Like Canute, I would not go on the internet during a Gig but if it ever became absolutely necessary, I could do so as well. Would I? Most likely not.
Asked to use wireless at a gig
- Thread starter Steve LeBlanc
- Start date
I rarely do in fact I think in the past yr I may have used the option once or twice. I typically do a thorough process in gaining songs from the client and qualify must plays etc which usually squeezes out other songs they may have not thought of prior to the event. There is always a family member who traveled who may ask for specifics and more often than not even if ethnic I have it already. Just in case I dont I have possibility for gaining it via wifi means etc.
I never did do a whole lot of weddings or anything, but I have to say that at the clubs I have worked at in the past 7 years or so that having wireless internet was a godsend. You have to have a reliable source that you have set up from the beginning (like someone said, itunes... it was great for this, since it worked with serato) so you know that you can just download it and play it with no worries. But I can't tell you how many times someone came at me with some request that I didn't have (usually some album cut, I have mostly singles) and I was able to download and play it within minutes.
For me, I just don't see why this is something you WOULDN'T use if you take the time to set up a worry-free downloading system beforehand, and as long as you test the wireless connections a few times before your gig. This, to me, would take out all of the "what if" factors. If you know and trust your music source, and you have tested the wi-fi enough to know you won't lose signal or download speed... what is there to worry about?
NOW... that being said.... I would never, ever, ever stream music at ANY gig. WAY too much can go wrong with streaming. Even if you have checked and re-checked, you get ONE buffer under-run and your dancefloor is done for. Not to mention all the skips and pops that can come from a stream.
For me, I just don't see why this is something you WOULDN'T use if you take the time to set up a worry-free downloading system beforehand, and as long as you test the wireless connections a few times before your gig. This, to me, would take out all of the "what if" factors. If you know and trust your music source, and you have tested the wi-fi enough to know you won't lose signal or download speed... what is there to worry about?
NOW... that being said.... I would never, ever, ever stream music at ANY gig. WAY too much can go wrong with streaming. Even if you have checked and re-checked, you get ONE buffer under-run and your dancefloor is done for. Not to mention all the skips and pops that can come from a stream.
Well its never came up for ,me to download a song at a gig, I have on occasions put out another line for college kids to plug into, and it has worked fine matter of fact they were more than kind and appreciative of the fact,, . I have a lot of music and stay up to date with new songs each month,
she doesn't have to be a "techie".many a regular person in present day life download/upload/stream various different things in their homes.take for example the popular netflix,you don't have to be a wiz or a geek to operate the equipment/programs/etc.so a bride asking this is would not be an unusual request,that's why wi-fi is so popular,people want to be connections at their finger tips.
Somewhat agree with you. If I ever did this, I would only do it on a 2nd machine and not the live machine. Some of us are mobile guys that may have good cell / wifi reception in some areas and none in other areas. While the logic may be ok, your main goal is to perform for your audience. Downloading items that are not must play's is a distraction. Honestly, how many of you have 'made the show' based on a download? I have the ability to do so if it was needed, but I have never needed it. In agreeance with and as previously stated by others, I also will never stream.
funny thing it seems like people have that magical to come up and find a song you do not have out of the 100,000 songs you do have, lol, I used to say when we wercd based, if you pulled up in a 18 wheeler , they would still find a song you didny have, its kinda like they win, "oh he soesny have this song" mentality,,
Right here, hoss. I can remember several occasions where I've had a bride ask for some special tune on the spot, usually mom/dad's wedding or other special song. It wasn't conveyed during planning but you could tell it really made their night. I can't imagine telling some bride "I'm sorry ma'am but you didn't pre-request that during our planning time. Maybe next time?"
I to have saved the day with a special song but I also understand the other viewpoint. Do you think the Cake person Would rush order Gold leaf icing online if the Bride mentioned it after the cake was set in place? Planning in detail asking many questions to enhance extra thinking has allowed me to cover off this issue in most cases. If they didnt provide it before its a nicety not necessity. We arent magic lanterns. My Dad had a saying about wishing in one hand and XXXXXXXX in the other and see which one fills up first.
You guys need to do more international weddings. Very often songs that people request are not part of your library AND aren't available on itunes or amazon or primecuts..etc..
I did a Bulgarian wedding recently. Many of the songs that the bride and groom wanted were only available on youtube..which sucks. I contacted sources to see if i could get the tracks needed, but I found it was neigh impossible outside of getting with niche groups in the states.
Very often the client will provide access to the music they want, but you can't depend on that either.
Normally, youtube is a big no-no, like people bringing their ipods or smartphones and asking me to play something from that. I always have the capability to do so, but I won't unless it's something requested by the client themselves.
I did a Bulgarian wedding recently. Many of the songs that the bride and groom wanted were only available on youtube..which sucks. I contacted sources to see if i could get the tracks needed, but I found it was neigh impossible outside of getting with niche groups in the states.
Very often the client will provide access to the music they want, but you can't depend on that either.
