Connecting Extra DJ Devices and Peripherals to Your Mixer

Here’s an overview of the best methods for connecting other devices to your mixer, including recording devices, laptops, and more.

Source: idjondemand

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Other components that get connected to the mixer are CD players, mini disc players, MP3 players, digital 8 tracks (like my Roland VS 880) and PCs if you’re daring.

This set up runs along the same vein as connecting your turntables however, instead of connecting these components to the PHONO INPUT they get connected to the LINE INPUT.

Use the LINE/PHONO button or switch on your mixer to access either the CD player that is connected to the LINE INPUT or the turntable that is connected to the PHONO INPUT. You can have a CD player playing on CH1 making sure you have the LINE INPUT selected and mix it with a turntable on CH2 making sure you have the PHONO INPUT selected. However, you can’t access both components at the same time on the same channel.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Remember connect like colors from your RCA leads to the color connections to the mixer.

Had enough talk about setup? Let’s get down and dirty with some more interesting DJing tidbits from idjondemand

• Go to the final step: DJ Output Connection Setup
• Go back to :  Connecting DJ Needles and Cartridges
• Back to DJ Equipment Tutorial Index

How To Connect DJ Needles and DJing Cartridges

Here’s a simple, straightforward explanation on how to set up your needles and cartridges for best use when DJing.

Source: idjondemand

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This is simple. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on connecting your needles and adjusting the tone arm, anti-skate and height adjustment. They usually come with different settings according to application. I bought the Shure M44-7 and the directions were very easy to follow. It told me step by step on how to set up the tone arm for playing back records only. Because I sample a lot I did not need to use the Battle DJ settings.

So if you are going to be doing tricks there is one setting and if you’re not there is another setting. Instructions come with the needles when you buy them. If not let me know and I’ll find out for you. Click on the “Contact Me” link from the menu below.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Remember to take into consideration what type of DJing you will be doing. There are different needles for different types of DJing but all needles and cartridges fit turntable tone arms.

Some needles come mounted on a head shell while with others you have to mount the needle to the head shell then connect the head shell to the tone arm. Other needles are built on one platform so all you have to do is connect it to the tone arm.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Follow the manufacturers instructions and you should do fine.

Done with setting up?

Move onto bigger and better things with this resource for advanced DJing Tips and Techniques

or

• Go to the next Setup step: Setting Up Other DJing Equipment
  
• Go back to :  Setting Up Your DJ Gear
• Back to DJ Equipment Tutorial Index

Connecting Your DJ Equipment

Putting all of your new djing gear together can be a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. Thankfully, the guys at idjondemand have helped with this section of their DJ Equipment setup tutorial, which focuses only on how to connect your dj mixer, turntables, dn other equipment.

Source: idjondemand

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Now that you have all of your DJ equipment you need to connect everything together. Your central point of contact for your equipment is the mixer. All of your sources come and out of this unit. When you place your DJ equipment out on the table put your mixer between the turntables.

For example purposes we will be using the Rane TTM 56 2-Channel Performance Mixer and the Numark TTX1 Direct-Drive Turntable.

All turntables produce a stereo output on left and right channels which are marked by white and red RCA leads coming out of the turntable. Your ground wire also comes out of the turntable. This is a thin wire with a U shape clip on the end to secure to the mixer.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Remember these DJ tips when connecting your DJ equipment.

* Secure all ground leads to the mixer where indicated. (PHONO GND)
* Connect your turntable leads (White Lead = Left and Red Lead = Right) to the proper inputs on your mixer.
* Connect the remaining components into their corresponding inputs and outputs.

To secure the ground leads to the mixer unscrew the ground connection but don’t remove it from the mixer. Just loosen it enough to fit the ground lead from the turntable between the mixer and the screw. Now tighten the screw making sure that the ground lead stays firmly in place. Repeat the process for the other turntable.

As you can see there are 2 channel inputs or program inputs marked by LINE 1 and PHONO 1 and LINE 2 and PHONO 2. Plug the leads from the turntable on your left into CH1 (PHONO 1, Left and Right) and now plug the turntable on your right into CH2 (PHONO 2, Left and Right). Unless stated otherwise, turntables plug into the PHONO INPUTS.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Typically these inputs are also marked by color as well. The LEFT INPUT is WHITE and the RIGHT INPUT is RED. Your turntables leads are marked in the same manner so all you do is connect the colors. All other components get plugged into the LINE INPUTS.

Altogether you should have both turntables leads and ground wires connected securely to the mixer. So what’s next in this DJ tutorial?

