DJ-ing means not only to play with the tracks and use the equipment skillfully, but also to know the tricks to buy good DJ equipment. These equipment that include mixers, turntables, headphones and speakers are all highly technical and expensive too. And that is why before getting them, the DJ should be well acquainted with the buying techniques. There are several procedures in buying DJ equipment, which are to be followed before buying them.

First of all, it is necessary to decide what kind of equipment to prefer. It may be branded ones or may be used or second hand ones. You may already be aware that branded DJ equipment would cost much more compared to the used ones. But then the problem with the used products is that the quality is not assured. However, it all depends on the budget that you have in mind.

In the case of the budget, if it exceeds the limit, it is better to buy equipment one at a time. In fact, if this technique is followed, the best thing would be to settle for the branded ones rather than the used products. since the DJ equipment are quite technical, the new ones will always give quality service. However, while buying the DJ equipment (old or new) a few technical things about some of the components should be checked.

As turntables are important pieces of the whole DJ equipment they need good research. Just as in the drive mechanism, direct drive is better. Then, turntables with more torque are better for the mix. Finally, the tone arms should be straight.

Mixers are the basic components of the DJ equipment. The top mixers are those which have four-channel mixer plus two mic levels and have the ability to mix the signal running into the headphones. It should be taken into account that cheap and average mixers are also available that vary in their features.

Usually, there are two ways in which the buying can be done. One is to visit the stores and the other method is through online. But it should be kept in mind that there is a huge difference between both the processes. In the case of the stores, there is the facility of personal visit, which will give the opportunity to go through the equipment carefully. This process will be a bit tiresome, as it will include more of research about the equipment. Visiting different stores and companies is necessary to ensure that it is the best buy and that the price is reasonable.

However, in the online process, there are several advantages. Unlike visiting the stores, the whole online buying process can be completed from home itself. In fact, the online process provides more choice as compared to the visit to the stores and moreover the equipment available there are generally inexpensive. Even the price can be compared easily as every kind of detail related to the equipment is given in the sites.

But there are some disadvantages in buying DJ equipment online. First and foremost, the quality is not assured and everything depends on the information on the sites. Though the price is quite low, it may include shipping charges. Moreover, most of the time there is no facility of examining the equipment before buying them.

Music Selection

Selecting music is all about picking the correct jam while djing.  If you are djing on the radio your music selection can be a little different than when you are spinning at a high school, college, or club party.

First, learn all the popular jams of the audience that you will be playing to.  The hardest group to cater to in my opinion is the college party group/club group.  This is because you have people who already know what they like.

The best experience in selecting your music is by mimicking from someone else. This means that you should go to college parties to listen and analyze what the dj is spinning, and the reaction he gets from his music selection. Take a pen and pad.  When you hear a song that the dancers seem to reaction well to, find out the name of the song and write it down. This is a form of keeping your ear to the street. You can also do the same music research by having a good relationship with the music shop you frequent.

Blend Timing

Blend timing is knowing the right place to change a song.  This skill normally is developed when you practice in your home studio. Usually you blend in or change to the next song when the high point of the song or the break has completed. This is done with the intention of keeping the party mix hyped. Most if not all songs have a high point or climax somewhere in the middle of the song.  It’s the part that everyone remembers or the point that everyone enjoys the most. It becomes very easy to recognize after a while.

Musical Key Matching

Being a deejay requires musical understanding.  Just like playing a piano or saxophone you need to recognize the different musical parameters of a song. The the sake of simplicity we will divide the the musical keys into two distinct parts, major and minor.  A song that’s in a major key will sound happy or energetic. A song in a minor key will sound scary or ominous.

As a rule you will mix major key records with major key records, and minor key records with minor key records.  This is the rule.  The exception is if the sound playing goes into a drum break. Meaning that only the drums are playing without and note playing instruments playing. When you have a drum break you can mix anything you what as long as it’s on beat.

Beat Mixing

This is the defining skill that shows a dj’s actual chops. If you can scratch like Qbert, but your beat mixing is weak, then your worth as a dj is diminished.  It’s far better to be able to blend songs well than to be able to cut like Jazzy Jeff. It would be like being able to slam a basketball like Jordan but not being able to dibble or pass. Your dunk would be great, but you would have no game.

Beat mixing is the main thing. A good way to practice your beat mixing is to take two identical songs and mix them from beginning to end. When you do this be sure to notice the music aliasing. Take control of the phasing between the identical songs on each turntable. Practice eliminating the phase. This will give you the ability to mix two different song on a perfect beat.

In order to be a real street dj it is mandatory for you to have
complete control of the music rolling on the turntable.
That means that you should be able to stop, start and cue a song
anywhere on a record on perfect beat.

For simplicity sake, there are two things that you have to keep
in mind when attempting to catch a break of a song;

1. Will the shock value manifest
   from the splice?
2. Can I do this on beat?

With the new technology in dj equipment in regards to beat mixing
like Final Scratch and the Numark
CDX table top cd /turntable players , keeping the needle to
the record is becoming less of a challenge. So I will not speak
much on weighs on needles and tone arm settings. But if you are
having a hard time keeping the needle on the record when you scratch
or triple thread a record then
you need to put more weight on the head(penny) of the tone arm
and/or develop more finesse when touching the turntable.

When attempting to catch a break you need to know where the snare
and the bass of a record intersects with the needle. Example below.

As you can see a well made record will speak volumes of information
to a knowledgeble street dj. The rule is that if you catch a snare
then you should be about 45 degrees from a bass. That is of course
that drum track is normal. If you happen to run across an
abnormal record format then you will have to mark the places of
interest on the record label with tape or a marker.

A good street dj never scratches or triple threads
too much.  Try to do advanced cutting techniques only to
enhance the music, not to just show your skill. You can showcase
your talent best by your music  selection and song blending
at the right moment to keep the groove of the mix.

Shock value comes in many different flavors and ways. Giving
you an example of shock value may or may not help you understand
exactly how to accomplish the goal. The style and type of music
would dictate your brand of shock value. Shock value is an highly
advance djing skill that should only be attempted when all the
basic skills are mastered.

If you have a special case and need better understanding I would
be happy to receive a email explaining your music style and ability
level. From there I might be able to better explain how you can
add shock value to your repertoire.