MOBILE BEAT FOR JULY 2010 NOW AVAILABLE

TOP 200 TIME

The July issue of Mobile Beat (#129) is now available electronically to subscribers online and the print edition will hit mailboxes soon. (Subscribers can log in at https://members.mobilebeat.com/ to access the online version.) Along with the YEARLY TOP 200 SONG LIST, this issue is overflowing with information like a backyard pool full of kids on a 90-degree day.

It’s that time of year again—for the Mobile Beat feature that so many readers look forward to: the MOBILE BEAT DJ INTELLIGENCE TOP 200. This time around we include a number of useful top 40 lists to go with the primary list of most-played songs. And once again, we thank DJ Intelligence for sharing their incredibly accurate song data, based on thousands of DJ client requests made online. Jim Weisz provides some commentary on the Top 200, looking back at 20 years of lists as we approach MB’s 20 anniversary year in 2011. You might be surprised at the number one song of the year…Not to be outdone, resident musicologist Jay Maxwell, steps up with 5 ESSENTIAL TOP 20 LISTS. Ok, so that’s only a hundred tracks total, but Jay takes the time to show you how you can use his lists to really make a difference on your dance floor…Looking back on a classic part of the list, we also talk with Tommy James, the man behind “Mony, Mony” and many other hits; this marks the inception of a new feature called PARTY MUSIC PEOPLE focusing on the artists who have given us the hits that fill our dance floors week after week…And on the “cutting edge” of current song trends, Rick Ellis takes a look at the television phenomenon that is THE MAGIC OF GLEE.

OTHER FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE: DJ LADIES IN VEGAS AND BEYOND by DJ DAYna, who talked with women at the last MB show about the state of DJing for the ladies, as well as the show itself; How to use FACEBOOK FOR WEDDING MARKETING, with online marketing guru Andy Ebon—don’t blink, you might miss the next development in this arena; John Stiernberg also shares some marketing knowhow as he describes BUILDING YOUR BRAND REFERRALS; and Chris Bedke gives some tips on HOW TO GET INTO CLUB DJING.

Going INSIDE THE INDUSTRY we chat with Rob Johnson about his gig at DigiGames and his varied pursuits in entertainment, beyond being The Music Man. Also looking at a potential weekday money-maker, we get a look at the inner workings of the DJ TRIVIA system from Gerald Johnson.

GEARWISE: In POWER AMPS DEMYSTIFIED, PART 1, QSC’s Ray van Straten provides some basic tools for proper amplifier purchasing…In the realm of EYE CANDY—lighting and video—Ryan Burger reveals the wonders of Footage Firms “free” ambient videos; Mike Jefferson finds out that light and sound can playing well together under the supervision of Venue Magic software; and Jim Weisz takes a shine to CHAUVET’s SlimPAR 56 LED for uplighting and more…In E-BEAT DJ software pioneer Frederik Seiffert discussed the iPad’s impact on future performance, and Josh Yawn takes Jukebox Jockey software for a spin.

THERE’S STILL MUCH MORE inside our July issue, so don’t miss out…SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW TODAY to access both print and digital versions!

Shortest Route to the Dance Floor: 5 Essential Top 20 Lists

By Jay Maxwell

I have always enjoyed following music charts and listening to weekly top 40 countdowns. When I was a radio station DJ in the 1970s and 80s, I would scan all the charts during my air shift to see what songs were moving up the lists and which ones had already peaked. Some songs had incredible staying power and would remain on the charts for weeks on end while others would barely crack the top 40 and then fall into oblivion.

Each year, mobile DJs around the country look forward to the annual Mobile Beat Top 200 to compare that list to their own experiences. Many long-time favorites are always expected to be in the Top 200. And often a new song like “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas comes on the scene that you bet will not just be a seasonal favorite, but will remain on the chart for years to come. You may also look at the chart and wonder how one of your most-played songs did not make the top of the charts. Or maybe there are songs on the chart that you had not thought to try out yet.

LICENSE TO THRILL

Personally, the one thing I enjoy more that reading charts is creating them. Often I am a bit lost for an idea for a chart theme. However, for this issue I decided to create five top 20 charts that are useful for those times when the client leaves the playlist entirely up to the DJ. I appreciate and welcome input from our clients and give them both a paper version and an electronic version of a play list booklet with about 2000 songs to begin their song selection process. Lately though, it has been surprising how many clients do not give much input into what music they want to hear and leave it entirely up to us. For those times, it is useful to rely on what “always” works until you can size up the crowd to see what particular music they want to dance to. After playing the obvious choices of “The Cha Cha Slide,” “The Cupid Shuffle” and “The Electric Slide,” the direction a DJ takes the party in is a question that each of us must be ready to answer at every party. That is essentially the reason for this issue’s charts—to give some reminders of the basics to start a party and to keep the party energized throughout the evening.