Before I forget, those slipmats are for your turntables. Use the slipmats instead of the rubber mats.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Take the rubber mats off that came with your turntables and replace them with the slipmats. The rubber mats are useless if your going to be a ‘real’ DJ

Place your vinyl on top of the slipmats, turn the power on to your turntables after you’ve plugged it in.  Place a finger on your vinyl as the plate turns around beneath.

Now put enough pressure on the vinyl as to hold it in place as the plate underneath still spins. This is where your mixing skill begins to take shape. I hope that DJ tip helped some. DJ needles and cartridges are up next.

If you don’t feel like you need any more help with your setup, you can get some more advanced tips from this great djing resource.

To continue to the next step of the series go to: How To Connect Djing Needles and Cartridges

or

Go back to the DJing Equipment Setup Index

Output Connections from Your DJ Mixer

This sections will help to ensure that you have a quality connection between your mixer and your amps or recording devices.

Source: idjondemand

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Typically there are a minimum of 2 to 3 outputs on a mixer. There is the RECORD OUT, MASTER OUT and the BOOTH OUT on many club mixers.

The REC OUT is used to record your mix. You can connect any device to it such as a tape deck, digital 8-track like my Roland VS880, MP3 recorder/player, or Mini Disc player and so on. The REC OUT has one level and can’t be adjusted on most mixers. REC OUT is a stereo mix so it has a LEFT and RIGHT outputs.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Make sure you connect the proper leads to the proper connections on the REC OUT just as you did with the turntable leads to their corresponding inputs.

The MASTER OUT gets connected to the amplifier or to the component that is amplifying the signal. On the back of a stereo receiver there are usually RCA connections. Those RCA connections correspond to a component that gets plugged into it. But there is nothing that says mixer on it. Not to worry. Simply take the MASTER OUT and plug it into the CD if it’s not in use or AUX IN of the stereo receiver.

If you have an amplifier like the Peavey PV900 Power Amp take a look at the rear connections. Chances are you don’t see an RCA connection on it. You probably see a QUARTER INCH jack on it. If this is the case on your amplifier then you need and RCA to QUARTER INCH cable.

Plug your RCA end of the cable into the MASTER OUT and the QUARTER INCH end into the QUARTER INCH input of the amplifier making sure you plug the LEFT MASTER OUT of the mixer into the LEFT QUARTER INCH in on the amplifier. Do the same with the RIGHT MASTER OUT.

DJ Tutorial Tip: If you are using powered speaker then connect use the proper cables such as RCA to RCA or RCA to QUATER INCH. Chances are it is an RCA to RCA. Connect your mixers MASTER OUT to the RCA INPUT or QUARTER INCH input if it has one, of the powered speakers.

Success! You’re ready to create your first mix! For info on how to create that killer DJ mix, check out one of these two great resources:

• i DJ on Demand’s Video DJ Tutorial Series
• Danny Rampling’s “Everything You Need to Know About DJing And Success“

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Head back to the DJ Setup Tutorial Index to go over anything you might have missed.

or

Go back to the previous step :  Connecting DJ Mixers to Other Devices

Gear You Will Need for DJing

Here’s an overview of the type of equipment you will definitely need if you want to start becoming a successful DJ today. Whereever possible, we’ve provided links to specific products that we’ve recommended.

Source: idjondemand

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If you’re using vinyl to DJ then here is what you need.

• Two (2) turntables like the Numark TTX1 Direct-Drive Turntable
• Two (2) slipmats – If you don’t know why don’t worry I’ll tell you why later.
• Two (2) cartridges like the Shure M44-7 Competition DJ Cartridge
• One (1) mixer like the Rane TTM 56 Performance Mixer
• One (1) pair of headphones like the Stanton DJ Pro 3000 Headphones

For CD DJs

• Two (2) CD turntables like the Pioneer CDJ1000
• One (1) mixer like the Xone:92 Mixer
• One (1) pair of headphones

*Check out this  CD turtables+mixer discount from Musician’s Friend here

For Laptop DJs

• One (1) Laptop Computer like the MacBook Pro
• Headphones
• DJing Sofware
  • Serato Scratch
  • Traktor DJ
  • Ableton Live
• Headphones

A way to amplify your sources such as stereo system or an amplifier and speakers. If you’re on a tight budget then powered speakers may be the way to go. For this DJ tutorial we already have an amp set up.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Always opt for separate components if  you can because if your powered speakers go down then you have to replace them. If you go with separate components and one fails you replace that one component.

