live perfomances

[powda_powkey56]

I have just started my own lil independent record label and im getting the hang of recording. For now we are just using a usb preampd audio interface but we are looking foward to getting the motu ultralite to go with our mac 20" . One thing that was brought up in one of out meetings is who is gonna dj the live performances. well i was the dj in first place so i said i wold but i dont kno how to set up all the epuipment i dont even know what equipment i will need. so my question is if anybody knows a website where i could learn this or just has the time to explain this to me? i really would appreciate it.

[C00kie]

So the question is what equipment does a DJ need?

Obviously you need to be heard. That requires a PA system of some sort: big rugged speakers and some amps to drive them. Small venues (up to 100 people) need 500 Watt, but 2000 Watt is no luxury. Most venues you'll play at will have a (old, cheap & crappy) PA of their own. You don't need to buy one. Start by renting them. It's a big investment you can postpone.

The PA needs to be fed with an analog signal carrying your music. Often there are multiple sound sources (some microphones on stands, instruments, computers, CD decks, turntables, etc etc) and then you need a mixing console to select what the public hears.

The mixing console can also be used to make a personal mix for the benefit of the performing artist that hears it through stage monitoring speakers (that need an amp as well; sometimes those are integrated with the speakers)

What's inbetween the mixer and yourself: that's totally up to you. You're the DJ, so you have to decide how to do that. Either play real vinyl records or play CDs or use a computer to play MP3s or use DJ software or whatever. Often a DJ has a mixer of his own. The benefit of a DJ mixer is that it has a horizontal fader to cross-fade from deck A to B.

And then there's the visual aspect. You don't want to stand in the dark, so you'll need some stage lights. Can be rented also, and most venues have a basic setup already. Maybe you want to do some VJing also: computer images to be projected at the background.



PS: no need to make the message all bold-face. It stands out nevertheless...

[powda_powkey56]

I appreciate it man. sorry about the bold letters ive never really posted in a forum.

[amarule]

FWIW typing on a forum in all caps or bold type is considered shouting, and reserved for when you need to really stress a point, or bitch someone out.

(Thanks COOkie.)

[C00kie]

FWIW typing on a forum in all caps is considered shouting

Where are the caps you're referring to? I don't see any caps... I'm turning blind also!!