Just spent the night making custom first dance songs for weddings

[Proformance]

Why would you want to do it live, aside from a fragile ego that needs stroking, when the option is there to make it perfect

Because clients and prospects never say: "Wow, what a great editor.."

Perfect and live is the reputation I carry as a Disc Jockey. Doing what a button pusher cannot has marketable value. Editing is not DJing, so if it can be done live that's what I do, because that is what impresses people about being a DJ.

It never ceases to amaze me how often mobile DJs will claim that mixing is not important only to then turn around and claim that customers don't appreciate their value. The two go together hand-in-hand.

Also, it's just more fun and rewarding.

 

[ittigger]

Funny, there are household name DJ's that don't do it live - and they make alot more than you do. Not sure where that falls into your 'marketable value'. No one cares if it's done live.

Is it more fun and rewarding? Absolutely, but that's just for you.

 

[DJ Bobcat]

Again... sociopaths will argue their point, even if it defies all LOGIC![emoji1]

When the wedding couple is dancing, particularly when they're doing a rehearsed routine, ALL eyes are on THEM! Nobody knows if the DJ is mixing it live, or playing a recorded mix. The only one watching what the DJ is doing is the DJ... and nobody else cares, nor will they go back later and ask if you mixed it live. If people are watching the DJ when the wedding couple is dancing, then the DJ is doing a SH!T+Y job... It's THEIR DAY, not yours. GEEZ, what an ENORMOUS ego![emoji1]


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[rickryan.com]

Again... sociopaths will argue their point, even if it defies all LOGIC![emoji1]

When the wedding couple is dancing, particularly when they're doing a rehearsed routine, ALL eyes are on THEM! Nobody knows if the DJ is mixing it live, or playing a recorded mix. The only one watching what the DJ is doing is the DJ... and nobody else cares, nor will they go back later and ask if you mixed it live. If people are watching the DJ when the wedding couple is dancing, then the DJ is doing a SH!T+Y job... It's THEIR DAY, not yours. GEEZ, what an ENORMOUS ego![emoji1]


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I have to admit, I haven't been seeing what giggles is saying but in regards to mixing live or playing a pre-edited version of a special track, I have to wonder what would EVER make a DJ want to do a live mix. A pre-edited version is much less risky and has a hugely greater chance of a successful presentation. Like you stated, it's their day, not our chance to show off our DJ skills. That should always be our primary focus.

 

[DJ Bobcat]

I have to admit, I haven't been seeing what giggles is saying but...

Really... ya gotta read it if you need a huge belly laugh![emoji1]



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[rickryan.com]

Really... ya gotta read it if you need a huge belly laugh![emoji1]



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He's gone off the deep end on always just looking for a fight. It's just not worth the time or hassle.

 

[Proformance]

Funny, there are household name DJ's that don't do it live - and they make alot more than you do. Not sure where that falls into your 'marketable value'. No one cares if it's done live.

Funny, is that your position always reverts to some extreme end of the spectrum.
Your accusations about performers are nameless.
Your conclusions baseless,
and your evidence absent.

Of course you don't do it live - you need substance for that.

 

[ittigger]

Your accusations about performers are nameless.

You're a big boy, you can find them yourself. They've been discussed at length in many, many places.

Your conclusions baseless

Oh no, they're real - unless you have your head in the sand.

and your evidence absent

Again, only if your head is in the sand and if you've been living in a cave.

Of course you don't do it live - you need substance for that.

As stated earlier, I can do it live and/or recorded - so you're grabbing at empty air.

 

[Jeff Romard]

Because clients and prospects never say: "Wow, what a great editor.."

Perfect and live is the reputation I carry as a Disc Jockey. Doing what a button pusher cannot has marketable value. Editing is not DJing, so if it can be done live that's what I do, because that is what impresses people about being a DJ.

It never ceases to amaze me how often mobile DJs will claim that mixing is not important only to then turn around and claim that customers don't appreciate their value. The two go together hand-in-hand.

Also, it's just more fun and rewarding.

That my friend is your ego talking. None of us including you are perfect including you. As I stated above I can and have done it live but if you have a choice it's silly to. Do you really think anyone in the crowd will realize it's not? Or it is? They have no idea you are there if it wasn't for the noise. Let me break it to you you (and the rest of us) just aren't that important

Funny, there are household name DJ's that don't do it live - and they make alot more than you do. Not sure where that falls into your 'marketable value'. No one cares if it's done live.

