Best DJ Tech Tools To Get Your Very Own DJ Business Started
If you’re seeking to begin a business to provide your DJ services to the world. You may be wondering what type of equipment you will need to succeed. There are many things that you will be expected to provide when it comes to your DJ services. A few of which you may not even have thought.
We’re here to help and to let you know the seven best DJ tech tools to get your business started. Whether you’re providing the ambiance for a reception or getting a festival crowd moving with all the latest hits. The products listed cover a wide range of necessities for a variety of DJ styles.
How We Choose Our Ratings on DJ Tech Tools
Our main priority is to provide you with an array of products that are best suited for your needs. All of our ratings are informed by user feedback and customer testimonials to provide an honest and accurate look at the best DJ tech tools for you. This includes looking at company reputations and sifting through product data to select a few standout items.
Here’s Our Full Review Of The Best DJ Tech Tools For 2018
Microphone – Shure SM58
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No matter the setting in which you find yourself DJing, a microphone is always a necessity. As a disc jockey, you will find yourself needing to speak to large crowds of people.
And by introducing the wedding party to hyping up the dancefloor. Having your voice heard is vital during your time DJing. The Shure SM58 is a tried and true dynamic microphone.
And can serve multiple purposes for live performance as well as recording. Shure has been in the audio business for almost a century, and with the SM58.
You know that you’re getting quality product performance and durability. Two of the most important factors when deciding on a microphone purchase. The SM58 has seen its share of mic drops, both accidental and emphatic.
And its ability to keep operating after the fact is one of the reasons it’s the best in the industry.
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Performance
The Shure SM58 is a dynamic mic. While it also describes the microphone’s performance. Dynamic, in this case, refers to the way in which your microphone converts sound into electrical signals.
Dynamic mics, or moving coil microphones, function similarly to a loudspeaker. They contain a coil connected to the rear of a membrane. And a strong magnet surrounds the coil.
As you sing or speak into the microphone, sound waves of your voice move the membrane in time with these waves. Which in turn moves the coil fixed to the membrane’s back as well.
A small signal voltage is produced in the coil by its relative movement in the magnetic gap. Turning your voice, or whatever is being recorded or amplified, into electrical signals.
Pros
- Frequency response (50 to 15,000 Hz) tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass rolloff
- Dynamic cartridge with cardioid polar pattern
- A highly effective, built-in spherical filter minimizes wind and breath “pop” noise
Cons
- Slightly smaller profile
Loudspeakers – Electro-Voice ZLX-12P
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Now that you’ve got a microphone to turn your voice into an electrical signal, you’ll need some way to get those sound waves amplified and into the ears of the attendees at the event where you’re DJing.
While sometimes you may get lucky and the venue where you will be DJing may have a sound system for you to connect your equipment to, don’t count on this.
In most cases, you will be responsible for everything you need to serve up your mixes, speakers included. Fortunately, the Electro-Voice ZLX-12P is designed with performance in mind, on an exceptionally reasonable budget.
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Quality
With professional quality, the ZLX-12P gives the starting DJ room to grow with its onboard digital signal processor and EQ with factory presets, and even auto-limiting to protect your amp if you happen to get carried away. Electro-Voice’s loudspeakers shine whether you need them for clean spoken vocals or pulsing club tunes.
The ZLX-12P is also designed to operate with Electro-Voice’s ELX-118 and ELX-118P subwoofers to give your performance even more earth-shattering bass, but if you already have your subwoofer, that’s no problem.
The ZLX-12P has a built-in crossover to find the best match for your woofer. Electro-Voice’s loudspeaker is also powered, meaning that it has a built-in amplifier, and inputs for microphones, instruments, and even an auxiliary input if you just need to put on a playlist from your laptop.
Pros
- Front LED for “power on” and “limit” indication
- Patented split-baffle design for superior driver time alignment
- LCD display and 1-knob DSP control with presets for precise and speedy setup
Cons
- No added woofer
Live Mixer – Behringer Pro Mixer NOX101
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While most folks may associate DJs with the image of a person behind a couple of turntables, the mixer is one of the most powerful tools that DJs have at their disposal, and it makes smooth transitions and additional effects possible during your mix.
The Behringer name has long been synonymous with beginner quality gear because of the company’s cost-effective products that provide an easy way of entry to pro audio equipment, but there’s nothing to scoff at here.
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Channels
The NOX101 offers two channels with separate line and phono inputs as well as ¼” and RCA inputs. You’ll also find a channel EQs with Full-Kill filters that allow you to chisel out the entire frequency bands from high to low, which can be handy for on-the-fly mixing and adjusting to your venue’s acoustics.
Behringer’s NOX101 crossfader also allows for fast and responsive transitions between your inputs and can handle anything from even fades too hard cuts for scratching. If you’re going to be using vinyl for your sets, this mixer is perfect for you.
Pros
- Replaceable, long-life Ultraglide crossfader with up to 500,000 life cycles
- Direction-reverse and adjustable crossfader curve control
- Awesome 3-band EQs with kill filters
Cons
- Equipment heavy
Turntable – Numark Mixtrack 3
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For another affordable entry, we opted to go with a digital turntable. While vinyl enthusiasts may balk at the lack of an actual “turntable,” going digital for your DJ sets is a surefire way to save a bit of cash, and a bit of work.
While it can be visually and aesthetically pleasing to spin with vinyl, that classic style is a little more on the expensive side as you have to find records for your set as well as haul them to every gig.
