Pioneer Lets You Answer Your Phone Calls From Your DJ Headphones!

Pioneer Adds Functionality to Latest DJ Headphones

New HDJ-500T-K Entry Level DJ Headphones Can Be Used for Hands-free Phone Calls

LONG BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.’s Professional Sound and Visual Division today introduced the HDJ-500T-K (MSRP: $145.00) multi-functional entry level DJ headphones that can be used for DJing, leisure music listening and now hands-free calling. The new HDJ-500T-K includes two interchangeable cords: a coiled cord for DJ purposes and a straight cord with an integrated microphone that enables users to answer incoming calls when connected to a smartphone.

“Consumers are always looking for accessories that can do more than just one thing. With the new HDJ-500T-K you can go from using it at a gig, to enjoying music from a smartphone, to taking a call, all with the same device. A quick push of the answer button on the straight cord enables a phone conversation, and as soon as that ends you’re back to listening to music, all with high quality sound,” said David Arevalo, senior marketing manager, Professional Sound and Visual Division for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

Versatility

The HDJ-500T-K DJ headphones include two interchangeable cords: a coiled cord and a 1.2 meter straight cord with a microphone and phone answer button. The traditional 1.2 meter coiled cord (extends to 3m) is ideal for regular DJ performances, while the 1 meter straight cord is perfect for leisure listening when connected to a smartphone music device, and can also answer incoming calls with a simple touch of a button.

For maximum flexibility during performances, the HDJ-500T-K features a rotating arm structure that allows the user to rotate the right earpiece forward and back by as much as 60 degrees. At that position, the flexible headband maintains enough side pressure to allow the DJ to listen to audio on just one side of the headphones.

The Sound Difference

The HDJ-500T-K adapts the same great sound quality found in Pioneer’s current HDJ-500 line of headphones. It provides clear audio reproduction, enhancing the critical low and mid frequency ranges that are essential for remixing. With a 40 mm diameter driver, thick 19 micro;m (micrometers) diaphragm and a copper clad aluminum wire (CCAW) voice coil, the headphone can efficiently reproduce the lower frequency audio range such as snare and kick drum sounds, which can be easily distinguished to make matching the tempo of tracks easier, even for novice DJs.

Refined Design

The HDJ-500T-K DJ headphones offer similar styling and performance design cues as Pioneer’s top-of-the-line HDJ-2000 headphones. Designed with maximum comfort and reliability in mind, the HDJ-500T-K uses comfortable urethane pads for the ears that allow the headphones to mold around the user’s head and ears for a snug and slip-resistant fit. Furthermore, the urethane pads are wrapped in high quality leather, providing greater comfort and extended wear. The main structure of the headphones is crafted with magnesium alloy for light weight and durability, making them ideal for travel and long periods of use.

The black HDJ-500T-K DJ headphones are available in May at a manufacturer suggested retail price of $145.00.

Specifications:

Style: Fully enclosed dynamic stereo headphones

Frequency Range: 5Hz-28,000Hz

Impedance: 45O

Max Input: 2000 mW

Output Sound Level: 105 dB

Driver Unit: 40 mm dia. dome type

Plug: 3.5 mm dia. 3P mini-plug (gold-plated, screw-in)

3.5 mm dia. 3P mini-plug (gold-plated) for straight cord

Weight: 6.8 ounces (without cord)

Included Cords: 1.2 m side mount coil cord (extends to 3 m), 1 m straight cord with microphone

6.3 mm dia. 3P plug adapter (gold-plated, screw-in)

For more information follow us on:

Twitter at twitter.com/PioneerDJ

Facebook at facebook.com/PioneerDJusa

YouTube at youtube.com/pioneerdjglobal

Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ Equipment through its Professional Sound amp; Visual Division. Its DJM series of mixers has become an industry standard at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world, known for its high quality sound and reliability. For more information, visit www.pioneerdjusa.com

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., and its U.S. Web address is www.pioneerelectronics.com. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, established in Tokyo in 1938, is a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets.

