K
We did a big wedding at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Richmond last month. We were in the banquet rooms upstairs with around 200 people and then UNDERNEATH us in the big ballroom downstairs was a HUGE wedding for the Governor's Secretary with about 400 people in attendance and the band that played at George W Bush's Inauguration. So we're at the beginning of the dance section of our Reception and apparently that was the beginning of their dinner/speeches downstairs. Not only did the hotel have us turn the bass down - TWICE - But people from the wedding downstairs starting coming upstairs into our reception asking to have the bass turned down! Said all they could here downstairs was the thumping of the bass and couldn't even hear the speeches. The hotel staff had to basically set up security outside our ballroom to keep them from coming in. The volume was so low that our clients were pretty upset, they hired us to bring them a " Club feel " for this wedding and my subs were almost OFF.
If you are planning on shooting a high powered rifle then make sure you are on a high powered range with no people in the nearby bushes. When in doubt, ask the Range Operators before you start shooting!
There is nothing wrong with encountering these circumstances for the first time. Use it as a learning experience. For future reference, when planning on using large systems, make sure that the coast is clear and "neighbors" won't be disturbed. Site visits and communications will be your ally!
There is nothing wrong with encountering these circumstances for the first time. Use it as a learning experience. For future reference, when planning on using large systems, make sure that the coast is clear and "neighbors" won't be disturbed. Site visits and communications will be your ally!
See? Now if you'd just had Bose bass, you wouldn't have had that problem now would you? :triwink:
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
I would have the venue contact speak to the person who signed my contract. I'll turn down when the person who hired me tells me to do so, that's about it. My wife worked in the hotel biz for years as a front desk clerk and in reservations; I've heard it all...
Yeah! But if the DJ is a regular there, they would have to submit to the Venue's wishes, otherwise they will be viewed upon as being "hard to work with". :triwink:
All jokes aside it can be a no win situation for any DJ. Site visits , site visits, communication, communication to both venue and Client. What one expects may not be what one wants!:triwink:
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
To tell you the truth I had thought of talking to the Groom, but as I pondered it for a few moments I decided I didn't want to burden him with any hassles on his wedding day.
I made my polite disclaimer over the mic right before I made the final adjustments to the bass frequencies. Then continued with the program the best I could, under the circumstances.
My wife and I left the venue around 11:40 and there were less than 2 dozen cars in the whole parking lot of the hotel, so my 25% occupancy estimation was probably way too high.
I've been in this situation many times...from both sides. I was doing an outdoor ceremony once & the Jerk DJ had the music blasting away. He could see that the ceremony was taking place. But it was all about him.
A professional DJ that has any sense that sees the ceremony taking place, would give a fellow DJ a break by cutting back on the volume until the ceremony was over. I had this same situation last month, I informed the guests that we were going to show some courtesy to the ceremony & bring it back up as soon as we can. I played a few extra slow dance tunes & some swing music during this time. No biggie.
But having to cut back during the entire gig is more challenging. Yes, the Hotel screwed up. But you do what you can to be accomidating. If the client doesn't like it...have them go to the management & complain. Otherwise you may get blacklisted & labled by the venue as "difficult to work with".
A professional DJ that has any sense that sees the ceremony taking place, would give a fellow DJ a break by cutting back on the volume until the ceremony was over. I had this same situation last month, I informed the guests that we were going to show some courtesy to the ceremony & bring it back up as soon as we can. I played a few extra slow dance tunes & some swing music during this time. No biggie.
But having to cut back during the entire gig is more challenging. Yes, the Hotel screwed up. But you do what you can to be accomidating. If the client doesn't like it...have them go to the management & complain. Otherwise you may get blacklisted & labled by the venue as "difficult to work with".
unfortunately as Steve mentioned I am hired by the client. If the venue doesnt want a drape hanging over there projection screen who should they talk to, the designer who had specific plans with the bride or the venue manager dealing with their customer who is the Bride and Groom?
