Complete set up for a newbie

[Dance FX]

I have to admit that I know NOTHING about audio and lighting equipment :confused:

We have found a complete starter set up at Terralec which seems to be just the thing!

The set comprises of:
1 x MANIC gobo light
1 x TAN250 dual beam light
1 x THUNDERBIRD
1 x LS992 lighting screen
1 x STORMBIRD
1 x BOSS8 controller
1 x AB15 Distribution cable
4 x F27
1 x N8W5
2 x TXS15 15 inch loudspeaker cabinets
1 x CD410 Dual CD player
1 x ULCD3 case
1 x AX700 350 + 350 Watt amplifier
1 x MPX-204E Mixer
1 x JB10 Microphone
1 x UDM606 Headphones
1 x LG21

To go out and try to buy equipment separately is a no no for me as I wouldnt know where to start or what to get:confused: :confused:

I have printed the list off and am going to take it to Essex DJ on Saturday to see if they do something similar at a lower price.

I have considered buying second hand but again am not sure of what I am buying!

Any help and advice would be very welcome :)

Sarah

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I think you're doing the right thing. I wouldn't buy online for your first purchase and I probably wouldn't go for a starter kit as more often than not, you will be getting a load of cheap rubbish you don't really want and they do tend to pad these packages out a bit.

Go to Essex DJ and tell them exactly what you've told us on here and I'm sure they will sort you out with what you need. Have a listen to a few sound systems and try to gauge the difference in quality and prices. See what lighting effects there are in your budget and how suitable they'd be for different functions.

Good luck!

[DJ Frankie]

Sarah If you dont mind me asking what is your budget?

[flatliners]

the starter kit isnt a bad idea but depending on how much you have to spend i would give www.djanddiscostuff.com a call and explaine your situation that you want some kit and you are new to this and he will help you out
but remember my golden rule when buying disco equipment spend 70% of your budget on sound and 30% on lighting because you carnt do a disco without sound so say if u have 1000 pounds spend 700 on sound and 300 on lights

[Dance FX]

Sarah If you dont mind me asking what is your budget?

I am looking at around £1000 (I hope thats enough)

I would like something that isnt too basic as I may want to progress on to weddings at some stage.

Sarah

[Penfold42]

I am looking at around £1000 (I hope thats enough)

That's a good start but if you can be flexible with that you maybe able to get what you want and not what you call second best.

I had a budget of £1,500 but went over that with other things.:)

[Dance FX]

Just spoke to Mike form DJ and Disco stuff.com and he is going to put together suggestions for a custom package to suit us and our budget :)

[DJ Frankie]

Sounds good, I had a budget of about £1000 when I started out. I remember my first purchase was the sound equipment I bought a pair of second hand RCF ART 300 speakers a yamaha P4500 Amp including cables, speaker stands for £900. Then my mate sold me two effect lights, 4 x Par cans and a ultimate stand for £150.

[pagan_flame]

A good plan (IMHO) would be to get a basic kit, and then take maybe 50% of the take from each gig and put it into buying new gear.

If you do land a larger gig in the meantime, you can always hire some stuff in for the night.

Now usually people will not come up to you and say 'Your Lights are Crap', but you WILL hear 'Turn it up a bit' if you only have a tiddly sound setup - so invest in your sound first and then lights later. You will be able to get much better quality stuff by shopping online on Ebay or on DJ Bids here, and you won't be stuck with poor quality gear that breaks real quick.

Also try your local disco hire shop, they may well have ex-hire stuff that can be had for a decent price.

Now - what would I do with a grand to get set up, with the knowledge I have now and nothing to do for an hour or so right now...? :confused: :D

First, I'd go for a Class D package - subs, 15" tops and an amp plus poles and leads for £575 delivered.

LINK --> HERE (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Class-d-CD15158-speaker-system-with1-5Kw-amp-Audio-PA_W0QQitemZ180107763681QQihZ008QQcategoryZ47094QQ tcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem)

CD decks - can be had by the cartload in secondhand shops from skint bedroom DJ's --- or the Ebay category you want is ---> HERE (http://electronics.search.ebay.co.uk/numark-cd_CD-Players-Mixers_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR41QQsacatZ91384)

How about a pair of new Gemini's, with mixer, in a case, for £199 delivered? Looks like you could split that system to add in another mixer or CD decks at a later date if you wanted to upgrade.

