Your First Gig as a DJ

Je eerste optreden als DJ

Your first DJ gig can be nerve-racking. Not sure what you need or what it involves? Then read on for first-gig tips and some gear advice. While we can’t take your nerves away, we can tell you how to deliver a successful set!

The Core of Every DJ Set-Up

Every DJ set-up includes the same core gear. You need one or more bits of kit for music playback, which can be a laptop connected to a DJ controller, one or more digital media players or one or two turntables. The various audio signals are sent to a DJ mixer for exactly that: mixing. If you’re using a DJ controller, the music is coming from your laptop, or more specifically, the DJ software installed on your laptop. This software can be controlled using a mouse and keyboard, but since that’s not very intuitive, pretty much every DJ uses a purpose-designed DJ controller, which usually features outputs for your headphones and the PA system.

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Je eerste optreden als DJ

The PA System

You also can’t drop any beats without the right speaker system. How many speakers you need depends on the room and the size of the crowd. If you’re playing a local pub or performing at a wedding where there’s an existing PA system available, then you won’t actually have to bring your own speakers. If no speaker system is available, then the next couple of tips will come in handy. Performing in a small living room or at a very small venue? Then a pair of 12” speakers (e.g. two Device Artis 12A units) will do. If you’re performing at a wedding, a summer ball or a similarly-sized event, then you’re probably going to need something bigger and more powerful, like this Devine Onyx 2.1 speaker system. You’ll also need a number of power and audio cables to hook everything up. Always double-check that your cables are long enough to connect the various bits of kit without any problems.

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Je eerste optreden als DJ

Lights Can Make a Huge Difference

A light show is an easy way to take your performance to the next level, and a few basic light effects are all you need to add that all-important professional touch to your gig. Got no idea how you could ever control your lights while you’re busy beat-matching? No worries, it’s actually fairly simple. Most light effects feature a sound-to-light mode where the fixture automatically responds to the beat of the music. While this isn’t how world-famous DJs like Tiësto do their shows, it’s definitely a great way to make the most of your gig when you haven’t got a whole team behind you. Some gear recommendations:

The Ayra Compart Kit Jr LED: a practical, fuss-free and basic lighting set that immediately enhances the ambiance. While this kit doesn’t shoot dazzling beams of light throughout the entire room, it does add that all-important dynamic touch and can be set up in automatic mode for maximum variation.
The Ayra ALO Micro Scan: a compact but bright LED scanner that projects white light beams in all directions. Set it up in automatic mode and let it do its thing while you do yours.
The Ayra TDC Burst 6: a can’t-go-wrong LED light effect that shoots out six colourful beams of light to create a visual spectacle. This fixture can also be set up in auto-mode.
A purpose-designed stand to ensure a safe, height-optimised set-up.
Last but not least: a fog machine that makes your light show extra-visible, boosting the vibes.

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Je eerste optreden als DJ

The Best DJs Work Hard — 3 Tips

While some will say that you need talent, money or luck to make it as a DJ, our advice would be: focus on things you can actually control — so the amount of effort you put into your gigs. With the following three tips, you’ll make it through your first gigs without any hiccups.

#1. Preparation

Arriving on location unprepared is one of the most common mistakes that fresh-faced DJs make. Always make sure that your gear is fully to to snuff, that you’re familiar with the tracks you want to play, that you’ve prepared any cues and loops you want to use, and that you have an idea of what your set will roughly look like. Bands use set lists to structure their gigs. As a DJ, you should also make a list of the songs you’ll be playing — and no, you don’t have to stick to that list down to the last track. In fact, it’s always a good idea to include a few alternative tracks that you can play when a gig takes an unexpected turn.

#2. Backups

Just because you’ve never been in a car accident before doesn’t mean you don’t need to wear a seatbelt. The same logic applies to gigging, where it’s crucial that you bring backup gear in case something horrible happens or something breaks. Bringing a spare USB stick with your tracks on it shouldn’t be a bother, nor should bringing a few spare cables. Granted, lugging a second laptop around isn’t as feasible, but you should always think about an emergency solution anyway. Instead of a second laptop, you might be able to use your phone in combination with a DJ app and connect that to your DJ speakers. Give it a try at home so you always know what to do when disaster strikes.

#3. The Volume Level

If you’re bringing your own speakers or PA systems, then you’ll want to show up in time to set up, connect and dial in everything. Make sure that your cables are out of sight and, if needed, tie them down using gaffa tape so they aren’t a tripping hazard. Then there’s the volume, which not only needs to be dialled in so that none of your clipping indicators are red-lining, but so that no one in the audience immediately walks out with their fingers in their ears the moment you drop your first beat. If this happens and the booker or owner of the place is shooting you angry looks, you should probably turn down the volume a bit. Lastly, breaking down your gear is just as important as setting it up, so take your time and make sure that you don’t leave anything behind.

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