What Will You Do When.....
- Thread starter Proformance
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Bob:
It is threads like this that caused the open letter to you.
I've read most of the posts but I ignored JT's.
Just kidding JT. Love ya, man.
Here are my thoughts:
There will always be room for the DJ skills other than playing the music.
Over the years we have all developed music programming skills and this could be applied here. As a matter of fact, I am considering adding a music programming line of business for the iPod weddings.
As you mentioned, the MC skill would also be useful.
But, as Fred pointed out, getting into the install side would be another option.
But, I think our "button pushing" skill may still be useful because it is not just pushing the button, it is also knowing when to push the button and what music should start playing when that button is pushed.
It is threads like this that caused the open letter to you.
I've read most of the posts but I ignored JT's.
Just kidding JT. Love ya, man.Here are my thoughts:
There will always be room for the DJ skills other than playing the music.
Over the years we have all developed music programming skills and this could be applied here. As a matter of fact, I am considering adding a music programming line of business for the iPod weddings.
As you mentioned, the MC skill would also be useful.
But, as Fred pointed out, getting into the install side would be another option.
But, I think our "button pushing" skill may still be useful because it is not just pushing the button, it is also knowing when to push the button and what music should start playing when that button is pushed.
G
Guest
Guest
In thinking about this, as long as the venue has a legal source, a decent playback system, and all the music the client wants/needs, my equipment and music becomes redundant. Just give me a minute or two to look over the equipment and kick the tires and I'm good to go. Until they come up with that telepathic system, DJ equipment is DJ equipment and most software packages (including Rick's) have a similar look and feel.
If the client wants me to use the house system and it meets my standards, I'm good to go.
Wow. good reponses! A few thoughts:
I had the opportunity to do a large event at the Foxwoods Casino, a relatively new facility in CT.
If you've never been in the Casino's Main Ballroom, it is fitted with Intels and Moving heads as permanent architectural elements of the ceiling. Very discreet, yet very powerful and versatile entertainment lighting for the entire room.
The sound system was also provided by the hotels permanent contractor. They handed us mics for the Vegas review, everything for the band except the backline, and a pair of XLRs waiting for me and my console.
Yes, the decorator came in to do up the theme, and there was some additional lighting and lasers added, but for the most part this room was ready to rock with whatever entertainment and lighting you wanted.
A canned event, no. But they did provide a really nice "can" - and let the client decide what to put in it.
The other thing I'd like to add is a window to DIY events. I've been renting gear to DIY's for years, well before the Ipod was even conceived. Many of these events are weddings.
Often I get a chance too return for pickup before the event is over, or find it already into over-time. I don't recall ever walking in on a disaster. The events were all going extremely well.
Even if the music was not segued. People simply reacted to the dead air with applause - just as they would with a band that paused after each song.
I ask banquet people how the events have gone - I don't recall any nightmare tales.
But I have seen many problems, and I have heard many complaints. Unfortunately they are all associated with wholesale rentals - to other "DJs". Yes, some of the DJs are sub-par to begin with, but their prices are not. Even the very high-end people with excellent reputations sometimes screw up royally.
It is from that experience that I often conclude that for an outsider - your odds of getting a bad DJ are probably greater than screwing up your own event.
One caveat, is that anything rented that I deliver is likely to run a minimum of $250-$300, so it is unlikely I would get too review a DJ charging less than $400. But even the cash & carry people don't seem to be that big a nightmare. Most all report good results and show up again next time.
I had the opportunity to do a large event at the Foxwoods Casino, a relatively new facility in CT.
If you've never been in the Casino's Main Ballroom, it is fitted with Intels and Moving heads as permanent architectural elements of the ceiling. Very discreet, yet very powerful and versatile entertainment lighting for the entire room.
The sound system was also provided by the hotels permanent contractor. They handed us mics for the Vegas review, everything for the band except the backline, and a pair of XLRs waiting for me and my console.
Yes, the decorator came in to do up the theme, and there was some additional lighting and lasers added, but for the most part this room was ready to rock with whatever entertainment and lighting you wanted.
A canned event, no. But they did provide a really nice "can" - and let the client decide what to put in it.
The other thing I'd like to add is a window to DIY events. I've been renting gear to DIY's for years, well before the Ipod was even conceived. Many of these events are weddings.
Often I get a chance too return for pickup before the event is over, or find it already into over-time. I don't recall ever walking in on a disaster. The events were all going extremely well.
Even if the music was not segued. People simply reacted to the dead air with applause - just as they would with a band that paused after each song.
I ask banquet people how the events have gone - I don't recall any nightmare tales.
But I have seen many problems, and I have heard many complaints. Unfortunately they are all associated with wholesale rentals - to other "DJs". Yes, some of the DJs are sub-par to begin with, but their prices are not. Even the very high-end people with excellent reputations sometimes screw up royally.
