[atomicpenguin12]

what exactly does a DJ do? how hard is it to learn? what do I need to get starting out and how much does it cost?

[Dru]

A DJ, or disc-jockey, is basically a person who selects tunes and plays them. Nowadays we think of DJs as people who mix and mash up songs. In order to do that professionally, you need all the equipment like turntables and such, but seeing as you're starting up, I say to download virtual DJ programs from the Internet. Check out the programs called: Fruityloops, and Virtual DJ

[DJ_Eezergud]

virtual dj is a great program however unless u have a software controller to use it or time coded vinyl its kinda a pain with just a mouse.
if yer on pc i recommend mixmeister, great program..and u can do alot with it that u cant do with turntables or cdj's
that being said i tend to shy away from programs such as mixmeister because they do all the beatmixing for you, and if yer seriously wanting to get into DJing what are ya gonna do the first time u have to step infront of a "real" set up where u must do everything manually heheh.
so as far as cost to get a good setup. yer lookin around a thousand to get ya started *excluding tunes*
as far as learning how to do it.well i guess if you compare it to lets say guitar its rather easy to learn.
however learning the technical aspects is not even half the battle. the main part about DJing is setting a atmosphere, and how you can take people to other places thru the music, while playing the kind of music they want to hear.
this is called reading the crowd and its the bread and butter of DJing. if you cant make yer crowd dance, yer not a good dj no matter how awsome you are at beat mixing, mashups, key mixing, and on the spot remixes.
edit* almost missed this question what exactly do u need to get started...depending on what ya wanna do. mixmeister is only about 150 smackaroonies.
if thats not the route u wanna go.u must decide wether u want vinyl or cds *or both as most djs use these days* im not sure what you like or what u wanna spin but for most electronic music genre's theres less vinyl releases then there was years ago so u might wanna start with cdjs *only and always pioneer* and get turntables later if u so choose.
other then that u need a mixer *i recommend again pioneer..numark or stanton* and a stereo system of some kind *i use self powered studio monitors so i dont have to hook up a amplifier when im practicing*
and last but not least, headphones. senheiser headphones are awsome for the beginner because they have a great model for about 40 bucks.
but if u have the money go for pioneer brand
hope that helps

[essi]

to be honest i will say thist traight up some ppz might dissagree but you can only become a good Dj if you have Dj mates for example when i started i had local djs like weaver suae haze impact and all that to learn off andafter a year i knew as much as a person who had been djn for 4 years with out any help from any djs

i

[DJ_Eezergud]

i agree and disagree lol
it deffinatley helps to know a dj and get that personal instruction but then again, with the internet and all the resources *books vids etc..* you can get along very well

[MURDEROUS]

No matter how much people disagree, you'll go nowhere without fans.

Heh, this smiley is funny looking. -->

[Sylus]

Originally Posted by MURDEROUS

No matter how much people disagree, you'll go nowhere without fans.

i agree with that!

[djsonar919]

Originally Posted by atomicpenguin12

what exactly does a DJ do? how hard is it to learn? what do I need to get starting out and how much does it cost?

That is such a broad question. And there are so many answers to that. If you want a regular text book definition then a DJ is just someone who selects music. But if you want a good understanding of what one is I suggest reading Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: History of the Disc Jockey. It is a nice, thick book about the DJ and is an excellent read. Will truly open anyone’s eyes, DJ’s or not, to the history of the art, and music, through the eyes of DJs. If you undertake being a DJ and being serious about it, you will find that the DJ is the most feared and most loved entity in the world of music, and that DJ’s lay in between a nether region of creativity, art, and historical lore that the average human has little understanding of. How much does it cost? Well, that all depends on you and how far you want to take it? I mean, I know DJ’s who can blow people’s minds away with just two Gemini XL 500-II’s and a crappy two channel mixer. And I also know DJ’s who have bought the most high end gear out there and can barely make the crowd move. The bottom line is, if you are a DJ and you really have the DJing bug, then you will know exactly what it will cost for you to be a DJ. And there is more than just money involved with it.

[whenyournex2me]

i recomend a dvd called intellect..... buy it online. and that will aslo give you some insight about the edm dj's