DJ Equipment Rental: Cost Breakdown & Tips

Last Updated on March 25 by Monty Python

DJ equipment is a need on many occasions and events. They are required for formal and informal meetings, concerts, corporate events, weddings, birthday parties, and other public and private functions. Different event organizers require such equipment occasionally.

So, it doesn’t make sense to purchase such stuff for a one-off event. It is because the DJ equipment could cost a lot, even if you purchase the used stuff, let alone buying it directly from a branded store.

Therefore, it is always a good and feasible idea to get such equipment on rent. You need to be precise with your needs and should know well about the DJ equipment that is required.

Items included in DJ Equipment

Before we could analyze the cost associated with the DJ equipment, it is important to know that what items are included in the set. The combinations of equipment may differ from one DJ to the other. However, if we talk about the basic equipment then the following are the items included in the DJ equipment setup:

• Mixer
• Monitor speakers
• Headphones
• Turntables
• DJ software
• Laptop computer or vinyl record

You must remember here that one specific DJ setup wouldn’t fit in different styles. Therefore, it is critical to mix and match the DJ gear to best suit your needs. You need to check and ensure that what exactly works best for your specific DJ needs and DJing style. The equipment for beginners could be overwhelming. They need to be more careful as everything added to the setup would incur an extra rental cost.

How does DJ Equipment Rental Works?

As mentioned earlier the DJ set is made from individual components where every individual piece added has a price. You can add or subtract equipment in any package and the price would fluctuate accordingly. The following are some of the key components of the DJ equipment and the rent you expect to pay for them:

Audio Source

There are plenty of options to choose from which could be the CD player, professional turntable, and wireless audio streaming. Some DJs prefer to go with the MP3 along with an all-in-one kind of controller. It could double as a deck and mixer as well. To make this work, you need to have a laptop as well which must be set with DJ software. The average cost of an audio source of any type discussed above is $150 per day. Make sure that the cost of the laptop is not included here as there are plenty of event organizers who prefer to go with their laptop which has the DJ software pre-installed.

Dedicated Mixer

When it comes to mixers then there are a lot of varieties available and because of that, the prices fluctuate accordingly. This DJ mixer is an audio mixing device or a console used for manipulating and controlling a range of audio signals. This is the device that will allow you to make flawless and seamless transitions from one audio song to another. A dedicated mixer could cost you in the range of $100 to $250 which will suffice for standard and even advanced DJ needs. However, there is some high-end mixing equipment that comes with a rent of $1,000 per day. But this is not what you need for regular functions and events.

Amplifiers and Speakers

This is your main output source and you shouldn’t make any mistake about it. The amplifier is responsible for amplifying the audio signal produced from the audio source. This amplified audio signal then reaches the speaker through which it is played. The experts recommend looking for the powered speakers to be procured on rent. The only exception is of the huge venues and you are looking for some really loud and serious sound.

The powered speakers are preferred as they come with a built-in amplifier. This would be cost-efficient as well on rent, especially, when you want to have the DJ equipment for a few consecutive days. On top of that, the novice users will find it quite easy to set up as there is no need to think about connecting them amps in parallel or series. A cable is all that you need which would connect with the mixer.

The other side would plug into the speaker source directly. However, when taking multiple speakers on rent, you need to make sure that the speakers are matching. It means they need to be of the same model and brand. This would ensure that the produced sound is more balanced and even.

The standard speaker cost along with an individual amp is around $90 a day. This price usually includes a couple of speakers along with their stands. One amp source is usually enough for the needs. The average rental cost remains the same even if you prefer to go with the powered speakers which have a built-in amp.

Controllers

The DJ controllers are an integral part of any DJ setup. They are capable of performing the functions of what you expect from the turntables. On top of that, they can also work as a mixer. In other words, they are capable of saving you from a lot of trouble that comes associated with the carrying of real heavy analog type of DJ equipment. Considering this, it also means that you could save a good amount of money on rent as it does the job of two key equipment on its own.

Still, with this equipment, you need to have a computer system/ laptop with the DJ software which could operate it. Laptop and the software is something which you can have your own and doesn’t need to look for it on rent as it wouldn’t make sense.

The price of a brand new DJ controller could be between $200 and $4,000. If you prefer to have this on rent then a good DJ controller can be taken on an average daily rent of $50 or more.

