DJ equipment

[Michael Black]

Ok to all the sound and light people,djs and vjs:

What equipment are you using,used, recommend, or should stay away from?

Do you still use cd mixers like the Pioneer CDJ-200's?

Are Technics (Panasonic) 1200's still the standard or do you prefer something else?

What do you think of Rane crossovers?

What laptop software do you use and do you mix more now with mp3s or still sticking to vinyl?

What speakers do you prefer- JBL, Peavy,EV,etc?

Martin lasers, fog & bubble machines, dance lights or do you think other companies offer better value?

Numark or Martin mixer or something else?

Dvd or digital mixers for video?

Mics including wireless models?

Strobe lights?

Par cans and led lighting?

Basically discuss anything you want and have experienced with regarding light, sound, video. I know we touched on some of these in other posts, but I am trying to figure out what is still standard, what is passe, and what is current. There are also a couple of upcoming auctions here on equipment and I am trying to figure the price, quality and overall worth of some of the items.

Thanks,

Mike

[bigbeat]

I am currently using Rane's "Serato Scratch Live" with the Rane TTM 57 mixer. I spin on either Pioneer CDJ1000 decks or Technics MK5 1200 turntables. I'm spinning a audio & video mash up format at most locations and for those locations that do not have their own video equipment, I supply my own projector, screen & Roland V-4 video mixer with cameras.

It seems most high end clubs now have Serato installed. All three clubs I spun at in the L.A. area were all set up with Serato. Same in Las Vegas & Miami. Most professional DJs are using this format now.

[soundguy_99]

Hey Mike,
I can`t obviously speak as much on the d.j side of things, but we have been getting allot of guest d.j's coming in so I do get an idea of what their using.

Mostly their setups are either Technics 1200's or CDJ 100's running Rane Serato.
Usually hooked in though a rane or pioneer, or mackie d.j mixer with a Yorkvielle powered monitor. The odd Video guy we get in used 2 6x9 da-light screens, with Pioneer DV'J 1000's running rane serato video.

As far as main systems are concerned around here is usually EAW,EV and JBL.
I an not completely sure if bu "rane crossover" you meant system crossover or D.J crossover, but as a system crossover I would never use a rane, around here its usually DBX,Ashley, BSS, or EV.

[bigbeat]

NOW, BACK TO THE ORIGINAL TOPIC.........

I do have my own complete sound system so that I can do mobile events. Here's my gear list. Not as impressive as when I was living in California but I also wanted to simplify .......

2 JBL EON G2 powered speakers
1 JBL EON 10' "booth monitor" speaker
4 Martin 612 Roboscan intel lights
1 Martin DMX controller
4 Elation colored sync spots
1 Elation DMX controller
1 American DJ hazer
2 Pioneer CDJ-1000 CD decks
1 Rane TTM57 "Serato" mixer
1 Sony HD projector
1 10x12 projection screen

Would like to get some more gear but not in much of a hurry. I do mostly club events and the clubs have all the gear I need. I have a sound company that I can hire when I do larger corporate mobile events so it seems that what I currently do have is enough for now.

[Michael Black]

Are you using mostly mp3's now or mostly vinyl and what rough % cd's ?-assuming music only and not mixing video.

That Rane is a 2 channel active crossover Model# AC22. I am not sure this is for the dj crossover or the whole system?

What about a pioneer mixing station Model# DJM-600?

How do you feel about QSC amps?

The cdj-200's are new in the box, but are they now dated or still good to use?

How do you feel about an LSC Light stream controller?

These are just some of the items offered.

PS-I moved the posts to a new thread on tag team dj equipment issues. If you are not sure in the future, start a new thread. It is easier to combine posts in merging two threads together than to separate them.

[Michael Black]

Brian, how's the American DJ hazer quality wise?

Also, is that Rane/Serato plugged into a Mac laptop?

It looks like the Serato software teamed up with Rane and their mixer for a package deal. It looks like we could, in theory, buy the Pioneer djm600 and still use Serato through it including a video plug-in. Do I have this right? The only thing I don't like about the djm600 is it only allows 3 turntables vs 4. But, I don't know how often you would need it, perhaps only when you have 2 dj's simultaneously. There are some complaints on the headphone jack location and no 1/4 outs, but many dj's seem to think it's solid.

Thanks guys for the info,

Mike