Today, becoming a DJ is easier than ever before. In the ye ole olden days, you needed a whole PA system, an expensive desk, and a ton of CDs and records. In 2021, you can scrap the desk, scrap the PA system, and even scrap the records!
So we’re going to show you how to DJ with a laptop in 3 easy to follow steps!
For the beginner DJ, all you really need is a USB, a set of headphones, a mixer, and a laptop computer.
Now, while using your laptop has become almost the norm for most DJs starting out, that doesn’t mean it can’t be a bit complex for the person that doesn’t know where to start. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been a DJ for a few years now, and it’s how I make my bread and butter to this day.
I don’t want to toot my own horn, but if there’s anyone that can teach you how to become a DJ using a laptop – or the old school way using good old vinyl records, for that matter – it’s me.
Step #1: Get a Good Laptop
At first glance, this probably seems like a “duh” moment. Obviously, you’re going to need a good laptop. You wouldn’t try running DJ software on some 15-year-old laptop that’s still using Windows Vista (shoutout to all the old heads that remember Vista).
However, what does “good laptop” mean? Yeah, an old laptop with a dodgy mouse isn’t your best option, but don’t expect some new-but-cheap $200 laptop to do that good of a job either.
You need to think about a few things before you decide to jump into DJing; namely, what kind of DJ do you honestly want to be? Are you planning to work at parties and weddings or different clubs and venues? Maybe you want to be a bedroom DJ and produce tracks at home?
All of these types require different setups, particularly when it comes to the type of computer hardware you’re planning to use.
The parts of a computer you want to focus on and pay attention to include its processor, RAM, as well as its overall performance & reliability.
Check this out: 8 Best Computers for Music Production
1. RAM
It’s up in the air which of these three is most important. Honestly, all are pretty neck and neck. However, if there were one thing I’d say was “slightly” more important than the others, it would have to go to the laptop’s RAM.
Without a good amount of RAM, you’re not going to be able to even start your journey. Seriously, it’s that important. A bad processor will make things quit out pretty fast, and poor reliability will leave you prone to a lot of crashes. But an insufficient amount of RAM won’t even let you boot up or load the software!
Thankfully, this is probably the least difficult of the three. Most moderately priced laptops will have a fair amount of RAM, while many premium options will let you add more if you need it.
To effectively DJ, you’re going to need at least 8GBs as the absolute minimum. Ideally, you’ll want to have around twice that to keep from having any software loading hiccups.
When you’re starting out, 8GBs or more should generally be fine. However, if you plan to use software like Traktor or Serato, expect to have at least 16 gigs to start.
2. Processor
After having RAM, you need a decent processor. The type of processor really depends on what type of DJing you plan to do. For the more simple club and party stuff, you really only need an i5.
That said, the people interested in producing music and making beats will need an i7 to get things running right.
3. Performance & Reliability
Interestingly enough, performance & reliability are last on this list. Now, don’t let that fool you into thinking this is somehow “not important.” The fact of the matter is that you’re going to need a laptop that performs well and is reliable. The good news is that only club DJing is going to need you to have a laptop that performs at high levels.
DJs for weddings and parties won’t need more than a standard laptop since you’re not going to be wearing it out for more than a day or two (at most). Similarly, bedroom DJs don’t need a lot since you can start and stop whenever things start going for too long.
Club DJs need to focus more on having a high level of performance since they will be working all night, night-after-night. Even if you aren’t doing too much more than playing some tracks, that’s still a lot of accumulated stress your laptop will be put through.
What are the Best Laptops to Get as a DJ?
So, now that you understand the most important features of a laptop, you’re probably interested in what I suggest are the best options to choose from. Should you get a MacBook or a PC laptop?
Well, the reality of it is that it doesn’t really matter. When it comes to the brand type of most qualifying computers, the good news is that they all work because they’re all qualifying. So long as the laptop has the right amount of RAM, a good processor, and is reliable, you really can close your eyes and draw a name out of a hat.
“But if that’s true, why are many DJs using MacBooks?” you’re probably asking. My best guess would be because it’s a MacBook Pro, and MacBooks are just more user-friendly than PCs. I use a Mac. I love a Mac. But I would be lying if I said it was a requirement.
If you’re unsure where to begin, here are some solid starter laptops to consider getting:
1. Apple MacBook Air
Starting off the list, the Apple MacBook Air is one of my personal favorites. It’s super compact and lightweight while also being super thin and easy to run around with. It uses a 5th gen Intell processor with a turbo boost to improve production speeds.
In terms of RAM, the MacBook Air offers 8GBs while having 128 GBs of SSD storage onboard. You can expect to run this between 8 and 12 hours between charges. Not only that, but because it’s older than some of the other options on this list, you can get it pretty reasonably priced.
2. Dell XPS 15 9560
Coming after the MacBook Air, the Dell XPS 15 9560 is a touchscreen all-in-one option that’s definitely worth considering. It uses a 7th gen 3.8 GHz Intel quad-core processor and has 1TB of SSD storage.
Probably the biggest perk for this laptop is that it has 32 gigs of RAM. This is twice the amount needed, meaning you can run pretty much anything without any issues ever.
3. Dell XPS 13 (2020)
One of the best laptops of all time! The Dell XPS 13 (2020) has been a regular on the best laptop for DJ lists for years.
It has a stunning lightweight design and is supported by super-powerful modern components.
It has a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and an ‘Infinity Edge’ display, which means the Dell XPS 13 is a fantastic DJ machine!
It is thin and light and easily customized.