Headphones

If you are thinking that your standard home use headphones would work here as well then you are wrong. A DJ at a concert or any other event needs to have headphones that offer excellent and flawless sound quality. You must also look for equipment which offers comfort and ease of use. On top of that, it must also be cost-effective as well, especially if you are taking those on rent.

If you want all of these qualities in the headphones then a new one from a reputable brand could cost you about $500 if not more. Some average models are available for $250 as well. This still doesn’t make sense as you could always have those on rent as well from the DJ equipment suppliers. You may expect to pay $10 to $30 on average for a good quality headphone on daily basis.

DJ Lighting

When it comes to DJ lighting then there are plenty of options available. Do remember that this is an optional inclusion in the DJ equipment but it promises to add a great impact on the venue setting if you do it in the best possible manner. They could add some great effect as well. This is especially true if you go with the wash lights.

This is a floodlight type that is capable of washing the entire area of the stage or the dancefloor. The derby effect light could also be taken on rent. It gives an impression of rays coming from the sun which beams through the window or opening. Laser lights are also quite popular here due to their elegance, brightness, and sharpness. For projecting a certain design or pattern, the GOBO lights are desirable.

If you are looking to make lights as part of your DJ equipment package then make sure that you do it in the right way. It is a good idea to think about a package of lights on rent. For a $50 per day rental, you can expect to have a lot of stuff. You may get four pieces of wash lights, one light chaser with syncopating controller, one LED mirror effect ball light, one LED beam, and the light effects controller. These lights on rent will come with the required stands and wires as well.

How about renting a complete DJ package?

The majority of vendors offering DJ equipment on rent have packages of DJ equipment to be given on rent. They are more economical and preferred especially if they are good enough to match your needs and requirements.

If we talk about a good decent package to be installed in a reasonably spacious hall then we can think about spending $500 per day. This will include a couple of high-end powered speakers with built-in amplifiers. It will come with a couple of digital turntables as the music source. Learn more about How to use a DJ Controller?

On top of that, you may expect to have a mixer with four channels option in it. This will be a good budget option with all the basic DJ equipment which are all a must to get things going with the DJing needs.

In the above package, you may save $100 or more on per day rent if you choose to go with a single mixer that has two or three channels only. Moreover, a single-channel mixer could further curtail the price.

It is also about the quality of the equipment and brand which can influence the rental price. You can talk about it to the supplier if you are sure that what exactly you want to be part of the package that you would take on rent.

If any of the above standard packages don’t suit your needs then you can always go for a customized package. You can make a package yourself and ask the DJ equipment supplier about the rent they would be charging for it. Moreover, the rental services of the DJ equipment are always flexible for making one or two changes with their existing packages and adjusting the price accordingly.

Make sure that you get all of the DJ equipment either alone or as part of the package with all the necessary cables and connectors. You must not be paying extra rent for the supporting equipment of DJ stuff, unless or unless it is mentioned otherwise by the supplier.

Key Points to remember about DJ Equipment Renting

The average rental cost discussed for the individual DJ equipment and packages is on daily basis. However, this daily price is for a standard day. The DJ equipment suppliers may charge you more if the equipment is required over the weekend. The cost for weekend rental may increase by 50%. You must also remember that the prices are usually flexible and you must talk to their customer service to strike a feasible deal.

If you are a repeated customer then you must ask for a discount on rent. On top of that, if you are renting the DJ equipment for several consecutive days then you might not be charged with flat daily charges. If the equipment is needed for a weeklong event then you can ask for a package or quote that should make it economical for you.

Final Verdict

Different DJs have a different styles of DJing and require different equipment. The selection of equipment also depends upon the nature of the event for which the equipment is required. Some items such as a mixer, speaker, headphones, turntables, DJ software program, and a computer are necessary, and without those DJ setup will be incomplete. So, you cannot ignore those products at all.

But, a few other types of equipment such as DJ lighting is optional. They do come with a cost and for that reason, it is important to plan accordingly. The cost varies if you are buying such equipment individually or as part of a package.

A very basic package with minimal DJ needs for a standard function or event could cost around $300. You could expect such a package to have a turntable/ cd player, a channel mixer with a couple of channels, and a couple of powered speakers with stands.