There is more to say on this subject than there is time to write it. Most of what you'll learn about equipment will come from experience. (Remember: PRACTICE!) Here are a few things that will get you started.


Mixers
If you are just getting into things and are unsure if you want to be doing this sort of work a year from now, investing into a big "it can do everything" mixer probably isn't a good idea. There are a lot of good smaller mixers available which fit the bill fine.

There is a common misconception that a better mixer will make a better performance. A better mixer will only better a person's performance once they have the practice and know how to make effective use of their "it can do everything" equipment. Even then, a good DJ doesn't need it to do everything for a good mix. My favorite example is when I let a local radio station (KUCI 88.9FM in Irvine, CA -- Riders of the Plastic Groove Show) use my mixer for an evening. DJ Ron D Core (a big name in the Los Angeles area) was one of the guest DJs for the evening and refused to use the station's mixer which had circular faders. (He said it was like using a washing machine.) My very simple Atus 200 sat between his turntables and let him mix one of the best sets I had ever heard. Believe me when I say the mixer had nothing to do with it. My point: Equipment never makes up for talent.

A few names to start with are:
o MTX
o Gemini
o Atus
o Vestax
o Radio Shack
o Rane

MTX. Very few poor reviews have been posted concerning the unit and it seems to be a popular unit for many DJs. It is mid-priced ($200-$500) and offers all of the elements needed in a good DJ mixer. Nothing flashy, just solid performance.

Gemini mixers are a definite consideration for the starting DJ. They offer a wide array of mixers from entry level to professional and most DJs who use them seem to be pleased with their performance.

Radio Shack is just bad news. Within the last three years of my net presence, I have only heard ONE good comment about their equipment and staff. (This comes from frequenting many different newsgroups, including many technical groups) Their mixers are the best priced, but it many not be a unit you'll want to keep for a long time...

Vestax is better known for the CD players. I haven't heard much about them or their mixers, but you should just know that they are out there. Somewhere...

The Rane MP-24 is a high-end mixer constructed with the professional in mind. At $1000 for a single unit, they are the most expensive DJ mixers available, but Rane has managed to justify the price tag with an impressive array of features and professional components. There is an audible difference when using one. These features include: ALP faders for clean transitions, four independent outputs, transformer isolated light trigger output (so you won't lose your sound if the light chaser cable shorts), a loaner program in case your unit goes bad (although it has been noted that redundancy is a key feature), and last but not least, a feature to disable the MIC from tape outputs (this allows you to use the MIC during a performance, but not have the taping reflect these announcements). 48 hour repair turnaround is also available.

A note about sampling mixers: Sampling mixers have received mixed reviews in regards to their quality. Some have found their quality to be fine while others complain that they are too spotty. It seems a lot of people agree that the samplers are typically good enough for drum loops but not good enough for vocals.


CD Players
The features you need to look for in a DJ level CD player include:

o Instant start
o Fast cueing
o Pitch control/Pitch bend
o Easy to read display

Features that are nice to have:

o Pitch lock

The choices you have are:
1. Denon
2. Pioneer
3. Gemini

Some basic common tidbits of information:

1. The smallest unit of sound on a CD is a frame. One frame is equal to 1/75 sec.
2. Instant start means a start time in the hundredths of a second. Claims of instant start "In under 1 second!" are bogus.
3. No CD player (yet) can scratch or backspin.
4. This FAQ doesn't consider a CD player to be a DJ CD player unless it has pitch control. Although there are many DJs who use traditional CD players for their work, that sort of list would be better suited for Consumer Reports to tackle.



Suggestions for CD-Player Care:
Although these were pulled from a Denon specific document, most of the suggestions are applicable to all CD players.

o General Care
o Rack mount the unit -- this will result in much less physical abuse on the unit In the case of the Pioneer unit, keep it in a coffin.
o Keep it clean -- Dust and the sensitive electronics inside the unit don't get along.
o Usage Tips
o Use sticky on one side clean lamination sheets to protect the display from scratches.
o Support the back of your rack mounted unit with a sturdy brace made of metal or wood. This will help reduce skipping caused by vibration.
o Use three units of rack space instead of two and fill the gaps with foam pillow. This reduces
vibration even more.
o Make sure your CDs are clean if you find cue times getting excessive.
o Operational Tips and Difficulties
o Try turning the unit off and then back on. Most problems fix themselves this way.
o Don't bend your controller cables (if you have any) tightly. This causes errors when the units
communicate with each other.

