Choosing my next move as a DJ

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chasegreist

New DJ
Sep 29, 2011
34
0
32
Tallahassee FL
This post almost belongs in the gear section, but it's really as much of a post about gear as it is about what direction I want to go as a DJ. As a background, I'm an 18 year old college freshmen who got started in DJ-ing a little around a year ago. I've had a busy schedule, but i'm always practicing, so I'd describe myself as a "mid to high level amateur" but definitely not a pro of any sorts. I'm also a college student at a big university, so as you can imagine, theirs no shortage of DJs, but also no shortage in clubs and parties. Currently my gear consists of VirtualDJ with a Mixtrack Pro controller and a decent pair of headphones. My gig experience is minimal, only doing very small parties for my friends. I've been saving up money and I've decided my two options are as follows:

The Numark NS6, my dream pro-level controller, its a tad more than I have saved in the DJ fund at the moment but I'd be able to get one within a few months and I'm in no huge rush. With this choice I'd see myself having to put in alot more practice to master the new controller and software and being geared more towards the lounge-bar-club scene, which I know is extremely difficult to work into as an amateur.

Option 2, The mobile set up. I could invest my money in a decent quality mobile DJ setup (table, speakers, all that good stuff). I'd need to do some research into exactly what I needed but I could get a decent one for about the same or cheaper than an NS6. This option gears me much more towards the private parties and college events that are always going on around campus. I'd be able to stick with my Mixtrack Pro, atleast for the time being, and although its certainly an amateur controller, I get the feeling frat parties wouldn't mind If I didn't have top notch gear.

Besides these options I'm open to all suggestions! If anybody has been in a similar position or has broken out as a DJ in a college town, I'd love to hear some input/stories from you!

Thanks!
 
Just out of curiousity where are you actually located?
 
Cool, Boilermaker here.

When I was on campus I was fortunate enough to live in a dorm that had a fully operational radio station complete with a mobile rig. That's where I learned to DJ and eventually learned to run the station and mobile rigs. On campus we had 3 dorms with stations and mobile rigs. There was also a student club that was more setup for just messing around mixing.
 
Ahh that sounds like an awesome way to learn. Unfortunately my area of study isn't broadcast or even music related, so I don't have access to any university equipment that would be useful DJing.

Edit: and as far as I know there aren't any student organizations related to DJing, but i'll definitely be on the lookout
 
I was a psych major. Each of our dorms has a student club (responsible for events, etc within the halls) and the gear was the club's. Also, within our Dean of Students office, there is a Student Activties Office and they keep track of all of the student orgs on campus, so that might be a resource for you if you have one of those offices.

Back to working with the hall station, while I was there, we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Our rig had been built and constantly evolving over time, when I left we had one kick arse system. Powerful enough to be heard 5 blocks away, designed well enough to be crystal clear 3 blocks away. Here's the full configuration of the system:

Speakers:
2x B-52 SR12's
2x B-52 SR1515's
2x B-52 18 subs
Amps:
2x crown
1x mackie
Peavey crossover

Mixer: Denon DN-1500
CD decks: Denon DN-4500
2x Denon DN-S5000
2x Technics SL-1200 mkII
 
Wow thats one sick system!! especially for a dorm to have available... I love the convenience and affordability of controllers but I can seriously appreciate vinyl or CDJ DJs, I'd definitely learn it if I could afford it.
 
That system had been built over a period of about 6 years. We got anywhere from $1500 to $3500 as startup cash for the year, that was for both the studio and mobile stuff. Anything we made from mobile work went back into the systems. Also, I started in 2000, so the whole controller idea wasn't around then.
 
Thats awesome, I would be in heaven if my dorm was also a studio and mobile DJ headquarters lol. So I assume your suggestion to my original question would to be go with the mobile aproach?
 
Chase, first off - welcome to the best l'il DJ spot on the web. Some great people around here.

If I may, why the Numark NS6? Is there a software package / platform that you desire to run with it? Mobile guys go wherever we are needed - the only issue being, do we have what we need (equipment [hardware / software / other]) to perform the show we're being asked.
 
Thanks for the welcome to the forums, I'm very glad I've found it!

The NS6 was my choice for a few reasons. My first controller that I learned on and still have is the Mixtrack pro which has a very similair layout that I am familiar and content with. I looked at other similar controllers like the Vestax VCI-300 MKII and the Traktor Kontrol S4, but alot of them seemed like I would be paying an extra couple hundred dollars for a controller that had only a few more features than the mixtrack pro, which has turned out to be an adequately equipped entry level controller. I didn't get this feeling from the NS6 though, the platters seem extremely responsive, even good enough for accurate scratching and the remix capabilities (from reviews and videos I've watched) seemed downright awesome.