It is from that experience that I often conclude that for an outsider - your odds of getting a bad DJ are probably greater than screwing up your own event.
One caveat, is that anything rented that I deliver is likely to run a minimum of $250-$300, so it is unlikely I would get too review a DJ charging less than $400. But even the cash & carry people don't seem to be that big a nightmare. Most all report good results and show up again next time.
That's pretty much how it goes on the club circuit, when the backline gear is already in place for you.
The problem that used to occur in vinyl days was that you'd be told everything was in place - and then you'd arrive to find light weight belt-drive turntables.
If you were hired because of your mixing or scratch skills - that was a bit of a problem.
Looks like the digital age will be less hardware reliant.
Who needs Dude to spread "gloom & doom" when we've got ProFo......LOL
With a name like "DJ MC" I'm pretty well positioned for the title of "Wedding MC"
Searched "Google" for {wedding MC in Sacramento CA} and (drum roll please)......
wedding MC in Sacramento - Google Search
6 out of 10 non-sponsored results on Page 1 alone (including the KCRA Channel 3 "A-List" page....hehe)
So if someone wants a straightforward Wedding MC, there is a 6/10 probability they will find me, on Google.
As for using other people's equipment.......that is a no-can-do.
I use Denon DND-9000 and Rane MP-44 mixer.....they are very instrumental in the quality of my sound and the ability to mix tunes that have +/- differences of 10 bpm or more.
I've not yet seen a "house system" that can mix from "Closer" (80 bpm) to "In Da Club" (90 bpm) to "We Be Clubbin" (98 bpm) to "Jump Around" (106 bpm), going from 80 bpm to `106 bpm in only FOUR SONGS....without your clientele noticing pitch changes (Thanks to Denon's Key Control).
I've never seen a laptop or MP3 player with ability to make tight mixes with no pitch differences at that extreme beat per minute difference!
As long as we possess the SKILLS (Emcee & Mixing) and specialized EQUIPMENT that the halls and venues do not have......there will continue to be a demand for the $699 to $1k DJ & MC service.
With a name like "DJ MC" I'm pretty well positioned for the title of "Wedding MC"
Searched "Google" for {wedding MC in Sacramento CA} and (drum roll please)......
wedding MC in Sacramento - Google Search
6 out of 10 non-sponsored results on Page 1 alone (including the KCRA Channel 3 "A-List" page....hehe)
So if someone wants a straightforward Wedding MC, there is a 6/10 probability they will find me, on Google.
As for using other people's equipment.......that is a no-can-do.
I use Denon DND-9000 and Rane MP-44 mixer.....they are very instrumental in the quality of my sound and the ability to mix tunes that have +/- differences of 10 bpm or more.
I've not yet seen a "house system" that can mix from "Closer" (80 bpm) to "In Da Club" (90 bpm) to "We Be Clubbin" (98 bpm) to "Jump Around" (106 bpm), going from 80 bpm to `106 bpm in only FOUR SONGS....without your clientele noticing pitch changes (Thanks to Denon's Key Control).
I've never seen a laptop or MP3 player with ability to make tight mixes with no pitch differences at that extreme beat per minute difference!
As long as we possess the SKILLS (Emcee & Mixing) and specialized EQUIPMENT that the halls and venues do not have......there will continue to be a demand for the $699 to $1k DJ & MC service.
So your bow is loaded - but is the target worth an arrow?
If people will pay you $900 now for the whole package - what will their expectation be when they only want that one part?
Is your notoriety enough to make you worth $900 when the only thing you're bringing is yourself? Will you survive on just a $300 MC fee?
That's the point - we're eliminating that equipment from the picture or assuming it's been replaced with an alterntive. We're also assuming the people don't need or care about the "mixing" and the music is already taken care of.
Not doom and gloom - I've simply put a ceiling over your head and I'm asking you if you think you can climb above it?
Then, if you can - is that solution by itself going to be as economically feasible as DJing has previously been?
All race cars have a similar look and feel too, but the top racer's not going to perform as well with somebody else's machine.
etc,etc,etc
There's a comfort zone that comes along with the library and gear I've worked hard to customize. There's nothing redundant about either.
I so agree after all my yrs (ancient DJ here) I have always disliked going into a club or using someone elses system (ask the maestro) without taking it out on a test spin and finding out how and what to do with its unique options. Comfort Zone releases my creative juices.
I think people are getting more sophisticated about beat mixing.
Even as short as 5 years ago, my wedding clients could care less.
Now, in the past 2-3 years I've talked to an increasing number of prospects who tell me they saw a computerized DJ and they weren't happy with how the tunes were strung together, if at all.
Some dates get as many as 10-15 prospect inquiries. Surely at least one or two of them will want my experience, talent, and reliability and willing to pay for the whole package.
I can see the "overflow" (extra dates for my subs) going down, over time.
