During the New Orleans marathon, I thought the dj had the coolest job on the course right next to the volunteers who hand out the finish medals.  The closest race I saw was in San Francisco. I filled out the form online and figured why not. A short period time later I got a voicemail inquiring about my services. They wanted to know my specifications of my dj set up to make sure I was legit. Once I was verified then I was given a contract and mailed the instructions of the event.

The day before I scoped the scene to see where I was playing at to check logistics. I was checking if I needed to park far away and run to my event if needed

I had to get up really early just like a marathon. I set my alarm at 4 since I had to get ready and load equipment and head to San Francisco. Waiting for me was my stage manager who made sure I was fed and hydrated during the event and to fix any issue if any arose.  The police officers were very helpful and one suggested I park behind the set up, which made life so much easier.  The race provided me a powerful generator that fed my four speakers. I was able to walk down the street and hear the clarity of the music.

I got to play a lot of top 40 and jock jam type of music. I know music plays a big part for motivation. When I ran my marathons and felt a little defeated I would hear a good song that would push me toward the finish line. Overall it was a good experience and would do again. 

Mixers are the brain of the PA system. A forty-dollar mixer can work but at the same time people get what you pay for. The professional mixers I recommend is the Yamaha MG06X and his bigger brother Yamaha MG10XU.

The MG06X is the size of an ipad. You can connect multiple microphones to it and have so much control of the gain, highs and lows. Also it has buttons to mute out a microphone if needed.  A 2 dj setup can be connected with this mixer. The beauty of this mixer is it can be added with another music system and it gives you more headroom to add more volume if needed. Each channel has a gain and then the master gain can be increased. If a dj decides to just play music and use microphones off his dj set up it sounds a certain way. Most controllers do not focus on the clarity of the microphones. They have other attributes it focuses on. But if the microphones are connected to the Yamaha mixer, it is so much clearer and it gives the option of multiple microphones. The mixer can be purchased for 120 dollars.

The older brother Yamaha MG10XU is a force of nature. Four microphones can be connected with the mixer. The highs, lows, and mids can be manipulated plus it has 24 effect programs that can add to the channel such as delay, flanger and echo. This mixer is so much bigger than his little brother so you would need more space for it.  This mixer can be purchased for about 200 dollars.

Both can do the job and it depends on how many microphones are needed and how fancy somebody wants the effect to be. 

The Perfect P.A. System: The speakers Part 1

When you purchase an item and use it then you start to realize it is all over the place. For example you purchase a Ford Flex, then all of a sudden you see them on the freeway or the parking lot. The exact same thing happened when it came to my P.A. system.

When I did the New Orleans Marathon, I noticed all the speakers by the stage were QSC powered speakers. QSC is known for the clarity of sound. The new K 12.2 monitors are the epitome of grade A equipment. The KW153 QSC 3- way speakers often pair up with the 12 inch monitors to perfect the sound. I stumbled upon the QSC discovery when I dropped off my JBL speakers to the shop. When I started doing music, I loved using my Mackie 450s, since they were flashy and sounded great, but I would blow them out. Next I went with the JBL brand, which were workhorses but eventually were blown out also. When I spoke with the speaker technician he said that QSC rarely came through his doors and is a fine speaker. When I looked into it, QSC offers a 6 year warranty on their speakers, so if any thing goes wrong QSC fixes it. Gone were the days of paying 200 dollars for a blown out speaker. The question was should I get subwoofers or a 3 way speaker. A sub would give you more punch in the bass. But say for example if the monitor (speaker) for some reason blows out then the sub would not work well since it would only have bass no mids or highs. The 3 way speaker would work  better with or without a monitor (speaker). 

March 2018 Playlist

MEGHAN TRAINOR  NO EXCUSES

DJ KHALED  TOP OFF

LOGIC AND MARSHMELLO  EVERYDAY

X  NICKY JAM  AND J BALVIN

RAE SREMMURD  POWERGLIDE

GUCCI MANE  SOLITAIRE

MARSHMELLO  AND ANNE MARIE  FRIENDS

DRAKE  GOD’S PLAN

ZEDD  AND MAREN MORRIS AND GREY THE MIDDLE

SELENA GOMEZ AND CHAIN SMOKERS  HALLOW

BAZZI MINE

BRUNO MARS  CARDI B  FINESSE

GUCCI MANE  TIESTO BOOM

IGGY AZALEA FT QUAVO  SAVIOR

HAILEE STEINFIELD  BLOODPOP CAPITAL LETTERS

21 SAVAGE RICK FLAIR DRIP

Always have your backups

I always try to be two steps ahead. I always take multiple computers with me to events. 2012 was the last time I had a beach ball on my mac on my external hard drive and it took like a minute but have had not other issue since.   The next day I ordered another mac book pro and no longer use an external hard drive but an internal hard drive. Not only computers, I take I do take multiple set ups too since I always like being prepared. I am grateful for controllers since it is turntables and mixers all in one.

I have a big suv that I fill it up to the brim with equipment. I believe in having back ups to my back ups. Yes, it is more work to carry everything but it is for a piece of mind. I was talking to another dj that only carries one controller and one computer. I asked him what happens if something does not work. His response was oh well. I do not do oh well. If for some reason my computer is not working, I have another one with the same music and I will have the playlist on my phone. Say my controller goes on vacation, and then I have another one who is ready to be on the starting line up.

One never knows what to expect at a gig. One gig may not have electricity at a close proximity or extra speakers maybe needed. I have speakers on the bench waiting to wave them in.

