Assisted by: Danny Bastian, Jim, William Kelly, Joncas D., Aaron J. Grier, ProformDJ,Will E. Reburn, Artie, DJ Ellis Dee, Michael Erb

With a special thanks to Al Weltha for his valuable feedback and suggestions.

This paper is an excerpt from Steve Shah's alt.music.makers.dj FAQ that he edited. More info about the FAQ can be found at the bottom of this paper.


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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 DJ's 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:

MTX
Gemini
Atus
Vestax
Radio Shack
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 definate 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.

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

Instant start
Fast cueing
Pitch control/Pitch bend
Easy to read display
Features that would be nice to have:

Pitch lock
There are three choices here:
1. Denon
2. Pioneer
3. Gemini


Some basic common tidbits of information:

The smallest unit of sound on a CD is a frame. One frame is equal to 1/75 sec.
Instant start means a start time in the hundredths of a second. Claims of instant start "In under 1 second!" are bogus.
No CD player (yet) can scratch or backspin.
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:
(derived from the Denon CD-Player Tips 1.01 by Joncas D)

Although these were pulled from a Denon specific document, most of the suggestions are applicable to all CD players.

General Care

Rack mount the unit -- this will result in much less physical abuse on the unit
Keep it clean -- Dust and the sensitive electronics inside the unit don't get along.
Usage Tips
Use sticky on one side clean lamination sheets to protect the display from scratches.
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.
Use three units of rack space instead of two and fill the gaps with foam pillow. This reduces vibration even more.
Make sure your CDs are clean if you find cue times getting excessive.
Operational Tips and Difficulties

Try turning the unit off and then back on. Most problems fix themselves this way.
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.

It should be noted that these units use plaster 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:

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%
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 karioke 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 noticable 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.

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

Gemini
Technics
Gem Sound
There are many other people who make turntables, however, there a reason we will only cover these three models. If you have a question about a specific model not covered here, post it to the forum -- thats what it's about.

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.

Gem Sound makes a line of turntables that are much similar to the Gemini series, and according to a Gemini dealer, GemSound is actually a bit easier to deal with. Another option for the beginning DJ.

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. For more information, check out the Technics SL-1200 FAQ at http://www.djmix.com/mixpoint/1200faq.html

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.

Record Cleaners
(Special thanks to Aaron Grier (agrier@reed.edu) for sharing this information on the BPM mailing list)

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.

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.