But I'll keep working. And, if Bob is correct that the market will shrink to an Emcee-only world.......I'll go back to doing 2-3 gigs in a single day. With no setup or teardown, I could easily squeeze that many together!!! LOL
Even as short as 5 years ago, my wedding clients could care less.
Now, in the past 2-3 years I've talked to an increasing number of prospects who tell me they saw a computerized DJ and they weren't happy with how the tunes were strung together, if at all.
Some dates get as many as 10-15 prospect inquiries. Surely at least one or two of them will want my experience, talent, and reliability and willing to pay for the whole package.
I can see the "overflow" (extra dates for my subs) going down, over time.
But I'll keep working. And, if Bob is correct that the market will shrink to an Emcee-only world.......I'll go back to doing 2-3 gigs in a single day. With no setup or teardown, I could easily squeeze that many together!!! LOL
That means I can charge the same or more and with less manual labour
There is only one venue currently in the area that can provide an appropriate sound system for events so it's not a big issue right now but.....
The last few years we have tried to add new features to the business. Two years ago we went multi op. Although we have always done installs and sound reinforcement for smaller events and meetings there has been more of a push recently. We also recently started promoting our own events.
In the next year to two years the plan is to add bubble parties, auctioneer services, event planning (not wedding planning), an event vendor directory, and a few other services to keep up income streams
As every year passes I am less and less interested in my other interests. I am shootig for three to five years to have this as my main income source
Joe, I do hope you won't require old Wolfie to go back to the bars.
Fred, being happy is the only requirement. However, I truly believe that bar work sharpens the skills, gives great exposure, and can build a sort of celebrity that can help not only build business, but can allow us to charge a decent fee for that celebrity and the work we do..
Huh?
Bar work sharpens your skills?...What skills? Celebrity?..huh?
I think the first area of mobile DJing headed for the chopping block is bars.
Most of the bars in our area have moved toward programmed music & told DJs to take a hike. (unless you are willing to DJ a night for about $150 for the night)
I don't really understand what type of bar "DJ skills" you are talking about. The bars that I do know who hire DJs, are more concerned with "finding the DJ with the cheapest rates. I have yet to meet a bar DJ in my area that can get over $500 for a night.
I agree with this we will always be in service and this is where the strong will survive and adapt.
Jon, I can tell I am tired I thought you said Mosh joints. Not Posh.
When and if this occurs it may be time to be proactive and find other additional services to add that will generate income, video, photopgraphy, etc.
This is a great thread and ties into many posts we have here. Take away the actual music and what we have is us. and our management skills. I could see the facilities putting in the sound systems but we will always be in demand for our musical skills and management of the events. Plug and play would be great for me. Just bring music, HELL YES!! Prices may drop a bit for those shows but not much. They are hiring us for our skills more than our equipment
This is a great thread and ties into many posts we have here. Take away the actual music and what we have is us. and our management skills. I could see the facilities putting in the sound systems but we will always be in demand for our musical skills and management of the events. Plug and play would be great for me. Just bring music, HELL YES!! Prices may drop a bit for those shows but not much. They are hiring us for our skills more than our equipment
Again, here's where the specific verbiage of the contract's Money Back Guarantee comes into play for the places that may have their own system but still allow outside systems brought in.
The clause guarantees satisfaction for only that which is under my direct control and supervision...period.
House sound system? It's quality and propagation sciences are not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
House MC but everything else is my job? Their abilities and motivational skills are not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
House event planner dictating ebb, flow, and timing? The event is not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
I'm the MC, but there's a House DJ? The music choices are not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
I'm the MC, the DJ, the event planner & coordinator but the client selects the music? The music is not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
Therefore, the more roadblocks thrown down in front of me by anyone for any reason blows up any chances of a client bitching at me about anything EXCEPT what is under my supervision and control. Gotta love it.
The clause guarantees satisfaction for only that which is under my direct control and supervision...period.
House sound system? It's quality and propagation sciences are not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
House MC but everything else is my job? Their abilities and motivational skills are not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
House event planner dictating ebb, flow, and timing? The event is not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
I'm the MC, but there's a House DJ? The music choices are not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
I'm the MC, the DJ, the event planner & coordinator but the client selects the music? The music is not under my control therefore there is 0 liablilty in terms of any satisfaction.
Therefore, the more roadblocks thrown down in front of me by anyone for any reason blows up any chances of a client bitching at me about anything EXCEPT what is under my supervision and control. Gotta love it.
Cap I agree. But then again I love doing it all and watching an event come off great and knowing I did it. Not part of it but all of it (DJ wise), You know what I mean. Yes I know it is EGO, but sometimes control is hard to let go of. How many of us would not want to go over and change the music selections being played, CUZ WE COULD DO IT BETTER. Sometimes I get so used to how I would do it, it would make it hard to let someone else run the usic portion. Then it would also be hard to MC when you are not used to who is ruinning the music. I think the best situation would be for us as dj's to still do it all, only bringing in our music and then handle the show. Thaty is how I would sell it.