By Mike "Jabs" JaballahFounder and Director. Location Sound Recordist. CASA Licensed Drone Pilot.
The DJ equipment you need for an event is a pair of players or an all in one unit, a mixer, speakers, a table and power. For most parties, one XDJ RX3 and two good speakers cover the lot.
Our Pioneer RX3 PA Package is exactly that, from $430 per day. Bigger rooms and club style lineups step up to CDJs.
What DJ equipment do you need for an event?
Every DJ setup needs six things: something to play the music, a mixer, speakers, a booth monitor in loud rooms, a table and power. A backyard party and a club night run on the same parts. What changes is how many players, how loud it goes and how much the booth is on show.
- Two players or turntables, or one all in one unit
- A mixer, built in on an all in one
- Speakers sized to the room, with subs for a dance floor
- A booth monitor for loud rooms
- A stable table or riser at the right height
- Power and cables close to the booth
The DJ brings the music on USB, a laptop or records, plus their headphones. Ask what they're bringing before you book so nobody doubles up.
Which DJ setup fits your event?
Match the setup to the room and the DJ, not the other way round.
House parties and small events: the Pioneer RX3 PA Package is an XDJ RX3 with two QSC K12.2 speakers, stands and cables, from $430 per day. The RX3 plays straight off USB, so no laptop is needed. It's the quickest setup on this list.
Venue nights and parties with a few DJs: the Pioneer DJ NXS2 Console is two CDJ-2000NXS2 players and a DJM 900 NXS2 mixer, from $420 per day. Need speakers too? The Pioneer Pro DJ NXS2 PA Package adds them, from $565 per day.
Club riders and touring DJs: the Pioneer CDJ 3000 DJM A9 Console is the one to book when a DJ's rider names CDJ-3000s. Torn between the two Pioneer consoles? Our CDJ-2000NXS2 vs CDJ-3000 guide covers the difference.
Vinyl sets: the Technics House Vinyl Console pairs Technics SL 1200Mk2 turntables with a DJM 900 NXS2, from $240 per day. The Technics Scratch Vinyl Console is two SL 1200Mk2s with a DJM S9 for scratch and Serato DVS sets, from $370 per day.
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Pioneer RX3 PA Package
XDJ RX3 plus two QSC K12.2 speakers. Parties and small events.
Hire it
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Pioneer Pro DJ NXS2 PA Package
Two CDJs, a DJM 900 NXS2 and speakers. Venue nights.
Hire it
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Technics House Vinyl Console
SL 1200Mk2 turntables and a DJM 900 NXS2. Vinyl sets.
Hire it
Do you need a PA as well?
Yes, unless the venue has one. DJ consoles are console only, with no speakers in the case. Size the PA to the crowd:
- The Silver PA Speaker Package is one QSC K10.2, for rooms, courtyards and rooftops up to about 50 people. From $87 per day.
- The Gold PA Speaker Package is two QSC K12.2s, for rooms up to about 100 people. From $176 per day.
- The Platinum PA Speaker Package is two K12.2 tops, two KS118 subs and a mixer, for DJ nights and warehouse style events. From $549 per day.
A dance floor needs subs. Speeches and background music don't. The full range is in speakers and PA systems.
What DJ equipment do you need for a wedding?
A wedding needs two things a club night doesn't: a mic for the speeches and a volume that works for the grandparents as well as the dance floor. The Pioneer mixers in our consoles and the XDJ RX3 all have a mic input, so a wireless mic plugs straight in.
If the ceremony is somewhere else, the Bose Battery Speaker Wireless Mic Package runs for up to around 8 hours on battery and covers vows and speeches, from $165 per day.
What people forget to book
- A proper DJ table. A trestle table looks rough and wobbles. The DJ stage riser table comes with a velvet drape.
- Stylus and cartridges for vinyl. They aren't included with the Technics consoles unless you book them separately.
- Power near the booth. Speakers and DJ gear need their own power points, and a long run needs the right leads.
- A booth monitor in loud rooms. Without one, the DJ mixes off the main speakers and the room delay throws them out. Every mixer in our consoles and the XDJ RX3 has a booth output, so a compact speaker like the QSC K8.2 is one cable away.
Common questions
What equipment does a DJ bring?
Usually their music on USB, a laptop or records, plus headphones. Some bring a controller. The players, mixer, speakers and table normally come from the venue or a hire company, so ask the DJ what they need before you book.
What DJ equipment do you need for a house party?
An all in one like the XDJ RX3, two speakers, a table and power. The Pioneer RX3 PA Package covers the decks and speakers in one booking, from $430 per day.
Do you need a mixer with an all in one like the XDJ RX3?
No. The XDJ RX3 has two decks and a mixer built into one unit. Plug it into speakers and it's ready to play.
How much does DJ equipment hire cost in Melbourne?
At Creative Kicks, DJ packages start from $240 per day for the Technics House Vinyl Console. The Pioneer DJ NXS2 Console is from $420 per day, and an XDJ RX3 with speakers is from $430 per day.
Hire the gear
Pick the setup, add a PA if the venue doesn't have one and book your dates online. Pick up from Footscray or ask about metro delivery.
