The Crossfader Show LIVE @ MBLVXX – Streaming LIVE

The Crossfader Show LIVE @ MBLVXX

Streaming LIVE

Complete Coverage Begins January 31 at Noon PST

The largest Mobile DJ Show and Conference this side of the Mississippi is just around the corner. Many will flock to The Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas next week to participate in mass education and networking.

Are you traveling to Sin City to be a part of it? If so, great. Make sure you stop by and say hello. Heck, call your folks and tell them you’ll be on TV (the Internet actually).

Staying home this year? Don’t sweat it. You can view all the action from the comfort of your home. Log in and chat with us and maybe you’ll be inspired by our interviews, product demos and entertained by the night time parties.

Schedule and Locations

Don’t Miss Out!

Monday January 31st 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Registration Area)

Monday January 31st 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Top of The Riv)

Monday January 31st 10:00 pm (Le Bistro Lounge)

Tuesday February 1st 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (NLFX Booth)

Tuesday February 1st 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Top of The Riv)

Wednesday February 2nd 12:00 am (Le Bistro Lounge)

Wednesday February 2nd 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (Convention Floor)

Wednesday February 2nd 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Top of The Riv)

Thursday February 3rd 12:00 am (Le Bistro Lounge)

Thursday February 3rd 12:00 pm (Convention Floor)

Last Minute Additions To The Mobile Beat Excitement

Official Airport Transportation of Mobile Beat Vegas

Welcome to Las Vegas – upon arrival follow the signs to the baggage claim area, then proceed out of door #12 to the SHOWTIME AIRPORT SHUTTLE booth just to the right of the door. SHOWTIME is the official Airport Transportation of Mobile Beat Las Vegas and is the most affordable option at getting you to the Riviera Hotel and Casino! - $12 roundtrip!

Additional Events/Seminars

Tuesday 5pm Capri 101 – Pioneer Seminar: DDJ-S1, DDJ-T1 – The ultimate way to control Serato ITCH and Traktor – The wait is over, Pioneer has teamed up with the leading DJ software brands and introduce the world to the DDJ-S1 and DDJ-T1. Get up close and personal with Pioneer’s new ultimate controllers for Serato ITCH and Native Instruments, Traktor Pioneer DDJ-T1 Edition DJ software. You don’t want to miss this.

Wednesday 1:30pm Chauvet Exhibit Floor Stage – DJ Shiftee performs on Traktor S4! – DJ Shiftee, on the 2009 DMC World Champion, will showcase Native Instrument’s new Traktor S4 controller – the ultimate controller for Mobile DJs. Custom-tailored for TRAKTOR, the S4 fuses a premium-quality 4 channel DJ mixer, a built-in 24 bit/96 kHz soundcard, an intuitive controller, and the flagship TRAKTOR PRO S4 software into one fully professional solution – the ideal one-stop package for DJs who want pro features, instant usability and go-anywhere portability.

Wednesday 2pm Chauvet Exhibit Floor Stage – Face The DJ @ MBLV 2011 – DJ Bo the founder of the interactive DJ Game Show “Face The DJ” is teaming up with the Crossfader Show LIVE at Mobile Beat Las Vegas 2011. 2 DJ’s will be selected at random from all entries, to go head to head being asked industry standard questions. Regarding gear, music trivia, and more. The DJ that answers the most questions correctly will win… A prize package worth over $1,000.  Video Promo:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK4jhI2ALy8.  Registration Link/Rules: http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/ui00RanSMaf037lQC10E8

Wednesday 5pm Capri 101 – Practice and N’Joy Gettogether

Thursday 1pm – Capri 101 – Sponsored Seminar – The Future of Wireless Microphones with Line 6 – Are your wireless mics ready for 2011? The FCC keeps changing the wireless spectrum available for microphones. The 700 MHz band is already off limits and now there is Super-WiFi and the National Broadband Plan to consider below 700 MHz. Is any part of the spectrum safe?

Thursday 1pm – Capri 102 – Sponsored Seminar – Traktor presents the S4! – The new state of the art midi controller custom-tailored for TRAKTOR. The S4 fuses a premium-quality 4 channel DJ mixer, built-in 24 bit/96 kHz soundcard, an intuitive controller, and the flagship TRAKTOR PRO S4 software into one fully professional solution – the ideal one-stop package for DJs who want pro features, instant usability and go-anywhere portability. Attendees will also have a chance to win Native Instruments gear & swag as well as a Mobile Beat 2011 exclusive offer for $150 off a S4 purchase!”