Is it more fun and rewarding? Absolutely, but that's just for you.

No one makes more than Bob just ask him

 

[Proformance]

That my friend is your ego talking. None of us including you are perfect including you. As I stated above I can and have done it live but if you have a choice it's silly to. Do you really think anyone in the crowd will realize it's not? Or it is? They have no idea you are there if it wasn't for the noise. Let me break it to you you (and the rest of us) just aren't that important

No one makes more than Bob just ask him

No, Jeff - it's your lack of aesthetic appreciation talking. To you perfection is a mere technicality, a mechanical state of exactness rather than a shared creative experience.

Clients and guests routinely remark at the end of the nigh that "everything was perfect" and they are telling the truth as they experienced it. You my friend are the one that is too mired in the details of your exactness to understand and appreciate what it really means to be "perfect."

 

[DJStevieRay]

So to all those who don't charge. What would you do if your client rejected or had you change it 20 times. Your 20 hours of work isn't worth something. Any custom work (custom song edits, custom monograms not from a template, custom photo strip design for photo booth not from template) we split the difference. Up to two hours of design/production time are included with our services. Anything requiring more time is billed at $50/hour.

 

[Ausumm]

Because clients and prospects never say: "Wow, what a great editor.."
Perfect and live is the reputation I carry as a Disc Jockey. Doing what a button pusher cannot has marketable value. Editing is not DJing, so if it can be done live that's what I do, because that is what impresses people about being a DJ.
It never ceases to amaze me how often mobile DJs will claim that mixing is not important only to then turn around and claim that customers don't appreciate their value. The two go together hand-in-hand.
Also, it's just more fun and rewarding.

So, you carefully and effortlessly mix together multiple songs, from various cue points and it comes out perfect.
Is the crowd going to be impressed and say, "Wow, what a great DJ" ??
No, they will be too busy watching the bride and groom dancing their carefully choreographed routine.
Nobody's gonna be impressed by what you're doing...except MAYBE the bride and groom.

If you're doing it purely because it's fun and rewarding, I can totally agree with that.

Clients and guests routinely remark at the end of the nigh that "everything was perfect" and they are telling the truth as they experienced it.

We ALL hear that, Bob. But they're talking about the night being a success, as a whole.
The conversation was specifically about one special mix.

 

[Proformance]

So to all those who don't charge. What would you do if your client rejected or had you change it 20 times. Your 20 hours of work isn't worth something. Any custom work (custom song edits, custom monograms not from a template, custom photo strip design for photo booth not from template) we split the difference. Up to two hours of design/production time are included with our services. Anything requiring more time is billed at $50/hour.

This is why I do it live - because remixing is part of the job, and producing alternative tracks is not.
They have to know what they want, a real plan for how they want the track to lay out - and that is the mix I will perform.

I don't use templates for gobos, murals or stage sets. They are all custom graphics and I charge enough to pay for whatever design work is needed. Most of the time people know what they want or even have their own specific artwork, so the simplicity of most projects easily evens out with those that need a little extra adjustment.

 

[Proformance]

So, you carefully and effortlessly mix together multiple songs, from various cue points and it comes out perfect.
Is the crowd going to be impressed and say, "Wow, what a great DJ" ??
No, they will be too busy watching the bride and groom dancing their carefully choreographed routine.
Nobody's gonna be impressed by what you're doing...except MAYBE the bride and groom.

We ALL hear that, Bob. But they're talking about the night being a success, as a whole.
The conversation was specifically about one special mix.

So which is it ???
That one mix that impresses the bride and groom - or the whole night of mixes? If you don't have a clear notion of why you stepped behind the mixer - then what validity is there to you dissecting what happens in front of it?

Jeff presumes to have advanced knowledge of my ability, and what I can or can't do. You presume to know my clients state of mind.
Neither of those positions is credible.

