I tried a little experiment with Virtual DJ content unlimited

Proformance said:

I agree, you're not really a DJ and customer service is the last thing on your mind.

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I don't DJ much anymore Bob, but yes, customer service is the priority for my corporation. I sit at a desk now mostly.

I have really bad knees, so I can't really carry much anymore -- 15 years of working on the Farm, and carrying 75 pound speakers for 30 some years, took its toll...

So now, if somebody asks me to DJ, they have to supply the hardware, and I just bring my lappy

MIXMASTERMACHOM said:

That will just have someone think they can become a DJ over night. They can have the music but will that make them a really good DJ and how good are these downloads? Some of the downloads on certain sites are of very poor quality.

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And therein lies the main reason we struggle to prove our worth and to get a decent price now.

dunlopj said:

And therein lies the main reason we struggle to prove our worth and to get a decent price now.

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You have to be selling the right thing - something you bring to the table other than gear and music (because anyone can do that.)

I had a meeting today about an upcoming event. It reminds me that I still (10 months into it) don't have a contract or deposit yet, and probably never will. All of the discussion about "gear" has been with other technical people and the customer doesn't understand most of it. We have not discussed a price and there has been no estimate. I will invoice them when the event is over - somewhere between $10k and $15k I am certain that gear and music has nothing to do with why they hire me over and over.

SoftJock Rick said:

I don't DJ much anymore Bob,
So now, if somebody asks me to DJ, they have to supply the hardware, and I just bring my lappy

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That's why your old school approach no longer applies to the new on-demand reality that defines modern DJing.

There was a time when a bride told us what her first dance song would be and that was it - new ideas, last minute changes, etc. - were all limited to the music we had on site. That's not true anymore - the bride can change her mind right up to the last second, new ideas can be added, changes made - and in this new reality there really is no excuse why you can't deliver the improvements being sought. Long term, it will be very costly to any DJ who fails to recognize that new dimension in customer expectation. The gear and the music really have no value - it's the level of service you can bring to their effectiveness that counts.

Proformance said:

That's why your old school approach no longer applies to the new on-demand reality that defines modern DJing.

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I disagree.

DJing is DJing -- it's not an art form. Yer just playing somebody else's music. You can spout off all you like about "modern DJing" -- but it doesn't mean squat.

Now, go out and get yourself a Gibson Les Paul, or 335, write your own music, and make a half a billion dollars. That requires a bit of practice, and some talent.

It doesn't require a used car salesman

Jeff Romard said:

You may have done this before Dave but could you tell us more about this?

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Jeff I use a program called xsplit. This program turns any pc/mac into a broadcasting machine. I bring my broadcast machine to a venue that has great internet (wired or wireless) set up the camera(s) and stream the event live.

I have a hot spot on my phone and an additional dedicated wireless hot spot.

I never rely on it, but it has come in handy when a bride, groom, or parent has asked to change something at the event.

with the 4g connection, a song can download in seconds. I typically buy them from Amazon.

I applaud VDJ for being innovative.

Getting music has been easy for a long time. I really don't see this as getting lots of people to now jump on the bandwagon. However, if someone feels that their biggest asset is being able to bring lots of music...you see that's worth about $10 a month these days.

I am spending about $70 a month total(between prime cuts and buying other music), the music is mine...meaning I don't have to keep paying...but I have a hard time thinking i'm going to stop...so I can see the advantages of paying $10 per month, downloading the songs you'll need...and have the quick ability to download others IF it's needed.

SoftJock Rick said:

I disagree.

DJing is DJing -- it's not an art form. Yer just playing somebody else's music. You can spout off all you like about "modern DJing" -- but it doesn't mean squat.

Now, go out and get yourself a Gibson Les Paul, or 335, write your own music, and make a half a billion dollars. That requires a bit of practice, and some talent.

It doesn't require a used car salesman

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While I agree DJing is not Rocket science(pun intended), I do believe that there is some skill required to run most events properly and effectively. I think it's a skill that most people can learn, but it's still a skill.

I've heard from many brides that have been to a wedding with a terrible DJ that now understand that they need to find someone that can do more that "yer just playing somebody's else's music". the reality is...if that's all you are really getting, you are better off renting equipment and using an ipod.

I also believe that, as a "modern" DJ, my events have been enhanced by me having the ability to get a song at the event when it's needed.

Just recently at a wedding, the grandmother's sister died 2 days before the wedding. The grand mother...requested a song for her sister. I was able to get it. Their family was amazed that i had it. They were very appreciative. They said it really made her evening. As they were walking the grandmother out, she insisted they walk her out by me so she could thank me herself.

I do suppose I could have told the bride and groom....Sorry, you should have been better prepared and told me that she would want that song

Do I rely on it? Never. Do I use it? You bet.

SoftJock Rick said:

I disagree.

DJing is DJing -- it's not an art form. Yer just playing somebody else's music. You can spout off all you like about "modern DJing" -- but it doesn't mean squat.

Now, go out and get yourself a Gibson Les Paul, or 335, write your own music, and make a half a billion dollars. That requires a bit of practice, and some talent.

It doesn't require a used car salesman

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This opinion being related to the topic in what way?
I get that you're bitter - you may not like the modern reality of DJing but, your disapproval does not make it any less of an art.

Proformance said:

This opinion being related to the topic is what way?
I get that your bitter - you may not like the modern reality of DJing but, your disapproval does not make it any less of an art.

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I'm not really all that bitter Bob -- maybe a little because of the arthritis, and people stealing my software.

I think that's how it relates to the topic, is that you have not vetted songs in question prior to playing them. I can not get my hands around that.

Play me your recent mix tape, and when I get back to FL (where my guitars are), I will play you a nice version of Stairway to Heaven for you