EDIT: And the fact that it comes with the full version of Serato ITCH is certainly a plus. Virtual DJ is a great program, especially to learn on, but Serato seems more streamlined and professional overall
 
chasegreist said:
Thats awesome, I would be in heaven if my dorm was also a studio and mobile DJ headquarters lol. So I assume your suggestion to my original question would to be go with the mobile aproach?
Click to expand...

Going the mobile route would probably be your best bet. By doing that, you'd still be able to practice doing live mixing, especially at campus events.
 
ChaseGreist first of all welcome and thanks for your intelligent dialogue. I have been in this industry just turning 40 yrs of fun and BLood Sweat and tears. I have kept my value in this industry by being as versatile as possible. I have pretty much ran the gamit and am still able to play the newest of the new but bonus is that I also play the old stuff which I came into the biz with. Im a music nut and even challenge myself to many ethnic events playing their music and not some white guy American who heard a song that has leanings towards a culture. Having the vast knowledge and the passion to learn any and all types of music has paid me to remain in my one true love in life. DJ entertainment. I have had the pleasure of traveling and playing in 7 different countries in all capacities and I wouldnt trade my life for anything. I would recommend the mobile thing with the option to pursue club style gigs as well it will allow you to make m ore money and be seen more often than if you narrow the options. I use VDJ and Rockit and occasionally use Serato. I will soon be strictly Rockit one of our sponsors is the creator of that software and he is in process to release an upgrade that will do most anything the others can do. Serato has some limitations that the others dont have and is why I prefer them over Serrato. The NS controller has had great revues tho I have yet to take it for a spin. I may go that route myself as I have a large Odyssey case full of equipment this old cat would love to trim down from.
 
Just my input - when I dove into the digital side of the house, I wanted a great product and I knew that meant I would have to pony up some coinage. My software of choice, Serato Itch (it gave me a system with a dedicated controller and without having to lug around additional hardware, like CD players or turntables (I'm already carrying 2 CD players and I have 4 more at the ready). The controller contenders of choice - The Numark NS6 and the Vestax VCI-300. In appeal, the NS6 won every time. I drooled just looking at it. Function, pretty much same, same. They are right on par with each other. One may have a few more gadgets than the other and vice versa but for the most part - they really are right on par. Mobility, The VCI wins this one - easily. So it came down to appeal (mine) or mobility and to be honest - I lug around enough heavy crap already. The VCI won and I have never looked back. The VCI is just as accurate as the Numark is. Just be sure what you want so that you're not throwing those funds out the window. I still toy with the Numarks when I can but I'm much happier with a much more mobile deck that can accomplish the same feats as the NS6. The VCI also comes with Itch free. The spinning decks on the Numark really are cool - but they're there for the bling.

As stated, VDJ is also a great program and alot of people here swear by it.
 
I have had the chance to take the Vessie for a test ride and via touch its much more fluid the controls move like they are not just a plastic unit it oozes the quality feel. Though I only touched the NS once It didnt have that same fluid feel to it as the Vestax. I am considering it or the new Denon as my next control unit of choice.
 
It is different having a nice intelligent conversation with a new guy.

Rockit is a software made by one of our sponsors here. I haven't personally taken it for a spin, but many here have (and many more not on here) and are happy with it.

Chase, do you have an OS / platform / system of choice - or have you not gotten that far yet?

I might also suggest taking a minute to fill out your profile and telling (if you can) a little more about yourself. This helps keep the natives peaceful. We do like to have an idea of who we are talking to. There is alot of very useful knowledge from the guys and gals on here.
 
Wow thanks for the input everyone! I will have to take the VCI-300 for a test spin for sure, since I've never actually gotten the chance to play with it in person. And in regards to Jon Tuk and J Mac's posts, I feel your opinion of going mobile is a solid one and will definitely keep my options wide, and in time, I would also be able to purchase a higher level controller of my choice. And in regards to ittigger, by OS I assume you are referring to virtual software, in which I currently have Virtual DJ Pro which came with the Numark Mixtrack Pro (after a quick upgrade from the lite edition). Its the current software I use but I wouldn't necessarily say its my software of choice because I haven't gotten the chance to explore others. I've used traktor demos before but the lack of overlapping waveforms immediately turned me off, and I haven't gotten the chance to use Serato but alot of the "Pros" I've met are using it so I assumed it was pretty good.

On a side note I'm very excited to become a part of this forum! I just joined tonight and on my first thread ever, the response has been extremely positive, I'll be updating my profile soon!
 
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