If the photographer has one of thos huge backdrop lights on the dancefloor and effects my lighting who do I talk to in order to rectify it? I have no control over the other vendors as they were hired by the client just like me. I do alot of pregame work to keep from being put in a tough situation no matter from which direction. My clients actually appreciate the thorough detail I make happen with how my offering works with the rest of the chain.
I remember yrs back being in a Holiday Inn in Coquitlam and there was complaints. I simply told the manager I would be glad to honor their request but due to the fact I am contracted with the same client you are I would need to gain the ok from them so please speak to them in regards to this issue. Its not always what you say but merely how you say it. I relinquish any issues such as this until my client tells me otherwise.
If the photographer has one of thos huge backdrop lights on the dancefloor and effects my lighting who do I talk to in order to rectify it? I have no control over the other vendors as they were hired by the client just like me. I do alot of pregame work to keep from being put in a tough situation no matter from which direction. My clients actually appreciate the thorough detail I make happen with how my offering works with the rest of the chain.
I remember yrs back being in a Holiday Inn in Coquitlam and there was complaints. I simply told the manager I would be glad to honor their request but due to the fact I am contracted with the same client you are I would need to gain the ok from them so please speak to them in regards to this issue. Its not always what you say but merely how you say it. I relinquish any issues such as this until my client tells me otherwise.
This happen to me, was doing a prom at the Ramada with 300 kids, after dinner i saw two guys heading for my table, one guy says to me turn down the bass the band in the other room is trying to tune and sound check the room i told him he has 5 minutes for what they need to do after that i have 300 kids who want to hear BOOM BOOM BOOM
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
First time we were booked at the Dover Sheraton I did a site survey a couple months in advance. Got an audience with the banquet manager, just to make sure there wouldn't be any unforseen surprises.
In essence, she said they'd had problems with DJ companies in the past, playing too loud and keeping hotel guests awake. Their policy was: If it's too loud, we'll send someone over to tell you to turn it down.
Well, I had no issues with that. Made sense. The engagement was fairly upscale with mostly over 40-ish guests. I set the C/L for the room and left it alone. Everyone had a good time, a lot of requests and dancing. Decent drink sales as well. We got a round of applause from the guests when we closed the show.
In this particular case we were using the dually 15s for bass response, bi-amped with the dually 10 tops. We didn't have the 18s yet. The tone was nice and warm, not too loud nor too low. No complaints at all.
In essence, she said they'd had problems with DJ companies in the past, playing too loud and keeping hotel guests awake. Their policy was: If it's too loud, we'll send someone over to tell you to turn it down.
Well, I had no issues with that. Made sense. The engagement was fairly upscale with mostly over 40-ish guests. I set the C/L for the room and left it alone. Everyone had a good time, a lot of requests and dancing. Decent drink sales as well. We got a round of applause from the guests when we closed the show.
In this particular case we were using the dually 15s for bass response, bi-amped with the dually 10 tops. We didn't have the 18s yet. The tone was nice and warm, not too loud nor too low. No complaints at all.
More properly asked, "Excuse me, as I am the only person on the planet that matters, I never plan or consider how my needs may impact or be affected by the needs or desires of others. Therefore, please cease with your concerns so that I can more easily fulfill my needs."
If that request had come any time after the ignition of my event, my polite response would have been to ask them to stand by while I get my client (the event host, sponsor, moderator, chaperon, etc.) and I would inform the client of the circumstance and that they are in no way obliged to submit to the selfish request as the requesting party could have been more proficient and not waited until circumstances beyond their control affected their needs.
Failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
Well he'd have had decent bass response where it mattered.
From what I've read about the system, the B1s are short throw FOH design. The bass warmth comes from cabinet resonance, not 18" driver cones moving air. With this scenario, the long waves of bass notes dissipate before reaching outer walls.
You've got bass on the dancefloor if you're set up close enough to it. But since there isn't 2500 WRMS driving it, it ain't gonna be heard through walls 100 feet away.
From what I've read about the system, the B1s are short throw FOH design. The bass warmth comes from cabinet resonance, not 18" driver cones moving air. With this scenario, the long waves of bass notes dissipate before reaching outer walls.
