How to... become a bedroom DJ
With plane after plane crammed full of famous names from the world of clubbing landing on DXB’s tarmac, we’ve come to see more than our fair share of superstar DJs over the years – and now we want a piece of the action too. With 12 years of experience behind the decks, Ohm Records’ Satyen Choksi gives us the lowdown on how to get the kit you need to mix it up in the bedroom…
I want to be the next Roni Size or Anne Savage – but I don’t know where to start?
Forget about going out and buying fancy kit, first of all you need a good DJ name – something funny that’ll get you remembered. If you can’t do that then forget about it…
Right, I’ve got my name, it’s genius, the crowds will love me – now what?
You have to decide whether you want to go analogue or digital. If you go analogue you’ll need to get yourself two turntables and a mixer. If you go digital it’s two CD players and a mixer. If you want the best of both worlds get two of one and one of the other. You’ll then need something to get the sound out. If you have a home sound system that will do, you don’t need to go out and buy an expensive amp and speakers.
What’s next on the shopping list?
You’ll need some slip mats and a box of needles if you go the analogue route and some headphones. Headphones are essential and you can’t use the same ones you use for your iPod. Go for decent quality DJ headphones, which should set you back from Dhs150 Dhs800, but you don’t necessarily need the top of the range.
How much will it all set me back?
Technics’ analogue turntables are the industry standard, they cost Dhs2,050 each, Stanton’s are a cheaper choice at Dhs1,500 each, and if you’ve got cash to splash the Technics MKIV G2 at Dhs2,800 each are the mac daddies of the DJ world. CD players range from Dhs1,000-Dhs4,400 and a mixer will set you back from Dhs700 to Dhs3,600. You don’t need to get the best of everything if only your neighbours are ever going to hear you.
Right, I know there’s a choice between analogue or digital, but which is cooler, vinyl or CDs?
Vinyl. I’ve used vinyl for 12 years. It’s the real thing.
What about my laptop?
Very few DJs use a laptop alone. You can do amazing things with a computer, but when you go to a club the crowd just won’t give you the same reaction, not yet anyway. Sasha can get away with it, but it’s not recommended for a beginner – the programmes are just too confusing. If you want to use your laptop to carry your music around as MP3s there’s a product by Stanton called Final Scratch (Dhs3,500) that connects your laptop to the turntables and you physically play your music through two master records.
I’m scared of getting ripped off. What brands should I look for?
Thankfully DJ equipment isn’t like TVs and DVDs – there aren’t cheap rip-off brands out there that will fall apart, so you won’t get ripped off. Technics, Pioneer, Stanton and Denon are big brands to look out for – they’re a safe bet.
When I’m ready to go pro, do I have to buy a load of new kit?
The big DJs might use professional equipment in the clubs, but not in their house, so you can keep your bedroom kit for years.
Finally, what should I wear to wow the crowds?
There’s a whole range of DJ wear. ESDJCO is a funky, famous worldwide brand that’s been kitting DJs out for years, U.D.G. make great record bags, and London brand Uniform supply some cool clubwear. But the most important thing (any DJ will tell you) is getting the head nod right – if you’re out of time with that you should scrap your DJ career before it’s started. Michelle Byrne.