DENON
Denon's good reputation in the pro-audio market reaches well into the DJ market as well. All of their products are solid performers and are often the standard by which other units are compared.

On the lowest end if the DN-1000F. This is a single unit CD player with instant start, +/- 8% pitch, pitch bend (+/- 12%), and frame cueing. It's a solid performer and is extremely easy to carry around. There are two special plugs in the back to connect it with another DN-1000F and to connect it with an RC-35 adapter (see below). The open/close button on the tray is protected which means the unit will not eject a playing CD. This kindly keeps clueless people around you from stopping a playing song. The CD must be either cued or paused to be ejected. Last but not least is the self locking transport. The laser pickup automatically locks in place when the power is shut off.

Right next to the DN-1000F is the DN-2000F. This unit is no longer manufactured but there are still quite a few out there. The DN-2000F is essentially two DN-1000F's packaged in one convenient box. Both CD players are in one box which only has a power switch and eject buttons on it. The controls for it are all on the RC-35 which comes as part of the package.

The RC-35 is a remote control for the DN-1000F and DN-2000F players. This allows you to mount the actual units in your coffin (often seen a little above the knees) and keep the actual controls (pitch, start, stop, track change, cueing) and backlit display right next to your mixer. This unit comes as part of the DN-2000F package and is required to use the DN-2000F. The DN-1000F has all of these controls on the face of the unit already and therefore does not need the remote control for operation. However, it is handy if you want to mount the DN-1000F somewhere else and control it from the area around your mixer.

Since the DN-2000F has been discontinued, the DN-2000F Mk II has been released. It is very similar in structure to the DN-2000F but offers many new controls to making mixing a touch easier. The display on the RC-35 is now active matrix instead of backlit making it easier to view from different angles, the power switch has a protector around it to keep idiots from turning everything off, instant start has been made a touch faster at 0.01 seconds from the old 0.03 seconds.

As a replacement for the DN-2700F, Denon has released the DN-2500 as its top of the line unit. The DN-2500 offers all the features of the DN-2000F Mk II as well as three pitch ranges, 4%, 8%, and 16%, a preset mode, a jog wheel for cueing, sleep function, index search, skip search, sampler with seamless looping, master tempo, brake effect (similar to turning a turntable off and letting the record glide to a stop), and a voice reducer.

It should be noted that these units use plastic CD trays. BE CAREFUL! They are $100 to repair and are NOT covered under warranty if broken. Clubs should mount the transport high to avoid drawers getting squashed by belt buckles when open. Mobiles should be careful!

Should your unit need repair, it will be taken to United Radio in Syracuse, NY. At United Radio, a team of Denon specialists will examine and repair the unit. Remember: These techs are people too! You'll have much better luck remaining civil with them and explaining your problem in a well thought out systematic manner than you will screaming at them.

Some unofficial notes from these techs are:
o Some units with serial numbers below one thousand had consistent trouble with their circuitry not being well connected. Difficulty cueing and skipping on beats only during breakdowns are telltale signs. Accuracy: 50% o units which consistently skip most likely have a misaligned laser. handle it with extra care. accuracy:75%

PIONEER
Unlike the Denon series, the Pioneer CDJ-500 was meant to resemble a turntable more than a CD player. The unit fits nicely in a coffin space originally for the Technics SL-1200 and all the operations (including disc load) is done from the top instead of the side. The pitch slider goes +/- 10% and includes pitch lock. Instead of using buttons for cueing and pitch bend, the unit uses a large jog wheel to control the CD which is supposed to resemble the feel of manipulating vinyl. (Whether or not it resembles vinyl is up for debate, however, many say that it is easier to manipulate than the Denons.) It can also display CD-G discs and karaoke discs.

The only noticeable downfall for the unit is it's larger price tag. If you have the kind of money it takes to get one of these, go for it.

GEMINI
Gemini's recent addition to the Pro-DJ market is the CD-9500 and CD-4700, units which are in direct competition to the Denon DN-2000F/Mk II and DN-1000F respectively.

The CD-9500 features frame level cueing (1/75th of a second), a jog wheel allowing for six different search speeds, instant start, two disc bays, a remote control so you can mount the unit away from the controls, and the standard +/- 8% pitch control. Because it has only recently been introduced, we don't know its long term stability, however, initial reactions to the unit have been very favorable. Cute features include a protector on the power switch so you don't accidentally turn the unit off, and eject buttons which will not eject the disc while it is playing.

