Beginner DJ Setup: What You Actually Need
· re:union Radio editorial · 3 min read
Beginner DJ setup explained: controller, headphones, speakers and software – what each part does, using the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 and the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x.
A beginner DJ setup needs surprisingly few parts: controller, headphones, speakers, software. Pioneer DJ sums it up in its beginner’s guide – monitor speakers so you hear what your audience hears, and headphones so you can cue up the next track without it playing through the system. Everything else is a bonus.
At a glance
- A DJ controller combines two deck sections and a mixer in one unit and controls software on a laptop, tablet or smartphone.
- The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 works for free with rekordbox, djay, Serato DJ Lite and Traktor Play.
- The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is the entry model of the M-Series: 40 mm drivers, 47 ohms, 190 grams.
- Many Pioneer controllers unlock rekordbox Performance mode for free (Hardware Unlock).
Controller instead of a CDJ wall: how getting started works
A controller looks like a small club setup: two decks left and right, the mixer in between. The key difference, according to Pioneer: controllers don’t play music from USB drives, CDs or SD cards. They control DJ software, and your tracks live on the computer or mobile device. If you want to move to players without a laptop later, our piece DJ controller vs. CDJs: which is better for you? weighs it up.
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4: two channels, four programs
The DDJ-FLX4 is a 2-channel controller that works for free with rekordbox, djay, Serato DJ Lite and Traktor Play. On a computer it runs from a single USB-C cable that carries both power and audio. With rekordbox for iOS and Android it also connects via Bluetooth; with a smartphone you then need a USB power adapter or a 9 V mobile battery for power.
For your first transitions Pioneer built in Smart Fader: it adjusts volume, bass and BPM automatically as you move the channel faders or crossfader. The Performance Pads trigger Hot Cues, Pad FX, Beat Jump and the sampler. How to build transitions without automation is covered in our DJ tip on EQ transitions.
| Channels | 2 |
|---|---|
| Connection | USB Type-C (PC/Mac, iOS, Android) |
| Power | USB bus power; with a smartphone USB power adapter or 9 V battery |
| Wireless | Bluetooth with rekordbox for iOS/Android |
| Master output | RCA (unbalanced) |
| Other connections | Headphones, microphone with attenuator, Kensington slot |
| Sound card | built-in, class compliant (no driver needed) |
| Tempo range | ±6%, ±10%, ±16%, WIDE |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 482 × 59.2 × 272.8 mm |
| Weight | 2.1 kg |
Headphones: why your old earbuds won’t cut it
“Often when people get into DJing, they’ll use any pair of headphones they happen to own already. But if possible, it’s well worth buying a good pair designed specifically for mixing – even for your first setup.”
— Pioneer DJ, The total beginner’s guide to DJ gear
Pioneer lists durability, isolation from ambient noise, swivelling earcups for one-ear monitoring and a sound that lets you clearly pick out the kick drum and bass. According to Audio-Technica, the ATH-M20x is the entry point to the M-Series, tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance with a circumaural design. Audio-Technica only lists swivelling earcups from the ATH-M40x upwards.
| Driver | 40 mm, neodymium magnet |
|---|---|
| Frequency response | 15–20,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 47 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB |
| Max. input power | 700 mW at 1 kHz |
| Cable | 3.0 m, left-side exit |
| Weight | 190 g without cable |
Speakers and software: the rest of the setup
According to Pioneer, monitor speakers give you a more accurate sense of how your mix sounds. The DDJ-FLX4 has a built-in sound card and connects straight to powered speakers or an amplifier with an RCA cable.
On the software side: with Pioneer’s Hardware Unlock controllers you get rekordbox Performance mode for free. Streaming services such as Beatport, Beatsource, TIDAL and SoundCloud Go+ can be integrated, but each requires its own subscription.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a laptop as a beginner DJ?
Not necessarily. The DDJ-FLX4 works with PC and Mac, but also with iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
Can I play music from a USB stick with a controller?
No. According to Pioneer, controllers don’t play music from USB drives, CDs or SD cards; they control DJ software. All-in-one systems, which also run without a computer, can do that.
Is rekordbox free for beginners?
With a Pioneer Hardware Unlock controller, rekordbox Performance mode is free to use.
Source: Pioneer DJ – The total beginner’s guide to DJ gear, Pioneer DJ – DDJ-FLX4 specifications, Audio-Technica – M-Series leaflet
