Cheap but Decent Gear - For New Mobile DJs

[pill]

Hey everyone Just thought i'd start this thread and keep updating it (and hopefully you'll join in too) when I spot a good deal or find something for sale, to help anyone that wants to start mobile DJ'ing.

I know when I started the best advice I got was from cash converters, and I wouldn't want anyone on these forums to have to go there

The last good buy I got was a set of 15 inch passive speakers from JB Hifi for $450 (they were the Audioline brand) and they are actually pretty decent, and when you take the cost into account it's just amazing.

They also have the Numark mixers at quite good prices (even better if you know someone who works there )

I also plan to start importing stuff from China, so I'm happy to re-sell to guys on this forum at low cost, and i'll keep posting updates on here. At the moment it's looking like the first lot will be wireless microphone kits (PLL multi-chanell) that retail at around 600aud for $250ish. I'll keep you posted.

[DjDennis]

pill before you import anything best checkout if the gear is compatable with Australian Standards

or it wont even get thru customs

also before spending thousands look around at the other stores and see what they offer and do something different

you can double up and the other store could buy cheaper and your prices could have to skyrocket

so be warned prepare a LOT before doing anything

[pill]

Thanks for the heads up Mr. Dennis, i ended up bailing cause an ACMA compatibility test was gonna cost 2k.

JB also have advertised CDJ200s for about $440, which is pretty decent if you're interested in em. They also had the numark M4 mixer (which is 3 chan) for bulk cheap, i think it was 230 ish. I'm not trying to plug them, I don't work there and have no reason to, but it might save someone some money.

[Genetic]

i was a little dissappointed when i went into jb hifi last to see that they had gotten rid of all their pioneer display gear except for cdj's and replaced with numark gear

[Skank]

pioneer is too expensive tho thats why they swaped

[pill]

At the moment, there's 4U rack cases at Jaycar on clearance for $99.

Their code for it is HB6347, it's below trade price.

I've had one carrying an amp in it (~20kg) for just over a year and it's been great.

If you're looking for anything to transport gear, this is by far the cheapest roadcase i've ever seen...

[DjDennis]

contact barry @ showco.com.au

they also sell to djs and bands locally

prices are reasonable...

[Funky_Steve]

At the moment, there's 4U rack cases at Jaycar on clearance for $99.

Their code for it is HB6347, it's below trade price.

I've had one carrying an amp in it (~20kg) for just over a year and it's been great.

If you're looking for anything to transport gear, this is by far the cheapest roadcase i've ever seen...

How did this case go with the amp in it? Was there sufficient airflow to keep the amp at an operational temperature?

The case I currently use for my amp has 2 computer fans built into it to keep the airflow up.

[pill]

Went fine thanks, i have a 2ru amp which has its own fan in it and a 2ru equaliser sitting on top.

As long as both the front and back are off i havent had any overheating problems (of course, i wouldn't dare use it with only the front off!

Most amps today don't have any trouble as long as they have good front + back airflow. I suppose the issue is for club installs where there are multiple amps lined up and an enclosed area where the hot air circulates.

[pill]

oh also dennis your buddy at showco has had his website suspended

[FabDJ]

Was going to buy speakers from Jaycar for about 100 bucks 120RMS but got some no name speakers from Byron Trader on e bay for 118 bucks 350RMS. Thought of them as disposable for a new years eve party.

They were surprising good and at 98db@1m twice as loud as my home speakers, had the mixer volume on 1-2 all night and very good quality for hanging out a caravan door (it was pouring down before the dancing started.) In comparison to JBLs they are crap but in my opinion as I'm just starting out the difference between good sound and ordinary is about 4 beers.

FabDJ

[ruggs]

dunno how much this will go for but worth a bid anyone wanting new stuff

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CDJ-900-BRAND-NE ... 335bf17d8b

[Skank]

WHAT A BARGIN man i wish this was for sale a few weeks ago

[DjDennis]

Pill I saw that but its back up as he is redoing it

call him direct on 9405 6450

[DjSTRiKE]

I've seen alot of people saying "im was or i have bought this from jaycar" seriously, i wouldnt trust anything dj wise from jaycar, its basically all made in china and very unreliable and would probably last as long as it took you to buy it. well thats just my 2 cents from personal experience.

[eggssell]

what isnt made in china?? apple products; most parts of technics; not sure about pioneer but wouldnt be surprised; any tv not made in korea??

i dont think that is the issue.

i think its more about if you buy cheaply made things from china the will be crap.

[pill]

Jaycar are just importers/distributors out to make a few bucks on mark up costs.

I wouldn't trust their "dj" gear - I have used their P.A. subs for a few years and they are decent but definately wouldn't touch their mixers with a ten foot pole considering the relative pricing to entry level 'pro' brands.

[CBG]

isnt every store and importer/distributor out to make a few bucks? Only difference from Jaycar, to...Dick Smith is that Jaycar have HEAPS more random crap

[pill]

point taken

[gcdj]

I've seen alot of people saying "im was or i have bought this from jaycar" seriously, i wouldnt trust anything dj wise from jaycar, its basically all made in china and very unreliable and would probably last as long as it took you to buy it. well thats just my 2 cents from personal experience.

i agree on things such as speakers and turntables but on everything to do with basic lighting i rekon their great. for e.g. i went out to buy a fog machine. Checked out musicians pro shop and it was $130 went down the road to jaycar and they had the exact identical smoke machine with a different name for $90.

[pill]

that particular smoke machine comes in so many brands and model names it's ridiculous. i got mine from dick smith, lasted me about 5 years before the pump gave up. nothing professional but certainly gets the job done for smaller events!

[DjDennis]

Hey Pill have to ask

you been told you cant use it at a lot of venues yet - with most now banning bubble machines and any type of fog, smoke, hazers from use there ?

you may get some that will allow it but anything happens the venue goes for blood...

a lot of djs have also stopped using them for a health and safety reason..

[andythemusician]

Yeah if the venue doesn't want atmos, you can't do it. Otherwise you are in major trouble with the fireys when the rock up from the smoke alarms going off.

If you use smoke as haze, you'll have issues with it being too thick, and people will hate it. If you use haze, you won't have those issues unless someone really wants to get up for your nose. It'll still set off the new fire alarms though.

PITA I know - I'm a lighting designer, and without haze half my design goes up in smoke!

So to speak.

As far as Jaycar goes - adapters, connectors, tools, cabling and the occassional roll of gaffer (yes they stock Nashua!) and sparky tape.

Wouldn't trust their audio or lighting equipment!

[pill]

Yeah dennis you're right, alot of venues don't like it, especially the more upmarket wedding venues. I've only ever had one smoke alarm go off on me but that was years ago and I didn't buy the smoke liquid myself so I don't know what caused it.

I only use it if i can get an almost pitch-black hall to use it in, such as at an 18th or 21st, in any floodlit room its more hassle than it's worth.

andy just interested do you use any lighting software / usb-dmx adaptors? the arx one we were looking at is about $100 so i was thinking of getting it to use with an old laptop. reckon it's worth it?

[andythemusician]

I don't at the moment, but a venue I'm at is looking at getting a computer for the Enttec dongle and LightJockey software, and I'm personally interested in LSC's Clarity softwar.

Work out what software you want first though, as sometimes you require a certain dongle for it to work. No point in wasting money on something you end up not being able to use!