I am not a Pro-DJ. I havent been doing this for years and years, While I have always been a junkie for music....All Pro-DJ's Started from the beginning and they're some people who DON'T like Pro-DJs because they can sometimes be to busy promoting themselves, or doing mixes...short burst of songs(Funk Master Flex - has an problem with yelling all the dang on time) To each his own...However, As a Beginner I want to be the BEST I can BE! I know my audience very well, and I know how to get a crowd moving, without even touching a mic. I want quality sound to go along with my talent folks, this isnt a battle about creditability. Again Alot of Brands, Alot of specifics and tweeks and etc....I am not competition. I have no desire to be on the radio. I just want to make people feel good for the 5-7hrs I have them.
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- Thread starter DJKimber
- Start date
Thats because I knew it was a female. Females always gets an easy pass from me. Now if she is a Redhead...I will buy her the speakers! :tribiggrin:
Interesting read this has been. First thing I will say is that as a forum, the whole point is to ask questions and discuss the business. If the only solution being offered is to "Call Ben", then it sort of defeats the purpose of the forum, does't it? I understand Ben is a sponsor on these boards, but there really should be more substance than this thread has shown so far. /end.rant
Now, DJKimber, Welcome, and congrats on jumping into the DJ industry. It's a fun, rewarding industry that can also be extremely profitable if you manage yourself properly.
As for your question, a few suggestions to help you out...
1. Based on what you are looking to do, Powered Speakers are most likely the best way to go. They are typically lightweight, portable, and amount to less hauling and storage space, since you don't need an amp/processing rack.
2. For your software, you mentioned Virtual DJ is a bit expensive. I think you'll find that like most things in life, the better products typically are. There is a reason Virtual DJ has been as successful as they have been, because they have an awesome product. I got lucky and bought it when it was $149. It was the best money I have EVER spent on software. The Free Updates for Life are priceless. Even at $299, it's a bargain. Don't just take my word for it, Numark, PCDJ, and a few others have all looked to Virtual DJ for their own software.
3. There are a number of quality brands that make powered speakers. Yorkville, JBL, RCF, EV, QSC, and, as mentioned, Mackie. Mackie has fallen quality wise since they moved production to China, but they are far from the only game in town. As a DJ, I was always partial to JBL myself, but it's been a few years since I've bought gear for this use, so I don't know what their quality is like now. In my time as a Factory Rep for RCF and the American DJ Group of Companies, many of my Production/Rental House dealers were big users of QSC and, surprisingly, Behringer (neither of which I represented). Personally, I would suggest renting a few different models and brands, and trying them out before you buy. Many PA shops rent what they sell, or can point you to someone that does. Plan to spend around $499 per speaker when you buy.
4. Stay Away from the crap that American Audio (American DJ), Gemini, Samson, Peavey make. It's all garbage, move along.
5. While it does't hurt to give Ben NLFX (I don't know him, but everyone else here seems to speak well of him), give your local shop(s) a chance at gaining your business as well. Remember, you are asking your community to support you, and you should make an effort to do the same, within reason of course.
6. Pick up something used. One of the best places is Rental/Production shops that are turning over inventory. Those type of companies typically keep their gear well maintained, and usually there is still warranty on the product. When I was in the production business, I turned over our rental inventory no more than every 6 months, allowing me to keep new product in rentals while getting a decent dollar for the used gear as it was still in excellent condition and had lots of warranty time left. You can also keep an eye on places like Craigslist, Pawn Shops, eBay, etc. for used gear, but you need to be careful and ensure that the product is in good condition and full working order.
Good Luck!
Clinton
Now, DJKimber, Welcome, and congrats on jumping into the DJ industry. It's a fun, rewarding industry that can also be extremely profitable if you manage yourself properly.
As for your question, a few suggestions to help you out...
1. Based on what you are looking to do, Powered Speakers are most likely the best way to go. They are typically lightweight, portable, and amount to less hauling and storage space, since you don't need an amp/processing rack.
2. For your software, you mentioned Virtual DJ is a bit expensive. I think you'll find that like most things in life, the better products typically are. There is a reason Virtual DJ has been as successful as they have been, because they have an awesome product. I got lucky and bought it when it was $149. It was the best money I have EVER spent on software. The Free Updates for Life are priceless. Even at $299, it's a bargain. Don't just take my word for it, Numark, PCDJ, and a few others have all looked to Virtual DJ for their own software.
3. There are a number of quality brands that make powered speakers. Yorkville, JBL, RCF, EV, QSC, and, as mentioned, Mackie. Mackie has fallen quality wise since they moved production to China, but they are far from the only game in town. As a DJ, I was always partial to JBL myself, but it's been a few years since I've bought gear for this use, so I don't know what their quality is like now. In my time as a Factory Rep for RCF and the American DJ Group of Companies, many of my Production/Rental House dealers were big users of QSC and, surprisingly, Behringer (neither of which I represented). Personally, I would suggest renting a few different models and brands, and trying them out before you buy. Many PA shops rent what they sell, or can point you to someone that does. Plan to spend around $499 per speaker when you buy.
