Covid Update 6-2020

In California the limit to gather is 10 but it is slowly opening. I feel a little foolish writing about weddings since we been under lockdown for about four months. I started to put down my thoughts but I felt fake. So I just want to give an update of what is happening on my end.

 I have been getting tons of music. I mean lots of music to sort through. This is the time to do it. My baby has a bib that say snacks on snacks on snacks. So I am literally getting songs on songs on songs.

  Maybe out of 100 djs, there were maybe 25 who learned from spinning vinyl. And out of those 25 there are probably 10 who still have the vinyl and turntables. I am part of those 10 percent who still have vinyl. When I was converting my vinyl tracks to MP3s it was a super long process. I had to play each song and record it. Once it was recorded I would have to burn it on a cd then master the volume. But a little known fact is when you download a cd on iTunes its default is at 192 bitrate. So I did all my vinyl and converted it to the default. It does sound fine to the ear but if you were going to play at a stadium it would not sound as crisp as a 320 bit rate. So That is what I have been doing is getting songs I already have but at a higher bit rate. Also going through my collection and just keeping songs I would play. Sometimes more is too much and its good to have the essentials and the one tracks that make you different as a performer. It is always good to review what you have and what tracks you have forgotten. This time last year, I was super busy but these past four months I did not throw in the towel but rather looking to come back stronger and more organized than ever. 

Learn2Dj Part of Black and White Affair Dj Services

In California, we are not allowed to have any dj events more than 10 people currently. Some djs are doing zoom parties for households in the comfort of their own home. So during this down time, I have been organizing my music library and my dj education service. I always had dj lessons but it was on a different site and running multiple sites at one time can be a handful. So I decided to combine my dj lessons with my dj business website so I can get all inquiries in one area. People are stuck at home looking to learn a new craft. This is the time to do it since it is recommended to stay home. Different parts of the country are slowly opening up but coronavirus cases are still picking up. 

  As a dj, I am always doing research on the latest equipment and dj software. It is important to know all the tricks of the trade. Through many years of learning I want to share what I know. I know when I was learning I had to learn through the hard way through trial and error. I want to eliminate that experience and help find success sooner rather than later. 

 Maybe someone does not want to be a full on dj but rather learn how to set up gear for any event since events right now in California can not be too big this service can be for you also. We go over how to set everything up and what you would need. We can also break down the music playlist. It would be better to have a professional dj there but at these times there has be be different options. 

Feel free to check out Learn2Dj on this website and check out the blog area where we go over tidbits to make dj easier. We can do instruction virtually. It does not matter that I am based in the Bay Area in San Jose. We go over everything to beat matching to setting up your dj business. 

Check out Learn2Dj.org which leads you to my site for dj instruction. 

Greetings. This is a mini blog compared to my longer ones. Going to keep it short and to the point!

Before you select any dj for your event it is good to hear what they are all about. Its funny since sometimes people ask to see you perform and then you have to turn them down since you are playing at private events. For respect for your clients, the dj does not invite other guests to the event. A good way to see what is in the dj’s skill set is to see what they have on their mix cloud. Mixcloud is a website that hosts dj mixes. People can see the style of music a dj plays and if the dj can beat match. Beat matching is putting songs together so it is a seamless transition to keep the energy on the dance floor.

For your Bay Area dj, please look at their reviews then if satisfied please check their mixes out. If a dj does not have a mix to share then move on. There are many djs out there but hearing their mixes is the best way to really know a dj.

www.mixcloud.com/wingmansj

Is it uplighting necessary? Uplighting is a nice touch to any party. It does add a sense of classiness. It can also provide a club vibe to the venue.

Some djs offer it as an upgrade but also some venues are stepping it up and including it in their package. Typically, they are wireless so there is less wires so it looks classy and one does not need to worry about being close to a power source.

Uplights can be on the whole night and the remote can make the uplights flash different colors if they are synced. These lights have a 6 to 10-hour battery life. A color that is typical if the client does not ask for a certain color is amber. Amber is a very neutral color.   As opposed to the dj lights that turn on during the dance portion of the night. Ideally the dj does not want to turn those on during the first dance since it will make it difficult for the photographer to take good pictures. These lights can be sound activated and can flash different colors and the hopes of these lights are to draw people to the dance floor to shake a little leg. It would be beneficial to place them evenly around the room.

So are uplights necessary? No they are not. Do they add anything to the venue? It does add some charm to the room. Some venues are already beautiful none will be needed but it does create a vibe and can really look beautiful in some pictures.

We believe in prompt responses. Setting up an event can feel like a second job and it can cause some stress. We believe to make the process as easy with possible. We are accessible by text, phone call or email and respond quickly. If folks, ask for quotes then we make sure they get it right away and we do not sugar coat anything. Our job is to make your wedding planning easier.

We help build playlists. We do not play the same old music at every event. We send out lists to our clients and the most popular songs and they pick their favorites and can add some other songs that are not on the list. Each party has its only playlist and they are never the same. We tend to get the requests a week before to ensure we can find the requests in time for the event.

We have played at night spots in the bay area so we had to be able to read different crowds to throw more energy at the dance floor. Not every crowd is the same so we have our experience to keep the party going and keep it going the whole night.

We believe in having back ups to our back ups. We make sure everything is in tip top condition but for some reason something is not sounding well then I have an alternative or two to make it sound better. Often times it is using another cable or connecting another controller to the set up. We always have another computer for those just in case scenarios.

Do You Mix the Music?

Mixing is a skill that not all djs have. It’s a skill that needs to be worked on. Some djs play songs and just fade out the volume and fade in a new song. Some djs will play the whole song then start a new one when the other one ends thus killing the momentum of the night. The purpose of mixing is to keep the energy consistent on the dancefloor.  The mixing of music helps keep the floor with the seamless transition from song to song.  Each event is not a Night Club demo but rather a custom playlist based on the client’s playlist. We do not try to experiment with new music that no one has ever heard up but play tracks that are tried and true to the original form. We focus on the flawless transition from song to song to help maintain the dancing.

Do You Bring Vinyl Turntables to Your Events?

My pride and joys are my custom made SJSU Technic turntables. They are very pretty to look at. I do still own vinyl but rather use my dj controller at dj events. A dj controller is an all in one dj set up. It contains turntables and a built in mixer.  I am able to hold tens of thousands on songs on my hard drive and only 100 records in the record boxes I can physically carry. It is easier to update music on a hard drive. I can easily do an old school party with vinyl. We do have lots of funk, 80s, 90s and the 2000s. How time flies when someone mentions the 2000s being old school. There is something magical about vinyl. Maybe it can be too  hard to find.