CategoriesPreamps by

DJ Equipment for Sale: Choosing the Right Preamp

A preamplifier, or referred to as a preamp, is just one of many tools a musician needs in order record with a microphone. At it’s core a mic preamp is able to amplify a weak signal that comes from the microphone when it’s in use. It boosts the line level, and this makes the audio easier to record on any recording device. A preamp increases the line level, but also provides a stable gain as well.

When you’re using a microphone without a preamp. Trying to make a recording will result in either low levels or no recording audio at all. The signal coming from the microphone is too weak. It will most likely be completely unusable and distort the sound to the point where it becomes unrecognizable. So choosing the best preamp to fit your needs and to give you the best sound as possible when paired with your microphone is very important.

Types of Preamplifiers for DJ Equipment Packages

There are three types of preamps you can choose from. Each one is different and meets different needs. There is the tube, solid state, and hybrid preamps. When picking one it comes down to how compatible the preamp is with your microphone, and the type of sound you’re going for.

Tube preamps are based off of vacuum tube technology. They’ve been around ever since the start of recording technology. While it may seem that tube preamps are a representation of a bygone age of old technology, many musicians still prefer the tube preamps to amplify the signal in their microphone. Due to the tube being built directly into the preamp.

Solid state preamps on the other hand are more updated in terms of technology. They are transformer base, but add less color to the audio being recorded. However, the audio recorded using a solid state preamp is more accurate. One of the major differences in the distortion this preamp adds to the recorded signals.

Hybrid preamps on the other hand are simply a combination of the two previous preamps. So you can get the best of both preamps, but with varying results.

Preamplifiers for DJ Equipment Packages

Distortion is Usually the Deciding Factor for a Reliable Preamplifier

Distortion can be one of the key issues to help you determine whether a preamp is right for you or not. When you run out of headroom on the circuit, which is when the output voltage extends beyond the power capacity of the supply voltage, is when you will experience distortion. In most cases, distortion with the solid state preamps can be highly unpleasant. It can even end up ruining your entire recording too.

Distortion that is caused by tube preamps on the other hand is not quite unpleasant to hear. In fact, it even adds a little character to the sound you’re recording. It has been one of the key factors of why people prefer go to with the older style of preamp instead of the newer models. Tube preamps have a reputation for always delivering high quality sound and are able to even out those high voltages.

The type of preamp you choose is based solely on your preferences. When you’re presented with two high quality choices. It can be hard to decide which one is the right fit for you. Vocalists tend to go with tube preamps to give the sound a fuller and richer quality. The tube preamp also produces a certain clarity to the vocals as well. State preamps can be uses for vocals too, but causes them to sound flat and thin in comparison to the tube preamp.

Musicians on the other hand who play the guitar or drums. Prefer to use the solid state preamps because they are able to catch each guitar pluck or snare hit without missing a beat. Tube distortion is very pleasant with vocals, but garbles when it comes to a speedy instrumental being played. Making the solid state preamp preferable to musicians over the tube preamp.

When picking out a premap, you may want to take into consideration how much the preamp is adding to the sound overall. You can do this by doing a recording of test audio to check. A good preamp is supposed to be quiet, and should not have any noise that is noticeable. Even when you begin to reach higher levels.

The quality of the preamp also depends on how good your sound is going to be. High quality preamps will of course always be one step above the lower quality ones. Better designed preamps have a better sound quality and will improve your recordings overall. While a lower quality preamp will not perform as well, and may even mess up your recordings too. Forcing you to either do them over or mess with the settings to get your recordings to sound better.

Overall, the best preamp for your microphone does require a bit of testing. It’s always good to do test audio if at all possible when it comes to preamps. Each preamp is better for certain recordings, and not highly recommended for others. If you’re a vocalist you should consider looking into a high quality tube preamp. If you’re a musician, be sure to try out the solid state preamps to get the most out of your recordings. You will have to do a bit of tweaking to find the right settings for your preamp.