CHARTING PARTY SUCCESS

The Boogie’s Best chart contains some of the all time great songs with a strong danceable beat. From the disco period of the 1970s to Lady Gaga and Flo Rida singing today’s thumping tunes, this chart is a must-play list for solid action on the dance floor. Any of these songs would be like adding kindling to a fireplace, sure to start a fire on the dance floor and make the party hot. Just like adding kindling to start a fire, you don’t add more kindling to keep the fire going. Instead you add solid wood. So, after playing Brick House and Super Freak, add either some more 70s disco or early 80s music to the heap to continue the flame. When the spark and sizzle begin to wane, then add another piece of Boogie to again intensify the action.

Although not quite as funky, the Good Time Grooves contains selections that every seasoned pro knows are essentials to a good party. It’s interesting that all the songs are over 20 years old, but they are just as much a part of the party scene today as the day they were first recorded. There has never been a time when I played “Shout” that people did not get on the dance floor. If it’s the type of party where the guests seem glued to their seats, I’ll play “Love Shack” or “Play That Funky Music” and the glue miraculously melts away and like magic, people suddenly appear on the dance floor. Some of these songs have stood the test of time for nearly 50 years and all these jams will most likely still be rocking the good times 50 years from now.

No matter how hopping the party happens to be, there will be times when you want to flavor the event with a few slow songs. Keep in mind that there will be some guests who will only dance to slow tunes. So have the Top 20 Slow Songs handy. There are few guarantees in the world of the mobile DJ, but this list is a near perfect way to ensure that the floor will be packed with couples arm in arm when any of these romantic cuts are spun on your players. It is recommended to play two slow songs in a row before going back to a party beat that will again energize the floor.

Party Pleasers is a unique genre you can use to “wow” your crowd. Most of these songs were not written specifically for dancing, but nonetheless have become staples for creating a party atmosphere. The majority of these songs fall into categories like sing-a-long, air guitar fest, or “let’s just jump around and get crazy” songs. It’s rare that a party is started with these tunes, but instead they are saved to spice up the event once the party is in full swing. Play “Jessie’s Girl” and “Your Love” back to back or try another great combo of “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Livin’ on a Prayer” and then take the credit for totally taking the party over the top.

The final list, Don’t Ask, Don’t Play, is included to get an “amen” from everyone reading this article. These are songs that you hope people “don’t ask” for so you “don’t have to play” them. Some of these songs, like the Chicken Dance, Girls Just Want to Have Fun or the Hokey Pokey you would gladly play only if they are requested. But others on the list you hope no one ever asks to be played. My all time worst song has to be “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” True, no one has ever asked for that song at an event; but, it’s one of my worst fears that, when everybody is dancing, the father of the bride comes up and asks for this six-and-a-half-minute song about the sinking of an ore vessel where all 29 men drown. Recently at a wedding someone asked me to play Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” It’s an event to celebrate a couple’s happiest day of their life, and someone wants to hear a song about a man stuck in prison because he shot a man just to watch him die. Strange, but true.

It is essential to know what music to play as well as what music not to play. What you want at every event is to get people on the dance floor by playing the absolute best party music ever recorded. Whether the music was originally a hit 50 years ago or recently hot on today’s Top 40 radio stations, you should always be ready to spin the tunes that will please the crowd when they yell that famous line, “Play something we can dance to!”

