Old School AV, new DJ

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J

Joseph225

New DJ
Nov 8, 2011
7
0
48
Guys,

Been doing AV and electronics with my dad since I could walk. Recently met up with a local networking group that does special events and weddings and they're like "ZOMG! Do you do LIGHTS!? Btw, do you do lights? Have you ever done any light shows!?"

So I figure it might be a good idea for me to move into the dj side of things. Maybe with a little emphasis on lights...*laughing*

I've been doing some basic events already. Movie night, tailgating, so I have an 8 channel mixer, 2 powered loudspeakers, projector/screen (and/or 52" big screen when the venue calls for it). To this point my AV/electronics specialty has been component level troubleshooting in a factory for about a year, computers, and Home Theater installation/optimization.

In the hour I've been on here, I've been reading a few threads, and checking some websites. I hear you guys talk about DJ software for a couple hundred, and when I look on websites, I see "DJ Software Controllers" that cost between $800 and $3000. What's the difference, both in functionality and ease of use? Do either of these incorporate lights, and (please don't be insulted) what is the difference between something like your software and a music library like Itunes or something on my computer? Does rip quality/format matter? What do I need to learn that will help me bridge the gap from where I am to being able to put on a show properly...saw one thread where some jackass that barely speaks English was like "TELL ME EVERYTHING ABOUT HOW TO DO THIS SO I CAN MAKE MONEY!" and someone actually said "Read a book..."

Is there a particular book I could get?

Thanks in advance, guys.
 
Joseph225 said:
Guys,
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First off, welcome to the best l'il DJ spot on the web.

Joseph225 said:
Been doing AV and electronics with my dad since I could walk. Recently met up with a local networking group that does special events and weddings and they're like "ZOMG! Do you do LIGHTS!? Btw, do you do lights? Have you ever done any light shows!?"

So I figure it might be a good idea for me to move into the dj side of things. Maybe with a little emphasis on lights...*laughing*
Click to expand...

I think this is great - but keep in mind that usually - the guys really good at lighting are not really good with music and vice versa. It has to do with what you focus on.

Joseph225 said:
I've been doing some basic events already. Movie night, tailgating, so I have an 8 channel mixer, 2 powered loudspeakers, projector/screen (and/or 52" big screen when the venue calls for it). To this point my AV/electronics specialty has been component level troubleshooting in a factory for about a year, computers, and Home Theater installation/optimization.
Click to expand...

Not sure how this would help you in the DJ world other than recognizing components and how they interface. Movie night and tailgating are nothing like what most of us go through.

Joseph225 said:
In the hour I've been on here, I've been reading a few threads, and checking some websites. I hear you guys talk about DJ software for a couple hundred, and when I look on websites, I see "DJ Software Controllers" that cost between $800 and $3000.
Click to expand...

You're talking about two separate pieces. Software and hardware (the controller). You may select your own hardware to work with some software - the vendors usually provide a list of HW and SW they each work with.

Joseph225 said:
What's the difference, both in functionality and ease of use?
Click to expand...

The answer here really is 'it depends'. It depends on what you're looking for and what you're comfortable with. They are all different and have varying levels of functionality and ease of use. There is no 'one size fits all'

Joseph225 said:
Do either of these incorporate lights
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DJ software does not incorporate lights. There is lighting software for DMX controlled lighting. Lights usually also have a 'sound mode' - they have built in mics and do they're own thing.

Joseph225 said:
What is the difference between something like your software and a music library like Itunes or something on my computer?
Click to expand...

iTunes (and things like it) is not DJ software. You can't mix with it, etc. Can it be used as a tool for certain parts of a party, certainly. iTunes is no different than the 100 disc carousel CD player at home.

Joseph225 said:
Does rip quality/format matter?
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Some may say otherwise - but why would you not want the best possible quality that you could get?

Joseph225 said:
What do I need to learn that will help me bridge the gap from where I am to being able to put on a show properly...saw one thread where some jackass that barely speaks English was like "TELL ME EVERYTHING ABOUT HOW TO DO THIS SO I CAN MAKE MONEY!" and someone actually said "Read a book..."
Click to expand...

Experience is the best teacher. Hang out with some professional guys in your area.

Joseph225 said:
Is there a particular book I could get?
Click to expand...

Canute - book list please.

