Best DJ Equipment for Beginners

In the ever-expanding world of DJing and DJ technology, beginning DJs can run into hang-ups when deciding on the best gear to get started with. You know you need the basics (headphones, decks/turntables, mixer), but what gear best suits you and the uses of that gear in your future as a DJ?

“Am I looking for an all-in-one DJ controller, turntables, or CDJs? Vinyl or Digital? What headphones suit me best? Do I need a 2-channel or 4-channel mixer?”

These are some of the questions you’ll be asking yourself as you weigh the options, pros, and cons of each piece of gear you’re exploring. And don’t worry about the anxious feeling — even seasoned veterans can be stricken with analysis paralysis when deciding on their next piece of gear to purchase. And that’s why we’re here to help!

You’ve probably been looking at a few options for some time now, or maybe you’re just getting started and gathering ideas. While you have lots of options to choose from, we’ve selected some of our favorite gear and bundles for beginning DJs.


The List:

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Closed-back Studio Headphones
Even the best spin doctors can’t DJ without headphones, so we’ll start there. These Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones are a flexible, all-in-one headphone set that appeals to DJs and producers alike. With 90-degree swiveling circumaural earcups, large 45mm drivers, a flat 15Hz to 28kHz frequency response, and detachable cables, these headphones double as DJ headphones as well as pro monitoring headphones. But even if music production isn’t as high on your list as DJing, the ATH-M50s are a great all-around DJ headphone choice that the pros trust.


Numark DJ2GO2?

One of the most beginner-friendly DJ controllers on our list is the Numark DJ2GO2? DJ Controller. As a compact 2-channel DJ controller, the DJ2GO2 can carry you from practice space to first-time gig at a price that puts it in play for virtually anyone. At a width smaller than your average laptop, it packs in DJing essentials such as transport controls, trigger pads, jog wheels, mouseless navigation, gain control, and crossfader. But what’s really great is its portability; take the DJ2GO2 on the go to practice any time, any place with only a USB cable and the included Serato DJ Lite software. There is no need to hesitate DJing, thanks to the Numark DJ2GO2.


Numark Mixtrack Pro 3

Another affordable, beginner-friendly option for new and aspiring DJs is the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3? 2-channel DJ Controller. As a step up from the Numark DJ2GO2, the Mixtrack Pro 3 offers more functionality in a bigger form factor. The interface has traditional hardware elements, like a 3-band channel EQ, individual channel filter, 16 trigger pads, dedicated FX controls, and cue/sync pads, and also features unique elements like the new metal platters with LED rings and the touch-strip search bar to easily cue tracks or manipulate effects on the fly. Pad Mode also makes creativity a breeze with easy looping functions and sampling. Included with the Mixtrack Pro 3 is a copy of Serato DJ Lite, so you’re ready to start mixing right out of the box.


Pioneer DDJ-SB3 2-deck Serato DJ Controller

Pioneer is synonymous with DJing, so it’s natural to find one of their controllers on our list.  As the newest model in the popular DDJ-SB series, the DDJ-SB3 provides some new and familiar functionality that separates it from its predecessors. You’ll find features like onboard filters, Filter Fade, Pad Trans, and FX Fade for easy-to-use creative and mixing effects. The aluminum jog wheels and on-jog displays not only let you feel in control of your decks, but see that you’re in control too.  However, what is really impressive is the innovative Pad Scratch feature that lets you scratch like a pro DJ without having to know how to scratch at all! With just a couple of buttons, the intuitive Pad Scratch function lets you sound like you’ve been chirping and orbiting for years. Included with the DDJ-SB3 is a free copy of Serato DJ Lite, making this a solid DJ package for beginners.


Roland DJ-202 2-channel Serato DJ Controller

The Roland DJ-202 Serato Controller is a great choice for beginners that packages full-sized controller functionality into an affordable starter kit. On the controller you’ll find eight dedicated pads with transport controls for triggering hot cues and drum samples, giving you endless creativity and remixing options. The drum samples come from the DJ-202’s internal drum machine and are based on classic 808 and 909 drum sounds, offering a nod to the early days of electronic music. Interested in scratching? The DJ-202’s dual low-latency platters and 24-bit/48kHz AD/DA converters let you scratch tracks like the pros without sacrificing sound quality. A full license of Serato DJ Pro is included, making it one of the least expensive ways to have a complete Serato DJ setup for the home, club, or concert venue.