[ 2 of the 5 lists from this article are included below. Subscribe to access the rest in MB's online edition, or purchase a back issue of MB #129, July 2010. ]

BOOGIE’S BEST
	SONG	ARTIST	YEAR
1	BILLIE JEAN	MICHAEL JACKSON	1983
2	I GOTTA FEELING	BLACK EYED PEAS	2009
3	BRICK HOUSE	COMMODORES	1977
4	WE ARE FAMILY	SISTER SLEDGE	1979
5	LOW (APPLE BOTTOM JEANS)	FLO RIDA	2007
6	SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT)	BEYONCE	2008
7	SEXYBACK	JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE	2006
8	HEY YA!	OUTKAST	2003
9	BOOM BOOM POW	BLACK EYED PEAS	2009
10	SUPER FREAK	RICK JAMES	1981
11	BABY GOT BACK	SIR MIX-A-LOT	1992
12	YEAH!	USHER	2004
13	LETS GET IT STARTED	BLACK EYED PEAS	2004
14	KISS	PRINCE	1986
15	PUSH IT	SALT-N-PEPA	1988
16	CALIFORNIA LOVE	TWO-2PAC	1996
17	BUST A MOVE	YOUNG M.C.	1989
18	JUST DANCE	LADY GAGA	2008
19	GET LOW	LIL JON-YING YANG TWINS	2003
20	IT TAKES TWO	ROB BASE	1988

GOOD TIME GROOVES
	SONG	ARTIST	YEAR
1	BROWN EYED GIRL	VAN MORRISON	1967
2	SHOUT	OTIS DAY	1978
3	LOVE SHACK	B-52’s	1989
4	CELEBRATION	KOOL & GANG	1981
5	OLD TIME ROCK & ROLL	BOB SEGER	1979
6	SWEET HOME ALABAMA	LYNYRD SKYNYRD	1974
7	YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT	AC/DC	1980
8	PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC	WILD CHERRY	1976
9	TWIST	CHUBBY CHECKER	1960
10	THRILLER	MICHAEL JACKSON	1984
11	BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP	FOUNDATIONS	1969
12	STAYING ALIVE	BEE GEES	1977
13	DON’T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH	MICHAEL JACKSON	1979
14	BOOGIE SHOES	KC & SUNSHINE BAND	1978
15	DECEMBER ‘63 (Oh What a Night)	FOUR SEASONS	1976
16	RESPECT	ARETHA FRANKLIN	1967
17	TWIST AND SHOUT	BEATLES	1964
18	GET DOWN TONIGHT	KC & SUNSHINE BAND	1975
19	SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED	STEVIE WONDER	1970
20	ABC	JACKSON 5	1970

DJ Ladies in Vegas and Beyond

WOMEN AT MBLVX TALK ABOUT THE INDUSTRY GATHERING AND SHARE THEIR VIEWS OF THE FEMALE DJ EXPERIENCE

By DJ DAYna

I think all who were there can agree that the latest Mobile Beat Convention in Las Vegas (Feb. 2010) was another great success this year! Looking back at the show one important trend stands out: Of all the attendees this year, there was clearly an increase in the female population, the majority of them mobile DJ business owners and mobile entertainers. In fact, show statistics indicate that the number of female attendees DOUBLED from the previous year. I chatted with some of the ladies to hear their thoughts, opinions, and feedback about the show.

OVERALL FEEDBACK

Some of the woman I talked to had been going to MBLV for years, and for others it was their first time. So, I was curious what they thought of the convention in general.

Monica Hamblin, who works for In The Mix Events based in Ventura, California, benefits from the seminars: “I always try to take something new from every seminar and meeting. Even if I heard it last year, it reiterates what I’ve learned. There’s new technology, there’s new tips, and in talking to the person next to you, as well as meeting other DJs face to face has pulled out a lot of good information year after year.” Tamara Sims, Co-Owner/Director of Sales for Something 2 Dance 2, serving Chicagoland, also enjoys the seminars: “If you take away one little nugget from each seminar you attend, then it’s all worth it. I also think it’s very valuable when you have small groups that get together and exchange knowledge, because every market is so different and it’s very interesting to learn the different ins and outs of weddings from Hawaii to Idaho and anywhere in between.”

Melissa Kramer of Kramer Entertainment is a DJ/MC and also runs the company’s sales office. She enjoys the people she meets. “It gets better every year! We go on the fitness walks in the morning and have made some great friends.” It was the third time attending for Darci Vegas of VIP Party Productions in South Florida, and she says, “I get inspired every time I come. I go home afterwards and I’m like ‘Yeah!’ I’m ready to go.”

“I’ve been to Atlantic City so many times, and I wanted to try this,” says first-time Mobile Beat attendee Shani Barnett, an MC/dancer/choreographer for Mobile Music in Chicago. “I’m glad I came here and will definitely be back next year!”

Jodi Harris, the “CEO of Fun,” who owns and operates Sight & Sound Events in Vegas, has been going to MBLV for many years. “It gets better every year,” says the veteran entertainer. “The seminars are more intense, interactive, and give more information.”