4. Stay Away from the crap that American Audio (American DJ), Gemini, Samson, Peavey make. It's all garbage, move along.
5. While it does't hurt to give Ben NLFX (I don't know him, but everyone else here seems to speak well of him), give your local shop(s) a chance at gaining your business as well. Remember, you are asking your community to support you, and you should make an effort to do the same, within reason of course.
6. Pick up something used. One of the best places is Rental/Production shops that are turning over inventory. Those type of companies typically keep their gear well maintained, and usually there is still warranty on the product. When I was in the production business, I turned over our rental inventory no more than every 6 months, allowing me to keep new product in rentals while getting a decent dollar for the used gear as it was still in excellent condition and had lots of warranty time left. You can also keep an eye on places like Craigslist, Pawn Shops, eBay, etc. for used gear, but you need to be careful and ensure that the product is in good condition and full working order.
Good Luck!
Clinton
#2, I'm a Serato user. I've used VDJ too but I love Serato!
#4, Aside from Peavey, I'd agree. If you're going to toss Peavey into the junk category because of their low end items, you might as well toss all the other vendors in there too. They all make cheap crap - some make better stuff and cheap crap and others make great stuff, better stuff and cheap crap.
#5, I agree - shop around - local and remote.
I don't think it was as black and white as you are portraying it. Could we have handled it better? Probably. Based on the rush of wanna be's, we didn't.
That's not a good stab at Canute. He had a point - again, probably because of the rush of wanna be's - and he's also right.
Ok? If you reread the post, I said 'for most of the peeps'. Not sure I understand your intent.
Chucky, what do you think the odds are of us gettin' l'il miss red hair to become a DJ? Canute said he'd buy the speakers for her!
Clinton - you're my hero!
Many have forgotten:
1) that this is a forum, ostensibly established to develop rapport and camaraderie amount dj's old and new
2) in joining a forum such as this, one has to expect there will be newbies looking for advice
3) You learn more from the real life experiences of dj's as it relates to gear than from a retailer, who ultimately wants to sell his product, not some line he doesn't carry (no disrespect to Ben - I am a customer). All of my speakers were bought solely on recommendations of dj's with real life experiences. If Dj's aren't willing to share, why be here?
Steve, these guys are more than willing to share - what they're not willing to do is give all they've learned to the person who comes here and 'demands' things thinking it's a no brainer to do what we do.
Who's demanding? - she was asking politely......whatever.....an having done this since 1976...let me tell you; it's not exactly a "brainer" either.
Would it make you happy if there was a sign on the door; newbies need not apply?
There is some merit to the newbies coming on here asking for help. However many are looking for shortcuts to hard earned success. That is not something I will freely give out. I am not going to help someone who is unrealistic. If I am going to help someone I plan on doing it the right way and they should too. I don't buy the argument that everyone starts somewhere. I hit the ground running when I started because I wanted to do it right. I bought my own damn vinyl and did not borrow from others. I gave my clients a professional performance from the very beginning.
This business model is no different from other business models. If you want the business to be successful as soon as possible then you better have a full tank of petrol before attempting the journey. I am not here to teach someone about Basic Electronics or Electricity. How welcome would I be in a Forum for Plumbers if I went in asking for help with less than realistic expectations. Invest in some DJ Trade Magazines, publications, Videos etc before coming and asking for Basic help. You can find some of the same answers on Google as you would find on here.
9 out of 10 newbies come on here totally unprepared expecting immediate answers. They don't even have the courtesy of researching the archives before making their first post. To me that is laziness and looking for a quick fix. Help me to help you by first showing sincerity. Yep, some have spoiled it for the rest. I for one would not be complicit with sending out unprepared wannabes to pollute the Industry.
First impressions count and for me the first post by a newbie will determine the respect they will get from me. A filled out profile and Personal Introduction will also go a long way.
Of course, Redheads are exempt!
This business model is no different from other business models. If you want the business to be successful as soon as possible then you better have a full tank of petrol before attempting the journey. I am not here to teach someone about Basic Electronics or Electricity. How welcome would I be in a Forum for Plumbers if I went in asking for help with less than realistic expectations. Invest in some DJ Trade Magazines, publications, Videos etc before coming and asking for Basic help. You can find some of the same answers on Google as you would find on here.
9 out of 10 newbies come on here totally unprepared expecting immediate answers. They don't even have the courtesy of researching the archives before making their first post. To me that is laziness and looking for a quick fix. Help me to help you by first showing sincerity. Yep, some have spoiled it for the rest. I for one would not be complicit with sending out unprepared wannabes to pollute the Industry.
First impressions count and for me the first post by a newbie will determine the respect they will get from me. A filled out profile and Personal Introduction will also go a long way.