The CD-4700 is just like the CD-9500 except it sports only one disc bay and no remote control. An ideal backup unit or a good way to start buying equipment if you can't afford a 9500 on the first shot.

The nicest feature of the Gemini units is their price tag. Much friendlier than the Denon units with comparable features. One feature that Denon has up on Gemini is the pitch bend buttons -- the Gemini units only go +/-8% whereas the Denon units go +/-12%. The extra speed on the Denon units are useful when you've pitched up +8% on a track and need to push it just a little faster to get the beats in sync. On the other hand, the Gemini's multi-speed search is terribly useful when seeking through long tracks.

These are units worth checking out.


Protecting your CDs
Theft is a serious problems DJs have, especially with CDs. Because of their smaller size, its much easier to slip them out of parties, clubs, etc. and is much harder to prove ownership of afterward.

There are, thankfully, a few things that you can do to help protect your discs from theft. A simple solution is to notch the cases. Unfortunately, this is a common practice and may not do you much good if the CD inside gets swiped.

Another option is to use an exacto knife and carve your name or other ID information into the clear center of the disc. Many used CD stores will require that the seller produce identification if the disc they bring it has an ID number (ie: drivers license) on it.

A more noticeable solution is a special unremovable front clear adhesive with your name on it. A company out in Arizona makes these and can be contacted at 602-435-7299.


Turntables
Depending on whether you are just starting or have decided to go pro, you have these choices:

1. Gemini
2. Technics
3. GLI
4. Vestax

There are many other people who make turntables, however, these tend to be the more popular models. If you have questions about a specific model, please post it to the newsgroup -- that's what it's there for.

Starting DJs who aren't sure if they want to drop $400/unit for a professional turntable should look into the low-end DJ turntables from Gemini. These units aren't the best in the world, but in terms of bang for the buck, they're a good option.

The Gemini XL-BD10 is a belt driven turntable which can be purchased for less than $100/unit. It has +/-8% pitch control so you can do true beatmixes with it. This sort of turntable is fine for learning how to work your music and get the hang of putting together a good mix.

The Technics SL-1200 Mk II and SL-1210 Mk II turntables are considered professional level equipment. There is a common misconception that the only difference between the 1200 and 1210 is their color, however, both models have been seen in both silver and black. The true difference is in the 1210's ability to switch voltages for use in European countries. Both decks sport a high torque motor and use direct drive instead of belt drive. This results in a faster spin up time thereby providing means to do instant starts. The pitch slider allows for +/- 8% pitch and is extremely accurate. They are also known to hold their value for long periods of time due to their sturdy construction.

Gemini XL-1800Q IV is Gemini's attempt at the 1200 level market. It features anti-skate adjustment, pitch control, adjustable tone arm, feather-touch start/stop, strobe illuminator, pop-up target light, XLR lamp adapter, and a S-shaped tone arm. The units are cheaper than the Technics, however, many say that they aren't as pleasant to work with. If you're tight for money, get behind a pair and feel them yourself before making a decision.

A recent entry into the turntable war is Vestax. Their PDX line was meant to compete with the Technics SL-1200 and based on what many have said it is a good competitor. Definitely worth
the time to check them out and compare for yourself.


Here is a quick breakdown of turntables:


GLI SL-1900
o Direct Drive o Fully manual
o Start/stop button
o Slide pitch control
o Cueing
o Strobe illuminator
o Pop-up target light
o Aluminum platter
o 23lbs
o Adjustment s shape tone arm
o Anti skate control


Gemini PT-1000
o Anti-skate adjustment
o Adjustable pitch control
o Feather touch start/stop
o Strobe illuminator
o Pop-up target light
o S-shaped tone arm
o XLR lamp adapter


Technics SL-1200
o Quartz-Direct Drive
o Heavy Duty Aluminum Platter
o Adjustable Weights on Tonearm
o S-Shaped Tone Arm
o Feather Touch Start/Stop Button
o Anti Skating Control
o High Torque Motor
o Slide Pitch


Vestax PDX-5000
o Direct drive quartz
o Ultra high torque motor
o Start up time of 0.5 seconds
o Starting torque of 1.6kg-cm
o Electronic braking system
o Pitch adjustment of +/-10%
o Illuminated analog pitch VU meter
o Detachable mini-light
o Detachable pitch fader
o Anti-skate adjustment of 7g
o Static balanced S-shaped arm vibration sync suspend system
o Remote momentary start (mini-jack)
o No-dead zone around zero
o Quartz lock button


Record Cleaners
Dirt usually manifests itself as crackles, pop, and increased noise, whereas a worn-out stylus typically sounds like the high-end has dropped out.