4. XMG DJ 15
The XMG DJ 15 is a machine designed and built specifically for digital DJs. It has 10th-generation intel processors that offer oodles of power to run your favourite DJ softwares.
It comes with three USB ports (2x USB 3.2 and 1x USB 2.0 ), an RJ45 Ethernet port and an SD card reader, a USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 combo port, as well as full-size HDMI and a Mini DisplayPort.
This machine is made for DJs, so definitely worth looking into.
5. Dell Nvidia GeForce GTX
Last on the list is the Dell Nvidia GeForce GTX. This laptop is officially noted as a gaming laptop, but don’t let that put you off. It’s 15.6 inches and runs a 6th gen 3.2GHz Intel quad-core processor, giving it great performance. It uses thermal cooling in order to keep from overheating while also having some built-in subwoofers.
It has 8GB of RAM and can provide over 10 hours of battery life. It also has up to 256GBs of SSD storage available. Not to mention, because it’s a gaming PC, you can expect it to be much more sturdy and durable in case it’s accidentally dropped.
These five options are all great and work very well. If you aren’t sure you can make it work for your budget, consider looking for a refurbished option on Amazon or eBay.
Step #2: Download a Good DJ Software for Your Laptop
There are a few options when it comes to DJ software. The most commonly used are Traktor and Serato, and what you should probably focus on starting out.
Below are three of the more popular DJ software types to choose from.
Worth a read: 8 Best DJ Software Options
1. Serato Scratch Live
Serato is pretty much right up there with Traktor in terms of popularity. You can use them as a turntable DJ as well as a club DJ since the process is very simple to set up with Pioneer CDJ’s.
The software comes as a LITE and a Serato DJ PRO version. The LITE option can be gotten for free and is for people that are only somewhat interested in checking out DJing. As such, don’t expect the more advanced key features to be on there.
PRO has all of the features and can be bought either for around $10 a month or at the one-time cost of $129.
2. Virtual DJ
While they were once a more popular option, Virtual DJ has kind of dropped off over the years. Still, that doesn’t mean they aren’t a great option, especially if you’re just starting out or planning to do more wedding/party DJing.
Virtual DJ works with many DJ controllers and most midi controllers and has several different purchasing options. They have the home, business, and Pro options available.
The business is really only important if you run an agency or entertainment business, while the home one won’t have everything needed outside of the basics.
You ideally want to get the Pro option. This costs $299 upfront as a one-time payment. They also have a $20 monthly option.
3. Native Instruments Traktor Pro 3
Traktor’s most popular of the three options has made a name for itself as a top-tier DJ platform. If you plan to DJ, you’re going to need to know how to use Traktor.
One of the good things about them is that Traktor also produces controllers and mixers. This makes the process very easy since both will naturally work better with one another compared to an alternative software or controller setup.
Expect to pay around $100 for the software on its own.
Step #3: Connect Your Mixer to Your Laptop
Now that you’ve determined the best laptop and software you’ll be using, now you’ll need to get a good mixer. There are two main mixing options that most DJs use today. Those are analog mixers and control mixers.
Analog Mixers
Analog mixers are the closest thing to the old-school DJ setups. Back then, you needed to connect them to PA systems and a turntable. Now, they work as standalone mixers that work even if your laptop crashes. So long as you’ve got music already backed up, it’ll still work.
This is crucial if you’re planning on club DJing, as this will give you those precious minutes to reboot and reset your laptop if there’s a crash.
DJ Controllers
DJ controllers have grown a lot since first starting out. Originally a cheap option meant only for beginners, controllers have pretty much everything you need to get started.
In fact, square a higher-end Pioneer DJ DJ controller with a $10,000 nightclub DJ setup, and you’d be surprised just how similar they’d sound.
If you’re going to get one of these, you might as well invest a bit and get a solid one. The cheap DJ gear options are cheap for a reason, and they’ll wear out pretty fast. You want something that can last a few years, at least.
Best Controllers for Beginning DJs
There are two modes of thinking when it comes to getting the best control mixers for a starting DJ. The first is recommending a cheap, basic model that you can make mistakes on without any issues. The second is to get something that, while not expensive, does require a bit more of an investment.
I personally believe that if you’re going to seriously jump into this, you need some serious equipment. Using the cheaper stuff isn’t going to give you the same options and won’t be great if you plan to do this professionally.
Below, I’ve curated some great starting controllers to consider. All are mobile and can be used no matter your skill level, meaning they will be great for leveling your skills up.
Traktor S4 Mk3
A great option if you’re into mixing. It has over 40 effects, punch cue points & loops, a high-res tempo display, and several deck samples to play on the fly. This controller has amazing sound and is impressively sturdy without taking up a bunch of space, making it ideal for club and party DJs.
Denon Mc7000
The Denon controller is also a great option to consider getting. When connected with Serato software, it has a dual audio interface, a 4-channel setup, 16 performance pads, and a dedicated key-matching and changing control setup. It also has an XLR booth and master connections. While I love the Traktor controller, there is definitely something to be said about the Denon options.
Conclusion on how to DJ with a laptop
The process of starting out and becoming a DJ isn’t so impossible that it can’t be done. So long as you’ve got a quality laptop with a good amount of RAM and a quality processor, DJ software that you can gel with, a quality mixer, and have made a decision on what type of DJ you want to be, the process is actually not too difficult.
Ultimately, once you’ve got the foundational basics understood in terms of your equipment, your next step to becoming a DJ is to invest some time in getting a mentor and learning the ins and outs of the DJing world. Network with fellow DJs for gigs whilst getting out there and producing the goods!
Do that, and you’ll become a fantastic DJ, laptop and all.
