A DJ Tutorial On Setting Up DJ Equipment

A Step By Step DJ Tutorial

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

DJ Tutorial - #1: ABOUT YOUR DJ EQUIPMENT - Top

If you're using vinyl 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

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

Stanton DJ Pro 3000 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 tutorials 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?

DJ Tutorial - #2: CONNECTING YOUR NEW DJ EQUIPMENT - Top

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...

Rane TTM 56 Performance Mixer

the Numark TTX1 Direct-Drive Turntable.

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.

DJ Tutorial - #3: CONNECTING YOUR DJ NEEDLES AND CARTRIDGES - Top

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.

DJ Tutorial - #4: CONNECING OTHER DJ COMPONENTS AND DEVICES - Top

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.

DJ Tutorial - #5: OUTPUT CONNECTIONS - Top

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! Your ready to create your first mix.

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A DJ Tutorial On Setting Up DJ Equipment

A Step By Step DJ Tutorial

DJ Tutorial - #1: ABOUT YOUR DJ EQUIPMENT - Top

DJ Tutorial - #2: CONNECTING YOUR NEW DJ EQUIPMENT - Top

DJ Tutorial - #3: CONNECTING YOUR DJ NEEDLES AND CARTRIDGES - Top

DJ Tutorial - #4: CONNECING OTHER DJ COMPONENTS AND DEVICES - Top

DJ Tutorial - #5: OUTPUT CONNECTIONS - Top

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