A lot of events that need djs are special days and everything has to be run smoothly. Every little detail counts to make your special day even more special. Be prepared at all times!

Hiring a dj for a school dance

Each district has their own way to hire a dj. Often times it is easier to be an employee of the district to avoid the red tape. A prospective dj often times will have to be fingerprinted, and fill out paperwork and may need insurance. Especially for middle schools there seems to be more red tape than high schools. More often than not, high schools require a contract and an invoice so the dj can be paid.

Hiring a younger 20 year old dj versus an over 30 dj:

Positives: closer to the age of the dancegoers so very familiar with the music.

Negative: Not as much experience. May bring entourage and those helpers were not fingerprinted.

Over 30 dj: More experience doing big events. Bigger music library. No entourages.  Usually higher end equipment since been working longer. There was a time I was able to do a school dance since their dj did not have working equipment. I was surprised since it is important to have back ups to your back ups.

Negative: Not as familiar with music.

Once a dj is selected for a school that is when it is time to be prepared. Typically schools are into what is playing on the radio. Some schools are hip-hop based or some are pop/ house based. I have seen times where it felt like a (edm)rave then a year or two later it was back to hip-hop. What makes a dance a good one is the playlist. 

Playlist: This is when teamwork is needed. Dj has to contact the activities director (the one who hired you) to get a playlist. Its best to get it from multiple students and make it one list. Best to ask for it a week before so it gives the music man time to set up for it.  I have seen lists derived from one student and everyone would not be happy since they had no part in developing the list and the student has a particular tastes. Especially if the student does not really know what is hip. A good Dj knows his event. If the school population has a high Latin population it would be ideal to put some good Spanish music in the playlist.

Even though a song can be clean (without profanity) the content can be a little provocative. Its good to be familiar with the song before it’s played at the dance.

During the dance itself, it could be distracting to take requests when the dj is trying to beat match. It would be ideal to have a clipboard where students can put artists and the name of the song on an excel sheet or word document. When a song is playing the dj can mark the clipboard if the song is coming and check off the ones s/he already played it.  With a clipboard, it will avoid too many students going behind the dj area. If cabling and plugs, its ideal to have as few people in the dj area.

If a song is requested many times, then dj knows it will be a crowd pleaser. The question is can a song be played twice. When I djed at clubs that was one of my commandments. Thou shall not play a song twice.  But at school dances, then one can get away with it if you play it early then later in the dance. If it’s a real heater then maybe throw it in 3 times. But those songs are rare. 

Not having a dj versus having a dj

Throwing an event can be an expensive endeavor. Some people have never thrown a big event before and do not know where to start. Often times they reach out to others who have thrown some type of event before or they go search online to see what tidbits of information that they can gather.

They find having the best food can be one of the most important decisions of the event. Little that they know that music also plays an imperative component of the event. Music sets the vibe of the event. It can be the subtle background during dinnertime or it can be the party motivator during the dance portion of the night.

Money can be a factor. Some folks do not know what djs charge for events. For wedding events, djs can charge 800 to 2500 depending on what the bride or groom wants. Upgrades can be multiple dj set ups such as reception music system (speakers, microphones, and dj controller) and the ceremony PA system (speakers with mixer) with multiple microphones, specific up-lighting and or any other lighting, photo booth, and television screens or projectors with screens.

For other events such as birthday parties, school dances, anniversaries, or reunions can run from 100 dollars an hour to 200 dollars an hour. There is a difference in price between weddings and other events because weddings take more planning thus more preparation.  In either case, all events need a playlist. There have been events where the clients want every song played in a certain order or as open as clients just wanted rock music. Every event is different.

So the question is, Does the party event thrower wants to save a little money and play music off an iPod or hire a dj?

The positives of an iPod /iphone or digital device that contains music: Its economic if you already have one. Set up the playlist and press play.

Negatives of ipod/iphone or digital device that plays music: What happens if device breaks?  (Power cords no longer work or batteries run out) How can one make announcements? Who will make announcements? Who will do the bouquet toss count? Limited music and silence in between songs

Positives of a dj: A Dj can make announcements when needed.  A Dj can adjust the microphone levels when different people give speeches or toasts. People hold microphones differently and have different volumes in their voices.  A Dj can pllay certain music at certain times and can read the crowd and continue with the energy of the room. A dj can suddenly change the music if no one is feeling the song.  Good djs have backup equipment incase of equipment malfunction (extra hard drive, extra laptop, extra speaker, or cabling). Also A Dj can Provide more energy for the room.

Negatives of a dj: It would be more expensive than ipod/iphone or musical device

Remember the times in high school or college when one went to a get together. There were the times they were playing an iPod or stereo. It was pretty mellow and calm. Think of the times where a dj was involved, there was so much energy and gleefulness.

Basically if one wants to up the level of the event then a dj must be hired. But then again any ole dj will not suffice. Make sure one checks their reviews or if any of your friends have recommendations.  Again the event should be memorable, so with the right ingredients will make it one your guests will always talk about.

At the beautiful Club Autosport in San Jose, Black and White Affair Dj Services hooked up their system with the house system, Easily, you can  have sound run through out the whole establishment with only 2 15 inch speakers. It was nice to have all that power already built in the venue. At the venue, patrons have the option to have a stage or not. There is a huge big screen located on the premise to show slideshows or videos.

Prom goers were dancing to their favorite tunes while being next to classic cars that they took selfies with.