DJ Equipment Hire

CD Players

There is a wide variety of CD players available on the hire market to suit any number of tastes or requirements. Professional standard CD decks such as the Pioneer CDJ2000 are very regularly available but there are also more basic units available to suit more basic requirements. If you require a CD player for an upcoming event complete the Audiorent.co.uk quote form and your details will be sent to suitable PA and AV hire companies.

When hiring a CD player it is worth checking the following details with your chosen CD deck hire supplier:

File Format - If you intend to use MP3 file formatted CDs ensure your chosen CD player is capable of playing this format. Include this fact in the Audiorent.co.uk CD hire quote request form so companies providing you with a quote can recommend the most appropriate unit.

Connection type - Hire CD players will connect to the main PA system via RCA phono cables. If you require these cables check with your audio visual hire companies that they are supplied with the CD player.

Mixer required - If you intend to mix between CDs do you require two CD players and a DJ mixer. Most DJ equipment hire suppliers will provide CD players and DJ mixers as part of a package with a reduced combination price.

Professional standard CD players

Aimed squarely at the professional or aspiring pro DJ, professional standard hire CD players such as the Pioneer CDJ1000 Mk3 and new Pioneer CDJ2000 offer a wealth of features and specification that allow DJs to truely express themselves. With loop features and the ability to save previously constructed loops to memory cards for future performances high end CD players allow a high level of experimentation and musical freedom to be explored.

Pioneer CDJ2000

The ultimate DJ weaponry, this multi-format digital turntable comes equipped with Pioneer's proprietory music management software, rekordbox, a USB port, Pro DJ Link, Needle Search, 6.1 inch full-colour LCD display and Jog Dial.

The Pioneer CDJ2000 includes the following features: Fully compatible with a wide range of media formats, rekordbox database management software for DJs, DJs can prepare cue points, loops and Hot Cues in advance of their show, huge full-colour display screen leads the market, industry-first Needle Search/Needle Drop for speedy searches and previews, industry-first Pro DJ Link, improved quality audio output circuit with Wolfson DAC processor, advanced connectivity with 24-bit/48 kHz sound card, HID and MIDI control via USB

Standard CD Player

Ideal for parties or for DJs who want to improve their skills but who don't have the budget for professional hire CD players, standard hire CD players still generally have a wealth of features. Many of the units available on the DJ equipment hire market still have impressive levels of specification including jog wheel functions, pitch control and graphic equalisers.

Complete the Audiorent.co.uk DJ equipment hire quote form to have you details forwarded to suitable CD player hire companies who cater for your location.

Record Decks

Hire record decks are available on the rental market in the form of belt driven and direct drive formats. This refers to the method by which the turntable is rotated. Direct drive decks are the choice of professional DJs due to their ability to reach rotation speed faster than the belt driven alternatives. Belt driven decks are more suitable for events where reaction speed is not an issue.

When hiring record decks it is worth checking the following details with your chosen record deck hire supplier:

Stylus - Do the decks come with stylus or do you have to provide your own? Confirm this fact with your chosen DJ equipment hire supplier and be aware that an additional cost may be charged for stylus to be supplied.

Slipmats - As with stylus, slipmats may not be automatically supplied with a pair of hire record decks. If slipmats are required be sure to confirm whether they are supplied and if an additional cost is payable for these items.

Delivery - If you require delivery of your hire DJ equipment be aware that this is likely to be charged as an additional cost and as such you should budget for this. Check delivery rates with your chosen DJ equipment hire supplier.

Below are details of the most popular record deck on the hire market, the Technics SL1210 Mk2.

Technics SL1210 Mk2

Technics SL series turntables have become legendary with over 3 million sets being produced and used by DJs and clubs the world over. All SL models feature the undisputedly accurate, reliable and durable Quartz Direct Drive Motor, with Aluminium die-cast cabinets and heavy rubber base for vibration damping. Best used in conjunction with a professional standard DJ mixer such as the Pioneer DJM800 or Allen & Heath Xone92 the SL1210 Mk2 is regularly available on the DJ equipment hire market.

Overview

A wide variety of DJ mixers are commonly available on the hire market including professional standard units such as the Pioneer DJM800 and Allen & Heath Xone92, scratch mixers and simple two channel mixers suitable for beginner DJs.Many mixers include EQ, beat counters and effects allowing you to truly express yourself when at the decks.

When hiring any DJ mixer it is worthwhile checking the following details with your audio visual hire professional:

Inputs - Does the unit have a sufficient number of inputs for my requirements and are phono cables and other connectors included in the hire? Include information on your input requirements when completing the Audiorent.co.uk DJ equipment hire quote form.

Package hire - If you require additional equipment such as PA systems, CD players and lighting this can regulalrly be hired as a package. Include any additional equipment you wish to hire when completing the Audiorent.co.uk quote form.