Numark’s Mixtrack 3 relieves you of this extra responsibility and allows you to get started DJing quicker. It provides the perfect balance of name recognition with a budget price, and with this controller, you’ll have the club jumping in no time.
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Atomix Virtual DJ LE
The Mixtrack 3 comes bundled with Atomix Virtual DJ LE, so you don’t have to worry about software compatibility.
This performs where you need it to because when you expect the tactile response of a record, particularly if scratching, getting it “almost right” isn’t going to cut the mustard.
It has hi-res touch-sensitive metal platters that allow you to scratch, pitch bend, and pause playback with a touch.The Numark’s controller also offers other effects and faders to give you full control over the way you sound while behind the deck.
An additional plus is the included mixer, eliminating the need to purchase one separately, which would not be the case if you decide to go the vinyl record route.
Pros
- ONE PLUG: DJ Controller powered by USB connection to computer for home and aspiring DJs
- BUILT-IN SOUND CARD: Connects directly to headphones, microphones, and speakers
- BEAT MATCHING: Long, 100mm pitch sliders to keep beats in perfect sync
Cons
- Heavy
Software – Ableton 9
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When it comes to digital audio workstations, there is so much quality software to choose from. From Fruity Loops, which is well loved in the hip-hop community, to Pro Tools, the so-called industry standard, if you want to eschew the classic style of turntable DJing or if you need beat sequencing, extra effects or really anything that runs the gamut, Ableton 9 has you covered.
The software is designed specifically for live performances, and while Pro Tools may shine in the studio, Ableton 9 controls the live scene. It has over 50 gigabytes of sounds and includes virtual instruments and all the effects plugins that you’ll need for anything additional you might want to add to your mix.
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Pros
- Includes a Free Upgrade to Live 10 Suite
- Multi-track audio recording at up to 32-bit/192 kH
- Advanced warping and real-time time-stretching
Cons
- Expensive software
Sequencing Controller – Akai Professional APC40 MKII
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Akai redefined hip-hop and the entire music creation process with its release of the MPC. And in fact, MPC has become somewhat of a synecdoche for drum machines and specific types of music creation hardware. If your set is less concerned with spinning records, the APC40 MKII is perfect for launching your samples and clips that make your set unique.
The 5 x 8 grid of control buttons sync with Ableton, allowing the hardware to integrate perfectly with the software. An additional benefit for beginners is the plug-and-play ability of the Akai Professional APC40 MKII, as everything is pre-mapped, while for the advanced users, each button is configurable in Ableton to make your set flow just the way you need it to. The knobs and faders that surround the control button grid create a tactile feeling that every DJ will love.
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Pros
- Dedicated transport controls transmit MMC and MIDI to DAW and sequencing applications
- MIDI output over USB and traditional DIN MIDI I/O for controlling software and hardware
- Access 64 samples on 16 pressure and velocity-sensitive MPC pads with four banks each
Cons
- Drum pads on this unit are exceptionally mediocre
Headphones – Sony MDR 7506
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Sony is generally a very reliable company when it comes to electronic devices. Well recognized and with a household name, the Sony MDR 7506 is sure to please amateur and veteran alike. The MDR 7506 is perfect for monitoring your live set but also perfectly acceptable to use in the studio as well.
The closed-back design also helps to block outside noise when trying to control your live mix, which is particularly helpful in club atmospheres. The headphones’ frequency response ranges from 10Hz to 20kHz, which goes even beyond the human range of hearing.
They also have the added feature of foldability, allowing easy storage, and the cable is almost 10 feet in length, give you the full range of motion that you will need when you’re in the middle of DJing at an event.
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Pros
- 40mm diameter drivers delivers deeper sound and wider dynamic range
- Coiled cable allows for better mobility
- Swiveling Earcups
Cons
- Low impedance and closed ear design
Buyer’s Guide of DJ Tech Tools
While we’ve given you what we believe to be the best 7 DJ tech tools to get your DJ business started, if you still would like to take a further look at these or other products, here are a few tips to find the perfect equipment for you:
Find the equipment that best suits the needs of your DJ style
While it may be difficult at first, finding a style of DJing early on in your career can help you hone in on the kind of equipment you need. If you want to spin golden-era tunes or make mashups, looking into equipment like turntables and mixers is a great place to start.
If you like to add layers of sounds to your sets, having software and a software controller can be helpful. Having every piece of gear is not necessary, but it is important to take into account what kind of gear you would like to use.
Don’t forget the small stuff of DJ Tech Tools
Things like headphones or lights might be overlooked but are important to have when you’re on stage. While we didn’t cover lighting options this time, like the sound system, lighting is great when it is provided for you but it shouldn’t be expected. Having even simple light options can add an extra dimension to both your set and your business.
Keep your budget in mind about DJ Tech Tools
It is extremely important to keep on top of your budget. While some gear you may start out with might not last until the end of your career. Keeping your gear within a fixed price range can lessen the stress of acquiring it. Even if you need to sacrifice in products you want for the products you need to operate your DJ business.
Take a look at what people who own or have used the product have to say about DJ Tech Tools
Customer reviews online are a great way to know which products are reliable. And best suited for what you want to use them. Every DJ knows that hardware failure is one of the most frightening things that can happen.
And by ensuring that you have a lasting product by double-checking with real people. You can take steps to prevent that failure from happening to you while you’re performing.
Taking note of ratings and cross-referencing them on multiple websites can be a great indicator of quality.
Last update on 2024-04-18 at 15:42 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