Joseph225 said:
Thanks in advance, guys.
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For more info on lighting, lighting controllers and audio products and hardware - please talk to Ben (or any of the other fine folks) @ NLFX. They're a great team to work with and one of our sponsors here.

For software, another of our great guys is Ricky and his product is called Rockit.

Welcome.

:)
 
ittigger - *laughing* Detail oriented much? I like how you broke it down. Thanks.

As far as the movie night/tailgating thing goes, I'm not trying to compare. I've got SOME of the equipment already, is all I'm saying.

Just got off the phone with a guy I met yesterday after reading your post. We were talking about a couple things, and he says one of the things that he does is to play the music, and not throw beats in on top of it, instead letting the music set the mood. I am going to go out on a limb, and guess that most of what you guys do involves mixing in more beats, and fading songs in on top of each other, etc...much more complex than just playing a song list...and this is what the hardware/software you guys are talking about does for you, yes?

Thanks for the tip on who to talk to about both lighting and software. Is NLFX a website, or company name?
 
Joseph225 said:
ittigger - *laughing* Detail oriented much? I like how you broke it down. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Welcome. :)

Joseph225 said:
As far as the movie night/tailgating thing goes, I'm not trying to compare. I've got SOME of the equipment already, is all I'm saying.
Click to expand...

Ok, sorry. We see alot of newbie's coming through looking for the quick way out. My point was that there is a BIG difference between tailgate (and similar) parties and what we do. In the big picture of things, equipment is the small piece of the puzzle. Music, knowing what and when to play it - is the biggest. The actual components play a part too and my point here is simple. Any system can play music - but some are better quality than others. Here again, there is no 'one size fits all'. It all depends on what you're trying to accomplish and where you're trying to accomplish it. I follow some basic concepts / rules when trying to figure out what to buy - and after some lengthy investigation into what my options are:

Rule #1: You Get What You Pay For
Rule #2: The Best Is Just Barely Good Enough

There are others, but these are always #1 and #2.

Joseph225 said:
Just got off the phone with a guy I met yesterday after reading your post. We were talking about a couple things, and he says one of the things that he does is to play the music, and not throw beats in on top of it, instead letting the music set the mood. I am going to go out on a limb, and guess that most of what you guys do involves mixing in more beats, and fading songs in on top of each other, etc...much more complex than just playing a song list...and this is what the hardware/software you guys are talking about does for you, yes?
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean by 'throw beats on top of it'. Most of us just play the show and let the music do the work. Some of us can also beatmix, scratch and add other skills to our performance. First you have to learn to walk - then you can learn to run with the big dogs. :)

Joseph225 said:
Thanks for the tip on who to talk to about both lighting and software. Is NLFX a website, or company name?
Click to expand...

Welcome - NLFX is a website, company and a user here. His name is Ben. We also have Kat. Hopefully they'll speak up when they see this.

http://www.nlfxpro.com/

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
 
ittigger said:
Welcome. :)

Not sure what you mean by 'throw beats on top of it'. Most of us just play the show and let the music do the work. Some of us can also beatmix, scratch and add other skills to our performance. First you have to learn to walk - then you can learn to run with the big dogs. :)
Click to expand...

I have no intentions of beatmixing...not for a long time, if ever. Not my style, really. I'm trying to figure out if DJ is considered separate from MC, and if so, HOW. Also, thought maybe that was what the hardware is for (doing effects like that).


ittigger said:
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Click to expand...

*laughing* I can talk about myself all day long. I mean, LOOK at that handsome mug on the left there. What's not to love?

Seriously, though. I'm working my ass off to establish a business that does more than pay my bills. I've cleaned carpet for the last three years, and recently lost my job. The company I worked for has a business model that did not live up to what the owners had told me in the beginning, and did not fit with my style of work. I'm a high end kind of dude. I take a lot of pride in what I do, no matter what it may be. Cleaning carpet, AV stuff...I'm an ISF certified display calibrator, and paid for it myself. That means I shelled out a lot of cash to learn about how to make TV's look the best they can. Took the class right around the time the economy crashed. Consumer Electronics went down the tube. Would still like to take the HAA class...speaker setup and sound equalization for the room. Love this kind of stuff.

