Skrillex, produces a tonally dirty, dynamically aggressive brand of bass-rattling dubstep.
Avicii is an EDM icon whose fans are said to be dancing with Molly.
Deadmau5 is in a legal battle over trademark infringement.
No you have not stumbled off of the Petra website.
Skrillex, Avicii, and Deadmau5 are names of a few of the highest-earning DJs in the world, grossing upwards of $200,000 per gig. They also inspire a multitude of amateur and semi-pro DJ’s who make up the huge market for DJ gear and accessories. Consumers are interested now more than ever in what it means to be a DJ, how it is accomplished and exactly what you need to do it. You don’t need to know everything about the latest music, or even understand their desire for it, but with the right product mix, you can give these professional and hobbyist DJs the accessories to get started or take their career to the next level.
Audio Controllers
It’s the DJ’s job to get the party started by managing the music with an audio controller. When using digital audio a DJ will use a MIDI controller that connects to their computer and controls the DJ software. A controller can be a simple accessory that includes basic audio faders or a more complex controller like the G4V from Gemini. It features four-rotary controls per deck, touch-sensitive jog wheels, pre-mapped FX controls for ease of use, front microphone input and so much more. For DJs that prefer to play audio stored on an iPad, the DJControlWave from Hercules received the International CES Innovations in Design and Engineering Award. It connects via Bluetooth and allows complete control from an iPad from up to thirty feet. It’s also compatible with either Mac or PC via USB connection and features touch-detecting jog wheels, five faders, six EQ controls and more.
Headphones
The first image that comes to mind when thinking DJ, is someone standing behind some sort of turntable or computer with one headphone on their ear and the other ear open to the music on the speakers. This image is not without warrant; it is essential for a DJ to be able to sync the beat of the next track so the audience hears a clean segue. That is why they listen to that headphone, for their next audio queue, it is also why there is a category of headphones called DJ style headphones. These headphones are typically a closed-back with swivel ear cups and large comfortable pads to isolate ears from ambient noise. They also feature a comfortable band on the head, or when resting around the neck. Comfort is essential for performance but also for the hours of practice and prep to get the set just right. Other features include 1/8” and 1/4” phono plugs, detachable cords and more. These Professional DJ Monitor Headphones from AudioTechnica include 50˚ and 90˚ swivel cups, 2 detachable cords, well-defined treble and more. The DJ-Pro M1001 from Hercules features a lightweight design for hours of comfort and a removable cable that can be attached to the left or right ear cup. With the sensitivity of 107dM at 1mW, a DJ can hear these headphones to preview tracks even when close to speakers.
Effects
Although a DJ gig is mostly about the music, there are other aspects that separate someone who just plays the music from a DJ that provides a complete experience. DJs working at a club have the advantage of installed equipment, but many will be playing weddings, proms, and parties. These DJs will need to bring additional equipment. Lighting is key and sometimes the right beat combined with the perfect light can get even the most stubborn wallflower on the dance floor. Lights like the Radius LED Effect Light that creates an overlapping, multi-colored ring of light. In Sound Active mode sound-activated programs dance to the beat of the music. For a small, compact solution the EZmin Laser runs on a 6-hour battery life and can project red and blue laser beams with motion effects. It adds a simple effect to any space, big or small and includes a wireless remote control. Light effects combined with a fog machine, like the Hurricane 700 fog machine will add an extra mystery to the dance floor.
External Hard Drives
A DJ’s music is not just their passion, it’s their livelihood, and without it, they are just someone standing onstage with big headphones and electronics. A DJ’s music collection also represents a huge investment and they won’t risk losing that investment if something happens to their computer. With an external hard drive, they can ensure all of their audio files are backed up to a safe location. Some DJs even prefer to store all of their music on a hard drive and store only their DJ software on the computer, the Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go features SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for a data transfer at up to 5 Gbit/second.
So whether your DJ customer is a performer who uses a professional deck to scratch, a mobile DJ who sets the mood of a dance floor at special events, or the DJ who works at a club or bar you now have a better understanding of their needs. Don’t forget about all of the other Pro A/V accessories like speakers, microphones and extension cords. Checkout all of the DJ products at the links above and speak with your Petra sales rep today to see about incorporating these products into your business’s lineup.