Of course, Redheads are exempt!
I listened to and test drove most all of my gear and would have never just bought blindly with some of the info shared by DJs here dont know the difference in sound of the original SRM 450 Mackies to todays Thumps which sound like ASS. Hell many people have said they use the new Eons. I would buy Harbinger before buying an EON. I would buy Behringer speakers above many of the Chinese JUNK speakers out today. I suggest anyone to go listen to and test for yourself any gear you plan to implement into a business.
often times it is like someone asking the directions to that Diamond Mine it took me 39 yrs to find but I do want quiality folks to follow in our footsteps and improve the industry once I am gone. I expect one to ask courteously and possibly get to know me or my gang before asking me to hand over the keys. There is a man in this neighborhood (my local) who isnt quite all there. Every time he walks by asking if anyone has a smoke. He has yet to come over one time extend his hand and say hi Im ALi Kahn and proceed with niceties before dropping the bomb of "Give me a Smoke". Guess how courteous I am to this knob? I would crush a cigarette in front of him before I would share with him.
If you were to offer him a cigarette his next question would probably be "Do you have a light?"
Steve - Thanks for having my back buddy.
itigger - If you read this thread, you'll see that aside from DJCC and myself, no one really provided any recommendations aside from "call Ben", followed by a lot of discussion over sharing or not sharing wisdom with newbies, and ending with some sexist remarks (really guys?). Way to promote a community and industry.
Tuck - Good advice, although I'm sad to hear that the new EON's have fallen in standing, the originals were simply awesome.
ahoustondj - Where do I start with you? DJKimber is in NJ, you are in Texas, any knowledge you shared with her would have zero effect on your daily life or business, but may help someone who is entering the industry be a better DJ for it.
For those that don't want to share your knowledge, I have to ask, why are you even here? Each one of us need to remember that at one point in our lives, we knew NOTHING about this industry as well. For many of us, the internet and forums such as this didn't even exist back then, and to learn meant either jumping in feet first, or getting a job as a DJ with an existing company. To this day, DJing isn't a trade taught in any public school or post secondary institution, hell, it's not even considered a professional trade in the real world. This is also one of those industries that is as much a hobby as it is a full time career. It does't help that everyone seems to be so secretive or protective of the information they have garnered over their time in the industry. From the outside looking in, it makes us look childish and unprofessional.
When a forum becomes a place where the only advice handed out is to contact it's sponsors and chastise the newcomers, it's death certificate has been signed. I don't think Dan, JT, and all the others that built and contributed to this place over the years want to see that. In fact, the very existence of this forum was due to a similar situation at another board we all used to visit regularly.
itigger - If you read this thread, you'll see that aside from DJCC and myself, no one really provided any recommendations aside from "call Ben", followed by a lot of discussion over sharing or not sharing wisdom with newbies, and ending with some sexist remarks (really guys?). Way to promote a community and industry.
Tuck - Good advice, although I'm sad to hear that the new EON's have fallen in standing, the originals were simply awesome.
ahoustondj - Where do I start with you? DJKimber is in NJ, you are in Texas, any knowledge you shared with her would have zero effect on your daily life or business, but may help someone who is entering the industry be a better DJ for it.
For those that don't want to share your knowledge, I have to ask, why are you even here? Each one of us need to remember that at one point in our lives, we knew NOTHING about this industry as well. For many of us, the internet and forums such as this didn't even exist back then, and to learn meant either jumping in feet first, or getting a job as a DJ with an existing company. To this day, DJing isn't a trade taught in any public school or post secondary institution, hell, it's not even considered a professional trade in the real world. This is also one of those industries that is as much a hobby as it is a full time career. It does't help that everyone seems to be so secretive or protective of the information they have garnered over their time in the industry. From the outside looking in, it makes us look childish and unprofessional.
When a forum becomes a place where the only advice handed out is to contact it's sponsors and chastise the newcomers, it's death certificate has been signed. I don't think Dan, JT, and all the others that built and contributed to this place over the years want to see that. In fact, the very existence of this forum was due to a similar situation at another board we all used to visit regularly.
I never said that I won't help some newbies. Some I do and some I don't. As far as DJing not being considered a Professional Trade, guess who is to thank for that sentiment? As for me I list it as my Self Employed Business. I declare my income to the IRS and thus have the necessary Tax Returns to show that it is a Professional Income/Trade for me. I have been able to get lines of Credit from Banks and Pro Sound Retailers based on these documents. Many consider it "under the table cash money".
Curious - did you test drive the Dyna's? The opinions I used were from people who"s opinions I valued...
Actually I ran them through the tests in Vegas Thanks Steve. Oh and by the way are you going to be home during February? I might have to deliver a JTV valentines hug.
I am sorry if I come as an uneducated newbie. I am not. However all I have known was JBLs. And while I have researched, I am someone who can be indecisive which is why I am reaching out for advice. And it seems like this forum was credible. And I appreciate all the help.