i am starting to dj and i need some gear. What recomendations do you guys have? I want to play the music through my laptop for around 400 people at the max. What systems would be best for this? I will buy new or used and my budget is 3000$
Need dj gear
- Thread starter everettrinke
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For 400 people, you'll probably spend that much just on speakers. A typical pair of tops with amplification (either self-powered or with an amp) will run 1200-1600. Subs (needed for that many people) will run $800-$1300 each, minimum. Even used, you'll be close to your max. You may want to look at putting together a business plan (an informal one) to see what it is you really want to focus on. I'm thinking for crowds that large, you'll be spending at least $5000 and that is for sound only.
Welcome Everettrinke, you have ample enough in your budget to get a great system to cover up to 400 people.
2 of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/jbl-mrx515-15-2-way-loudspeaker
1 or 2 of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/jbl-mrx518s-single-18-subwoofer/600411000000000 depending on the function, if a Wedding 1 would suffice.
That would leave you will with $800 (after I take my 20% of the remaining $1000)
2 of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/jbl-mrx515-15-2-way-loudspeaker
1 or 2 of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/jbl-mrx518s-single-18-subwoofer/600411000000000 depending on the function, if a Wedding 1 would suffice.
That would leave you will with $800 (after I take my 20% of the remaining $1000)
Add amps for that and we're still over the number .. and we didn't get mixer, controller, audio interface, etc.
400 people is a big gig that needs a serious system. I doubt that all your gigs will be that big. So I would recommend buy as good a system you can afford at the moment and if you need a bigger system on occasion just rent the additional gear you will need.
The system above is a great start but you would need amplification and a crossover
Two of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-eurolive-b812neo-12-2-way-speaker/485567000000000
And one or two of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-eurolive-b1800d-pro-active-18-subwoofer
Will do a gig up to 300 people effortlessly.
It is a self amplified system all you would need is the proper cables and a pair of stands.
This will leave you with some funds to buy a decent controller.
The system above is a great start but you would need amplification and a crossover
Two of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-eurolive-b812neo-12-2-way-speaker/485567000000000
And one or two of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-eurolive-b1800d-pro-active-18-subwoofer
Will do a gig up to 300 people effortlessly.
It is a self amplified system all you would need is the proper cables and a pair of stands.
This will leave you with some funds to buy a decent controller.
400 people is a lot .. like half a gym's worth or double/triple a weddings worth .. plus if it's club/dance style music, we are talking serious equipment. Just trying to keep it real here.
I'm not saying you can't put together a system for $3K or less, you just need to know what you're going after. 3K will buy you a starter system that will need to be grown to get it to function with a group that big. For 400 people, I will pull out my Yorkville Unity system, which is marginal for that size, and that cost me over $6K ($4K for the speakers and $2500 for the 3 QSC amps and crossover). So if you're looking to start with a system for 150-250 happy people, the JBLs above and the Behringers are great ..
I'm not saying you can't put together a system for $3K or less, you just need to know what you're going after. 3K will buy you a starter system that will need to be grown to get it to function with a group that big. For 400 people, I will pull out my Yorkville Unity system, which is marginal for that size, and that cost me over $6K ($4K for the speakers and $2500 for the 3 QSC amps and crossover). So if you're looking to start with a system for 150-250 happy people, the JBLs above and the Behringers are great ..
Save your money just enough to get to the QSC KW line...Tons of warranty and they pound from what I've heard and read.
I think your budget is a little short to achive your goal. Nothing wrong with buying used gear, just do your research.
Well hey if we are talking used he should be well within budget for amps/speakers at least. I'm just pitching out there if you are buying new buy once and get something you can live with for 5 years.
you could buy four Live X tops and two 18 inch Live X EV Subs Powered models this would leave you enough to purchase a Hercules controller DONE!!
Jon, you must have connections somewhere! I see the tops (12") at $600 and the subs at $800, which would put us at $4000 for the 6pc set. :triwink:
my bad I thought he said 5 grand I now see my mistook. I would then consider two subs with two tops I do 500 with my Dyna (two subs and 2 tops.) Im not comparing them as such but it would work for now as long as he doesnt overdrive the tops. I have seen better prices than what you are showing though so the controller minus 2 tops would be close.
And that's probably where the OP should start .. but it's not a 400 person setup. Buy the basics, rent equipment when you do a larger gig and grow.
You must either be drinking or joking, especially the part where you are recommending 1 of the Bass speakers.
Just for Bass I will start with a pair of JBL SRX 728s. Those are Dual 18" each. There is a big difference in hearing sound and really experiencing sound. He is underfunded if he wants to do it correctly.
I agree. 400 people is 400 people no matter how you cut the mustard. That place has to be pretty large and one will need serious DB levels to pull off that Gig and have natural sound.
Once one reaches a head count of 300, anything over and beyond that requires Live Sound/PA Style Gear. One does not fulfill that requirement without the extra processing etc. That adds up pretty quickly. Regular DJ speakers won't make the grade.