In these hard economic times, especially in Michigan where I am from, you want to make sure you get the best DJ equipment for your money. Learning this craft of being a professional disk jockey takes years of experience. When selecting your first DJ system do not buy the cheap stuff, even if you have to buy your system a piece at a time. When you buy more expensive equipment, it holds it's value for years and if you change your mind and decide that DJ'ing is not for you, then you will get back almost every penny you paid as long as you took care of your gear!

The first and most important piece in my opinion, is your mixer. Today's mixers offer a huge amount of incredible features! Some of the best mixers for the price is Pioneer's DJM 600 ($550), and DJM 800 ($999). Rane has a new TT57 ($1,200) mixer out that hooks up directly to your laptop allowing you to play digital files off your computer thanks to a program called Serato Scratch Live.

Next, you have your decks--if your in the Mobile Disk Jockey business, chances are you will prefer CD turntables. I would recommend the Pioneer CDJ 800's ($450). However, if you want to start where all the big name DJ's began, then you should start with the Technics 1200 turntables ($375). The Technics 1200 turntables eliminates the delay in lag between manually moving the record and the subsequent response in sound. This allows the DJ to gain hands-on experience that cannot be matched with modern CD turntable technology.

It is important to keep in mind that vinyl turntables are harder then CD turntables in the sense that they require more care and maintenance. However, you will be able to do things you could never do with a CD player including quick scratches, spin backs, and other advanced effects.

In addition, you have your DJ speakers. Similar to other DJ equipment, it is not wise to purchase cheap DJ speakers. I have used many different brands and models, and I would say that the best speaker for your money is the Electro-Voice Force-i 2-way full range, and the matching Force-i Subwoofer. This Electro-Voice equipment is lightweight, durable, and sounds excellent. In addition, it also provides great value for the cost. Lastly, I also really like Mackie's SRM 450 Powered Speaker because they are self powered and require no separate amplifier to be powered.

I have been a professional Michigan DJ for 5 years. I have used the equipment I have mentioned here for the past couple of years with no problems! There are a lot of DJs In Michigan and the competition is stiff. That is why I like to encourage new DJs that are coming up to spend some of there hard earned money and purchase equipment that will put them above the other DJ's out there.