1ST DJ SYSTEM

How to build a mobile DJ system without breaking the bank.

So you want to become a Mobile DJ huh? If so, you've come to the right place. This guide will provide recommendations on equipment to help you build your first mobile DJ system without breaking the bank.

For the purpose of this guide, we'll keep our budget right around $3000.00 (including computer). I know DJ Barr built a beginner mobile DJ system for only $1550.00 but his system didn't include a laptop and I believe The gear I'm recommending is of higher quality and will provide more bang for your beginner DJ buck.  

This is a beginner system in name only, the truth of the matter is even experienced DJs can use these recommendations to put together a portable system that rocks or perhaps you're a multi-op company that needs more than one event rig.

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Our system will consist of:

• A two channel DJ controller

• One set of powered PA speakers

• Wireless Microphone

• Pair of speaker Stands

• A four or six foot folding table

• A five panel facade

• Windows based laptop computer

• RCA to XLR & 1/4 inch cables

• Basic lighting & lighting software

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BEGINNER DJ CONTROLLERS

Your DJ controller is the interface between you and the music! It's easy to confuse what you need in a controller with what you want in a controller.  Also, keep in mind the more channels and features you have, the higher the cost. So for this build we're going to stick with two channel controllers.

POWERED  SPEAKERS

NOTHING has a bigger impact on the quality of product you provide than your speakers. In my humble opinion, this is where the lion share of your system budget should go.

Lots of things to consider when selecting the brand and size of your speakers such as:

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• Average room/venue size of your events

• Number of people who usually attend

• Music genre you usually play

• Your ability to load/lift speakers

There are way too brands for me to cover all of them.  However, here are a few recommendations to get you started.

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NOTE: The 4th recommended type of speaker is a budget buster. However, I wanted to list them due to their popularity within the mobile DJ community.

MICROPHONES

Microphones are another highly debated subject within the DJ community. Do you need an expensive Sennheiser or Shure microphone? Or can you get by with a more budget friendly offering? Do you even need a wireless mic? Or will a corded microphone work?

The answer to all of these questions is yes! You can get away with using a simple corded mic but In my experience customers prefer using cordless mics for their toasts and speeches. My advice is use whats available until you can upgrade. 

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Of course what you spend depends on your budget.  I've heard cheap microphones as well as expensive  microphones produce feedback. My suggestion is to look for a cardioid microphone as opposed to an omni directional mic.

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LAPTOP

A laptop will more than likely be the 2nd most expensive equipment buy for your system. In order to keep cost down, we will need to compromise just a bit. In my humble opinion, I'll compromise on hard drive size because computer storage is ultra cheap, and you can bolster your music storage capacity by simply storing some of your MP3's on a 256GB memory stick, or even purchase 500GB SSD external hard drive.

A Note about AMD processors: I personally will not recommend any computer with a AMD CPU. This is based off of owning an AMD computer that wouldn't run Serato or Rekord Box Dj softwares. I'm not saying AMD processors won't work for you, but I won't use them and I only recommend items I have or would use.

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SIX FOOT TABLE AND FACADE

For the majority of mobile events, you'll  provide audio/visual entertainment (to include MC services) and dance floor lighting. This simply means YOU ARE NOT THE FOCAL POINT OF THE EVENT.  It's easy to go overboard on set up and presentation but you only need to present your set up in a manor that is clean, neat and organized.

No quicker or cheaper way to do that than by using a table (recommend six footer) and a simple DJ facade. Some times a facade isn't needed, but I prefer to use them. 

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IMPORTANT CABLES & CONNECTORS

Now that you have all of this fancy DJ equipment, you'll need the right connectors and cables to ensure you get music from your computer/controller to your speakers.

Matter of fact, I'll recommend some connectors & cables needed to provide mobile DJ services in general.

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BASIC DANCE FLOOR LIGHTING & UP-LIGHTING

For this build lets keep things towards the cheaper side. For that I'll recommend a simple four par light bar (with stand) and four basic battery powered par par lights to up light our facade or perhaps a head table.

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For lighting control I highly recommend SoundSwitch. SoundSwitch is a program that works in conjunction with Serato DJ software to generate automatic light shows. 

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TOTAL SYSTEM COST: $2687.00

So there ya have it! a powerful and reliable mobile DJ system with lighting for less than $3000.00. The system consists of:

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• Hercules Inpulse 500 bundle -  $339.00

• Electro-Voice ZLX 15P - $898.00

• innopow Microphone - $135.00

• Dell Latitude E7480 Laptop - $519.00

• Rockville speaker stands - $50.00

• Six foot table - $53.00

• Rockville facade - $149.00

• XLR cables - $30.00

• USB A to USB B cable - $9.00

• 1/4 Inch cables - $19.00

• XLR to 1/4th adapters - $10.00

• RCA to 3.5mm cable - $6.00

• 3.5mm cable - $16.99

• DragonX 4 Bar lights - $239.00

• Laluznatz par lights - $200.00

• DMX cables - $15.00

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