls for blending low or high pitch, as well as creating other effects. It also includes a manual and automatic BPM counter.

Recommended: Pioneer. The DJM 500 and upward models feature 4 channels (which is how many you will need if you use turntables and a CDJ at the same time).

Controller

This is the equipment you use to control such software as Serato or Tractor. You can use a USB or USB2 cable to connect it to your computer.

Recommended: Pioneer. The DDJ SB3 model is ideal for beginners.

Monitors

You can find studio monitors with 4-inch Woofers and 20 watts per channel for a range of different prices.

Recommended: M-Audio Studiophile AV42 Active Monitors

Headphones

To start, a pair with a 20-20,000 Hz frequency range is recommended. The more basic models won’t block out the sound in a club; however, they work well.

Recommended: Behringer, HPX 2000 model

Get your equipment set up and dive into the world of DJing with Chuck Pereda’s course, Electronic Music Mixing: From Beginner to DJ. Learn to mix both digital and physical music formats ahead of your first set.

English version by @eloiseedgington.

You may also like:

–10 Music Playlists to Spark Your Creativity
–How To Perfect Your At-home Sound Recording Booth
–Top 10: Films for Sound Design