Additional Exhibitors:

Emulator – Capri 109 Pro Lighting USA – 101 Dragon Frontboards – 230 GruvGear – 228 FireText – 230 Hercules – 229

GEAR FOR A YEAR: 3RD ANNUAL VIDEO PRODUCT REVIEW CONTEST

GEAR FOR A YEAR: 3^RD ANNUAL VIDEO PRODUCT REVIEW CONTEST

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting, announces the launch of their third annual video product review contest called Gear for a Year. This annual contest calls on anyone and everyone to create a video using and reviewing a CHAUVET® product. The winner will receive lighting fixtures to review throughout the year and once the review is complete and posted the winner gets to keep the CHAUVET® lighting gear.

The contest officially launched at The NAMM Show 2011 and will end June 30^th, 2011. CHAUVET® will select 25 finalists the week of July 11, 2011 and announce the grand prize winner the week of July 18, 2011. The product review video should be composed of original content and under seven minutes. Official contest rules are posted along with a short video explanation [link:http://bit.ly/geVd8n] on the CHAUVET® YouTube channel.

To enter the contest, become a subscriber to the CHAUVET® YouTube channel.  Next, upload a video in response to this CHAUVET® video [link: http://bit.ly/geVd8n]. And most importantly, use CHAUVET® in the title, tags, and description of the video.

All entries will be judged by the CHAUVET® staff.  The judges will be looking at the creativity of the video, the originality of your concept, the explanation of the product and its capabilities, as well as the number of comments on the video and its rating on YouTube.

CHAUVET® will reward a grand prize winner who will become their official YouTube product reviewer and receive products to review for a year. Once the products are reviewed and posted on YouTube, the lighting gear is theirs to keep. The top 15 finalists will receive a special edition t-shirt, and the top 25 will receive CHAUVET® road case stickers.

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.

DJ Crash Course Pre-Order – Plus Package Deal if you don’t have #1

Get ready to return to DJ Arena! DJ Crash Course Volume 2: Equipment Edition is hitting shelves soon! This volume will cover all facets of both sound and lighting equipment.  Speakers, amplifiers, mixers, microphones, intelligent lights, non-intelligent lights, clamps, lighting controllers, cables, – you name it, it’s there!
This volume is a full-blown expansion from what was touched on in Volume One regarding equipment.  We’re proud to have a little help from our friends at Pioneer DJ and Chauvet Lighting to bring you up-close looks at some of the industry’s most popular pieces of equipment.

PRE-ORDERING HAS BEGUN! Head to DJCrashCourse.com or MobileBeat.comto pre-order your copy today and get FREE SHIPPING!

Viva Las Vegas and Looking Forward to Seeing You In Vegas From Beth Standlee

Viva Las Vegas and Looking Forward to Seeing You In Vegas From Beth Standlee

Sales Summitt with Beth Standlee

Beth Standlee is going to be one of the featured presenters as part of the main program schedule on Tuesday at MBLVXX.  But if you want even more sales training and are going to be in on Monday of the conference, consider signing up for the Sales Summit! The normal price to attend is $129 per person, but get $55 DOLLARS OFF with our coupon this week – making the price per person only $75! Sign up for the 1/2 day seminar and a featured sales training class for education at the show.

What to look forward to….Sales Training Basics – the CQPC of selling

You must Connect, Qualify, Present & Close every potential sale. We’ll give a quick overview in this class and you’ll see how to improve the way you approach your customers. You must have a strategy of how many people you need to see in order to have the sales you want to have. You’ll walk away from this class with a written goal so that you’ll know where you’re headed this year. Quit just taking the accidental sales that call in and start making sales happen on purpose.

Overcoming Objections – Sales: People are often discouraged when potential customers throw up roadblocks when it comes to making buying decisions. An objection feels like rejection. Attend this class and learn about how to handle the most common reasons people fail to buy your product.

If you wish to register for this sales summit please call Kitty at 515-986-3300 ext ZERO (Corrected Extension) by Friday – Only $75 For An Intense Session before the main part of MBLVXX starts up!

Book a School Dance with the RIGHT People

You’ve spent hours crafting the perfect cover letter. You’re certain your rates are just right for your market. You’ve spent hundreds of dollars printing flashy brochures. Plus you’re good at what you do! You’ve been endlessly spinning your wheels trying to break into the school dance market. Why aren’t you getting the bookings?

The best marketing materials in the wrong hands is useless. Can you be certain your materials are actually landing on the desk of the decision maker – the person who is ultimately responsible for hiring the DJ at the school’s dances? Some DJs incorrectly believe that the building principal or other administrator makes this decision. Some DJs attempt to market their services directly towards students for school events, thinking they’ll have the pull influence the decision.