It sounds like too many of you are scared of your own shadow. Afraid of silence, empty floors, dead air, or anything that might draw attention to yourself. I don't bring that kind on cowardice into the DJ Booth. I know what I'm capable of and I don't shrink from the task. The thing I love about clearing a dance floor is that I can quickly refill it - and anyone in the room who didn't appreciate how important a music selection can be - now does. Silence is often the most powerful thing you can hear in a room - and I don't hesitate to use it when it matters. In this arena where you strive to prearrange perfection perhaps you can prevent anything from going wrong but, In my experience you'll also prevent anything truly wonderful from happening.

 

[rickryan.com]

So to all those who don't charge. What would you do if your client rejected or had you change it 20 times. Your 20 hours of work isn't worth something. Any custom work (custom song edits, custom monograms not from a template, custom photo strip design for photo booth not from template) we split the difference. Up to two hours of design/production time are included with our services. Anything requiring more time is billed at $50/hour.

Simple answer, that has never happened and after the 2nd change we would have a "come to Jesus" meeting. I have had exactly 1 client who ever came back for a single change. That was acceptable. If they start repeat tweaks then I'm going to put a stop to it, politely, and give them the option to stop nit-picking or pay extra money. A large part of this discussion goes back to our varying styles and methods of handling customer service issues. Some people lay down and take it. Some people project more of a position of strength and earn the respect of their client. I like to think that I'm in the latter half.

 

[Ausumm]

So which is it ???
That one mix that impresses the bride and groom - or the whole night of mixes? If you don't have a clear notion of why you stepped behind the mixer - then what validity is there to you dissecting what happens in front of it?
Jeff presumes to have advanced knowledge of my ability, and what I can or can't do. You presume to know my clients state of mind.
Neither of those positions is credible.
It sounds like too many of you are scared of your own shadow. Afraid of silence, empty floors, dead air, or anything that might draw attention to yourself. I don't bring that kind on cowardice into the DJ Booth. I know what I'm capable of and I don't shrink from the task. The thing I love about clearing a dance floor is that I can quickly refill it - and anyone in the room who didn't appreciate how important a music selection can be - now does. Silence is often the most powerful thing you can hear in a room - and I don't hesitate to use it when it matters. In this arena where you strive to prearrange perfection perhaps you can prevent anything from going wrong but, In my experience you'll also prevent anything truly wonderful from happening.

What the hell are you talking about?
You were trying to say that mixing the special dance LIVE was more impressive than playing a pre-mixed version.
That the guests would notice the great job you did with it.

"Because clients and prospects never say: "Wow, what a great editor.."
Perfect and live is the reputation I carry as a Disc Jockey. Doing what a button pusher cannot has marketable value. Editing is not DJing, so if it can be done live that's what I do, because that is what impresses people about being a DJ."

I was just saying that if you do your job as a DJ properly, they won't notice you at all...
and all the attention will be on the bride and groom.
Don't know how it turned into your rant about clearing the dance floor!

 

[Proformance]

I was just saying that if you do your job as a DJ properly, they won't notice you at all...

Yes, I understand that to be exactly what you said, and if you prefer to go unnoticed then perhaps you should be a waiter, bus boy, ...or maybe an editor?

 

[DJ TJ]

Well before this gets too far derailed with people boasting about their live mixing abilities, the purpose of the thread was to discuss what constitutes an extra charge for pre event custom editing.

If the client wants a special mix done ahead of time with their own predefined cue points/timeline then no problem, give me the timings and I can do it live (as even any bedroom dj should be able to do). If you choose to make the premixed file ahead of time as opposed to doing it live, then that would not constitute an extra charge as you have chosen to do it this way for your own convenience.

If the client wants you to send them a copy of the premixed edit for their approval, it now warrants an extra charge as I now have no choice but to make the edited file ahead of time.

If pre-approval is requested by the client then it now becomes a production item same as going to a machine shop or any place else to get custom work done. There will still be a minimum charge for them to do the custom fabrication and also subsequent charges for any changes to the finished product. Not charging accordingly is leaving money on the table.

Regardless of those who boast about what they can do live, the one thing you can't do live is that after the live mix is played, ask the client if it met their approval or not, and if not do you want me to play it over again with different cues?

 

[Ausumm]

Yes, I understand that to be exactly what you said, and if you prefer to go unnoticed then perhaps you should be a waiter, bus boy, ...or maybe an editor?

I am an editor, thanks for noticing.

 

[Proformance]

I am an editor, thanks for noticing.

Right, but I'm not - so adjust your expectations and apply them accordingly.