Picking the right equipment is by far the hardest decision an aspiring DJ has to make. Budget plays the biggest role in the decision making process. Finding DJ equipment that is affordable, that will last a long time and that will provide you with the quality that you need is like searching for a needle in pat sharps mullet.



But despair not: there is a growing market in used equipment that has all the benefits of new equipment but without the retailer mark up.

Music

The most important piece of kit for any DJ is the music. It is essential that a DJ has an expansive range of music. Accumulating the vast quantities of records that you need can be extremely expensive. With new records retailing at around pounds 7 the savings you can make by buying used are massive.

The same record can often be found for pounds 2 if it has been pre-owned. It is important to check that the record is not damaged and meets the standards you expect.

Most online services that host adverts for people selling used goods have stringent rules that ensure that the goods people sell live up to the description that is given. If the item is said to be in excellent condition then it likely will be. Its definitely worth the punt if you are saving pounds 5 on each record.

Decks

Decks are the most important piece of kit for the DJ and making savings in this area will allow the aspiring DJ to make the most of a tight budget. It is important to try not to make compromises with the quality of the equipment. b-stock, ex-display, ex-demonstration, repackaged and reconditioned items provide items at reduced price.

These items often come in good condition with only minor superficial blemishes or simply lacking the original packaging. Most even come with a guarantee that would rival a new item and therefore represent an excellent option for a good deal.

Used decks can provide enormous savings if you are willing to purchase decks with history. It is probably advised that you avoid buying used belt drive decks as they tend to have a limited life span and may not have long left.

Sound System

The sound system will allow you to share your DJ offerings to the masses. A good set of speakers and a high quality amp is essential if you plan to use your decks to play gigs. So if youre planning to play in public it is worth considering used equipment so you can make the most of your budget.

Again repackaged and reconditioned items are well worth considering as they generally come with a guarantee and only suffer from a lack of original packaging or minor superficial marks. The savings can be massive. A full PA system that usually retails for pounds 600 can be found in new b-stock for only 345 pounds.

Mixer

A used mixer generally costs less than half the price of a new one. The savings you make can be massive. A numark rm6 mixer can be found for around pounds 100; pounds 200 cheaper than the list price. This is the area of your setup where you can make savings that really enable you to maximise your budget. Use the savings to take a few steps up in standard and it will make a noticeable difference to the quality of your setup.

Headphones, Microphones and Extras

Large savings can be made on headphones especially if you are looking to purchase used items. Numark, Sony, Denon and Technics headphones can be found for less than half of their retail price. Microphones can be found at 40% of their original cost.

Even items such as stands that do not need to be new can be found considerably cheaper on the used market. So if you are looking for supplementary items you do not need to compromise on quality just accept products that dont come in the brand new packaging.