Weddings hmm! today I was asked why does size matter?

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S

sirdj

New DJ
Oct 1, 2006
660
2
52
Northern California
www.soundwavemobiledj.com
Ok. not what you're thinking, I always offered my Wedding Package pricing based on a certain amount of people, if their event goes beyond that amount then I upsell more equipment, semi common practice right?

Well tonight I received an email from a prospect asking:

Why the amount of people matter? if I didn't do the same thing for 50 as I would for 200? If the demands wouldn't be the same?
Supposely some family members of this prospect were also DJ's and they couldn't understand either.

My aswer was:

Dear ******,

Thank you for your email, to answer your question, the packages say up to 200 people, that means that the sound equipment brought for your event will handle up to 200 people(depending in the logistics and acoustics of the room) so demands are not always the same, they change according to the venue and how many people attend. I have over 12 years of experience and always offered the packages within the same context. When thinking about sound, I’m not only emphasizing in who’s is going to be on the dance floor but that the announcements are clearly heard, whether your guests are sitting in the front or the back of the room.

Hope I was able to answer your questions.
 
In my case, this has never come up because I don't really mention # of guests.

Our system will be able to handle up to 300 guests adequately.

since I've rarely seen weddings over 200 in recent years, there is no reason to have a Red Flag to possibly raise an objection.

In those rare cases where my crowd is going to be over 300+ persons, I'll make sure the bid includes TWO 18" powered subwoofers (instead of only one 18)
 
I do the same thing. Smaller crowds, may only get 1 L1 and 2 B1s. I also adjust my included light package based on crowd size. For very large crowds I will setup extra speakers usually just on a microphone channel for announcements. I will also for a very large crowd, bring in some larger powered subs.

I started this when I used my MAckie systems more
Small crowd 2 450s 1 SRS1500 sub
Medium 2 450s 2 SRS1500 subs
Large 2 1232s 2 SRS1500 subs
Very Large 2 1232s 2 Fussion1800 subs and 2 450s near the back on a delay
 
I do it a different way but I live in a small area and I know all the venues for the most part and know how many they can potentially hold.

If it's an out of town venue I load up the biggest system I will possibly need and carry in what I really need
 
DJMC said:
In my case, this has never come up because I don't really mention # of guests.

Our system will be able to handle up to 300 guests adequately.

since I've rarely seen weddings over 200 in recent years, there is no reason to have a Red Flag to possibly raise an objection.

In those rare cases where my crowd is going to be over 300+ persons, I'll make sure the bid includes TWO 18" powered subwoofers (instead of only one 18)
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This was never a question, it's actually the first time, but it can obviously be read that the Ego of the former dj's in the prospects family is flowing in that question, and I can almost guarantee it's because the price quoted.
 
Sirdj, that's an honest answer. :)

Many clients don't think about things like local acoustics and noise floors. Any soundman can tell you that the number of people in the audience is critical to making FOH decisions. The size of the venue is an important consideration as well.
 
I too always ask number of guests. It is importants that we know what equipment is assigned to what event. Not all of my guys use Bose. Some don't really have the ablity to do events over 300 people without borrowing some equipment from me. If the equipmen is unavailable, we may not be able to do the show without renting more equipment, which will affect the quote. A event with 100 guests may afford us more options and may help us be more flexible on the price.

While people don't ask that a lot, it's understandable that people might not understand why the number of guests may affect our availabilty and our price. I have no problem explaining to them why it's important that we know.
 
My base pricing has never included stipulations or considerations based on size because I have never done an event that couldn't be handled more than adequately by my "basic" system.

In situations where a remote setup is required for voice/music, I add on a little to account for it unless I really like the client and am in a REALLY good mood at the initial consult where I write the contract:)

Of course I have done events outside and for schools that could have benefited from subs, but haven't had an event yet that suffered because I did not have them... but I am researching sub options now. Once those come into play, I am sure I will re-evaluate my base pricing, but it won't increase by much on that account alone.
 
Sounds To Go said:
I am researching sub options now. Once those come into play, I am sure I will re-evaluate my base pricing, but it won't increase by much on that account alone.
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It takes me about 40 extra minutes for EACH subwoofer (20 minutes of setup and 20 minutes of teardown).

Using a heavy subwoofer adds wear and tear on your body, and time is money!

Subs are important to me.....so I use only the best!

I'm including the time loading into van, loading out of the van, pushing it on the dolly into the venue, and then all in reverse.....plus the time involved with plugging in all of the XLR (to/from the mains) and power cables.....its not the same as running passive gear.
 
Nice point DJMC.

I don't ask crowd size for pricing purposes, but do ask to know what to bring and the best way to set-up the equipment.
 
DJMC said:
Subs are important to me.....so I use only the best!
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if you need TWO 18's for 300 people at a WEDDING then you're not using the best. Many brands: EV, Dynacord, Yorkville, EAW, etc will blow away 300 people with ONE 18.

unless you have bass-addicted family and friends. in that case id love to see grandma bass-tripping. :sqlaugh:
 
$1500 or more... correct. Except the LS800P is around 1100 shipped.

The JBLs are $750 a piece, you said? x2 = $1500.

I'm willing to bet one of the $1500 subs will blow away the two $750 subs.
 
SimpsonHomer said:
$1500 or more... correct. Except the LS800P is around 1100 shipped.

The JBLs are $750 a piece, you said? x2 = $1500.

I'm willing to bet one of the $1500 subs will blow away the two $750 subs.
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Yes, but you do not have a balanced look. Somehow that One heavy sub (that probably weighs over 100+ pounds) will not look as good as the two JBL subs with the Eons on poles.

Also, the weight issue......each 65 pound box is much easier to carry.

Also, the backup aspect of having two powered subs instead of only one.
 
If you set your subs up properly they'll be facing a solid wall about 3' away, preferably catty-cornered.
At that point the number of subs don't matter.

Use tripods for your speakers.

Be EFFICIENT DJMC!
 
SimpsonHomer said:
If you set your subs up properly they'll be facing a solid wall about 3' away, preferably catty-cornered.
At that point the number of subs don't matter.

Use tripods for your speakers.

Be EFFICIENT DJMC!
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I dunno....I guess I'd have to find some literature to support that. Usually when I see more than one 18, they are strapped tightly together and centered somehow. This usually puts them centered in front of the dancefloor or in front of the stage at least for a band.

I'm worried facing them 3' from a solid wall cattie corner may muddy up the room and destroy and punch they might otherwise have. Would they sit behind the dj table then?

just curious....
 
jtnichol said:
I dunno....I guess I'd have to find some literature to support that. Usually when I see more than one 18, they are strapped tightly together and centered somehow. This usually puts them centered in front of the dancefloor or in front of the stage at least for a band.

I'm worried facing them 3' from a solid wall cattie corner may muddy up the room and destroy and punch they might otherwise have. Would they sit behind the dj table then?

just curious....
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I never said don't couple them.

What DJMC is describing is one sub per stage corner (left and right) with the tops on top... if I'm wrong, sorry.

If you face one (or two coupled subs) against the wall, you can get a MASSIVE dB gain. The reverb will NOT muddy up bass.

Try it out for yourself.
 
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