This guy needs a facade (and so much more)

[DJ Ronster]

Just to be clear, I was nowhere near this gig! :sqerr:

I found this on Facebook and felt the need to share. I do not know if this DJ calls himself a pro, or if it is just a friend with some gear, but either way, I'd be embarrassed to have my set up look like this.

The plastic bins under the 1/2 skirt are the worst part, IMO.

I did edit out the faces.

 

[Fred Wright]

Honestly, this setup is a lot neater than the crap pile I started DJing with.

 

[WaydeWest]

He's got some really decent gear...so who are we to judge without knowing the whole story. (Although I don't understand the moving heads outdoors in broad daylight?!?)

Maybe the wind knocked over his facade and it cracked. Maybe his assistant accidentally backed the truck over their table. Maybe they were in a rush to set up and didn't realize they had short sheeted the table. Maybe the party is in his backyard, so who really cares what the hell it looks like.

 

[DJ Cam]

QSC, Apple, Moving heads, looks like he is doing just fine to me.

DJing believe it or not is about sound, music, and entertainment.

 

[DjDennis]

I cant see anything wrong with this pic either
being outside can have many changes and you have to adapt to whats there

maybe the front skirt should have been longer

but I still see nothing wrong

 

[sparkieg]

It's an outdoor backyard type party........it's not exactly formal. Who cares what it looks like as long as the client was happy?

 

[Jon Tuck]

Thanks folks and I really have issue with sharing pics without consent from the person. Having said that I could post up a couple alot worst from barbecues and outdoor stuff I have done. A picture doesnt tell the results of that particular event. Did the client complain? Were they happier than a pig in shhhhh anyhow hope my point is made. I thank you for removing the face.

 

[Guest]

When I DJ at the Elks I don't bother with the facade or a skirt for the table unless it is a wedding or non-Elk function.

My table typically has: Four drives, one USB hub, one case with the mixer, DAC, and such, and laptop on top, two mic receivers, one wired mic, one mic mixer, one small video monitor, one powered VGA to analog converter box, and all of the associated wires. The drives are stacked on top of each other. The mic receivers are stacked on top of each other. The tubs that hold the mics, drives, and other miscellaneous gear are stacked next to the table to serve as a barrier and convenient place to set two signs (one for a donation drive for the Elks) and a request pad. The table all of this is on is a four footer.

Most of this is present in my regular set up but the tubs are hidden under the table or behind the facade and all of the other stuff is hidden behind the facade. The signs are not present at a paid event.

 

[Jon Tuck]

Its all about the money

 

[Hank Davidson]

It's an outdoor backyard type party........it's not exactly formal. Who cares what it looks like as long as the client was happy?

That's the point right there.

I believe that too often these "examples" that get exploited are nothing more than circumstance or , well...demographics. Take a closer look at the photo and realize the setting. Tall grass, busted fence and a gravel path.

This guy was king for a day in this world. They probably had a fantastic time.

 

[trafficgoo]

Even if he was king for the day and everything sounded good with great equipment, I'm still anal about the way things look too. For me, I would've had a facade and cleaned things up....even though the surroundings weren't the best. If the guy in the pic took the time to set up all of this great equipment, why not take one more minute to put up a facade? But that's just me.

 

[Guest]

Its all about the money

No, it is all about the event.

For the events in the Elks lounge the folks all know me and know what I bring to the lounge. Just because there's a good deal of gear on the table without a facade doesn't mean that it is sloppy. Additionally, the facade just takes up more room in an already tight area. Finally, I know the folks in the Elks respect my gear so I don't need to set myself apart by putting up the facade.

In any other environment, paid or not, the facade goes up to set my gear apart and show that this is my space and not yours.

Yes, the facade hides "unsightly" wires but it is also a barrier to the uninitiated; that is, those that don't have the concept that they just don't belong in the DJ's area. I have lost count of the number of folks that, even though I have the facade up, still come behind. Then there are also those folks that love to lean on it or hold their drinks over onto my side of it; you can present a barrier to some folks and they still don't get it that they are not supposed to be on the other side of it.

In a situation where I know people respect my gear I will forgo the facade.

 

[eezee]

Here in Southern Cali. we get some horrible winds, especially in the Desert area. My setup is sometimes worse than this during summer outdoor parties. I try to velcro my wires together but I usually dont even have a table cloth ( yup, wind is that strong that the flapping really bugs me). My 15" speakers sit on the ground ( safety issues) too. I only bust out a wash light when it gets dark. If someone took a pic of me during one of gigs, I would no doubt end up on a thread just like this ! One pic cant tell the whole story.

 

[soundinmotiondj]

Honestly, this setup is a lot neater than the crap pile I started DJing with.

I admire your honesty. I'd never admit that my early setups were at least this messy! (But they were!)

(Although I don't understand the moving heads outdoors in broad daylight?!?)

That is certainly the most perplexing part for me too. Maybe the party was going until after dark???

DJing believe it or not is about sound, music, and entertainment.

I'd put them in this order: entertainment, music, sound. (That is not necessarily my order...but does seem to reflect the order for most of my clients.)

There is a lot to critique in the pic - legitimate stuff. The lack of a full length table skirt, the lack of a facade, the soda can on the table, the cords dangling from the speakers, the towel on the ground near the case supporting the moving head, and so on. Not to mention the attire - even for an outdoor party...why not at least a decent Hawaiian shirt and shorts that match/compliment the shirt?

Without context, it is difficult to understand how much intent to assign to this setup. But, it is a cautionary tale that everytime there is a picture of your setup....somewhere there is a group of un-involved, bored, busy-bodies who will take the time to point out all your flaws. :sqerr:

 

[Shirl]

Looks like a yard sale to me....

 

[ahoustondj]

I would have used a Pop Up Tent with side flaps. If there is sudden rain he is SOL!

 

[DJ PAUL]

Looks like a freebie to me!


Just enjoying his gear and helping out at a backyard party. If he got paid well good on him!

Paul

 

[MADNESS]

OK so lets take a look

This is what my set up looked like to a relay for Life. No Speaker pics but still an outdoor events with about 600 people attending. Do not always judge a set up by it's cover.

 

[Hank Davidson]

You had the cool cowboy hat and went right back to the ball cap? What a mess! LOL!

 

[DJ JohnThe1]

I can't knock the guy. He has good gear and it looks like he is serious about DJing. That's good enough for me.