Charlene Mortillo, a long-time entertainer from Popular Party DJ’s based in New Jersey (see her profile in the March 2010 issue of MB) was convinced to try Mobile Beat this year after attending the Atlantic City show for years. She thinks it is a great experience and was pleased with the East Coast representation she saw.

Jean Steinmetz has been running her own digital karaoke and DJ service, C&C Entertainment, in Cincinnati, Ohio for 15 years. This was her second time at MBLV. “I like coming here because I like to set the standard in the industry when I go back home. I always want to stay ahead of everybody, so I’m always looking for the next new thing.”

PERSONAL SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

Here are some of the ladies’ most memorable moments from this year’s show.

For Darci, owner of VIP Party Productions in South Florida, “Networking has been the best. One guy came up to me and thanked me for giving him an idea last year. That made my day!”

“I think some of the best networking happens in the hallways or in the coffee shops,” says Tamara. “My husband and I ran into Andy Ebon (a seminar presenter) at the coffee shop and ended talking to him for an hour…it was fantastic to share knowledge with him and get his perspective on things.”

Shani and Charlene both agree that one of the highlights for them was the “Big Daddy” McKee and Gerry Siracusa seminar on re-igniting passion for performing and building a business.

Jodi says, “I liked the Soul Train performance. And Andy Ebon had some great examples and information in his seminar.”

“I got a picture with Coolio and danced with Sugarhill Gang!” raves Melissa about some fun moments for her. She also enjoyed the seminar with wedding marketing expert Andy Ebon. “Andy Ebon is one of our favorites. His talk this year was amazing! We take away so many nuggets from him.”

FROM A FEMALE PERSPECTIVE: THEN AND NOW

I was curious about the overall female perspective of what it’s like being the minority at the show. And for those who have been long-time attendees, I wondered what changes they have observed over the years.

Bonnie Hope, who owns and operates Music by Bonnie in Santa Barbara has been DJing and attending Mobile Beat since 1982, so she has seen a lot of changes. In the past, she remembers, “I felt I was crashing a fraternity party, and it was intimidating, offensive, and uncomfortable. I’m a friendly person and make friends easily, but I felt if I didn’t come dressed scantily then I was ignored.” She adds, “I’d come back with a lot of hesitation and I know that I’d always learn something, but its gotten a lot better over the years and this year feels way better than it did 10 yrs ago. It feels friendlier to woman business owners/DJs.”

“I’ve always been accepted as a female,” says Monica, now on her sixth convention. “I do like meeting with the other females and getting their perspective on things. And not to mention, you definitely feel protected when you go out to the clubs while you’re here, because it’s one girl and 10 guys!”

Tamara, who also has attended Mobile Beat for 6 years feels similarly: “I’ve always felt welcomed coming to Mobile Beat. From the first convention to this very day.”

Jean said she didn’t know what to expect coming to this show as a female. “I did feel intimidated last year being a female because I didn’t know what to expect, but I don’t this year. I actually feel some of the guys are intimidated by me being here!“

Since it was her first time at the convention, Shani has an interesting perspective on being a female in the “boys club.” “Most woman here think that it’s very geared towards men. But I guess being in the market for so long, I don’t see myself as a woman first, I see myself as a DJ/MC first. I see myself as a woman second. Going to the seminars and being around everybody, I’m looking at it how everyone else is looking at it. So, in my opinion, the woman just need to not look at it from their gender, but from their job.”

Jodi believes the female point of view can be an asset. “We all have unique stories as woman on how we got into the business and can learn from each other. Being a girl is an advantage! I feel like they’re all like my brothers when I come here.”

IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR

Finally, I asked what suggestions the ladies might have to make next year better overall, or to attract more female mobile DJs and business owners. More female-specific presentations were clearly on most of their wish lists.

Shani thinks it would be beneficial to have a woman’s seminar. “I think they should have a seminar geared towards woman to talk to them about how they should sell themselves in the market and put themselves at the top level. I also think they should have a seminar on how to take your company to an interactive company level, which focuses more on incorporating lighting, dancers, video mixing etc.”

Charlene also adds that “a dance seminar talking about and teaching various dances would be neat.”

“I’d love to see more female presenters and panels,” says Bonnie. “And when the men are talking during their presentations, I’d love to hear them stop saying “you guys” every other word. I feel like they are excluding the females. It’s just a little pet peeve of mine.”

