What is the one piece of gear that you love to use when doing an event?

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MIXMASTERMACHOM

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Oct 16, 2011
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For when doing certain types of events it's my Pioneer EFX 500. I used to have the 1000 and I didn't like it. It cost more but it couldn't do a lot of the things the 500 could. I do my best to not go overboard when I'm using it. I don't want the crowd to get bored with me going crazy with the effects. I know some say I don't need it. Yet I feel I need it because it adds creativity to my playing and me not just playing the music being boring. I use VDJ and I hate the effects on there. They don't allow me to be real creative like I want to using the 500. I can echo off from a song and bring it right back quickly. I can make different sound effects depending on the buttons I push and setting the knob on it that will change the sounds as I like them to be. I don't use it all the time because for certain events it's not needed. I didn't use it on Monday playing for the seniors. I love using it at certain events because it adds excitement for me and keeps things from being boring. It's bad enough when I have certain events that I'm the DJ and have to play the same old tired songs I've played well over 100 times. I will play those songs but I have to put on a fake smile like I'm really enjoying playing those same old songs. Never mind songs I personally hate. I really have not frown my face. My friend who is a DJ as well reminds me of that.
 
If you're at an event and you need something to keep you from being bored, then something is wrong and you should not be there. Any of this 'fake smile' or fake anything .. people can tell - they're not stupid.

As much as you talk about playing stuff that you don't typically get to play .. you typically play.
 
If you're at an event and you need something to keep you from being bored, then something is wrong and you should not be there. Any of this 'fake smile' or fake anything .. people can tell - they're not stupid.

As much as you talk about playing stuff that you don't typically get to play .. you typically play.
It's a mixture of both depending on the type of event and what the crowd is feeling. I did an event in Jersey City, NJ that rocked! That crowd was more open to newer stuff. I played some great underground house music and they ate it up. I did an event in Paterson, NJ that the stuff I started playing at the beginning wouldn't work and somebody came and asked me did If I have the song Follow Me? I have several versions of that song. I knew what to do then. Just stick with the standard stuff they heard over and over again and again. Boring to me but the crowd ate it up. My job is not about me. Give the crowd what they want and get paid. Every once in a while I get a gig I don't have to play the same old songs and that's when it's fun for me.
 
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D J ing is work . Preparation for events can be boring but the end result for me is a more enjoyable & successful event for my client. Think about your client and less about yourself. People could care less about your EFX 500.
Keeping a nice clean and great sounding setup can be work. If one doesn't enjoy their job it is time to move on and try something else.

If you are bored, You can only be bored with yourself! Happy New year!! & Good health!
 
D J ing is work . Preparation for events can be boring but the end result for me is a more enjoyable & successful event for my client. Think about your client and less about yourself. People could care less about your EFX 500.
Keeping a nice clean and great sounding setup can be work. If one doesn't enjoy their job it is time to move on and try something else.

If you are bored, You can only be bored with yourself! Happy New year!! & Good health!
I disagree with the statement that people don't care about my EFX 500. Now it is about the job I do. Knowing the right music to play and when so people are happy with my performance. If I don't do a good job with that then anything else won't matter. I've seen some that had great equipment but didn't know what to do to please the client and the crowd. 2 special things I find very important is having the right music to play at an event and knowing when to play what. I remember one DJ who had some great equipment and had the right music for that event but didn't know what styles of music he should played at what time. The event was to be over at 1AM. By 11:30 most of the people had left. He could mix very well. If he knew the right music to play at the right time he would have killed the event. The job he did left the people attending the event pissed off at the job he did.

That event would have been right down my alley. I would have nailed that one for sure. That event was tailor made for me.
 
If I win the the lotto ? Tailored for me. Man your in a fantasy world and that's ok!
plan the plan , not the results .
wishing you good health Adrian.
 
Most DJs don't need those FX units anymore because today's mixers and controllers have lots of effects built in. From either my S9 or DDJ-1000SRT I have instant access to echos, loops, low and high pass filters, noise effects, reverb, flanger, and a whole lot more without any outboard gear.

What mixer are you playing on that you still need to bring an external FX machine?
 
If I win the the lotto ? Tailored for me. Man your in a fantasy world and that's ok!
plan the plan , not the results .
wishing you good health Adrian.
The first thing I like to do before agreeing to do an event is find out if we're the right company to do the event and not just agree to do an event because there's money to be made. If I feel we're not the right ones to do an event I will let them look for someone else. If we agree to do the event the next thing would be to find out what styles of music they want played at the event which goes with making sure we're the right fit for the event.

Once it's decided I will be the DJ doing the event then I need to plan what music I'm going to play and when I'm going to play what. Now to be fair when at an event I have gotten a request played it and it cleared the dance floor. When that happens I normally am able to quickly recover the dance floor. Sometimes with all my years of experience I know some request will not work so I won't play it. Sometimes I'm surprised that a request works out when I think it's going to be a dud. What I normally do is pray before I'm getting ready to play and after that do my best. Most times I do a fine job. Rarely do I do an event and I do a poor job. Let's say 1 out of 50 events doesn't turn out well and it's not always my fault.
 
Most DJs don't need those FX units anymore because today's mixers and controllers have lots of effects built in. From either my S9 or DDJ-1000SRT I have instant access to echos, loops, low and high pass filters, noise effects, reverb, flanger, and a whole lot more without any outboard gear.

What mixer are you playing on that you still need to bring an external FX machine?
I use the EFX 500 for only certain events. I have 2 Denon DN MC 6000's and I don't call them mixers. I call them controllers. VDJ has effects built in but for me they suck.
 
Loved fader start & used for years. I have adapted quickly to not having Fader start.
 
My iPads
All of my Mcing notes nice and bright in big bold letters
all of my my gig notes
planners
back up player
web browser for information
credit card machine
check deposits
light controller
contract holder
 
My Rock N Roller Carts. Freaking love the carts.

I actually love my Yamaha Mixer.

This wedding tomorrow I have busted out my old old DJ Banks, and my old ADJ Gobo Laser light. I wanted to change things up a bit from my typical ADJ Boom Box Light Show. Also proving up lights tomorrow.

There really isn't a single piece of a equipment I just absolutely love. I like all of my equipment that I use.
 
So, you love to hear your own voice, just like the rest of us! ☺
Absolutely. Everybody has schtick. Everybody has music. Everybody has style. Nobody has my voice. It's where I put the majority of effort and work. It's my only real difference within the pack.
 
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Long story here, Mike.

Back in the early 70s when I joined the PD in LA, the minimum height was 5'11" and 170lbs. I just made both, BUT I was one of the smallest dudes in my division. It took some time to earn the trust and confidence of my partners that I was very capable of having their 6 and part of the process was to develop a booming voice dripping with a fearsome command presence.

Often the question is asked,"What radio station am I on?" They are shocked at the response of none, never have either.

Now that I'm older and beginning to shrink, here comes the need for "that voice" and "that tone" again, although settling bar fights is no longer an option.

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