Wedding Marketing Shenanigans? You make the call!!

As a DJ Entertainer and a wedding marketing strategist, I’ve worked with brides and wedding industry professionals for four decades. In the main, the professionals I’ve done business with, and worked side-by-side with, are competent, ethical, and do the industry proud.

In any line of business, though, one will come across a spectrum of activities that cast a pall over true professionals. This post tells a story about one set of questionable actions that came to my attention, quite by accident. I have taken some time to calmly consider the facts and report them. In the end, I will ask for YOUR opinion.

The Actions

Periodically, as part of routine, wedding industry research, I spot check national, regional, local, and company-specific websites. I’m looking for excellence, trends, foolishness, and any random thing that catches my eye.

In that mode, I was cruising through a number of national websites, when something caught my eye in the local wedding vendors of GetMarried.com.

I did a search for DJs in Las Vegas and found a couple of listings. I didn’t recognize either of the company names, so I thoroughly examined those listings and their websites.

One, in particular, caught my eye, AllStarDJsNow.com. The link to its site took me to a nicely designed, 2-screen WordPress-based site. The welcome page sported a logo-banner, a picture of a steak dinner, a photo of dance floor activity, a small amount of copy, and an inquiry form.

It also includes the statement: “Over 3,000 happy brides & grooms recommend All Star DJs!”

There is an offer stating: “No purchase necessary – Simply make an appointment, look at our DJ plans and pick up your free steak dinner certificate!”

Finally, it noted: “As seen in Las Vegas Bride Magazine.” and showed a badge from a local wedding networking company, WPLV (Wedding Professionals of Las Vegas).

On the About screen, there was some upbeat sell copy describing why the bride should consider All Star DJs Now.

Red Flags

There were several:

• The author for the site is shown as: Posted on December 1, 2010 by Boom Marketing
• Boom Marketing is the company that owns both Las Vegas Bride Magazine and WPLV. It also producers three bridal shows in the Las Vegas Valley: Las Vegas Bridal Expo, Summerlin Bridal Show, and Green Valley Bridal Show.
• DJ’s are an outgoing bunch, generally. And this site didn’t offer the name or photo any owner or DJ. That seemed odd.
• The site was very brief. No testimonials on the site. Three text-testimonials were offered on the GetMarried.com listing.
• When one looks up site ownership of the domain name, using WHOIS, it shows Big Dream Marketing is the owner, and the registration of the domain name was done on December 4, 2010. As a separate item, Big Dream Marketing has changed its name to Boom Marketing. The owner, address, phone, etc.,. are the same.

You might ask…

• How could a company touting 3000 happy brides and grooms only have created a website four months ago? – Probable answer… In the 21st century it would seem highly unlikely that such a prolific company, with more than 3000 weddings under its belt, is just recently offering a website. Hard to fathom that a business with a website could rack up such a tremendous number of successful bookings.
• Since the AllStarDJsNow.com site showed a WPLV badge, it should be a member of that organization, shouldn’t it? A quick trip to the WPLV membership directory showed 13 companies listed in Music and Entertainment area. All Star DJs Now was not one of them. In a recent issue of Las Vegas Bride Magazine, All Star DJs Now sported a full-page ad on the right hand side of the publication, at the gateway to the disc jockey entertainment section.
• Where is All Star DJs Now located? There is no address given on its website; however, on the Get Married lsting, it shows 3320 N. Buffalo Dr. Ste 102 – Las Vegas, NV 89129. That would be the same address as Boom Marketing, Las Vegas Bride Magazine and WPLV.
• Where is the site hosted? It’s a free, WordPress.com site.

So, what does this likely mean?

