The classic DJ setup and how to obtain it

There’s a plethora of equipment in the DJ world—so much so that sometimes it can get to be overwhelming and downright scary. Here’s a classic review of one of the all time favorite setups, a go to option for DJ’s all over the world. Every basic DJ set up has a few basic elements: turntables, mixer, and headphones.

When it comes to turntables, Technics has been the definitive brand of decks since the introduction of the SL-1100 in the late 60s. DJ Kool Herc was among the first pioneers to use the Technics brand in his normal equipment rotation.

By the time the SL-1200 series dropped in 1972, the DJ game and the market were changed forever.  Featuring a magnetic direct drive motor that made it easy and possible to scratch records, a high amount of torque for an almost instant start and stop of records and variable pitch control, which is essential for syncing up tracks, known as “beatmatching.”  Many other brands have similar features and claim to stand up to the Technics in a side-by-side comparison but fall more than a few yards short of its highly specialized features, ease of use and durability. 

Sadly, they were discontinued last year as Panasonic (Technics’ parent company) decided to focus more on CD-based turntables. But, it’s important to mention that these things are built like tanks, they’re road ready and road tested when for when it comes time to pack it up and play out. With proper use and care, a 1200 will last you a good 15 years or until you have kids and toss in the DJ towel.

You can’t have a DJ setup without a saucy mixer and Pioneer is king when it comes to them. With the introduction of the DJM-300 in the late 90s, Pioneer was destined for success, and the DJM-800 is one of the snazziest four-channel mixers on the market today.

Popular for its effects, 24-bit processing and MIDI output, the uses are almost endless. Features include a fader with an adjustable curve control which is highly important based on the type of mixing you’ll be doing, a sharp curve for scratching between records or a slower curve for longer fades between tracks. The “Auto Harmonic Tuning” option is a first on Pioneer’s DJ mixers, allowing for tuning correction of records by up to three percent, which can aid in a seamless tonal mix of two records.

The onboard effects of the 800 series are bountiful and beat synchronized including a killer echo, one of the best filters on any DJ mixer and a killer beat roll that can stutter hits, bass drums and any other sound with high powered machine gun precision.

Headphones are critical to any DJ setup. Sony’s MDR-V600 are one of the industry’s best pairs of DJ cans.  Its first appearance on the market is in the early 90s, a time when DJ’ing started to become widely popular and much more accessible to people interested in honing their skills. 

Since the MDR-V600 headphones are commonly used in studios for mastering and recording, it’s no wonder they’ve found a home in the DJ culture. Headphones are the gateway to mixing records with a fluid movement through cueing. With a frequency response of 5 Hz to 30,000 Hz, they deliver a colorful spectrum of tone from the deepest sub-bass all the way to the highest highs of stringed instruments. Swivel ear cups allow the wearer to monitor one side, which is especially helpful as a DJ in order to hear the overall mix of two or more tracks together at once.

Equipment costs can add up though, and quite fast I may add.  A pair of 1200s can range anywhere from $500 to $800 on the used market. Pioneer’s DJM-800 is still available brand new from many reputable dealers, but with a price tag of $1,599 new, your best bet is to invest in a used model. The Sony MDR-V600 is definitely the cheapest component of the three, averaging about $75 overall. ?