 

 

CategoriesDJ Mixers by

The Top Four DJ Mixers on the Market

DJ mixers are the center of any DJ setup. When looking for DJ equipment for sale, having a good mixer can make or break a setup. At it’s core a good DJ mixer takes the audio from the turntables and combines them. By doing this it smooths the transition between songs. This in turn allows the DJ to control the mixer using FX and other external functions. The fader control is the mixing of two more tables together.

Finding the best mixer to go with your setup can be difficult. Mixers have a variety of features including more outputs, inputs, extra knobs for controlling the FX level, or even an additional MIDI connection. If you’re on the market for the best DJ mixer money can buy. Here are some of the best ones on the market to date.

DJ mixer

 

1) Behringer DDM4000 is One of the Most Affordable DJ Mixers

Behringer is considered a beast mode mixer. The brand has a good reputation for always being a stable product and being budget friendly. The Behringer mixer is usually best for getting away from the beginner mixers and into more professional territory. The DDM400 features 4 stereo channels, 32 bit sampler built in loop, 4 multi-FX section, works with a variety of DJ software through MIDI, 2 Dual BPM counters, and two mic inputs.

The Behringer mixer has been around for nearly a decade, and it’s built for durability as well. It’s an investment that will last a DJ for years to come as long as it’s handled with care. It’s one of the best, and affordable mixers on the market if you’re a DJ looking to move up from the beginner’s level.

2) Stanton M.203 is Reliable

This DJ mixer is usually on sale for about $100 or less depending on where you purchase it. It has a solid build while still remaining affordable. It features 1 switchable phono/line, two stereo channels, 1 line RCA for each channel, adjustable crossfader curve, mic input, headphone output, RCA master record & record output, tune control, and cue pan fader.

The M.203 is considered one of the best entry level mixers on the market. Many beginners have used it with successful results, but DJ’s who make a living through their work use it as well. For the solid build of the mixer and it’s simplicity. It always delivers no matter what. It does not have digital ins or outs like other up to date mixers, but it makes up for it in power.

3) Numark M6 USB is one of the Best Mixers

Numark is one of the more famous brands when it comes to DJ equipment. Similar to the Stanton for being affordable. Numark is a favorite in the industry for it’s XLR mic channel, four input channels, multiple inputs for mic/line/phono, US connectivity, works with OS systems, and the crossfader is replaceable. The LED metering is perfect if you like a visual for your levels, and is excellent for DJ’s who play live. The M6 USB has a reputation for having a stable build and being a high quality mixer.

Some DJ’s prefer to use a digital rig versus the traditional DJ setup. The Numark has USB connectivity, but it’s still compatible for the standard analog setup for DJ’s who like to keep it traditional.

4) Allen & Heath Xone:22 is Considered One of the Best DJ Mixers

Allen & Heath are considered to be the cream of the crop on the DJ mixer market. This mixer has a high reputation for being one the best pieces of music equipment to own. The Allen & Heath brand have always produced high quality music equipment worldwide, and this mixer is no exception. Some of it’s main features are an external power supply, 2 stereo channels, 3-band EQ, external FX loop, low and high pass filters, dedicated local monitor, signal monitoring, mic input, and crossfader curve switch.

While this DJ mixer is on the lower price end for the Allen & Heath brand. It doesn’t suffer from lack of high quality or power either. The Xone:22 is perfect for beginners or a DJ just starting out to go pro. One of its best key features is perhaps its low and high pass filters. This can give you some amazing sound effects if your channel needs a bit more flair. Not only that, but the Xone:22 mixer is very budget friendly. It has many of the essential features a DJ needs to start out, is very powerful, and comes from one of the best brand names on the market.

Each of these DJ mixers offer a wide variety of features. Quite a few of them are recommended for beginner DJ’s to use when their first starting out. Their features can range from simple to complex. Each DJ mixer on this list comes from different brands, but are reliable. They’re affordable mixers that are budget friendly and won’t put a big dent in your wallet. Some of them are considered more for professional and pro use versus the beginner level. However, some mixers like the Stanton M.203 are used by DJ’s who make it a living to DJ.

Picking out the best mixer for you and your setup falls down to what you need from it. Along with price, features, and how you’re planning to make your DJ setup work. Either way, you can’t go wrong with any of these mixers.

