The Best Selection of DJ Equipment
Musician’s Friend has the best DJ equipment to raise your game. Whether you’re new to DJing or a seasoned professional, we have the latest DJ gear and accessories. Mobile DJs will find we have the best controllers, CDJs and industry-standard media players. If you prefer using digital vinyl systems (DVS) such as Serato, we offer professional direct-drive turntables. Choose from brands such as Technics, Pioneer, Denon DJ, Reloop and others. From DJ mixers to DJ headphones, you'll find the perfect gear at the guaranteed low price.
DJ Mixers
Today’s standalone DJ controllers have integrated mixer sections. Meanwhile, the traditional DJ setup of two individual decks requires a separate mixer. The foundation of any DJ setup is a great mixer with excellent sound quality. Purists will enjoy the features built into 2-channel battle mixers from companies such as Rane and Pioneer. Many 2-channel mixers offer native control of popular DJ software. Look for features such as onboard effects and high-quality soundcards to boost your audio and creativity. Nightclubs and festival stages often feature 4-channel mixers. They give you the ability to connect more input and output sources. Mixers with integrated DJ software and dual USB inputs allow two DJs to connect their laptops at the same time.
DJ Accessories
When you rely on expensive DJ gear to make your living, you need to keep it working and looking like new. That’s why DJs who have regular gigs and go on tour use rugged flight cases, soft cases and protective bags. At Musician’s Friend we carry a wide range of road cases and accessories to protect your DJ gear.
Being a professional DJ requires preparation. It requires preparing your music as well as your DJ gear. You want to show up for your DJ gigs with the right accessories. Club DJs should arrive prepared with DJ headphones, a laptop stand, cables and turntable needles. For a mobile DJ doing a wedding, corporate or other private event, preparation is more vital. Mobile DJs working alone can’t rely on other DJs to bail them out—they must be self-sufficient. Musician’s Friend has all the XLR cables, adapters and other accessories you need to have a successful event.
Live Sound and PA Systems
Mobile DJs rely on pro-grade sound systems to keep the dance floor packed. At Musician’s Friend, we offer quality PA systems for both mobile DJs and venue installations. We stock trusted brands such as QSC, JBL, RCF, Electro-Voice, Mackie and BASSBOSS. Our lineup of live sound gear makes your music sound its best. Whether you need powered speakers for passive speakers matched with power amplifiers, Musician’s Friend has the sound system to fit. Our selection of convenient personal line array PA systems takes portability to a new level. When you need to fill a concert-sized venue, our full-size line array speakers have you covered.
Mobile DJs will often fall somewhere in between, opting to balance output and portability with powered speakers. Using potent Class-D amplifiers, powered speakers also deliver exceptional value. They also let DJs scale their system to match their needs. In most cases, a setup with two full-range powered speakers and two powered subwoofers will easily accommodate a crowd of about 150-300 people. The best mobile DJ setups will include a pair of powered subwoofers to reinforce the PA system’s bass. Today’s popular hip-hop and electronic dance music is very bass-heavy, requiring DJs to use powerful subwoofers. Brands such as BASSBOSS, QSC and others take low-end reinforcement very seriously. With the right live sound system, your audience feel the music—not just hear it.
DJ Headphones
Selecting the best pair of DJ headphones is a very personal choice. It’s important to choose DJ headphones that are very comfortable. Club DJs and wedding DJs can easily spend up to 4 hours behind the decks wearing headphones. Professional DJs know that the best headphones are the ones that you can comfortably wear for hours on end. Build quality is also an important consideration. At Musician’s Friend, we carry a large selection of rugged DJ headphones that are built to withstand heavy use. As you’d expect, great DJ headphones should have outstanding sound quality and high output. DJing in a loud club or venue can be challenging. DJs need to be able to hear all the nuances of their music in order to properly cue up and mix tracks together. The best DJ headphones have excellent frequency response, and often have stronger bass output than studio monitoring headphones. They also balance a snug fit, sound isolation and comfort.
LED and Laser Lighting Effects
No DJ event is complete without exciting lighting effects. Check out our selection of the best new LED and laser fixtures from brands such as CHAUVET DJ, Blizzard and ADJ. Dynamic lighting is a great way for mobile DJs to set themselves apart from the competition. LED effects and lasers boost the production value of your DJ setup. They also add energy to the dance floor and create a more immersive experience for your audience. Mobile DJs will love the convenience of new Bluetooth, battery-powered wireless LED lights. Powerful beams and spotlights with gobos and moving heads work great in large venues. Low-profile LED wash lights can fit almost anywhere you need a splash of color. When you really need to ramp up the energy level, nothing beats powerful lasers. LED and laser lighting fixtures are most effective when used in combination with atmospheric effects. Musician’s Friend carries a wide selection of water-based fog and haze machines to make your visuals stand out.
The Fundamentals of DJing
Having the best DJ gear is only one challenge a DJ faces. Even with the best equipment and sound system, it takes years of dedication and practice behind the decks to become a proficient DJ. The same basic skills apply, whether you’re a wedding DJ or you’re a club DJ. No matter your goal as a DJ, building a strong foundation based on the fundamentals is your first task.
It doesn’t matter if you’re playing digital files with a standalone DJ controller or spinning vinyl on turntables. One of the most important skills you must develop is the ability to read a crowd. Recognizing what genres of music resonate with your audience is key. Reading your crowd helps guide the direction you will take the music. In most cases you wouldn't start out a DJ set with your hardest-hitting track. Ideally, you would start out with a lower energy level to warm up the crowd. While paying attention to how they are responding, you would slowly raise the tempo of your song choices.
It’s also important to avoid falling into a rut and becoming monotonous. Even if your audience seems to enjoy old-school hip-hop, they may eventually lose interest if you're not mixing things up a bit. The same holds true for fans of house music, EDM and other genres of dance music. Take your audience on a musical journey to keep them interested and surprised. If you're thinking of becoming a DJ, you should carefully consider what equipment will serve you best. Whether you’re just starting out as a DJ or you’re headlining stages around the world, Musician’s Friend has the best gear to help you sound your best.