You've got bass on the dancefloor if you're set up close enough to it. But since there isn't 2500 WRMS driving it, it ain't gonna be heard through walls 100 feet away.
I guess we're lucky down here. I've attended several weddings at high end hotels down here were big sound systems have been used and we've partied all night. We've actually left to get breakfast at 7:00 AM
I've also stayed at hotels where people have had their weddings. Let them have fun for crying out loud it's the last night they'll be able to do so
I've also stayed at hotels where people have had their weddings. Let them have fun for crying out loud
it's the last night they'll be able to do so Today's gear has much more sophisticated throw and carry than say 10-15 even 5 years ago. I imagine that the extra bass and the efficiency with with it travels, and in combination with the famed commercial Hilton brand of acoustic insulation in the walls and ceilings certainly had amplification characteristics of it's own and had a lot to do with that as opposed to merely being loud or dominant in and of it self.
(hopefully you got that I think the Hilton's are cheaply made)
it sounds like you did the best possible job under the circumstances.
I think the only thing I would have done differently is not announce it to the audience and throw the hotel under the bus, especially if you get a lot of referral work there. Instead, I would have quietly notified my client and let them deal with the hotel...then it is no longer your problem. But this may be a one time shot, and may not make a difference in whether or not you play there again.
Just a random musing.
(hopefully you got that I think the Hilton's are cheaply made
)it sounds like you did the best possible job under the circumstances.
I think the only thing I would have done differently is not announce it to the audience and throw the hotel under the bus, especially if you get a lot of referral work there. Instead, I would have quietly notified my client and let them deal with the hotel...then it is no longer your problem. But this may be a one time shot, and may not make a difference in whether or not you play there again.
Just a random musing.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Did not want to bother the client and made the decision to inform the crowd at one time so I would not have to listen to individuals coming up one at a time complaining to me, "what happened to your sound...there's no bass...there's no volume."
The hotel threw the B&G under the bus by not having the common sense to avoid booking rooms right over a party when there were plenty of open rooms far, far away.
If the hotel feels that I did them wrong and blacklists me, so be it.... We've only been in that venue a total of 3 times in 7 years so not playing there would be no big deal. And the other 2 times it was not a problem, this was a Hotel screw up, pure and simple. Plus the way most staff at hotels turn over, the current staff will be long gone before we reappear there anyway....
More than anything, I'm amused that the OLD DJ was told to turn it down..
The hotel threw the B&G under the bus by not having the common sense to avoid booking rooms right over a party when there were plenty of open rooms far, far away.
If the hotel feels that I did them wrong and blacklists me, so be it.... We've only been in that venue a total of 3 times in 7 years so not playing there would be no big deal. And the other 2 times it was not a problem, this was a Hotel screw up, pure and simple. Plus the way most staff at hotels turn over, the current staff will be long gone before we reappear there anyway....
More than anything, I'm amused that the OLD DJ was told to turn it down..
Kirby, try this next time... Just tell them, "I would be happy to turn it down. Just have the groom come over with those instructions and I will take care of it promptly." Then I would proceed to put my headphones back on and get back to my mix.
'Black lists' are bullsh*it. I have been doing this for 18 years and plan on doing it a lot longer, yet I am still not worried about the elusive 'black list'; go figure... Private clients book you 99% of the time and not venues anyhow.
All I know that is if I was to personally book a venue until say 1 AM and some yahoo tells me that I have to turn it down, I would politely respond, "There is no volume stipulation in my signed agreement with the venue but I will be sure to shut it down at 1 AM sharp. Thanks and buh-bye."
'Black lists' are bullsh*it. I have been doing this for 18 years and plan on doing it a lot longer, yet I am still not worried about the elusive 'black list'; go figure...
Private clients book you 99% of the time and not venues anyhow.All I know that is if I was to personally book a venue until say 1 AM and some yahoo tells me that I have to turn it down, I would politely respond, "There is no volume stipulation in my signed agreement with the venue but I will be sure to shut it down at 1 AM sharp. Thanks and buh-bye."