Spining Trance

[Tony]

I'm thinking about saving up for decks, a mixer, and some vinyl and learning how to spin. Any tips from you guys for the n00b?

[LaCow]

Make sure this is what u want. It is not a cheap hobby I can tell u that.

[Tony]

I'm sure! I know what I like and if it's a lotta $$$ I research it A LOT.

[DJ_Lane]

you gotta have a passion for it

[Tony]

you gotta have a passion for it

Would listening to Party at least 4 hours a day (and enjoying it) be considered a passion for it?

[aokin]

Yes and no. I recommend going down to  DJ store or Guitar center and playing with some gear. If you like it, buy some of your own and hit it at your home. But like SPIC said, its probably one of the most expensive hobbies. Totally worth it though IMO.

[Tony]

Yeah, I always try before I buy. If I do buy any gear it'll take a while, I need the $$$

[Mark Kane]

I'll probably have more comments on this tomorrow, but for now, make sure you try vinyl. Don't get sucked up in CDs just because they're more "portable". Vinyl owns. And for God's sake dont get belt drive turntables.

-Mark

[aokin]

Right on, my advice is read up on beatmatching/mixing in the mean time. I did this and it really helped me when i got my gear. Here are some guides......http://www.ivibes.nu/index.php?article=816
http://www.lagassa.com/djguide.html
http://music.hyperreal.org/dj/AVH/

[DJ_Lane]

I recommend getting some cheaper gear, your going to want to try DJ'ing and if you dont really like it you havent missed out on much.
 here is some suggestions on good but not top of the line gear, to really get the feel of mixing.
 
 Turntables: Stanton STr8-80
 Needles: Shure m25c
 Mixer: Stanton SMX-201
 Headphones: Anything thats pretty Decent for 20-30 dollars at Best Buy

[Tony]

Yeah, I was reading some stuff, and I found out that belt drive is garbage. I was looking at the STr8-80s mainly because Lane had them and seemed to like them and they fit my budget. My goal is to keep everything under 500 bucks.

[DJ_Lane]

2 Stanton 80's are around 430 w/ tax,
2 shure 25's are around 60 w/ tax
but you still need a mixer and headphones... so you will need about 600 or so

if you think this is alot of money just look at my set up,
2 Stanton STr8-100's retail for $630 or so w. Tax
2 Shure SC35C's retail over $80
American DJ QD-5 is $230
total is around $940

if you thought that was alot, lets look at mark's set up
2 Technics SL1210 M5G's are $1000 together
2 Ortofone Concorde Blue's are $150
His 9 channel Behringer mixer im guessing was $300
total that up and thats about $1450

thats just the initial equipment, next you gotta buy vinyl,

my friend DJTransid told me about a year ago "ive spent $2,000 on equipment and $6,000 on vinyl"
the real issue w/ being a DJ is money, try and get the deal i was giving you, becuase its a great starter kit

[Tony]

600 isn't bad, I'll probably buy most stuff used. It's gonna take a while for me to get the money. I'm thinking Marchish, but thats just a guess.

[DJ_Lane]

sounds good

[Tony]

Here's what I could find:

2  Used Stanton STR8-80 Turntables: $340 w/ S&H and Tax
Used Stanton SMX-201 $55 /w S&H and Tax
2 New Shure 25's $60 w/ Tax (didn't look, used what Lane said)
Headphones: 30 bucks
Grand total of: $485