Korean Job Discussion Forums

[matthews_world]

I've been looking into purchasing a basic DJ system - mixers, turntables, etc.

Just a couple questions for the enthusiasts out there:

What's should a basic system comprise of?

What kind of equipment do you run?

[discostu333]

Depends on what style of music you play / want to play. You have 3 basic options;

2 X vinyl (12" record turntable) and a mixer. Oldskool, functional and the best for hip hop / scratch DJing.

2 X CD player / CDJs and a mixer. Standard for nowdays.

Decent laptop, external sound card and a MIDI controller. Digital DJing / Laptop DJing setup, more and more common nowadays.

I currently have 2 X Pioneer CDJ-1000mk3's, DJM 800 mixer, 2 X Numark TTX1 turntables and some outboard computer gear for recording / audio editing. Unfortunately none of it is in Korea due to the cost / risk of shipping it here when I don't know how long I'll be staying here. Buying equipment here is quite expensive and importing it isn't an option lest you get stung with heavy import tax.

I'd be quite happy to answer any specific questions you have, but it would definitely help to know what music you're into / if you have any previous DJ experience or if you are just wanting to get into DJing for the first time.

[furtakk]

I have 2 technics 1200s, pioneer djm600, and serato.

All of it is also not in Korea (minus my serato box).

I think when I go home after this contact I will sell all of my gear and repurchase it in Korea when I come back. Everything is way way more expensive here so I'm not sure yet.

Anyways, as the previous poster said you have a few options.

MIDI
CDJs
Vinyl
Serato or some other emulation software (used with vinyl or cdjs)

Serato basically enables you to play mp3s off of your laptop, but you control everything with whatever gear you have (vinyl or cdjs). You still use records or cds, but they are special audio files that are read by the serato hardware. The hardware observes the movements of the record/cd, so if you scratch, slow down the platter, blah blah, it's as if you were doing it with a real record or cd. It allows for a much bigger library of songs, better organization, quicker djing (no need to swap records, just changing songs on your laptop), among other things.

In North America at least, standard club setup is vinyl in smaller clubs and hip hop/top 40 places, while CDJs are found in really big house/dance/etc clubs. Nearly everyone who plays on vinyl uses serato. If they're playing straight records it's usually some sort of special party or event. And I've seen a lot of house djs also using serato with cdjs.

If you're just starting out (especially in Korea) I'd recommend a midi setup. It is much cheaper and you probably already have the most expensive piece of gear (a laptop). If you enjoy it, you can then think about upgrading to vinyl or cdjs.

A midi setup usually includes a laptop, a midi controller (something like this: http://www.musicgadgets.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/vci100_1.jpg), an external soundcard, and a pair of headphones. Standard setup (not including laptop) can cost as cheap as $200~ and upwards of $1000.

[matthews_world]

Keep it comin' guys. Nice posts.

I'm looking at running off my laptop so the info was very helpful.


Also, what is good software for editing mp3's and blending them during playback?

[re:cursive]

[brickabrack]

Will second the serato software. It has become very popular and useful for many djs.

I know a few people who have produced some nice mixes with ableton also. I've used Reason and Audition. They work for me, because I am familiar with them.

It would hardly make sense to invest in technics or other equip here if you're not anticipating a long term stay. The CD players are a lot more mobile if you do want to travel with them.

I just find it amazing how some people will have their decks and vinyl shipped overseas.....expensive!! I would suggest a midi controlled laptop setup if you're serious. You can catalogue all your tunes and rip 'em down onto digital files and now you're a dj. That seems to be the way traveling djs are going anyhow.

Good luck.

[furtakk]

the thing with technics, at least in n. america, is that the resale value doesn't really change like it does with other electronics. if you buy a pair used off craigslist, it's not hard to sell them for the same price or a bit less a couple years later. korea is a different story though. maybe it's because my korean isn't great, but the dj community seems a lot smaller here, especially in a city the size of seoul.

anyhow, ableton is pretty much the best for doing edits. i used it a lot when i used to do top40 parties in college. great for making intros, corny mashups, or whatever you like.

for straight production i'd recommend reason or ableton as well. a bit of a learning curve, but you can do a lot with either.