Become a DJ, where to start?
By Bjornsane on Wednesday, 7 April 2010, 13:30. Viewed 758 times. 
We've all been there. You've been to a party or a festival. Seen the DJs up there and it inspired you. You want to try it yourself! But where do you start?
(This article is aimed at those who do not really have any idea what DJing is and what a DJ does.)
Introduction
The world of DJing is complex. It requires expensive equipment, more than just the cd-players (decks) and mixer. You need speakers, probably an amplifier, you need music. Headphones. A stable place to put it all. Starting out as a DJ can be expensive, difficult and seem like a long road ahead.
I would advice against simply buying basic equipment and go for it. It is just too expensive to find out whether or not you like doing it.
What I think you should try...
I would suggest to get some connections within the DJing circle in your region. Try out some (free) DJing applications to see if you enjoy making the mixes. You might just find out that you like to listen to music more than you like to mix it and that's the end for you. But if you find yourself enjoying the mixes, keep going. Ask a DJ in your region if he or she would like to show the basics. Let you try out DJing using his or hers equipment. That way, you save a lot of money and maybe do not even need to prepare your own music.
If you feel that you like DJing, you can start considering buying your own setup. Start out small. You can always expand your setup towards more professional gear, experimental equipment like effects or MIDI (if you started out using CDs or vinyl) and learn using all of it. Try to play with the equipment of other DJs so you get used to main principle every piece of equipment shares.
It's my experience that you learn the most by learning together. Teaching is the best way of learning is what they say, and I believe that. By learning each other some new tricks, great mixes or some principles, you learn yourself.
But before you decide to start out on anything, be sure to try out the idea. For free using software or by asking a friend. It'll save you a lot of money afterwards and it will give you insight in what you want to do, what you need to do it and what it's going to cost you.
And remember:
The road will stay long and difficult. But if you like what you're doing, there's no end to it. As long as you remember to have fun, enjoy and just do what you love to do: You'll get there. And believe me, it's worth the hassle.