NO, unless you have a lot of money to throw around... if you are just starting out.. you should start off smaller and decide if this is something you really want to keep doing and seriously pursue.. then, go ahead and make an investment in some pro gear that will last you a long time... like RANE

+1

you could start out with one of the new midi controllers & serato ITCH

see here...
www.skratchworx.com
www.skratchworx.com

but would advise not to do down the cheap turntables route... secondhand technics would be better if you want to go for the turntable + mixer set-up.

4500 is alot of money to spend if you have never DJ'ed before. try and borrow/try out a friends set-up to see if you like it first before blowing all you're cash :)

hell no you should not spend $4500 on your first setup. if you actually have $4500 go to guitar center, spend $500 on one of those all in one dj packages (probably gonna be a Gemini product) and get down with that for a few months. starting on less than great turntables will teach you to be light with your hands and will keep you more focused. when you decide you like being a dj, go get some technics. everything you mastered on your geminis will be much easier on the techs and you will probably start learning faster now that you know the basics and have decent equipment. bottom line for me is...... dont get serato until you know how to rock without it. when it comes to beat matching and cueing up records.... it is very easy to use your computer screen as a crutch.

Agreed with all posted here!

agreed, thats alot of money for the unexpected..

No. No no no no no.

Gemini is crap. There have been one or two exceptions in history to this mantra, but generally, Gemini is the bottom of the barrel. Second, every single one of those "all-in-one / instant-DJ" boxes are a rip off. They are toys. They will not work well, and they will break. Avoid at all costs. For the price of an awful Gemini package, you can have Technics. End of story.

You don't need to spend 4500 on your first setup, but you should spend a decent amount for good gear. Make your first purchase your last purchase.

Suggestion #1:
2x Technics 1200M3D = $600 used (total, baby!) and in great condition (may come with needles and slipmats to boot)
1x Stanton SA-5 = $200 new, includes shipping, Audiolines.com
2x Shure M44-7 = $70 each new at Guitar Center
2x Sicmats slipmats and/or Butter Rugs (if you scratch) = $20 a pair, new.
1x Sony MDR-V700 = $100 at Guitar Center
1x SSL SL1 = $480 new, includes shipping, AGIPRoDJ.com

For a little over $1500, you've got a professional setup that should last you for years.

Suggestion #2, aka, what I use:

2x Stanton STR8-150 = $700 new, Audiolines.com
1x Rane TTM57SL = $1250 new, AGIPRoDJ.com
2x Shure M44-7 = $70 each new at Guitar Center
2x Sicmats slipmats and/or Butter Rugs (if you scratch) = $20 a pair, new.
1x Pioneer HDJ-1000 = $120 at Guitar Center (Actually, get the Sonys, they're better. I wish I still had mine.)

So... about $2250 for an advanced setup. This is a wicked setup for scratching, though it'll be more than you need for the first several years.

Suggestion #3, aka CDJ setup:

2x Pioneer CDJ-800MK2 = $700 each, new
1x Stanton SA-5 = $200 new, includes shipping, Audiolines.com
1x Sony MDR-V700 = $100 at Guitar Center
1x SSL SL1 = $480 new, includes shipping, AGIPRoDJ.com

Total for the all-digital package: $2180. You can probably find a better deal on used 800MK2s if you look around.

You will also want road cases for your mixer and decks, which will run you about $100 per case. All of this stuff is professional gear, and will not depreciate much if you decide that DJing is not for you. It will also not give you the issues that plague a lot of Gemini/GemSound/Numark gear, so you never have to waste time trying to compensate for crappy decks and bleeding faders. By getting used to pro setups, you'll never be surprised when you go to the club; they may even have the same setup there that you've got at home.

I do totally agree with Sephiroth. If you've got the money, don't buy crap. Don't! Because:
- hey, it's crap ;)
- the day you'll sell your crap (and you will) for almost nothing, you'll deeply regret every $ you've put in it

His 1st suggestion is excellent. Table Cloth slipmats are very good too ;)

One thing he forgot is some sort of monitoring system, separate from the main party sound. This is very important. Your Aiwa midi system is no good, k?

Of course, this is only true if you clearly understand you won't become a DJ in 2 weeks and are sure you won't quickly give up frustrated.

Now this is only my opinion :-p

Fl0w points out something I forgot: you will want some kind of monitoring system, at least for practice. Most clubs should have their own sound system and monitors, though it's a prudent idea to have your own monitor or even your own sound system so that you can land gigs where the venue has no sound system.

Sound system suggestions will vary widely depending on the venue and how portable you want your setup to be. I highly suggest Yamaha and/or JBL cabs and QSC amps. Beware of using Monster cable to connect your sound system, as it's not actually all that great for the high price. If you really want to spend a ton on cabling, go for Mogami. Other than that, you should try this place: www.monoprice.com

If you just need something to practice with, you can simply jack into your home theater system or a small, clean amp. My PA is too large to store at my home, so I keep it at my practice area, and just jack into my home theater system when I get the urge to lay down a mix.

Woody - I started fresh without ever even touching turntables. It was a dream I had since I was about 19 and saw Q-Bert live. I bought the RANE-TTM, wiped out my wife's mac, and bought some 15 inch JBL's. I then bought some used MK5's from guitarcenter.com and here I am today. I would recommend mastering, or at least familiarizing, yourself with the RANE mixer and Scratch Live first. I also bought some records to learn the basics of the turntables as well. After 4 months, I am mos def not as good as the cats on this discussion, but well on my way. Every problem or question I have had has been answered on the forums. I do it strictly as a hobby, and $4500 was well worth my investment.