Musical Instruments

[MHW]

I am posting this in the musical instruments category because that is where it seems to fit best but mods, if I am wrong please fell free to move me!

My son is 12 years old and like many tweens he loves his music!  I just got him an ipod touch for Christmas and I wanted to get him some beginner's dj equipment.  I am not sure where to start though.  All the mixers and such look really complicated so I landed on this item: Ion Audio-Discover DJ System Model: ICUE3 | SKU: 9910072.  Any info or advice?  Thanks a bunch!

[Kyle-BBY Retired: Senior Social Media Specialist]

Hey MHW,

This is the perfect place to ask a question like that but I'm not super well-versed in DJ equipment.  Nevertheless, that certainly looks a great piece of gear to start off with.  It interfaces via USB so your son would be able to experiment with the songs he already has on the computer and you wouldn't need to invest extra in records or other media at the same time.

For a more detailed guide to picking one out, we actually have a Buyers Guide for DJ Equipment which you can find here.

Also, if you have a Musical Instruments Best Buy location in your area, I would definitely recommend picking their brains as well.  Our MI Associates have a well-rounded knowledge base to offer.

I hope that helps!

[JoeWMI · Accepted solution]

MHW,

The Ion system is a very cool idea for those who want to mix on the go. It basically fits in the palm of your hand. Another idea I would definitely suggest looking into is the Numark IDJ3. It is a system that will not only allow him to dock his iPod and play music, but will also allow him to mix all the music on his computer. Here is its link on our website:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Numark+-+Numark+Complete+DJ+Controller/9797584.p?id=1218176209255&skuId=...

You can also check one out if a Best Buy near you has a Musical Instruments Store!

[MHW]

Thanks for the advice! I ordered him the Numark IDJ3 as suggested by the previous poster, I think he will love it!

[JoeWMI]

MHW,

That is great to hear! Hope they have fun with it!

[Kyle-BBY Retired: Senior Social Media Specialist]

Thanks Joe!

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

Dang it, now I want one.

[1Life]

@ MHW: I am a DJ and also a producer so i am well versed in this subject. The Ion DJ Discover is more of a midi controller and it mixes mp3's from the laptop. I believe it uses Cue LE software and that comes with it. Good various reviews of the IDD (Ion DJ Discover) on amazon.com  However, the IDD does NOT have a slope control cross fader, so you're not going to be able to do complicated scratch techniques like crab scratch (which is the one that separates the men from the boys - the king of all scratches, the one that separates wannabe's from the actual ppl who know how to dj and use the turntable as an instrument moreso then something you just play records on).

I know you already ordered him something, but if you want to stay within the realm of midi controllers, i would look at the Numark Mixtrack - this is more realistic - better quality - has touch sensitive platters (jog wheels - the things you touch to scratch). still doesn't have a slope control fader as i've read, but has way better features then the IDD. Base model is $149.99, but the Mixtrack Pro is $249.99 and the Pro gives you a headphone jack and some mic input jacks. The Pro is more road ready for gigs then the base model. However, if you're like me and you don't want to spring the extra $100 on the pro, you can probaly remedy the headphone situation on the base model w/ i'm told a sound card in your laptop and using the headphone jack thru the pc... Mixtrack also only mixes mp3's on the pc.

Another great midi controller would be the Vestax Typhoon, and there is another midi controller out there coming out called the Reloop. Both look awesome, but are of course really up in price. Range $300+. but they are not your base model midi controllers either. this would be for a more advanced user.

If you want to try something new and diff for him, i'm partial to the Stanton SCS3 - which is also like a midi controller - cept this is all TOUCH BASED - like a touch screen. mixer/turntable = all touch sensitive. watch the videos for it on youtube.com or pssl.com  - pretty cool stuff.

if you're wanting him to have a pair of decks - be it vinyl or digital and you don't want to break the bank. all in one is pretty inexpensive way to go. if i was you, i'd spend the extra bux and get a direct drive. belt drive tables tend to break easier and are not really meant for scratching. i am a hardcore turntablist and i learned on lots of belt drives, so i speak from experience. i have broken alot of gemini scratch masters in my day, not to mention the crappy needles that come with them.

look for an all in the box direct drive deal.

if you are going the digital deck route, since he is a beginner, a low end will be fine. if he wants to scratch, make sure the jog wheels can be used for scratching. don't be mistaken by looking at models like the Numark NDX 200 cuz those platters don't scratch at all - they mix and do something w/ pitch. NDX200's don't scratch.

a good cheap digital deck that does scratch - NDX400, Stanton C-324, C-309 ( i think is the lower end model), gemini (can't remember models - i don't use gemini's), Pioneer CDJ-200's (they were designed to be mixing decks, but believe it or not, these babies actually can scratch pretty good). you're gonna be lookin at prices of maybe $200-$400 for one deck.

base mixer can be about $40+ - any standard 2 channel one.

this is what i'm running on my setup: Numark DM1002 - 2 channel scratch mixer w/ transform, 2 Stanton STR8-60's direct drive turntable, Stanton C-324 digital deck w/ efx, Shure M-447 turntablist needle.

I have used Gemini scratch masters, the gemini's 2000's/3000's series, technics SL-1200's MK2's, technics MK3's, vestax decks, dj craze needles, etc... never really cared for these brands. technics and vestax are spose to be the best - and to me, i just don't feel they really stack up to my stanton's.

hope this helps - i know your son is gonna grow out of that IDJ3 soon.

[bpeck101]

Perhaps someone could help me as well.  I purchased some DJ equipment for my 13 year old son for Christmas and we are having trouble getting things hooked up.  We have a Pyle Pro PTA1000 amp, 2 Traktor Scratch Duo turntables, a Gemini mixer, and 2 technical pro speakers. Unfortunately, I am not sure how to hook all of these things together to make music.  Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

That's a lot of questions, in which, without knowing the inputs/outputs on all those would make for a very long answer.

I'd really just suggest going into a music store with a list of what you have so they can point you in the right direction, and that way you can pick up any cables you find out that you need while you're there.

At a minimum I'm going to go with, some RCA cables, some 1/4" jack cables. and a power strip. Lol. Good luck.