Most schools have one or two teachers, working under supplemental contracts as co-curricular advisors, that are ultimately responsible for organizing the dances and hiring the DJ. These advisors take different titles depending on the configuration of the school. In middle schools and junior high schools, it’s usually the student council advisor or athletic/activities director. In high schools, it’s often class advisors, the student council advisor, or co-curricular director. Sending your materials directly to the right person is a critical step in being hired for their next dance. Do not rely on a secretary or administrator to forward your “junk mail” to the right person.

Before you send out your marketing materials, take the time to research your target schools and determine who is responsible for organizing the dances. Most likely a phone call to the school’s general phone number will net you the information you’re looking for when the question is tactfully posed. Commit to yourself to eliminate the waste of your time and marketing dollars and ensure that every contact you make with a school is directed to the right person.

Britney Buzz- Debut at #1 on I-tunes. And on the “Safe Songs” for schools list

If you have listened to the radio this week…almost any format, you will have heard the new song from Britney Spears, “Hold it Against me”.   Ryan Seacrest debuted it on January 10 nationwide, and it became available shortly after on I-tunes down load where it immediately went to number one.   Rythmic Top 40 stations, Mainstream Top 40 stations and many Adult Contemporary stations added it instantly.    Is it because the song is so spectacular?  Probably not.  It is the curiosity (buzz) factor.   Everyone wants to know what the “Mouseketeer-gone bad” is up to now.  The song has a definite Ke$ha/Lady Gaga feel and has all the pop ingredients to be a huge hit.

The song to avoid this week and just added to the DO NOT PLAY LIST is “Make a Movie” by Twista (featuring Chris Brown).  It’s not the language that makes it unplayable at schools, the song is all about making a dirty (porn) movie.  Not something administrators will appreciate at school.

Get all the scoop and join the nationwide exclusive group of “Responsible DJ’s”   You’ll be included in the “School Dance Network” DJ directory that school administrators use to find DJs who are administration friendly.  Check it out at www.schooldancenetwork.com