“It would nice to have a roundtable discussion with all the female DJs,” says Jean. Jodi and Charlene both agree: “A female panel would be great to have next year.”

“Women control the market in the wedding industry,” states Monica. “It’s all about what the bride wants. What if we had an all-lady panel, where the majority are married woman or have been married and get their perspective on what they were looking for when they wanted to hire everybody, not just DJs. Talk about what the woman want in the market—and have the men listen.” As Tamara puts it, “I speak Bride. I was a bride so I know what they’re going through.”

Melissa shared her thoughts on what would also be helpful to have next year. “I think women learn so differently than men. When it comes to all the audio, gadgets, and mixers, that’s where it takes me a little longer to learn all that stuff where guys pick it up easier. It would be great to have someone do a seminar for females on the basic 101 about equipment/gear.”

They all seem to agree on one thing: It’s fun to be a girl in the boys club!

I enjoyed meeting all these ladies and I thank them for taking the time to sit down with me for some girl talk. I look forward to seeing all of them next year and hope even more women will decide to attend the big show!

The Touchscreen DJ?

APPLE’S IPAD MAY SIGNIFY A NEW ERA IN DIGITAL MOBILE DJING

By Frederik Seiffert

On any given night, a club is packed to the brim with revelers dancing to the beats of a modern-day mixmaster, scratching on a set of classic 12” vinyl and making music move in ways never thought possible. Like Bonnie and Clyde, a DJ and his vinyl seem like the ultimate pair, a duo that is nothing without the other. However, products like the Apple iPad (and its inevitable imitators) continue to make it possible for alternative means of production to enter the fray.

The new iPad tablet computer will further change the way DJs produce music, thanks to greater mobility and the numerous features that make Apple’s latest product so revolutionary. With it, however, also come new challenges for integrating additional components that are critical for the professional DJ to have in his arsenal.

BREAKING IT DOWN

The most impressive features of the iPad for the mobile DJ are its versatility and portability, which make it possible for DJs to use a single device for multiple scenarios and move freely, unbound from the DJ booth. While it’s been casually referred to as an iPhone on steroids, that description is not too far from reality. With a weight of only 1.5 pounds it can easily be transported to and from events, and no longer does a DJ have to stay chained to a booth all night to keep the beats flowing. As a wi-fi enabled device, DJs could even use it to download new tracks to fulfill song requests.

One of the best features of the iPhone and iPod Touch that has been exploited on the larger iPad device is the touch screen. Apple has done its homework to make the 9.7- inch multi-touch-enabled screen very user-friendly, and for DJ applications, this means crisp graphics and controls that make it possible to move while mixing. And since the touch screen eliminates the need for an intermediate input device like a mouse, direct manipulation of the user interface is a breeze. The iPad also makes greater customization possible, as developers have the flexibility to create adaptable user interfaces, where, unlike a physical controller, layout of the controls can be tailored to the needs of the DJ.

Portability and connectivity are two conveniences most DJs would say they could use more of, given that their gear is often cumbersome to transport, and having an internet feed to pull in new media as their audience demands can keep the party moving without a hitch. The iPad possesses these and many other capabilities, and will likely become an increasingly popular tool for DJs to use.

IPAD CAVEATS

Though the iPad does have more than its share of positive features for the DJ, it has limitations as well. Given that the device is in its infancy, future versions or upgrades will likely need to address some of these issues for seasoned DJs looking to migrate to the iPad.

First, the iPad (like the iPhone) doesn’t allow file-level access to the iTunes library for third-party apps, which means that users can’t mix their existing songs out of the box. Some existing apps try to work around that limitation by allowing users to transfer songs onto the iPad using web interfaces—one song at a time. Also, though certainly not slow for everyday use, the iPad’s CPU doesn’t always feel up to the task of advanced audio processing, such as time-stretching or complex chains of audio effects.

The construction of the iPad is refreshingly simple, but it also misses out on some important details for DJs. With just one stereo output and no support for external audio interfaces, fairly standard DJ exercises suddenly become complicated. For example, without a straight-forward way to pre-cue through headphones, it becomes necessary to use a stereo-to-mono channel splitter adapter cable. And though not absolutely critical, DJs accustomed to using physical controllers may find it hard to ignore the lack of tactile feedback.

GOING MORE AND MORE MOBILE

The iPad is nothing short of a revolution, and its impact will be felt for quite some time. While the standard tools of the DJ trade won’t be easy to leave behind, the iPad offers a big helping of food for thought about what form they could take in the years to come.