Below are details of two popular professional standard DJ mixers:

Pioneer DJM800

A powerful 4 channel 96kHz / 24 bit digital mixer with first class sonic fidelity, immense connectivity including 61 fully assignable MIDI controls a full range of effects with additional innovative new 'sound colour effects' across all channels. The DJM800 has quickly become a feature in most nightclubs and bars and is often on the riders of touring international DJ's. An industry mainstay, the range of DJM mixers have defined the way most professional DJs have played during their career in the last decade. The DJM800 keeps the basic layout we love from the 600, but is packed with new technology and digital components that encapsulate a DJing in today's world. Best used in conjunction with the Pioneer CDJ1000 CD decks and Technics 1210 record decks. Click on

Allen & Heath Xone92

From its legendary 4 band EQ, to its amazing analog filters, the Xone:92 is a mixer for any DJ who desires the highest sound quality and usability. It includes high quality faders, separate LED displays on each channel, switchable split cue, and pre / post EQ cueing. The 4 band EQ has -30db kill and each channel has 2 effects sends. One of the key features is the midi control. You can connect and control a MIDI device using the controls for the VCF filters. It may seem daunting to some, but once it is connected, it's childs play. For example, a Korg Kaoss pad can be linked using one MIDI cable and 2 phono cables, you can then control the effect without touching the pad at all. Best used in conjunction with the Pioneer CDJ2000 CD decks and Technics SL1210 record decks.

Full Range Speakers

Full range cabinets are generally fitted with crossover circuits which separate the incoming signal into separate frequencies which are then distributed to the most appropriate driver (i.e. High frequency sounds to the tweeter or low frequency sounds to the bass speakers). Generally single cabinet full range speakers are separated into 2-way units where a single crossover separates high frequency sounds to the tweeter and lower frequency sounds to a driver capable of dealing with mid-range and bass frequencies. There are also 3-way single cabinet configurations where the incoming signal is separated and distributed to three drivers per cabinet – a tweeter, a mid-range and a bass driver each specifically designed to effectively translate that range of frequencies into sound.

Passive or active?

A sound signal such as that from a non-powered mixing console must be amplified before it can be effectively reproduced by a speaker. Amplifier units can be built into speakers (known as active speakers) or separate units which send an amplified signal to passive speakers. Both forms of speaker have benefits which may make them suitable for your event.

Passive speakers

Passive speakers are commonly available on the PA system hire market and are used in conjunction with an external power amplifier. An appropriate amplifier will be matched in terms of ohmage and wattage with your chosen speakers. There is a huge range of passive speaker types and brands available that are suitable for a variety of events including live music, conferences, outdoor events and DJ functions.

Hire passive speakers display the following benefits:

Lightweight - Hire passive speakers are more lightweight than equivalent active units. This can make them easy to manoeuvre into venues and position on stands if required. Be aware that larger speakers may still require two people to lift and postion them.

No electrial supply required - Unlike active units, passive speakers do not require a supply of electricity for each unit, just for the amplifier. This may be advantageous for events at venues where power sockets are at a premium.

Versatile - Depending on the particular specification of the equipment in use, passive speaker PA systems can be highly versatile including multiple pairs or configurations of speakers including sub-woofer and satellite systems.

When hiring a PA system based around passive speakers your chosen PA hire company will recommend the most appropriate amplifier unit but it is worth being aware of the following considerations when deciding on the most suitable passive speaker/amplifier combination:

Audience size - Your chosen PA system should be configured to appropriately cater for the gathered audience and in terms of the intended use. A live music PA system will require a speaker and amplifier package with a sufficient volume and frequency range.

Matched specifications - The amplifier and speakers should be matched in terms of ohmage and wattage to ensure the best sound quality and to prevent potential equipment damage. Your chosen PA hire supplier will recommend appropriatly matched equipment.

Expert advice - By completing the Audiorent.co.uk quote form your event details will be sent to specialised PA and AV hire companies who can recommend the most apporpriate equipment for your event ensuring top quality sound reproduction.

Active Speakers

Active speakers are an increasingly common and popular alternative to the traditional passive speaker and amplifier combination. Depending on your event type an active speaker system may be more suitable for your PA requirements. Active speakers have a built in amplifier unit which negates the necessity for a separate power amplifier, but does require each unit to have an electrical supply.

Hire active speakers display the following benefits:

Perfectly matched - The drivers and amplifiers in active loudspeaker units are perfectly matched to work together. As a result active speakers work very efficiently and can be driven harder with less risk of equipment damage.

Convenience - Unlike active units, passive speakers do not require a supply of electricity for each unit, just for the amplifier. This may be advantageous for events at venues where power sockets are at a premium.

Versatile - Depending on the particular specification of the equipment in use, passive speaker PA systems can be highly versatile including multiple pairs or configurations of speakers including sub-woofer and satellite systems.

When hiring a PA system based around passive speakers your chosen PA hire company will recommend the most appropriate amplifier unit but it is worth being aware of the following considerations when deciding on the most suitable passive speaker/amplifier combination:

Audience size - Your chosen PA system should be configured to appropriately cater for the gathered audience and in terms of the intended use. A live music PA system will require a speaker and amplifier package with a sufficient volume and frequency range.

