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How to Make Your Own Working DJ Setup

Choosing the right equipment is a big part of putting together a DJ setup. One big choice is deciding on using turntables or CD decks. This determines which medium most of your music will come from, though most mixers allow DJs to also connect other input components, such as microphones, CD players or laptops. Once you have chosen the equipment, assembling a basic DJ setup is a straightforward process.

Things You'll Need

  • Turntables
  • Turntable needles and cartridges
  • DJ mixer
  • RCA cables
  • RCA-to-quarter-inch cables
  • Amplifier
  • Speakers
  • Records
  • CDs
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Instructions

  1. Inputs

    • 1
      DJs can use vinyl records, CDs or a combination of both.

      Place two turntables or CD decks on a table, with the mixer positioned between them.

    • 2

      Connect the left and right outputs from the turntable to the left of the mixer to the mixer's left and right inputs, labeled "PHONO 1," with RCA cables.

    • 3

      Connect the left and right outputs from the turntable to the right of the mixer to the mixer's left and right inputs, labeled "PHONO 2," with RCA cables.

    • 4

      Connect each turntable grounding wire to the grounding receptacles on the mixer. Loosen the ground screw on the mixer, and slide the U-shaped ground clip over the screw, then tighten the screw.

    • 5

      Remove the rubber mat from each turntable and replace them with DJ slip mats.

    • 6

      Install the turntable cartridges and needles onto the turntables according to the needle manufacturer's instructions. Installation instructions for the needles and cartridges may vary according to manufacturer and according to the type of DJ-ing you plan to do.

    • 7

      Connect any other input components to the mixer's "LINE INPUT" jacks with RCA cables. Remember that you cannot play two components on the same channel simultaneously. So, for instance, if you intend to use a CD player and a turntable at the same time, they must be connected to different channels.

    Outputs

    • 8

      Connect the "REC OUT" output from the mixer to a recording device with RCA cables. This is a stereo output, so connect left and right channels.

    • 9

      Connect the "MASTER OUT" output from the mixer to a stereo receiver with RCA cables to amplify the components. Make sure to connect the left and right channels.

    • 10
      A DJ mixer can connect to an amplifier, much like a guitar,

      Connect the "MASTER OUT" output from the mixer to a dedicated amplifier with RCA-to-quarter-inch audio cables on the left and right channels. Skip this step if you will use a stereo receiver as an amplifier.

    • 11

      Connect the "MASTER OUT" left and right outputs from the mixer to powered speakers with the appropriate audio cables, if you are not connecting a dedicated amplifier or stereo receiver.

    • 12
      Most DJs rely on high-quality headphones to help hear what they are doing.

      Connect DJ headphones to the mixer's "HEADPHONE" output.

    • 13

      Plug in all the components to electrical outlets and turn on the equipment.

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