The Disc Jockey

A DJ will use a combination of different types of equipment in order to broadcast to their audience. Firstly there is the sound recordings which can come in a variety of forms such as vinyl records, compact discs and more recently digital media files. Secondly they need a combination of two devices to play the recordings on (although recent development of digital DJ’ing means only one computer is needed). Thirdly a mixer is needed to mix one track into the second. Fourthly a sound system is needed for broadcasting whether that is through speakers or through a radio broadcasting system. Fifthly headphones are needed by the DJ so that they can listen to the second recording whilst the first one is playing and judge when they are mixed together smoothly and can cross the two together on the sound system. Optionally a microphone is needed should they want to broadcast verbally to their audience.

These are the basic equipment that is needed to broadcast as a DJ. There are other electronic devices now available in the market that can allow a DJ to individualise their style such as electronic effects, samplers, sequencers, synthesizers and special digital controller software used in a PC or laptop. A DJ can have all this equipment but the real necessity is talent and technique which involves cueing, equalization and audio mixing between two or more music sources.