Matched specifications - The amplifier and speakers should be matched in terms of ohmage and wattage to ensure the best sound quality and to prevent potential equipment damage. Your chosen PA hire supplier will recommend appropriatly matched equipment.

Weight - Due to the inbuilt amplifier technology active speaker units can be heavier than equivalently sized passive units. This may be a consideration if the equipment is to be moved on a regular basis or by a limited number of people.

Sub/Satellite systems

A common multi cabinet system used for smaller events is the Sub and Satellite System.

An example of a sub/sat system is depicted to the left. This system includes a pair of sub-bass speakers, also known as sub-woofers, connected to a pair of stand or pole mounted two-way mid / high range cabinets know as satellite speakers. The signal is split via a high pass filter (either an internal passive unit in the subs or an external active crossover) into sub-bass frequencies and mid/ high frequencies and emitted by the appropriate speakers. Sub/sat systems are available in both passive and active configurations and are excellent for events such as live music and DJ events in small venues such as pubs, small clubs, halls and churches.


Sub/sat multi cabinet PA systems demonstrate the following benefits:

Event types - Sub and satellite systems are ideally suited for small sized events such as live music and DJ events being held in pubs, small clubs and halls. The inclusion of sub-bass speakers ensures effective reproduction of kick drums and DJ sets.

High quality sound reproduction - Sub/sat systems have dedicated speakers that are specifically designed to cater for particular frequency ranges. This results in more defined sound than a single cabinet system and greater control of the frequencies involved.

Bass response - The floor mounted sub-bass cabinets result in improved bass response and dispersal than stand mounted speakers catering for the same frequencies. As such this form of PA system will effectively reproduce kick drums and DJ sets.

When hiring a sub/sat PA system the following aspects should be considered to ensure the efficient delivery and installation of the equipment.

Weight - The individual cabinets of a sub/sat PA system can be particularly heavy and difficult to move and position. As such extra personnel may be required to to install the equipment or a delivery service may have to be budgeted for.

Access - Due to the difficulty in moving sub/sat systems ensure that access into the venue is sufficient to allow easy installation of the equipment. This includes stairs and parking restrictions. Be prepared to budget for delivery and installation of the equipment.

Multi cabinet systems

For larger live music or DJ events it is necessary to use more advanced multiple hire speaker cabinet configurations. A multiple cabinet system consists of a number of cabinets which each cater for a certain frequency range.

The system depicted to the left is a three box configuration with a pair of mid/high frequency top cabinets (top), a pair of bass cabinets (middle) and a pair of sub-bass cabinets (bottom). Multiple cabinet systems are available in both passive (requiring seperate amplifier units) and active (built in amplifier technology) configurations and are powerful enough to cater for live music audiences of around 500 people in medium sized events such as clubs, halls and theatres.


Multiple cabinet systems demonstrate the following benefits:

High quality sound reproduction - Multiple cabinets ensure that all audible frequencies of the sound are effectively reproduced. Each pair of speakers is designed to cater for a specific frequency range and this results in precise sound reproduction.

Bass response - By mounting the sub-bass cabinets at floor level ensures that the bass response and dispersion is of the highest level. This is particularly useful when the system is being used to amplify sub-bass sounds such as kick drums and dance music.

High frequency response - The positioning of the mid/high frequency cabinets at an elevated position ensures the maximum possible dispersion of such frequencies which can be a common problem with single cabinet systems.

When hiring a multiple cabinet PA system the following aspects should be considered to ensure the efficient delivery and installation of the equipment.

Weight - The individual cabinets of a multiple cabinet PA system can be particularly heavy and difficult to move and position. As such extra personnel may be required to to install the equipment or a delivery service may have to be budgeted for.

Access - Due to the difficulty in moving multiple cabinet systems ensure that access into the venue is sufficient to allow easy installation of the equipment. This includes stairs and parking restrictions. Be prepared to budget for delivery and installation of the equipment.

Overview

Subwoofers are speakers designed to cater for sound at the lower end of the frequency range such as deep bass sounds or kick drums. They are not always a necessity if your event is in a small venue and the hire pa system just has to cater for vocals or perhaps an acoustic guitar. However if the PA system is being used for dance music playback or live music with a full drum kit, bass guitar or keyboards, subwoofers are recommended to ensure an effective bass response.

Hire subwoofers commonly consist of cabinets front loaded with a single 15" or 18" cone which is designed specifically to cater for low frequency sounds. As with mid / high range speakers, hire subs can be passive (requiring a separate amplifier unit) or active (contains an integral, built in amplifier unit).

Commonly they also have a high pass filter which allows the connection of a mid / high range hire speaker as a satellite. The high pass filter channels sound of a certain frequency to the sub speaker and feeds the higher frequency sound to the satellite. If you require a hire subwoofer or complete PA system for an upcoming event complete the Audiorent.co.uk quote form and your hire requirement details will be forwarded to PA hire and AV hire companies who cater for your area.

AV hire in London and across the country

Which microphone to hire?

Google Chromebook Article

Tips when hiring a stage for your event

Plasma screen hire tip - Stand, tabletop or wall