In this day and age, almost anybody could be a DJ if they really wanted to. Although DJ equipment set at festivals and night clubs seem very expensive, there are low-cost ways to start DJing in your bedroom.
iFLYER made a list of DJ equipment for you to look at! We listed some low-cost options so that you could find something that fits your budget!
・Free DJ software
All you need is a laptop to start practicing DJing! These days there are many DJ softwares you can download for free online. We recommend “Virtual DJ Home” for starters. This is a free introductory version of “Virtual DJ” but actually has most of the same functions.
Once you make a username and sign up online, you will receive the software for free.
「Virtual DJ Home」click here
・Practice at the studio
There are various studios around Tokyo that are used by musicians for band and live performance practices. Some of these studios rent out DJ equipment like the popular studio Noah. At Shibuya Noah part1, you could rent DJ equipment for 1000 yen per hour. If you call them beforehand, they will set the equipment up before your arrival. This is an opportunity for you to get your hands on proper DJ equipment that professional DJs use!
SOUND STUDIO NOAH
There are two DJ softwares that most professional DJs use— Traktor or Serato DJ. For these two softwares, there is a way to unlock the license so that others could use it as well. For this reason, you could find these licenses being sold on auction websites. Make sure you pay attention to the reviews and ratings before purchasing!
・USB and CDJ
Some professional DJs use CDJs with music loaded on their USB. There is a software called “rekordbox” used to organize your music and to set cue points. It cost approximately 40,000 yen to buy this software— however for those who want a lower cost deal, you could pay a monthly subscription of 1,200 yen per month.
https://rekordbox.com/
・Rent a booth at a club
Most clubs and bars don't hold event everyday, especially on week days. Some clubs rent out their DJ booths during the week to DJs that want to get familiar with the equipment. Some clubs that do this are nagomix near Shibuya station and Bar BUMP in Shinjuku. However, keep in mind that it is not totally private like renting out a studio. There will be other customers around and the club may ask you to place a specific genre of music.
Many DJs start with a MIDI controller, which makes it easier to understand and use all the functions of the DJ software. MIDI controllers typically cost around 300 dollars or more. We recommend you to buy a second hand one online or from a friend if you want to save some money!
For those of you who has enough money to buy a brand new controller— we recommend the controller above from Pioneer DJ. If you plan to use CDJs in the future, this is the perfect controller for you! You will need to spend a few extra bucks to get the proper software that corresponds with the controller.
To find out more about Pioneer DJ controllers, please click here !
What did you think? We hope you find the best option that fits your needs!
iFLYER made a list of DJ equipment for you to look at! We listed some low-cost options so that you could find something that fits your budget!
■ 0yen〜1000yen
If you wanted to buy all the club standard equipment you find at clubs and festivals, it would most likely cost you more than thousands of dollars. However, what most people don’t know is that now a days you could actually start DJing for free.・Free DJ software
All you need is a laptop to start practicing DJing! These days there are many DJ softwares you can download for free online. We recommend “Virtual DJ Home” for starters. This is a free introductory version of “Virtual DJ” but actually has most of the same functions.
Once you make a username and sign up online, you will receive the software for free.
「Virtual DJ Home」click here
・Practice at the studio
There are various studios around Tokyo that are used by musicians for band and live performance practices. Some of these studios rent out DJ equipment like the popular studio Noah. At Shibuya Noah part1, you could rent DJ equipment for 1000 yen per hour. If you call them beforehand, they will set the equipment up before your arrival. This is an opportunity for you to get your hands on proper DJ equipment that professional DJs use!
SOUND STUDIO NOAH
■ 1000yen〜10000yen
・Receive software licenseThere are two DJ softwares that most professional DJs use— Traktor or Serato DJ. For these two softwares, there is a way to unlock the license so that others could use it as well. For this reason, you could find these licenses being sold on auction websites. Make sure you pay attention to the reviews and ratings before purchasing!
・USB and CDJ
Some professional DJs use CDJs with music loaded on their USB. There is a software called “rekordbox” used to organize your music and to set cue points. It cost approximately 40,000 yen to buy this software— however for those who want a lower cost deal, you could pay a monthly subscription of 1,200 yen per month.
https://rekordbox.com/
・Rent a booth at a club
Most clubs and bars don't hold event everyday, especially on week days. Some clubs rent out their DJ booths during the week to DJs that want to get familiar with the equipment. Some clubs that do this are nagomix near Shibuya station and Bar BUMP in Shinjuku. However, keep in mind that it is not totally private like renting out a studio. There will be other customers around and the club may ask you to place a specific genre of music.
■ 10000yen〜30000yen
・Buy a second hand DJ controllerMany DJs start with a MIDI controller, which makes it easier to understand and use all the functions of the DJ software. MIDI controllers typically cost around 300 dollars or more. We recommend you to buy a second hand one online or from a friend if you want to save some money!
■ 30000yen〜
・Buy a controllerFor those of you who has enough money to buy a brand new controller— we recommend the controller above from Pioneer DJ. If you plan to use CDJs in the future, this is the perfect controller for you! You will need to spend a few extra bucks to get the proper software that corresponds with the controller.
To find out more about Pioneer DJ controllers, please click here !
What did you think? We hope you find the best option that fits your needs!
