Graduation Gig

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seansy59

Active DJ
Jan 16, 2012
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NJ
I did a HS graduation gig for family. View attachment 26730

Criticize me! Let me know what/if I should add anything or not. Keep in mind, this is just a hobby, and have no spare cash. I do this just for fun, since I have a passion for music.

I do know 2 things I should've done:

- Tidy up the cables a bit more (This wasn't that important for this type of gig. It was at a church hall. Nothing fancy. I had to run audio for a video projector setup they had. But it was pretty neat compared to some setups I've seen.

- Have a better sign, or at least a better way to hang it. (The sign was made for free. I am a "hobby DJ", and only do it a couple of times a month, so everything is kept at low price since its mostly for family, friends, neighbors, or people that recommended me.....all money that I earn goes right towards equipment since its only a little bit I keep none for myself)
 

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Steve LeBlanc said:
You can make a lot nicer sign.....just your name, phone number, email, url.....
lose the christmas lights
Raise the lights much higher

make a quick table top facade from corroplast (sign board)
Click to expand...

- Thanks! Yeah, I'm going to work on a better sign. A nice plastic laminated one. I'm going to see if there is a company that does them around my area, or a special online order.

- The christmas lights were given to me to put around my table. They were the clients request :p I think they are cheesy looking, and would've only been good at Xmas.

- The lighting stand did need to go higher. I agree. I had them as high as the ceiling, but the parents of the smaller children wanted me to lower them because they were afraid for the little ones running around it. They kept making the thing sway back and forth whenever they ran past it.

- I will look into a tabletop facade! I never thought of using a black colored corroplast. A cheap, neat, quick way. Thanks!

Maybe even a thin piece or two of plywood painted/coated black, with folding hinges.
 
seansy59 said:
I did a HS graduation gig for family. View attachment 26730

- Tidy up the cables a bit more (This wasn't that important for this type of gig. It was at a church hall. Nothing fancy. I had to run audio for a video projector setup they had. But it was pretty neat compared to some setups I've seen.

Not looking like a slob is important for any type of gig. I will follow this by a smiley face to lessen the harshness :)
Click to expand...
 
If you got the lights high enough, you could have nested the stand under/against one speaker and come up the back of it and that would have gotten it out of the way (could have even strapped them together). And if kids were running around, any exposed wire should have been gaffed down (Get gaffing tape, not duct tape, as it won't leave residue on cables, floors or walls).

Also, place the sign lower (say front of table), so the sign isn't the attention. If it was smaller, it might have worked in front of the case. Not sure you would need a topper, as you seemed to have the table cables out of the way.

Otherwise .. good step.
 
Looks better than a lot my first gigs.

The only issue not mentioned (by you or by others) is your light stand right in front of the door...
unless it is NOT an exit door (there is no EXIT sign)
And I would have cleaned up/moved all those chairs behind you...they are WAY too obvious.
 
Ausumm said:
Looks better than a lot my first gigs.

The only issue not mentioned (by you or by others) is your light stand right in front of the door...
unless it is NOT an exit door (there is no EXIT sign)
And I would have cleaned up/moved all those chairs behind you...they are WAY too obvious.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The door was just a utility closet. The main entrance was towards the right, and the 2 fire exits were down the wall to the left :) That's why the one cable (bottom right of pic) is taped down very well, pretty much flat to the ground. So people wouldn't trip on it entering the room. The cable was an RCA for audio of a projector they had, and wanted to view some videos.

I couldn't do anything about the chairs. That's where management stores/stacks them. It was a pretty small room, so anywhere else would have been in the way.
 
rickryan.com said:
My only suggestion....................charge.
Click to expand...

This was for family. They wouldn't have had a DJ because of low income/price. I offered to do it for free since it was for my cousin. He has done a lot for me in the past to help me that I couldn't pay him back for in any other way. But with tips, I got about $100. So it wasn't bad considering that's just tips from friends/family, and I am a hobby DJ anyway. :) Overall, I was happy with the gig, and so was everyone else, got some future gigs from friends and distant family members, got some cash, and had fun. I guess that's all that matters if you don't have to survive off the income that you make. The money went right towards a few cables, and a few lights. I gues you could say I have a little puppy or kitty in my heart because I just can't see myself charging much of anything for anyone that I am friends/family with. :rolleyes:

I have a gig coming up this weekend that brings in about $100 for a neighborhood block party, and about $50-$100 in tips, so I look forward to that. Its from 2pm-10pm. Best part about this gig, is I've been going to the party for
10+ yrs. and started DJ'ing it 3-4yrs ago as a volunteer gig since he's always wanted a DJ. They don't want me to have to be in the hot sun all day, so I'm not really committed to be DJ'ing the whole time, I can just let a CD play. I can relax, and swim whenever. I don't know if you would call it "DJing". Usually when the evening comes is when I tear up the bass and get everyone dancing, when its cooler, and the sun goes down. I still get payed though and a good amount of tips for a volunteer gig, and have got other gigs from neighbors.
 
jokerswild said:
Actually the setup doesn't look to far off from my first gig back in '04....

I can't tell for sure but those look like Yamaha BR15's?
Click to expand...

Close. I guess you can say they are the exact replica, same specs, just a different company and price. I've actually had them for about 2 yrs now. I don't know how many noise/bass complaints I've gotten from just a pair of these. They are crystal clear with tight bass and loud!

http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/Pair-15-Inch-Pro-Audio-PA-DJ-Band-Speakers-p/fl-15p.htm
 
Just loading in and out with all that stuff deserves more than 100.00. I know you said that this is a hobby, but why say no to money? Gear and time cost money, so throw a tag of 250.00 for your time and 100.00 for load in and out. If you keep giving your services away for free, people will never want to pay you the day you start charging for your services.
 
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