Experienced DJs can pretty much ignore this article, but if you are just starting out then these are the basic pieces of equipment you'll need to put on a show.

Media Playback

The first and most important piece of gear to consider if you’re going to become a mobile DJ is your media players. For seamless mixing you’re going to need at least two playback devices so that one track is constantly playing while the next track is being cued up. This is the modus operandi of every DJ. The media playback devices, although fundamentally the same, can vary greatly; in fact there are as many different kinds of playback devices on the market as there are formats of media that can be played on them. Traditionally DJs (Disk Jockeys) played vinyl records when working a gig, which years later gave way to CDs. This is still often the case, but now there are many more practical forms of media including massive hard drives filled with months of continuous music cued up with a laptop and all inclusive control and playback systems. The key to keep in mind is that you’ll need two sources of playback.

The Mixer

In order to seamlessly incorporate your media players into the mix you will need a mixer. At the heart of every DJ’s rig is the mixer. Whether you are playing high school dances or performing blistering battle sessions with the world’s top scratch artists, the capabilities of your mixer is directly responsible for the elegance and artistry of your mix. There are several styles of mixers including those designed to fit into 19” racks, “battle” style mixers designed for simplicity and speed, to all-inclusive systems with the media players built right in.

Sound System

Now that your show can be effectively performed with your playback devices and mixer, you will need to reinforce your sound for the crowd. This is where a good PA system comes into play. The most popular solution for mobile DJs today is a pair of powered speakers because of the set up and tear down convenience of not having an external amplifier in the signal chain. The sound system is the DJs voice and can make or break the event, so it is important not to skimp on a good PA; knowledgeable audio enthusiasts argue that the speakers are the most important link in the audio chain; it’s better to invest in good speakers than perhaps anything else in the sound system.

Microphone

It is very important to have the ability to address the crowd during an event. Microphones are very important additions to a mobile DJ’s gear arsenal. Not only for the DJ or MC to make a special announcement, but often times events call for a guest speaker to address the audience with a toast at a wedding reception, for example. For this reason a popular choice is for mobile DJ’s to incorporate a good set of two or more wireless microphones into the system.

Headphones

One of the most overlooked pieces of gear a DJ should have is a high quality set of DJ headphones. It is of the upmost importance to be able to accurately cue and beat match your mix. Simple mistakes can often be avoided by using an accurate set of professional DJ headphones. You should enjoy your mix just as much as your audience, so get a nice set of cans and experience the your mix to its fullest potential both in and out of the venue.

There you have it - the basics of what you need to get started. Don't forget that you can start practicing using DJ Software on your computer and we have a comprehensive list of downloads here on SMM for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and iOS.

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