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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

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