LINK --> HERE (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Gemini-CDJ-01-MX01-Cd-Mixing-Kit-in-Case_W0QQitemZ170102687734QQihZ007QQcategoryZ91384 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem)

Or maybe a secondhand set of decks, no reserve, for a pound?

LINK --> HERE (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELV-HDJ-2100-dual-cd-player-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ160108870701QQihZ006QQcategoryZ91 384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

You'll be needing a pre-amp with some EQ to make it all sound good --- new massively over-the-top Behringer rack mount equaliser for £100 --> HERE (http://www.djstore.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.pl?item=behfbq3102&page=&sort=&terms=equaliser), or you could get a mixer with onboard EQ --> HERE (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-Channel-DJ-STEREO-EFFECT-MIXER-EQUALIZER-GENERATOR_W0QQitemZ230117078538QQihZ013QQcategoryZ 48459QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Then the ubiquitous 4ft deck stand with lighting bar - £85 --> HERE (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4FT-DJ-pro-DECK-lighting-stand-disco-STANDS-NEW-KARAOKE_W0QQitemZ160106741733QQihZ006QQcategoryZ69 965QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Amp & speakers (new) - £575
CD decks (secondhand) - £1 - £100
Mixer / Equaliser (new) - £89
Deck Stand (new)- £85

Leaves £151 for lights - search Ebay (category --> HERE (http://electronics.listings.ebay.co.uk/DJ-Equipment_Lighting-LEDs-Strobes_W0QQfclZ3QQfromZR11QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacat Z14984QQsbrsrtZdQQsocmdZListingItemList)) , there is just too much to choose from.

Look for 24v 250w halogen for a reasonably bright light... from my rig at present, I'd say 2 Falcons or 2 Datamoons plus 2 Geni Spinmaster's would give a good starter show and should be able to be found secondhand for £150 the lot.

Good Luck! :D

[flatliners]

mike is good he should sort you out i got my stuff from there if anyone hasnt used www.djanddiscostuff.com yet i recomend you do

[Penfold42]

I wish i had a chat with Pagan Flame first....never mind done now.

[Dance FX]

Thank you all for your advice :)

We took a trip to Essex DJ yeaterday and had a good look and listen to loads of stuff and managed to get a good deal (I think!)

Maxgear twin CD player mixer
Intimidator 15" bass speakers
Intimidator 12" speakers
Alto EQ
palladium p-1200 amp
smoke machine
Wild tech kaleido light
2 vasto lights
acme tango light
goalpost stand
flight case
all leads and accessories

all for £1400
a little more than i wanted to pay but its a 1200w system apposed to the 500w I was looking at :)


I now no longer have a dining room its a disco room instead :eek:

All my son need do now is practice, practice, practice.

Sarah

[flatliners]

is that 1200 watts rms or pmp

[TonyB]

is that 1200 watts rms or pmp

Thats what I was thinking. I look up the spec and it is 600w RMS per channel at 4ohm. Speaker spec. looks pretty good too with compression drivers instead of piezo tweeters. Might have a wander down to Essex DJ and have a closer look at them.

All in, it looks a pretty good package.

[Dance FX]

Thats what I was thinking. I look up the spec and it is 600w RMS per channel at 4ohm. Speaker spec. looks pretty good too with compression drivers instead of piezo tweeters. Might have a wander down to Essex DJ and have a closer look at them.

All in, it looks a pretty good package.


I'm so gald you said that!

Not knowing anything about audio equipment I was totally in the hands of the sales men :confused:

It sounds fab, cant wait to get it set up in a hall for a real blast :D

Sarah

[Shaun]

Party in Sarah's hall then?

I'll bring a bottle....all we need is directions. :D :D

[flatliners]

4 ohms though shame it wasnt 8

[TonyB]

4 ohms though shame it wasnt 8

As its running bass bins and tops, it will be running at 4 ohms though :)

[Dance FX]

Party in Sarah's hall then?

I'll bring a bottle....all we need is directions. :D :D

Hell yes! :D

As for bring a bottle..................its more like bring a CD at the moment :Laugh:

[Dillmiester]

You may wish to considor a Stormbird, best value new light which is not quite pro equipment but very good.
£92 deliverd from www.djanddiscostuff.com