Modern Vespa

So maybe I'm old enough to know better, but I've gone back to collecting old soul (Northern Soul) vinyl records from the UK and US, and hope to DJ at some clubs in the next year or two when my record box is full enough. Now I want to create a simple DJ set-up to practice at home ahead of that, and maybe for the odd house party. Not too expensive (the clubs will have their own kit) but good enough. As I look at the new and second hand (eBay) equipment, I realise there's a lot I don't know about it all, so maybe MVers can steer me in the right direction...

I picked up a pair of Stanton direct drive turntables that have seen some use but seem fine. I have some old home wooden box speakers tucked away (about 25w I think). I'm starting to look at mixers, and will need an amp I think. I want to run the two turntables, plus a laptop and mic into the mixer (so 3 channel?), but beyond that I don't know what features to look for. I read reviews but I sometimes need a translation! If I understand it right, a pre-amp mixer is useful to run into a small wattage amp, then out to the speakers. I don't need big volume.

Any help appreciated!

I haven't got a clue Paul, so can't give you any advice, but i'd just like to commend you on trying to keep the art of traditional DJing alive. All you seem to need nowadays is the venues equipment + well stocked ipod.

Happy memories of leaning over Super Disco King's decks, asking 'you gonna play some fuckin' punk mate?' whilst sending the stylus skidding over the latest Beegees offering

Kudos mate

Hello Brown-Beret

First, Im not a hip hopper. I'm old school. We used a record player a little differently in the old days. However I am a bandmate and the sound guy so maybe I can help point towards your goal.
I use Behringer sound equiptment. I use their sound powered speakers, and their mixer disigned specifically for my task. Which I recommend for you.

You say you have Stanton tables but neglected to mention models. I believe if they have direct out RCA jacks then you are ok. I wont go into S/PDIF (Sony and Phillips Digital Interface) now but google it and read about coverting the output to digital computer which to me defeats the purpose of listening to vynil, however good for using your MP3 or CD stock or record your show to a computer.

Check-out this Behringer mixer and see if it completes the tasks you mention you desire. Behringer DDM4000 5-Channel DJ Mixer with Sampler. Its inexpensive for your purpose I think compared to Rane gear. It has interface for two tables, mics, CD, etc. Also buit in EQ. I don't know your music stores there but should have it since the equiptment is German made. Or Order online from www.zzsounds.com.

I use two Behringer 18" sound powered speakers on stands. They have 500 watt amps in each speaker box. You could drop to 12" sound powered speakers as well and stands. They are not as expensive as you may think. Plus easy to set up and you can also daisy chain them more speakers as you wish.

Hence, you walkin with two tables, connect to the mixer then out to the two speaker cabs, plug in a mic and rock on. Oh you need two speaker cables from mixer to speakers.

I use a more vocals only type Behringer mixer with enough XLR mic inputs for 12 microphones. It also has RCA input/out to play cds, IPOD or whatever during our band breaks. I can record our music and burn cds from it. I have hauled this equipment to gigs for the past 8 years and can vouch for its toughness.

Good Luck.

Nu mark do a 3 channel for about £100 behringer a bit more about £140 to 150' as it is for home use you won't need a big amplifier and a set of decent speakers about same as mixer. Try one of the pawn shops cash converter or similar. Have a look at some of the sites Dj supplies or hard to find records.

Mark

You buying original vinyl or reissues, either way it's expensive now collecting northern, modern rare soul good luck, I was co promoter and dj of a soul night for 14 years, and we now dj at a bar once a month.

Just PM'd you mate.

Cheers. I'm by no means alone in that - the UK Northern Soul scene is alive and well, Elaine Constantine's movie is out soon ( http://www.northernsoulthefilm.com/ ) which prompted a slot on The One Show a few weeks ago (clip below). I've been a motown, soul and Northern fan for some 30+ years now so I thought time to get involved and give something back. And I love it of course 8)

You're spot on there Mark. I'm buying original vinyl, northern, crossover and modern (some label re-issues but not pressings), but our local scene has always been broad and (generally) open minded, so I buy what I like rather than chasing megabucks rarities or popular oldies. With a bit of searching I often pick up 7"s at a third or half of book prices, and often pick up lesser known tracks for a few pounds that would still hold their own in a DJ spot. I buy a couple a month. Some of the singles I bought in my early allnighter days are now worth 5-10 times what I bought them for.

So back to the kit. Thanks Dobroman and 69Dudes.