Pioneer DDJ-RR 2-deck rekordbox DJ Controller

The Pioneer DDJ-RR is a smaller, more compact version of the DDJ-RZ and DDJ-RX controllers, yet it provides nearly as much functionality as both and makes for a great beginner DJ controller. The DDJ-RR offers a slew of enhanced hardware features like Needle Search touch strip to jump to any part of a track, an easy-access sequencer, bigger jog wheels, Release FX for automatic trigger effects, Slip Mode to scratch without stopping your tracks, and performance pads to cue, slice, and loop as you perform. Should you want to spin vinyl in the future, the XLR outputs and RCA inputs turn the DDJ-RR into a standalone mixer to add vinyl turntables. Combine all of this with Pioneer’s included rekordbox DJ software (built from the ever-popular rekordbox platform) and you get a powerful starter combo that won’t leave you begging for more.


Allen & Heath Xone:23 and a pair of Pioneer DJ PLX-500 Turntables

Sometimes even a beginner prefers to start with an all-analog vinyl record rig. Should that be the case, this combo of the Allen & Heath Xone:23 mixer and Pioneer PLX-500 vinyl turntables is sure to set that bar high. At the core we have the Allen & Heath Xone:23, a 2-channel/4-deck mixer with smooth VCA fading, assignable Voltage Control Filters with adjustable resonance, and 3-band Total Kill channel EQs for pro-quality track mixing. On the surface, you’ll have everything you need in a mixer along with an effect loops I/O, two crossover modes, and replaceable crossfader.

To the left and right of your Xone:23 will be a pair of Pioneer DJ PLX-500 vinyl turntables. Each PLX-500 has a direct-drive motor to keep your playback steady, smooth, and dependable. They also feature a built-in preamp, adjustable phono/line output for sending to a mixer or speaker directly, and a USB output to digitize your vinyl records into the included rekordbox software. The PLX-500 turntables are a great, inexpensive option for beginners looking to spin vinyl. Each turntable comes with a dust cover, slipmat, balance weights, stereo audio cables, USB cable, and rekordbox digital download.


Pioneer DJ DDJ-SR2 4-deck Serato DJ Controller, a pair of PLX-500 Turntables, and 3 JBL EON610 Speakers

If a fully-fledged, DJ-in-a-box bundle is on your radar to begin with, then this controller with vinyl turntable and powered speakers combo provides everything you need. The featured DJ controller is a Pioneer DDJ-SR2 which is nearly identical to the Pioneer DDJ-RR, but is made for use with Serato instead of rekordbox. To complement the SR2 we’ve bundled two PLX-500 turntables (also highlighted above) to give you a complete, beginner DJ rig at an affordable price. But what good is a DJ rig without speakers to get your audience moving? That’s why we’ve also included three JBL EON610 powered speakers to round out this beginner-friendly DJ bundle. No external power amp required! Once you get your hands on a setup like this, you won’t need the club to crank your tunes — you bring the club with you.


Pioneer DJ System with a pair of Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 Turntables

If you’re a beginner but want to jump right to a professional-grade rig, then this bundle of a Pioneer DJ System and 2 Pioneer PLX-1000 vinyl turntables is good enough to make any professional jealous.

This bundle is made up of the Pioneer DJM-900NXS2 mixer and two Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS2 media decks. The 4-channel DJM-900NXS2 mixer sets the standard for a DJ mixer, boasting 3-band channel EQs, dual mic inputs, seven Sound Color FX, 16 Beat FX, dual USB connections for changeovers, MIDI capabilities, and more — all from a 64-bit/96kHz digital mixing processor. Included in this system are a pair of CDJ-2000NXS2 media decks to complement the DJM-900NXS2 mixer. These two professional-grade media decks come with everything you expect in a CDJ, such as 24-bit/96kHz resolution for studio-quality sound, rekordbox integration, huge 7″ multicolor touchscreen, two banks of four hot cues for endless creativity, and a keyword search function that lets you quickly find the next right song to play.