I'm going to be juggling the AV and starting my own carpet cleaning company. In all honesty, I expect the carpet cleaning to make it rain as opposed to the AV, but I enjoy the AV stuff. It's the geek in me... Like I said, I joined a networking group that does Weddings and other special events, and they spazzed, so I'm trying to get my brain wrapped around how I can expand my services. I have a wife and three boys in the house, and am working on a shoestring budget, so...that's life. I'm just a squirrel, tryin' to get a nut. Y'dig? :)
 
Joseph225 said:
I have no intentions of beatmixing...not for a long time, if ever. Not my style, really. I'm trying to figure out if DJ is considered separate from MC, and if so, HOW. Also, thought maybe that was what the hardware is for (doing effects like that).
Click to expand...

Some DJ's are audio only, some are also MC's, some are the whole ball of wax.

Joseph225 said:
*laughing* I can talk about myself all day long. I mean, LOOK at that handsome mug on the left there. What's not to love?
Click to expand...

And now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Joseph225 said:
Seriously, though. I'm working my ass off to establish a business that does more than pay my bills. I've cleaned carpet for the last three years, and recently lost my job. The company I worked for has a business model that did not live up to what the owners had told me in the beginning, and did not fit with my style of work. I'm a high end kind of dude. I take a lot of pride in what I do, no matter what it may be. Cleaning carpet, AV stuff...I'm an ISF certified display calibrator, and paid for it myself. That means I shelled out a lot of cash to learn about how to make TV's look the best they can. Took the class right around the time the economy crashed. Consumer Electronics went down the tube. Would still like to take the HAA class...speaker setup and sound equalization for the room. Love this kind of stuff.

I'm going to be juggling the AV and starting my own carpet cleaning company. In all honesty, I expect the carpet cleaning to make it rain as opposed to the AV, but I enjoy the AV stuff. It's the geek in me... Like I said, I joined a networking group that does Weddings and other special events, and they spazzed, so I'm trying to get my brain wrapped around how I can expand my services. I have a wife and three boys in the house, and am working on a shoestring budget, so...that's life. I'm just a squirrel, tryin' to get a nut. Y'dig? :)
Click to expand...

Got it.

:)

Like your carpet cleaning business, you can't expect to go far without investing in the proper equipment and knowing how to use it effectively. Sometimes it comes down to the tools and skills you have as a person. Lighting (although often linked to music) is an animal of its own right. AV is another animal all together. Some of the combinations of what the peeps here do:

audio only
audio / lighting
audio / video
all of the above and more
 
Jon - So you're telling me I came to the wrong forum? Hey man, thanks for the heads up. I'll keep looking.
 
Joseph225 said:
Jon - So you're telling me I came to the wrong forum? Hey man, thanks for the heads up. I'll keep looking.
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No that's not what Jon meant.. Sincere folks who want to learn are most welcome here. We have some contrary old-timers such as myself, and sometimes we have a bit of "sport" with the new folks. Please feel welcome here, it's a GREAT spot.

Best,

Paul
 
Joseph not so fast! I was talking about the masses. Do you fit that mold? If so your in good company.
 
Lemme tell you about my experience with AV forums...bunch of freakin' SNOBS who think their stuff don't stink. I am a member of a couple different forums for carpet cleaning, and the level of cooperation and help you can get there is amazing compared to what I've experienced on AVS. Really turned me off towards certain attitudes. I'm here to learn. I've got a solid background in AV theory, as I stated, but I have no patience for people who think that just because you don't do what they do all day, every day, that they are better than you somehow.

I'm just saying. Thank you for clarifying that you did not intend to come across that way.
 
Joe, this really is a rock solid place. Great peeps here. Lots to learn and teach (we don't know everything). Most times, there is no lesson, it's just thoughts and opinions. This is the COOLEST site out there! Lots of knowledge amongst these people.
 
Dont fool yourself Im not a nice guy. I can be a best friend or worst nightmare. I always have a smile on my face either way and have really no ill intent. I often speak iriddles some would say cause Im drunk 99% of the time. Whatever one thinks I do tend to make it a challenge to enjoy my 30+ yrs of experience hopefully to make a positive lasting impression or if ya take it wrong then its often seen as mean spirited its simply sarcasm 101. I give praise to those who progress with the good info leaving the bad behind so stick around. Some have grown to love me but Im not for everyone just ask around and most will agree. Hope you stick around !! :tricool::triwink:
 
And what other DJ forum has a guy that see's dead people yorofl:
 
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