Over the past several years, the DJ industry has become increasingly mobile, thanks in large part to the availability of digital music. It has become possible to travel with your entire music collection locked up in a notebook computer. Though traditionalists may feel that it occupies a lower tier of music production and manipulation, the popularity of the iPad points to an ongoing movement of affordable PC and Mac-based applications making it easier to create music and interact with your audience.

Frederik Seiffert is head of product development at algoriddim, a Germany-based software company that specializes in developing Mac audio and multimedia applications for the next generation. Since its inception, algoriddim has pursued sophisticated, yet intuitive and user-friendly software applications. Learn more by visiting www.djay-software.com.

CHAUVET announces new SparkliteLED

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®, a leading manufacturer of LED lighting, announces their new SparkliteLED Drape and SparkliteLED Controller . Create a twinkling night sky, a wall of strobing purple, or an expanse of glowing azure—whatever the design, the SparkliteLED Drape is a dynamic lighting solution. It’s a black fabric panel studded with LED lights which can be attached together for a fully controllable field of color or theater curtain.

Each SparkliteLED Drape measures 236 x 157.5 x 2 inches (6,000 x 4,000 x 50 millimeters), is flame retardant and holds a total of 128 (.25 W, 5mm) tri-color LEDs fitted into eight distinct and controllable zones. The drapes can be combined using integrated hook-and-loop fasteners and are as expansive as the design or coverage requires. The drape comes in its own road case and weighs less than 40 pounds (18 kg).

The SparkliteLED Drape is operated by the SparkliteLED Controller, which connects up to four drapes and is sold separately. The controller can run independently or by 12 or 24 channels of DMX control, has built-in programs or can completely control up to eight zones (16 LEDs per zone) of each drape. The controller features an LCD display, RGB color mixing control (with or without DMX control), a proprietary serial link (master/slave) and configurable color sets. Additionally, it offers configurable LED sparking direction and speed, group sparking cross fade time, and minimum and maximum luminosity. The user can configure auto programs or recall custom programs through DMX.

About CHAUVET®

CHAUVET® is a leading manufacturer of professional luminaires fulfilling the needs of various industry sectors, from DJ/club to architecture to production/tour. CHAUVET’s strategy is to pursue every market segment where it has a competitive advantage in terms of value, innovation and performance, with an emphasis on LED technology. For more general information, please visit www.chauvetlighting.com.

Crossfader Show Update!

In a few days time, we will be recording our 20th episode of The Crossfader Show. With that number looming over us, I am amazed at what we have accomplished and what the future has in store for us. The show is gaining momentum, thanks to our guests, and has attracted much attention from the DJ community. Yet, the show is still in its infancy and promises to flower into a vibrant spectacle for the DJ world to enjoy. Let’s take a look and what’s in store.

We are proud to produce shows with substance and enough character to keep viewers engaged and entertained. The next wave of shows will deliver on that promise starting off with a look at Female Disc Jockey on June 28th. We’re calling it our “ALL Girl DJ” episode with guests like Amanda Rose, Teemaree, DJ Kay Jay, Amanda Pearl and Jean Steinmetz. These ladies are actual working DJs with the looks to boot. We will go in-depth to explore the obstacles and learn their secrets to success.

The Disney name is known worldwide for family entertainment and fun. We talk with Ron Ruth on July 5th who has studied Disney’s methodology and shares some of their secrets which are ingrained into their DNA. “Disney’s Three Keys To Success and Your DJ Business” will give you the information you need to implement proven strategies to improve your business.

Traveling to Vegas, we sit down with master of online marketing and sorcerer of social media, Andy Ebon on July 12th. We shall discuss what can sabotage your web presence, online social interaction and DJ website no-no’s. This show is a must if you find that your web-site needs an overhaul.

Back in the studio on July 19th with a look at Odyssey and their product line of cases and DJ accessories. With hefty investments in your gear, it only makes sense to protect it with an established company. Then it’s a flashback to the 80’s LA Disco music scene with the Aquamen. These gentlemen will set the scene as we reveal what made this era in LA music history so memorable.

Keeping in tune with our look back in LA music history, KDAY’s DJ child Tony G will make an appearance at our studio on July 26th. An early Hip Hop radio station changed the Los Angeles and world radio scene forever with emerging DJs and artists.