And just when you thought this beginner DJ bundle couldn’t be any better, we add two Pioneer PLX-1000 turntables with 3 selectable tempo ranges for mixing your favorite vinyl. These high-torque turntables will handle whatever you throw at them while maintaining steady RPM (revolutions per minute) counts via the quartz lock servo direct-drive motor. They sound incredible thanks to the noiseless start/stop button, cast high-mass zinc body, 8mm resin base, 9mm damping surface (minimizes vibrations), and rubber-tubed interior of the S-shaped tone arm, and they’re built to withstand even the toughest gigging schedule. Even if you didn’t need the all-encompassing power of this system, the PLX-1000’s are great vinyl turntables for any setup.


Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 MK2

Following up the success of Native Instruments’ Traktor Kontrol DJ controllers comes the next generation, the Traktor Kontrol S2 MK2 controller. Muchlikeitspredecessor,theS2hasanunclutteredinterfacethat’seasyto navigate, plus new dedicated filter knobs that DJs love. Paired with the Kontrol S2 MK2 is a full version of Traktor Pro 2, which is Native Instruments’ award-winning DJ software that can work alongside iTunes for incredible MP3 management. Another thing we love about Native Instruments is how well they synergize with Ableton Live via Ableton Link, giving producers even more reason to go with the Kontrol S2. It can also be synced with any MIDI-controllable software, thanks to customizable control surface mapping. It may look like just another DJ controller, but the Kontrol S2 MK2 is far from it!


Denon DJ MC4000

As perhaps the most flexible DJ controller suited for beginners, the Denon DJ MC4000 is a big hit with DJs here at Sweetwater. Whether it be Traktor, Virtual DJ, Serato, or another DJ platform you have or are interested in, the MC4000 seamlessly integrates into your setup. And since you’re a beginner, Serato DJ Lite is included to get you started. Some other cool aspects of the MC4000 are its dedicated sampler section, built-in 24-bit sound card to power its robust audio interface, and ergonomic interface layout. If you’re one to experiment or simply want to get started learning without limits, the MC4000 is a great place to start.


The Numark Mixdeck Express

The Numark Mixdeck Express? is a hybrid of sorts and a fantastic choice for beginners who envision themselves behind the decks of a full CDJ rig in the future. It sports the useful features of CDJs, such as individual deck displays, channel USB/CD inputs, large touch-sensitive jog wheels, and simple transport controls. Do you have your crates split on multiple devices? You can quickly and easily navigate through your USB device, back to your CDs, and then on to your computer’s library with ease. From there, the Mixdeck Express functions like many of the controllers on this list and integrates with most popular DJ platforms like Serato (Serato DJ Lite included), Traktor, and Virtual DJ. For a flexible DJ controller with options, there aren’t many like the Mixdeck Express from Numark.


Music

Sure it’s a bit obvious but every beginner DJ needs music. Otherwise, the gear we’ve highlighted above won’t do much to get the crowd into it. While building out a music collection is both the easiest and hardest thing for ever beginner DJ, downloading everything you see on iTunes can lead to hiccups with your DJ software. Apple Music is the king of music sales but all their music comes as a digital rights management &endash; protected (DRM) AAC file, meaning you can’t just grab your favorite tracks and start playing them through Serato or rekordbox software. Luckily non-DRM files are available from iTunes and iTunes Match, but they are separate from an Apple Music subscription, so keep that in mind as you build your library.

At Sweetwater, our DJs recommend joining a record pool like DJcity, Digital DJ Pool, or BPM Supreme. These are great resources at a monthly subscription fee that appeal to a wide variety of styles and genres and can make finding new, fresh music a breeze. You can find pop remixes, clean or explicit versions, and extended or radio versions of your favorite tracks. Not only that, but all available music can be analyzed and run through your preferred DJ software.

When it comes to vinyl, it’s a little more straightforward. Go crate diving at your local record store and get to spinning! The only hard part is limiting yourself from buying everything you see.

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