The Stantons are STR 8-30s with RCA/phonos out. Rather than particular models of mixer etc, I should have been clearer and said it would help me if you suggested a spec and I could check that against the models I see come up at reasonable prices - I've seen Numark, Stanton and Vestex models as pretty good ones I think. Really I only want to spend £30-40 on a used one, because I'll probably only ever use it at home (using a club set-up when doing a DJ spot). Plus I need to get an amp, so spreading my outlay. So I could use a checklist of key features... 3 channel, crossfader etc etc

Couple I saw recently...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stanton-RM-3s-Mixer-/191132295252?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESINDXX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=TMWyuEqWaMfDOCnHujMb2LuB9tE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321152114420?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151280687794?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

Does a pre-amp mixer mean an amp isn't needed, or what's the advantage of having one? I see most photos with just two decks and a mixer?

I spotted this small amp which seems to offer the a reasonable wattage for home, reasonable price, right connections?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LTC-STAGE-PA-AMPLIFIER-100-WATT-MAX-POWER-NEW-STEREO-SPEAKER-AMP-DJ-KARAOKE-12V/231204460419?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222006%26algo%3DSIC.FITP%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D22312%26meid%3D6289489766827287301%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D9701%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D231200083700

Thanks for the help guys - keep it coming!

My ethos and the same for my mates was and still is to buy stuff under the radar and do plenty of searching no point in chasing big or in demand tunes as prices are skewed all you have to do is watch one of John manships auctions when something is becoming an in demand ie velvet hammer happy always been about £50 to 75 now people asking £200 crazy.

Good luck with your record hunting let me know any stuff you are after will look out for you

Get the djay 2 app for ipad

Refreshing this thread to come back for some more tips. Got a Stanton RM3S mixer at the second attempt from eBay (courier broke the first one having thought it'd be a good idea to drop it 6ft over the garden gate when I wasn't in to receive the parcel ). Plenty of features, sliders seem fine, decks play OK through to headphone jack and needles seem OK, though will probably replace them soon before I put valued vinyl through them.

So now need an amp. I bought this KAM one but the seller didn't send it (boy, is someone trying to tell me something about my plans to DJ?! ) so now I need another.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAM-KKA-100-Amplifier-DJ-Karaoke-/261527128547?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=lekv28877WxGYEZ2UIsoW4Mh43k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

As I understand it, I only need a pair of phonos for line in from the mixer, and could run a mic either through the mixer jack or a jack on the amp. I've got some old Sony speakers tucked away that I think are 25w so they can be reused and I don't need big wattage from the amp.

So any tips on spec? Is there any difference in a mixer amp and power amp when I see these listed as separate things? Still happy to buy cheap and cheerful second hand so I'm more interested in specs than new branded amp.

Thanks all,
Paul

Paul
Yeah,
You just need a mixer with 3 or 4 channels. It will have a headphone and mic jack input already. On the back it should have two phono inputs for output to amp. These plug straight into again two phono inputs on the amp. If the amp has those inputs, then that's all you need for the mixer. You will need the correct inputs for your sony speakers too. Just make sure you use the volume on the amp as a control and not the mixer otherwise you will have an annoying buzz. When all connected out your channel sliders all the way up and mixer master volume on about 1/4 of volume. Then turn out a vinyl on till you hear it and then turn up the volume on the amp, not the mixer master. Good luck mate.

That was quick, thanks! Gotcha, that all makes sense. Looking at two new amps just now...

Simplest one with single input. Speakers connect with push-in connectors
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COMPACT-HIFI-KARAOKE-PA-AMPLIFIER-100W-MAX-2x-MIC-INPUT-FREE-P-P-SPECIAL-OFFER-/271576387525?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3f3b36cfc5

Second one a bit dearer with a second pair of phono inputs (could come in handy?) and a USB/SD slot. Not sure what I'd use that for but maybe. Speaker cables would need wiring/soldering to plug connectors.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DJ-PA-HIFI-KARAOKE-AMPLIFIER-SD-USB-MP3-2-x-MIC-INPUT-FREE-P-P-SPECIAL-OFFER-/291078675720?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item43c5a41d08

Thoughts?

My old amp had four clamp style speaker connectors where you threaded the copper speaker wire ends into the clamps and that was it. I then ran four speaker off the amp. On every amp there will be speaker connects and should be easy enough to modify. The one with second phone inputs could connect up a CD player, but that's about it. I would run all your iPods, laptops etc thought your phono in channels in the mixer. I've never personally used a USB but then again I've only ever mixed vinyl so it may have its uses mate. Hope this helps.