Thinking about getting a DJ setup...

[flood]

I've been wanting to get a decent DJ setup for a while, and now I have the cash to do it.
I want to do happy hardcore/house/trance... so I dont think i'll be doing any scratching.
My budget is about $1k for the turntables and mixer. I was thinking about getting a pair of stantons, Beheringer vmx200, and maybe final scratch.
I'd like some opinions/recommendations on what I should get.

 

[schizoid]

Originally posted by: flood
I've been wanting to get a decent DJ setup for a while, and now I have the cash to do it.
I want to do happy hardcore/house/trance... so I dont think i'll be doing any scratching.
My budget is about $1k for the turntables and mixer. I was thinking about getting a pair of stantons, Beheringer vmx200, and maybe final scratch.
I'd like some opinions/recommendations on what I should get.

a DJ = 2 x (Tech 12s) + 2 x (Shure m44-7/g) + Vestax Mixer

Anything else and you're just some guy with a record player.

 

[flood]

I'm just starting out... is it really worth gettin a pair of 1200's?
Should i look for a used set or get new ones?
Also, what should i expect to pay for them?

 

[eakers]

the resale value of 12s still surprises me.
you can prolley get them about $600 cdn each used. (i dunno about american prices)

if you are just starting out and don't want to jump right into 1200s then i suggest making sure whatever you get are direct drive and not belt.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: flood
I'm just starting out... is it really worth gettin a pair of 1200's?
Should i look for a used set or get new ones?
Also, what should i expect to pay for them?

get the 1200's.

 

[eakers]

a friend of mine has a pair of stantons and he loves em btw.

 

[flood]

hm, arrite..
has anyone played around with finalscratch?

 

[FrustratedUser]

Check this.

 

[TranceNation]

I got 2 1200s (shure m44) and a pioneer mixer myself

 

[schizoid]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: flood
I'm just starting out... is it really worth gettin a pair of 1200's?
Should i look for a used set or get new ones?
Also, what should i expect to pay for them?

get the 1200's.

Seriously.

If you don't have the money now, wait until you do. You should be able to get a 1200 and a cart for 500 each if you look around.

 

[flood]

I have the budget for the 1200's... I'd just like to know that my money is well spent if i do get them though.
Their resale value does make me feel better about them.
any opinions on final scratch?

 

[JShaker]

Why do DJs use turntables instead of CD players? Simply for the purpose of scratching?

 

[flood]

Originally posted by: JShaker
Why do DJs use turntables instead of CD players? Simply for the purpose of scratching?

If you tried DJ'ing, you would know why
You would need something like this in order to do everything you could with a turntable.

 

[chiwawa626]

Go for 1200s if u got the cash, but its not impossible to start with lower end equipment. Frankly if you cant learn to mix on a pair of gemini's or stantons over a long period of time, you shouldnt be mixing anyways. My bro learned to mix on a old sony directdrive and a technics beltdrive, both home audio turntables from the 70s. Of course 1200s are the best, and easyest to learn on, its not impossible to use other equipment. Check out resale values, because u know if u get into djing u will eventualy get 1200s, and u know if u feel it isnt right for u ull prolly sell em. But if ur not goin for 1200s, then get stantons their sturdy. If ur gonna spend 1K + 400 for final scratch and ur just gonna spin house/trance, then just go for a all cd setup, again cddj 1000s would be nice, but u can use other equipment, check out dennons. Cddj 1000s are practicly digital turntables, mainly for those who want to manipulate the record for scratching, and ur not gonna be doing that so getting those would be overkill anyways.

 

[mdbound]

As a newbie, I shouldn't be spouting my mouth off, but I really think that you should get an all CD setup if you are going to be mainly doing trance. Using the BPM counters and looping features of high end DJ CD players, you can easily mix house and trance. My brother uses the CDN88, which is one PHAT cd player. He has two numark TT's but never uses them and in fact is trying to get rid of them right now. It's so easy to mix on the CDN88 that it's almost stupid to use the TT's unless you want to be a purist. The new denon cd player (forgot the model but I can look it up if you need) can play 2 tracks on 1 CD!!! That is definitely phat. Also, the CDDJ1000 is another phat, but expensive cd player. Nice if you want to really scratch, but not needed. (BTW, the CDN88 also can scratch and it sounds pretty realistic). I would recommend those 3 setups instead of the one that you proposed (oh, also the CDN90 which has a few more effect features).

Each turntable is unique in how it works and if you get used to one, it can be a bit difficult to move on to another setup. So, try to find somebody with the 1200s that would let you practice, and then buy those if that's what you really want. Personally, I've used the 1200s a bit and they are definitely smooth (much better than my brother's numarks).

Nota bene: The above statement is IMHO.....

MD.