If you’re using CD decks then drop the cartridges, needles and slipmats. But you still need an amplifier and speakers. You do want to hear your mix right?

Ready to step it up to the next level? Get bigger/better djing tips here

Go to the next free tutorial : Connecting your DJ Equipment

or

Go back to the DJ Equipment Tutorial index

Setting Up Gear for DJing

DJ tutorial for setting up your DJ equipment for the first time.

Source: idjondemand

• Do you have a lot of new deejay gear that you just bought, but you’re not really sure how to get it up and running properly?

• Are you experienced disc jokey, but want to make sure you’re connecting your deejay equipment the right way?

• Do you want to set up deejaying gear the right way, every time?

If you said yes to one of these, then you’re in the right place. Here we have provided a great free 5 step tutorial to help you accomplish this quickly and easily. In this tutorial series, you will learn how to efficiently and effectively get your DJing equipment set up and connected to ensure that there will be nothing you have to worry about when you’re playing out, whether it be practicing in your bedroom or playing out to hundreds of partygoers.

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Here are the 5 steps to setting up proper:

1. DJ Equipment – What You Need To Start DJing
2. Connecting your new DJ equipment
3. Connecting your DJ needles and cartridges
4. Connecting other DJ components and devices
5. Outputs (Master outputs and Record outputs)

Happy with the info in this first tutorial series? Check out idjondemand’s guaranteed DJing success tips.

How To DJ

Starting Points / Basic Overview

DJing – What To Expect

If you are wondering what you can honestly expect by becoming a DJ, and how to DJ, then you have come to the right place. Djing is a great job that anybody can do, but it is better done by somebody that is outgoing and loves to have fun. Being a DJ will definitely improve your social life there is no doubt about that, and you will be able to experience many new things. You will be asked to play at many different events and celebrations, halls and clubs, and when you develop your name you may get to travel as well.

DJing Training and Practice

If you are wondering how to DJ, then you need to know that it is not a very difficult job, but that there is a certain amount of training you will need to do. You can do this on your own if you get the information that you need and are able to get access to the proper equipment so that you can practice on it. There are many different ways to DJ, and some of them involve using CD players, laptop software or turntables for vinyl. What you will do is pick the one that you feel most comfortable using and learn how to use it very well. It is better to become very skilled at one and use it on a constant basis.

Getting Your Name Out

Once you have learned all of the technical aspects of how to DJ, you will need to make yourself known by advertising. You need to promote yourself as the great new disc jockey on the scene, and you can do this by putting up advertisements on the Internet or in your local newspaper. People will call you for weddings and similar events, so you should practice taking phone calls with a friend that is willing to help you out. You can also make a recording of your self and your music and promote it to local clubs.

The Music

You need to figure out what kind of music you want to play when you are learning how to DJ. If you can find music that is both danceable and really your style, then you have found a fantastic combination. When you play what you love you will find that you enjoy your job so much that you will want to be djing all the time. When you love your work it makes it so much easier and you will find that the work will come to you. Learning how to DJ is not that complicated and you can get training on the Internet to set yourself up for a lifetime with a fantastic career.

If you want to take it to the next level and learn more, we highly recommend picking up

Danny Ramplings Book on DJing and Success

Was this Djing overview helpful? Let us know in the comments below.

How To DJ

New DJ eBook from  Danny Rampling

Fall of 2008 marked the launch of a new DJ eBook from legendary house DJ Danny Rampling *wikipedia link. This How To DJ book , titled “Everything You Need To Know About DJ’ing And Success” features over 300 pages of in-depth detail on the music industry, technical dj tips and tricks, and even life advice taken from Danny’s years of DJ ing; both to packed clubs and to a large radio audience through his tenure as a BBC Radio 1 DJ.

The title really does do the book justice, as it contains information on EVERY aspect of DJing and the DJ/nightclub industry. Inside is an all-encompassing library of valuable information that is applicable to both novice and expert dj’s alike. Many of the introductory chapters are great for those starting with a clean slate, while the later chapters of this DJ eBook provide some valuable content for those with a little more experience under their belt. For the price of a dj lesson, you can get an entire volume of work that can be read over and over.

This DJ book includes sections on :

• DJ Equipment
• How To DJ
• DJ Music Genres
• DJ Software
• DJ Download Sites
• DJ Tips
• DJ Tutorials
• Music Business
• Personal Development (Surprisingly insightful!)

Head over to Danny’s Book Page for more info