How to Use DJ Equipment

This will be a guideline to most sound systems that will help you in setting up, starting up and running your DJ sound system.

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You should have at least one set of turntables, a mixer (nothing more than 8 - 12 channels), an amplifier (to amplify the sound to your loud speakers), two loud speakers and stands, a microphone for yourself and all the cables needed.

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Set the turntables on a table or surface.
 
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Place the mixer adjacent and plug them both in (always remember three-prong extension cords!
 
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Do the same with the amplifier.
 
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Take your loud speakers and set them up about five to ten feet to the right and left of your DJ booth, the should be angled towards the audience and be at the height of their ears. This is imperative. 
 
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To plug in your turntable set into your mixer, use RCA (those red and white tipped cords) cables or XLR (microphone) cables (depending on the turntables, they will vary). MAKE SURE YOU ARE ALWAYS PLUGGING FROM OUTPUT TO INPUT (and vice versa)! Plug this into your mixing board, into either the tape inputs (those RCA cords) or the XLR into a microphone channel. 
 
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Adjust the Gain (the sensitivity of the input) of that channel so it is loud enough but not clipping (being too loud) on the mixer.
 
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To plug your mixer into your amp, use 1/4" (shielded, they look like guitar cords) cable(s). Usually there is a "Line Out" or "Main Out" on the mixer, find one and plug one end into the mixer and the other in the back of the amp (it usually says "Mono In" or "Main In", use common sense) Again: MAKE SURE YOU ARE ALWAYS PLUGGING FROM OUTPUT TO INPUT! 
 
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Use two more 1/4" shielded cables to run from your amp to your speakers. Be sure to place them out of heavy traffic of people. If necessary, duct tape them down (black duct tape is the best).
  • Plus your microphone in and adjust the corresponding gain.

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Turn on your equipment in this order: mixer, turntables then amp. 
 
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Make sure all the channels that aren't being used are muted and that everything is secure.
 
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Test out your turntables, make sure everything is sounding correct.
 
 

Tips

  • If you get any feedback, it's from your microphone. Turn the gain down and make sure the mic isn't too close the speakers.
  • Always ask patrons to drink away from your equipment and to be wary of the speakers and stands.
  • Always have aback up plan. Bring a laptop and 1/8" ("cd player" cord) cord and use your computer's headphone jack and plug it directly into mixer in case of a turntable malfunction.
  • HAVE FUN!
  • Don't stand to close to the speakers too, you don't want to get deaf.
  • Always check twice and bring an extra.
  • Do not let anyone not qualified or who doesn't understand your equipment to touch or play with it, this is how things are broken.
  • Get a friend to stand approximately 15–30 feet (4.6–9.1 m) away from the speakers and play some party level dance music, ask how the bass, mid and treble sound as well as volume. This really helps to get a fine-tuned system.
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