DJ equipment brings back memories of disco in the 1970s, complete with record mixers and a mirrored disco ball. Many of us recall a local disc jockey (DJ) bringing his jumble of DJ gear to a high school dance or prom, or to a wedding or Bar Mitzvah at the local American Legion. The equipment, like most things, has grown and evolved to fit into the high-tech world we live in today. The manual flip switches and record changers are no longer in use. Today, DJ equipment can range from the bare essentials, such as a pair of compact disc (CD) decks and speakers, to fancy, multi-level CD decks, surround sound amplifier and speaker systems, a professional quality mixer, top-notch headphones, and, of course, easy access mobile shelving and storage units for CDs, if money is no object.
The majority of DJ equipment is now computerized, and some DJs agree that CD decks are becoming obsolete. Music can now be played with the flip of a switch or the push of a button, just like the MP3 player and the iPod, without a CD, tape, or record in sight. In many cases, all that is required is a computer. A mixer should be included in any set of equipment because it will allow the sound to play continuously, whether it is a speaking voice or a song. A mixer, for example, will switch from one song to the next without the brief pause that usually marks the end of a song.
A good pair of headphones is a must-have piece of DJ gear. A noisy DJ booth, according to most DJs, makes it difficult to hear the music being mixed. Without headphones, hearing the music clearly is nearly impossible if no booth is available and the DJ finds herself and her equipment practically in the middle of the party or dance. To help filter out background noise, experts agree that headphones should be lightweight and have a closed back. A wide frequency response is also required in headphones.
The speakers, also known as amplifiers and speakers, are the final piece of DJ equipment, as they are in charge of getting the music to the listeners. DJs should ensure that their speakers are capable of handling the volume they intend to use, and that the amplifier is capable of amplifying the signal from the computer or CD player. Most DJs who are serious about their music are more than willing to spend the money on high-quality equipment, knowing that a DJ who delights his audience will be invited back again and again.