CategoriesDJ Turntables by

Should a Belt Driven Turntable be Part of your DJ Equipment?

When it comes to DJing and which method of playback is best, it is really a personal decision. The way music sounds varies from person to person, so when trying to decide between computer-generated technics, direct drive turntables or belt drive turntables, it is best to try them all and choose the one that sounds best to you and fits your budget. Whether you are just starting out, or you are looking to buy DJ equipment to replace or update your old stuff, keep in mind that not all sound equipment is created equal. If you’ve been thinking a belt drive turntable is something you would like to try, keep reading to find out why it may or may not be the ideal choice for you.

First of all, let’s take a look at the three different types of playback DJs might use.

DJ Equipment

Computer Technics, Direct Drive Turntables and Belt Drive Turntables

Computer technics are self-explanatory. DJs use a computer, usually a laptop, to control music playback. While it is the most common type of playback used today because it is easy and fast, it doesn’t always produce the best sound quality. One of the biggest pros to using computers to play music is they provide a consistent speed at which the music is played. There is no variation in BPM so the music always sounds the same.

With a direct drive turntable, the motor that turns the platter is directly underneath the platter. While this provides a fairly consistent speed, it also allows vibration and motor noise to interfere with sound quality. If a DJ uses a turntable, it is most likely going to be of this type because the motor placement allows him to manipulate the platter by hand, stopping and even reversing the platter for ‘scratching.’ Another reason this type of turntable is popular is because it is often a cheaper option than its belt drive counterpart.

On a belt drive turntable, the motor is offset from the platter. The motor is connected to the platter with a belt loop that acts as a shock absorber. This helps prevent vibration and noise from the motor from reaching the platter. Sound quality is typically much better on a belt drive machine than a direct drive one.

Unfortunately, belt drive turntables are often more expensive, and they have the wear and tear factor with the belt loop needing replaced periodically. For someone just starting out in the DJ realm, it might not make sense to purchase a belt drive model right away. However, it is something to think about in the not-too-distant future for several reason.

Reasons to consider DJ Equipment Packages for Belt Drive Turntables

Audiophiles the world over have argued about which turntable is best for DJing without ever really coming to any one conclusion. DJ equipment packages for belt drive turntables may not be for everyone, but for some, it is the only way to go. Here’s why.

Spinning Vinyl shows a Dedication to the Art

Show up at an event carrying a couple of crates of vinyl records and a mono stick, and watch how everyone treats you with respect. Spinning vinyl isn’t just a job, it’s a passion.

It shows your Respect for the DJs that came before you

There’s nothing quite like hearing stories told by old-timer DJ who mastered their craft on a turntable. There is a certain amount of respect for these guys and gals who used their ears and their hearts to make beautiful music for the masses. When you choose to follow in their footsteps, you show an unspoken respect that’s rightly deserved.

Using a Turntable forces you to focus on your Music

Anyone can download a rockin’ playlist to their computer and DJ like a pro in a crowded nightclub. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to do that. However, it does take talent and a true understanding of what people want to hear to find and play the best, most unique collection that paying customers beg to hear. The trick to being a great DJ is having a collection that includes some of the most unique and unheard sounds around. When you use a turntable, it opens up opportunities to have music that only gets released on vinyl. You’ll spend a lot of time searching record shops, garage sales and Goodwill stores in search of that awesome collection. You can even buy your records online if you want. Making a rockin’ collection this way forces you to really listen to the sounds and focus on what appeals to you most.

Lastly, you’ll learn how to scratch

It’s been said that scratching is easier on a direct drive turntable, but it is possible on a belt drive turntable as well. You can even ‘scratch’ on a computer, but the sound just isn’t the same as coming from true vinyl.

You might say you aren’t going to scratch, but we bet you at least try a little bit.

Buy DJ Equipment for sale

If you’re in the market for a new turntable, DJ mixers, DJ controllers and more, give us a call at 973-506-8001 to find the best DJ equipment on the market today. Our staff has a love of music and an expertise in the field unlike any other. Let us help you get the equipment you need to get your DJ business rockin’.