Nowadays choosing the right equipment for your kid can be pretty tricky. The right solution will depend on what’s on the market, your kid’s knowledge and your budget. This article offers guidelines on getting appropriate DJ mixing equipment for kids.
iPad and iPhone Applications
Smartphone DJing apps are a great place to start out if your kid develops an interest in DJing. They are super easy to set up, fun to play with and always in your pocket.
- Cross DJ. With a price tag of $4.99 you get all the basic features, including key-lock and hardware control with compatible MIDI devices. Everything is packed in a sleek interface that includes SoundCloud integration for unlimited collection of tracks.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
- Tractor DJ. For as little as $1.99 (iPhone) or $9.99 (iPad) you can enjoy an excellent DJing experience on touchscreen devices. This particular app works perfectly when paired with Traktor Kontrol S2 MK2 and Traktor Kontrol Z1.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Virtual DJ Software
Virtual software is a sleek way to get your kid into DJing. All you need is a computer and digital DJ software installed. Virtual DJ software is the perfect way to learn and is also great for professional mixing as the features are limitless.
- DJ ProDecks. Free entry level DJing software designed especially for beginners. It comes with all the basic features such as scratch, effects, auto loop, auto-mix, sampler, recording and advanced track-list.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
- Virtual DJ Home Edition. This is the free trial of the highly recognized Virtual DJ software. While some of the most advanced features are hidden, all the basic ones are still there making it easy to learn and practice.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
DJ Controllers
When the time comes to invest your kid’s first DJ hardware, a DJ controller is a great solution to begin with. It’s easier to learn, more portable, easy to set-up and covers all the features a beginner DJ needs on a daily basis.
- Numark Mixtrack Edge. This is an entry level DJ Controller for $99. It comes with sample, sync, hot cue, loop, EQ and effects controls on each channel. There is also a built-in audio interface for headphone cueing and output to a PA system.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. Numark Mixtrack 3. For best results consider this all-in-one entry level controller. It's the latest addition to the Numark family of industry-leading DJ solutions. Coming in around $169 it’s definitely a great bang-for-your-buck product.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Playback Devices and Accessories
In order to monitor your mix quality studio monitors and/or DJ headphones are a good idea. Monitors allow both of you to hear the result while headphone give exclusive output to the young DJ himself.
It’s best if you can afford an external soundcard or audio interface as most of the entry level DJ controllers don’t have a built-in solution. This way the sound quality will be much more reliable than what’s actually happening in the mix.
Things to Keep in Mind / Your Role
Avoid teaching you kid advanced techniques like beatmatching on vinyl at the very beginning as they are likely to lose interest. It’s better to start with simple techniques, so your kid can enjoy some progress.
Be supportive and explain uncertainties. Make the DJing process fun by creating interactive tasks for kids to master and give rewards each time they succeed.
The post How To Choose DJ Mixing Equipment For Kids appeared first on DJ Master Course.