The best record juices won't leave any residue on the records. The worst ones will leave a layer of "gunk" in the grooves, and possibly draw plasticisers out of the vinyl itself making it brittle. The folks on rec.audio.high-end have shared cleaning recipes which generally consist of 75% water (deionized, filtered), 25% ethanol (everclear), and some photo-flo (wetting agent).

For those of you who are more interested in pre-made cleaning agent, there have been positive reports with Discwasher D4 juice and a pad.

Another suggestion is to use rubbing alcohol and felt cleaner. Once the record is clean, place a few drops of WD40 on the corners to return the moisture to it. Remember to do this last step VERY carefully.

Don't forget that bad needles can be the cause of record damage as well. Protect your vinyl -- replace needles every few months. Your vinyl is your lifeline in this industry, take care of it.


Needle Care and Tone Arm Adjustment
1.) Mount the needle carefully, plug into mixer and make sure you attach the grounding wire to eliminate hum and noise.

2.) Back off main tonearm weight all the way to end.

3.) Move tonearm in position as if you are going to put the needle on the record. Don't worry if it the tone arm sticks in the upward position -- remember: the weight is all the way back.

4.) Slowly turn the weight until the tonearm balances parallel with the deck. Make sure its exactly balanced and level.

5.) Adjust the skating so the tonearm doesn't sway to either direction but just sits there perfectly still. This will probably be "0".

6.) Move the black ring on the very front of the main weight until "0" is at the top. You are now at 0 grams tracking weight.

7.) Adjust the height ring of the tonearm assembly to about 3 so "3" matches up with the red line. Now lock the assembly down with the locking lever. You can mess with the height later once you feel more comfortable mixing.

8.) Although it depends on what style of music you plan to work work with and whether or not you plan to scratch, a good starting place for the tracking weight is 3 grams. To set the weight, move the main tonearm weight counter clockwise until it reads 3 at the top. Make sure to put your finger underneath the tonearm so it doesn't it the platter and damage the needle. The more weight you track at, the better the needle stays in the groove. However, the additional weight will wear down both the needle and the records. Everything is a trade off...

9.) Now you're ready to go!

Its a good idea to buy a bubble level (easily available at hardware supply stores) and adjust the rubber feet to insure your decks are parallel to the ground. This helps keep the needle in the grooves.


Mixtapes
Always master your mixtape on DAT. If you don't own a DAT, rent one. A poorly recorded mixtape will reflect on your ability as a DJ, possibly giving you a bad name without good cause.

Once you have a perfect master DAT (which is no easy task, mind you) you have to ask yourself some questions about marketing, money, and how big of a DJ you think you really are. All of these center around the question: "How many mixtapes can I sell?" After all, do you really want to be stuck with 500 mixtapes in your closet?

Your two choices are to dub them off yourself (for low to medium volume) or to retain the services of a professional tape duplicator. Regardless of the route you take, always use chrome
position tapes for copies. Normal and metal position tapes are of inadequate quality.

The home recording method is where you boy the blank chrome tapes and make the labels/J-cards yourself. You'll need a dual tape deck (preferably several decks) and a LOT of time. Since you'll need to constantly rewind and replay your original, you'll want to press your DAT to CD which costs about $40, however, you'll then have a permanent master which will not degrade in quality.

Once you have the tapes, you'll need to think about the J-cards (the inserts which show through the tape's plastic cover.) Believe it or not, good J-cards a big selling point. Spend the time and money (if you need to have someone else do it) to make clean, well designed cards. Color, of course, being much preferred.

With completed, ready to sell tapes, you begin your marketing. Remember that there are a million DJs out there and every one of them if your competition. Do you feel well enough known that people will recognize your name in a store and ask for your tape without goading? If not, its time to begin getting as much exposure as you can by doing as many events as you can.

As much as we'd like to deny this, there is a substantial amount of in-store politics when it comes to record shops. You need to learn how to get on the good side of the people working behind the counter so they will recommend your tape to people when asked. Possibly even recommend your tape without being asked. =) Just being a good DJ isn't enough, unfortunately, so giving the employees free tapes is a good way to make new friends. Its not the most pleasant way to acquire business (giving away free tapes), but in the long run, you'll find the benefit will cover such costs.