Normally, youtube is a big no-no, like people bringing their ipods or smartphones and asking me to play something from that. I always have the capability to do so, but I won't unless it's something requested by the client themselves.
No, I said 'made' the show. I guarantee this did not make the show. When they refer you, I'm 99% sure that they are not mentioning that you should be hired because you can download 'on demand' (if you will) to get songs that are not currently in your library.
You can't? Lord, what would you do if you were in cell hell and had no way of downloading the song(s)? Do you really think your review would have been that much different if it was a song that you couldn't find in circulation / couldn't download (there are some out there)? Even more, what would you tell the bride (as you can't imagine telling them that you can't get it)? In my planning, I actually bring this type of stuff up so that at least they might be thinking about it - just in case.
Never, do I want to say 'no' to a bride or say, sorry I cannot accommodate your request - no matter how <ur favorite adjective> it might seem.
Heck - I even have a cell phone to mixing board patch so we can do live 'on the spot' phone like they do on live radio.
I will even take a utoob video and d/l via KeepVid and play in VDJ. Then purchase that later for my library. That is if I don't find it on Amazon.
Heck - I even have a cell phone to mixing board patch so we can do live 'on the spot' phone like they do on live radio.
I will even take a utoob video and d/l via KeepVid and play in VDJ. Then purchase that later for my library. That is if I don't find it on Amazon.
Ed, while I agree with the concept (of totally pleasing the BG), the technical aspect can at times not permit you what you need to perform said functions. In my example: What would you do if you were in cell hell and had no way of downloading the song(s) - and: Even more, what would you tell the bride (as you can't imagine telling them that you can't get it)? So even in your situation, relying on wifi / cell services to provide this for you, you would not be able to perform. So I ask again, how does one who doesn't want to say no, accomodate a BG that wants - when you have a medium that won't allow it? In my scenario, which is a reality for most of you mobile guys (there are alot of bad service areas), you would have to somehow explain to your BG that you can't obtain xyz.
I will never stream across the web. Never.
I have a discrepancy with "I will even take a utoob video and d/l via KeepVid and play in VDJ. Then purchase that later for my library. That is if I don't find it on Amazon." This assumes you could purchase it later. If you do perform these actions, I hope that you're honest when you say that you purchase it later for your library. This also demonstrates integrity, morals and ethics.
I will never stream across the web. Never.
I have a discrepancy with "I will even take a utoob video and d/l via KeepVid and play in VDJ. Then purchase that later for my library. That is if I don't find it on Amazon." This assumes you could purchase it later. If you do perform these actions, I hope that you're honest when you say that you purchase it later for your library. This also demonstrates integrity, morals and ethics.
Actually, I do issue disclaimer - if wifi/data service is open. And yes, I will purchase said track - Tarrus Riley is one that I gotten. That and Nasty Bizniss (Reggae stuff).
Even the most advance planning cannot stop that 'last min major must play look like a hero request'.
Oh, I will never stream from the web either. if I cannot get the entire track and audition for quality (and content), it will not get played.
Even the most advance planning cannot stop that 'last min major must play look like a hero request'.
Oh, I will never stream from the web either. if I cannot get the entire track and audition for quality (and content), it will not get played.
I have done some of these, but the client provides any "special" music. These are songs that I may not get future requests for, or are special songs that the family is familiar with. I have no desire to run around buying music I may never play again. Been there, done that.
Years ago, I had a client request certain ethnic music, it turned out it wasn't the versions they wanted. So I no longer handle that part of it. If it's important to them, they will be happy to provide it.
In most cases, they already have it. If not, & they want me to provide it, they will be charged extra for each song I had to locate.
Ok, but that doesn't answer how those of you that won't say no, actually say no - because I promise you, most - if not all of us, have had to say no. Even the most advanced planning can't stop 'niceties' from being played. It should never stop "neccesity's" from being played. Neccesity's are identified pre show (in the event that you have to order them). I guarantee the same for you - that even jumping in, downloading and playing someone's 'must play' at the last minute might make you look like a hero - but how many referrals, rebookings have you had from said additional service? Along this same note, for those of you running with one system, has this ever affected your show - download froze (temporarily locked, slowed down or otherwise) / download partially failed. How many of you are also running these downloaded files through your naming / editing / processing functions before adding them to your library / playing them.
For those who D/L songs and stream music during a gig... I say "all power to you". To those that don't, it is best that you ask and stress that all special requests be given before the gig. You may have to ask your client to ask their guests, special loved ones Father, Mother, Grandpa, Grandma etc, for their special requests because you won't be doing internet searches, streams etc during the gig. This gives them ample time to help you get prepared.
There is a special phrase that I have used in sales/negotiating over the years. I start the conversation like this "Help me to help you.........". Trust me, it works. You can also say "No" with a smile but when you do, always offer an alternative that you do have.
There is a special phrase that I have used in sales/negotiating over the years. I start the conversation like this "Help me to help you.........". Trust me, it works. You can also say "No" with a smile but when you do, always offer an alternative that you do have.