Question by Dexy Woodhead: What’s a great DJ setup?
I’m a producer that uses Ableton Live 8 on my MacBook Pro with an Akai MPK25 midi controller, some headphones and monitors. I’m interested in preforming music now but I’m not exactly sure how the whole process works. I’ve seen DJ/Producers like James Zabiela preforming with a mixer, CDJs and an FX unit and then I’ve seen deadmau5 just using an Allen and Heath Xone 4D mixer with an FX unit and a Lemur or iPad. deadmau5 claims not to be a DJ so is his method only useful for preforming his own music? I would like to mix other producer’s music along with my own. Is the mixer the only essential part to a DJ setup? or if I want to mix a variety of music will I need CDJs?
If I wasn’t to use CDJs how would I generate the music (from laptop with Ableton? or from a Lemur/iPad?) What are the pros and cons to either of these setups?

Best answer:

Answer by Daniel K
You can just use a laptop or you can use a laptop with a DJ controller (it controls the software and is a bit easier than controlling everything with a mouse). There are tons of options now and it can get confusing. Some CDJ’s play mp3 files some only play CD’s. If you already have lots of music on a laptop, you might just get DJ software and start with that. If you want to produce while you DJ, you will be better off with some type of controller and/or mixer.

http://www.zzounds.com/cat–DJ–2447

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