And finally, August 9th marks our 25th episode. We revisit our past show topics and we’ll chat with past guests with their thoughts on their appearance on the show. As an added bonus, we’ll let our viewers chime in and chat with them LIVE on camera.

As we receive feedback from our fans and viewers, we are planning to bring some informative, entertaining and engaging content with top name guests and DJ manufacturers you know and trust. Tune in as we venture into uncharted territory with LIVE streaming every Monday at noon Pacific, 3 pm Eastern and 9 pm GMT.

Check out more info at http://www.thecrossfadershow.com/blog/2010/6/27/upcoming-shows-update.html

RM3 from iKEY Released

The RM3 from iKEY is the first truly affordable single-space rack mount SD player/recorder!

It’s ideal for a wide variety of uses: club and mobile racks, restaurants, houses of worship, schools, home studios, broadcasting, DJs and live musicians wishing to record their sets for later study, meeting & lecture halls… and any permanent install situation you can think of where handy & high-quality audio recording is needed.

After recording onto the SD card, you can transfer the files to PC either by connecting the unit to the computer, or removing the card and placing it into a card reader or your PC directly for editing. It can also record direct to a USB Flash Drive.

You can also transfer your own selection of MP3s or WAVs to SD card or USB stick, and play back this pre- recorded media on the RM3. The Jog Wheel allows for easy file searching.

VISIT US

FOR MORE INFO at

www.ikey-audio.com

or become a fan or ask us a question on FACEBOOK

IKEY makes a variety of useful and cost-effective product for your everyday music use, including speakers, earbuds, audio interfaces, and recorders. See your local music/electronics retailer to check out IKEY products soon.

And thank you for taking a look at iKEY!

The RM3 features:

- Vivid FULL COLOR LCD screen

- Records from any MONO or STEREO line source

- Records 16-bit/44.1 WAV files, or 128/256/320 kbps MP3

- Compatibility with up to 4 GB SD, or 32 GB SDHC cards

(1 GB SD card included)

- Direct Recording to USB FLASH DRIVE (not included)

- JOG WHEEL for easy file search

- Adjustable Record Level with DIGITAL VU

- Front and Rear RCA inputs

- Balanced XLR and RCA outputs

- XLR/1/4″ MIC Input (Rear Panel), and 1/4″ MIC/LINE Input

(Front Panel)

- USB connection for easy file transfer

- 1/4″ Headphone Jack with Rotary Volume Control

- Input Gain switch with 3 levels (-20, 0, or +10dB)

American Audio Launching “4 Things I Love About DJing!” Contest

For Lovers Only

American Audio Launching “4 Things I Love About DJing!” Contest,

With a Grand Prize of a Brand-New VMS4

LOS ANGELES – American DJ has always been proud to call itself a company that has been created by DJ’s for DJ’s; and the introduction of their exciting new contest is just another example of how the company continues to give back to the DJ community whenever possible. In the American Audio VMS4 “4 Things I Love About DJing!” Contest, participants are invited to submit a video entry telling American DJ what they love about being a DJ, which can include anything from why they are passionate about the DJ business, what got them interested in becoming a mobile entertainer or even their most memorable gig. The story that stands out the most will score some incredible prizes, including the grand prize of an all-new VMS4 Velocity MIDI station from American Audio.

American Audio’s VMS4 is an amazingly versatile 4-channel “MIDILOG” controller that fuses both MIDI and analog audio control into one unit. Billed as “the ultimate DJ performance tool” the VMS4 can be used with either a PC or MAC. If the computer crashes, it will kick into analog mode, where CD players or turntables may be used, or a DJ can use an external power supply. The unit can also be personalized with the option of customized skins. Along with all its high-tech features and all-around versatility, the VMS4 comes bundled with the Virtual DJ 6 LE Software, so DJs and mobile entertainers will need nothing more to get the party started right away.

Participants who are hopeful of winning the state-of-the-art American Audio VMS4 must submit their videos to DJ Brian Redd’s YouTube channel, (http://www.youtube.com/user/briansredd) as a response to the video posted that gives an overview of the contest and its exciting prize. In their video entry, contestants can include lighting, music and sound or visual props. The possibilities are limited only by their imagination! The contest, which runs until Tuesday, August 31, 2010, will have a total of four winners, who will receive gear from American Audio, plus 10 runners-up will receive a free custom VMS4 banner from American Audio. The list of winners and prizes are as follows:

Viewers Choice Winner: Will receive 1 pair American Audio HP 700 headphones + your choice of 6 different Accu Cable Products (i.e. Speaker Cables, Mic Cables, DMX Cables or Extension Cables) + 200 ADJ Advantage Points.