LW	TW	Artist	Title	Featuring	Prime Cuts #	BPM	Notes
2	1	Katy Perry	Firework		201041	124
1	2	Bruno Mars	Grenade		201044	111
4	3	Pink	Raise Your Glass		201041	122	EDIT
3	4	Rihanna	Only Girl (In the world)		201037	126	EDIT
6	5	Black Eyed Peas	The Time (Dirty Bit)		201045	128
9	6	Chris Brown	Deuces		201031	74	EDIT
5	7	Enrique Iglesias	I Like It	Pitbull	201019	129
7	8	Nelly	Just a Dream		201032	90
17	9	Chris Brown	Yeah 3X		201044	129
18	10	Enrique Iglesias	Tonght	Ludacris	201047	126	Edit Sh*t
8	11	Pitbull	Hey Baby		201037	128
11	12	Rihanna	What’s My Name		201043	100	H.S Only
10	13	Katy Perry	Teenage Dream		201031	120
20	14	Far East Movement	Rocketeer	Ryan Tedder	201047	96
13	15	Kesha	Take It Off		201028	125
14	16	Mike Posner	Please Don’t Go		201034	121
29	17	DJ Earworm	United States of Pop 2010		NA	—
15	18	Usher	DJ Got Us Fallin In Love	Pitbull	201029	120	Edit
16	19	KE$HA	We R Who We R		201043	120	Edit
12	20	David Guetta	Memories	F/Kid Cudi	201012	130	Edit
25	21	Usher	More		201047	125
	22	Hold it against Me	Britney Spears		NA
19	23	Bruno Mars	Just the way you are		201030	109
30	24	Flo Rida	Who Dat Girl		201046	125
New	25	Taio Cruise-Travie MacCoy	Higher		201102	128	Radio Edit
27	26	Edward Maya-Mia Martina	Stereo Love		201013	127
21	27	Will.I.am	Check it Out	Nicki Minaj	201037	130	edit
New	28	Mann	Buzzin		201050	104	Edit
28	29	Ditty-Dirty Money	Coming Home		201047	84	Edit nigga&sh*t
22	30	Willow	Whip My Hair		201042	82
		Recurrents- (Still popular)
23		Nicki Minaj	Right Thru You		201040	81
24		Jay Sean	2012 (It ain’t the end of the world”		201032	127
26		Michael Jackson	Hold My Hand	Akon	201047	90
		Eminem	Love The Way You Lie	Rihanna	201027	87	Edit
		Taio Cruz	Dynamite		201020	120
		3OH!3	Double Vision- Dance Edit		201035	120
		Sean Kingston	Letting Go (Dutty Love)		201025	92
		Travie McCoy	Need You		201037	74
		Flo Rida	Club can’t Handle Me	D Guetta	201024	128
		Taio Cruz	Dirty Pictures (Squeaky Clean)	Ke$ha	201038	120	EDIT
		New Boyz	Break My Bank	Iyaz	201028	91	Edit
		Katy Perry	California Gurls	Snoop Dog	201020	125
		B.O.B	Airplanes	Hayley Williams	201016	94	Edit
		Travie McCoy	Billionaire	Bruno Mars	201011	88
		Usher	OMG	Will I am	201012	130
		Mike Posner	Cooler Than Me		201014	130
		Lady Gaga	Alajandro		201012	99
		Tao Cruz	Break Your Heart		201004	122
		Black Eyed Peas	Rock That Body		201013	125
		Ready Set	Love Like Woe		201020	90
		3OH!3	My First Kiss	Ke$ha	201019	138
		Nicki Minaj	Your Love		201013	95
		David Guetta	Getting Over You	Fergie & LMFAO
		Cali Swag District	Teach Me How to Dougie
		Jason Derula	In My Head
		Justin Bieber	Baby	Ludacris
		LaRoux	Bulletproof
		KE$ha	Tic Toc
		Black Eyed Peas	Imma Be
		B.O.B.	Nothing on you	Bruno Mars
		DO NOT PLAYLIST ADDS
	New	Twista	Make a Movie	Chris Brown
		Lil Wayne	6 foot 7 foot	Cory Gunz
		Problem	My Ex
		No Hands	Waka Flocka Flame	Rosco Dash
		Birdman	Fire Flame	Lil Wayne
		Jeremih	Down On Me	50 cent
		Wiz Khalifa	Black and Yellow
		Kanye West	Runaway
		New Boyz	Spot Right There
		Waka Flocka Flame	No Hands
		Kanye West	Monster	Jay Z -Rick Ross
		Eminem	No Love	Lil Wayne
		Trey Songz	Bottoms Up	Nicki Minaj
		Bumpy Ride	Mohombi
		F**K You	Cee Lo Green
		Right Above It	Lil Wayne	Drake
		Fancy	Drake
		Rick Ross	Blowin Money Fast
		Drake	Fancy
		Richard Vission/Static Revenge	I Like That	Luciana
		Far East Movement	Like a G6
		Glasses Malone	I Get Doe
		Soulja Boy	Pretty Boy Swag
		Kanye West	Power

Easy upsell item: the custom gobo

Easy upsell item: the custom gobo

By: Allan Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET

Ahh, the custom gobo. It’s probably the easiest upsell item for a DJ or mobile performer to employ when booking an event—especially a wedding. A bride and groom’s initials, the year of a graduating class or a corporate logo—the possibilities are nearly endless. Custom gobos are relatively inexpensive to make, easy to work with and some can be used over and over again (say that ‘Class of 2011′ gobo) which maximizes the revenue you can make on a single investment.

Gobos (which stands for goes before optics) are patterns, images, words, etc., that are projected onto a wall or other surface from a projector or light fixture—or between the light and the surface. Gobos are often included in gobo projectors and moving heads or you can have a custom gobo created. There are several online companies that create custom gobos or you can make your own using transparency film. The type of fixture you use, a moving head or a gobo projector, will determine which type of gobo to make and both types of fixtures can accommodate easy gobo changes. Once you purchase the custom gobo, you can sell it to your customer for more than what you paid, plus the use of the fixture, for an event.

Gobo projectors, and some moving heads, come with a selection of pre-designed gobos. Some of these are patterns and some are commonly used phrases like ‘Congratulations’. Consider using these existing gobos along with your custom gobos in your customization package. Your customer will not know that the fixture already came with one of the gobos and you can save on the expense of creating one.

For those of you who have never used a custom gobo, there are many ways it can be used throughout a single event. During a wedding, project a gobo of the couple’s initials on the dance floor as the guests enter the reception hall. Once people begin to dance, move the gobo projection to the wall behind the bride and groom’s table or when it’s time for the couple to cut the cake, position the gobo above the cake table. This way, the custom gobo design can be seen in all the photographs and video taken during the event. And if you can get a photo or two as well, you can show future couples how fantastic this custom look will make their special day.