Brian S. Redd’s Choice Winner: Will receive: 1x Comscan LED System + 300 ADJ Advantage Points

American Audio’s Choice Winner: Will receive 1x VMS4 + 400 ADJ Advantage Points

Grand Prize Winner (drawn from a hat): Will receive 1x VMS4 + 1x VMS4 Hard Case + 500 ADJ Advantage Points

10 Runners-up: Will receive 1 custom VMS4 banner from American Audio. This will be a separate drawing. One submission per video will be randomly drawn to determine DJ banner winners.

For more information on the VMS4 please visit www.vms4dj.com.

To see the VMS4 in action, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seL-52mHqh0

For more information on the American Audio VMS4 “4 Things I Love About DJing!” Contest, including official rules, visit www.fucinipro.com/AmericanDJ/ADJBlast_june10/contest.htm.

New Facebook Functionality

Comment on posts using your Facebook profile and ‘Like’ the MobileBeat fanpage directly from the website.

Look forward to your feedback!

Tom Talks Audio – Wants Your Input!

Tom Talks Audio

And Gives You A Chance To

Win Some Cool Prizes

This month, Tom is talking Tips, one that he wants to deliver himself, and another from a good friend and guest demo DJ at our shows, Johnny Aftershock. Tom’s message to mobile entertainers is this: don’t overlook the advantages of putting your show on an SD card!

“Sure it may take some getting used to, and working from a card may take some getting used to, but once you do the benefits are so great, you’ll wonder what took you so long. An SD player like the American Audio Dual SD Player With Mixer is a great investment in your career.

“Using an SD player gives you true mobility, which makes moving from gig to gig easier and frees your mind for things other than transporting a lot of stuff. Plus, with an SD player you won’t have to concern yourself with external hard drives, or worry about losing an expensive laptop. With our SD player there is no complicated software to learn. There’s not better way to give yourself freedom of mind and freedom of movement, so you can take your performance to new heights.”

Now, here’s a cool tip that came to us from our friend DJ Johnny Aftershock about placing speakers to bounce off walls in venues that aren’t typical when it comes to the shape of the room. DJ Johnny Aftershock recently did a wedding at a beautiful facility here in southern California, everything was lovely, but the reception wasn’t in one large hall, but in a series of rooms, and the facility placed some restrictions on where he could place his speakers. So, here’s what he did.

“I have some rocking American Audio Power Speakers and 15’ sub. They look great and produce a great sound. These speakers are workhorses and have never clipped on me at any event, and I pump them up quite a bit at my events! At this gig, JoJo, my sound guy configured things so the sub was pointed at the wall. This lengthened the throat of the horn so we got an extra 3dB of bass. This made up for a very weird schematic that we had to adhere to that day, as far as where the facility’s management wanted the DJ’s set up at. Also if you couple the bass bottoms together, you get even more dB. I’m sure a lot of you guys already know that already – but I wanted to share it.”

Got Any Ideas On Audio To Share???

Pretty much any topic is fair game for Tom’s Audio Tips. You don’t have to use brand names in your tip, even American Audio’s. In fact, we’d prefer it if you didn’t. We’re just looking for genuinely helpful audio advice that you can offer to help your fellow DJs take their performance to the next level

Your tip can be any length you want, but we’d prefer it if you kept it to under 150 words. Tom will be listing one tip at the end of his future Tom Talks Audio columns. (We reserve the right to edit tips that appear in the column.)

If your tip is used, you will receive 200 American DJ Advantage points and receive an American Audio shirt or similar item. At the end of the year, we’ll have a drawing to select one tip at random. If yours is picked, you’ll receive your choice of headphones from American Audio (available from our stock at the time you win) worth up to $150 in value (MSRP). We’ll also post your photo and name in the ADJ NewsWave — so you’ll get glory as well as prizes.

So, please share your pearls of wisdom with us and the rest of the DJ world. Entering is simple, just email your tip to us, along with your contact information to our editor Jennifer Ramirez at the following email address: Jennifer@fucinipro.com

You can enter as often as you like. There is no deadline. Tom plans to be including a tip at the end of his column as often as possible in his never ending quest to elevate the art of mobile entertainment. We’re waiting to hear from you…

Next Page »