You can also use a patterned gobo, say an array of stars, and project it onto the ceiling and adjacent wall. Then take some wash lights and uplight the wall in blue. These two elements combined produce a night sky effect you can use for almost any dance, prom or corporate party.
Also, consider using an LED-based gobo projector in your rig. It will have no duty cycle, unlike older lamp-based models, and can run during the entire event. (Or better yet, check out a projector that has a zoom feature for even more gobo projection use!) When your customer is paying for a four-hour event, they will see their customization the entire time instead of just half of it because of cool-down time.

Next time you’re looking for ways to improve your customer’s experience, think about custom gobos. It’s an easy way to add a personalized touch to any event.

Watch this video: How to make a custom gobo

The lost art of the “Mix Tape”

As DJs we were the first to adopt the idea of a “MIX TAPE” .  I t wasn’t a format we could readily use at gigs but it allowed us the creative expression using the what we were most passionate about.  MUSIC.    The “Mix Tape” was more than a composite of songs put on a cassette tape.  What it became was an audio signature.  A representation of the musical tastes of its creator.   The cassette tape format was the first time their was an opportunity to record, and play back all the songs of your choice.  A portable, create-able  combination of songs.  It was the first opportunity to build your own  ”playlist”.  Music on records, reel to reel tape, or 8 tracks couldn’t provide the unique combination of songs that expressed our individual music tastes.  And lets face it….we all think our music tastes and choices are quite frankly the BEST.  Alas the creation of the little mini “reel to reel” with recordable tape in an easy to pop in plastic container.   The  recordable cassette.   A creative break through for the masses.   Now for the first time we had the opportunity to pick all the songs we loved and represented who we were and  what amazing taste we had.   To share it with others was our gift to them.  There were a wide variety of reasons to create the “Mix Tape” :  The sound track for the perfect party, the rowdy road trip, a gift for family or friend, or (oh yea) the “Make-Out” “Mix Tape”.  Chances are you have an old mix tape or two kicking around, reminding you of the pre-digital days of music.  They’re Probably gathering dust having made way for its cooler even more portable and sharable I-POD playlists.

But wait.  A breakthrough.  Now a product that combines the magic of the 80′s mix tape and the quality and portability of the digital world we live in.  Ya gotta love it. See the details on the USB “Mix Tape” below.

CONTEST: In the true spirit of the “Mix Tape” I want to pass along my creation to one lucky winner.  A 90 minute USB Mix Tape that includes my  eclectic combination of  favorites.  A true treasure.  To enter just click “Like” on my Radio Parties Facebook Fan Page, and you are in for the big drawing.  I’ll announce the winner on Monday (MLK day) so enter now!!!

Or if you want more on getting your own  USB MIX TAPE check this out.

MOBILE BEAT – JANUARY 2011 – #133

MOBILE BEAT – JANUARY 2011 – #133

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE – PRINT EDITION HITS MAILBOXES SOON

Leveraging Digital

The beginning of a new year finds Mobile Beat looking at the world of digital business management, and other non-performance-related applications of digital technologies. Our feature stories include MB Publisher Ryan Burger’s musings upon the possibilities of being a TOTALLY PAPERLESS DJ; in LEVERAGING DIGITAL, Marc Andrews gives a rundown of the DJ-specific online business solutions that are currently available; and Andy Ebon provides expert advice and opinion on leveraging the interactive, online social space for your business, in his piece, THE STATE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

In other computer-related stories, Rob Johnson discusses the reasons for using good gameshow software, while Jim Wesz shares his own website development journey, along with advice you can use from web design pros in EVOLUTION OF A DJ WEBSITE.

Musically speaking, guest contributor David Walley shares his innovative Wally Code system for foolproof mixing, every time; and Jay Maxwell opens up the possibilities for providing wedding ceremony music. We also talk with HardNox, an exciting DJ duo scheduled to appear at the upcoming MB show (it’s almost here—Feb 1^st thru 3^rd at the Riviera in Las Vegas!), who have taken their mobile mixing experience and applied it to creating their own tracks: Keep your eye on these guys.

Further performer profiles include three DJs with unique stories: Jodi Harris, who takes the combo of DJing and event management to greater heights; Robert Starkey, a jock who gives back by helping other DJs build their skills and businesses; and Lane Smith, a great example of what Stu Chisholm calls The Complete DJ—a DJ who isn’t restricted to dancefloor income only (check out Stu’s book on the subject!).

In the realm of DJ toys, er, I mean tools, you’ll find REVIEWS of new lighting gear from American DJ and Blisslights, as well as a first look at PCDJ’s new Mac version of their popular DEX software.

There is truly a ton more great stuff to read in this first issue of 2011—for a complete list, consult the table of contents page included in the 16-page online sample on our homepage at www.mobilebeat.com.

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