• What is this site, really? It appears to be an ersatz website representing a fictitious company. Online inquiries to the company resulted in no emails or call backs. Phone inquiries were answered by a voice mail box, with a female voice representing the company.
• Why would this alleged fictitious company take out an ad in a national wedding directory? Often, national organizations will not allow advertising from local wedding marketing companies (publications, shows or directories). They will, from time to time, partner or collaborate on cross-promotions. For example, a national publisher may provide magazines to a local bridal show producer to give out at the show. For that added distribution, the publisher might provide banner ads or email blasts on their website. These arrangements are usually made on a ‘per-show’ basis. It would seem that the listing, in question, was placed to gather leads of local Las Vegas brides for purposes other than the DJ services of All Star DJs.
• Why would local leads be important? Bridal show producers spend a lot of media dollars to attract traffic to their websites and shows. This was be a relatively inexpensive ‘back door’ method to garner bride information, without having a show listing.

In all cases, I’m for fair, if sometimes fierce, competition. This one made me jump back.

For you, does the scenario described pass the smell test?

SUGGESTION: Visit the original post on The Wedding Marketing Blog and read from comments that have come in from across North America, and all the way to Australia.

FEEDBACK PLEASE: Your comments, opinions, and perspective are highly encouraged. Please take a couple of minutes to evaluate what has been presented and offer your views. As a DJ, specifically, if this were happening to you, in your market, how would you react?

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

FYI: FULL DISCLOSURE: I co-founded, and assist with, another local networking group, Las Vegas Wedding Network.

American DJ/Elation Night at Music Trends Tuesday April 26th

Dear Fellow DJs,

- Unbelievable in Store Specials Tuesday April 26th Only

- Sale Prices Good for Phone orders or In store Sales on Tuesday April 26th

- Free Food, Free Prizes

- Awesome Demonstrations of the Latest Products from the Industry Leaders American DJ and Elation’s

- Two Top Product Specialists will be on hand answering all your questions

- DJ Etronic (DMC World Champ 2010) Spinning Live at Our Store all Day

- Meet other DJs that you can work with in the future to build your business

- This is a Free Event open to all who wish to attend!

- RSVP via Facebook by clicking here – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195837353791584

We Look forward to seeing you.

Thanks and keep the music spinning…

Bob Savarese

Order from the Music Trends Store

http://www.musictrends.com/

1-888-621-DJDJ

SnowMasters Special Effects—Flogos-Lite

PRESS RELEASE

SnowMasters Special Effects—Flogos-Lite

Portable Series

How Exciting!! From a 350 lb plus (24” size)/400 lb plus (36” size), 6’ plus tall road case to a < 70 lbs suitcase-sized machine, at 13” tall in transport configuration, and 36” in height when fully set up, with the same capabilities, the newly designed Flogos-Lite is lightweight, portable, and more innovative than before. It is a fraction of the size of the original machine, making it easy to transport, move, and setup; it can now be operational in less than 2 minutes.

Performance-wise, Flogos-Lite is faster, with dryer Flogos that float longer. It is designed by SnowMasters, now known as Global Special Effects, Inc., and is easily shipped via freight; Flogos-Lite can be conveniently transported in a mini-van or pickup truck.

Flogos-Lite is more affordable to a larger audience to purchase or rent. It is available in 24” and 36” variations, similar to previous model. It houses a built-in automatic timer to fly the floating clouds at different intervals or turn the machine on/off. When set up in its transporting/mobile configuration, it can be pulled, by one person, like a large piece of luggage.

Flogos-Lite is lightweight and can be easily stored, transported, and setup on stage, indoors/outdoors, and is a great addition to enhance any lighting designs, cryo, pyro, or other special effects; small size makes it great for touring bands too. Lighting and music becomes even more alive with floating logos or symbols flying simultaneously. Contact Global Special Effects, A.K.A SnowMasters. AVAILABLE TODAY!!

New Palm-Sized Min Lasers from Chauvet

NOW SHIPPING: NEW PALM-SIZED MiN™ LASERS

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®, a leading manufacturer of LED lighting, announces the release of three ultra-compact, plug-and-play lasers: MiN™ Laser FX, MiN™ Laser RGX and MiN™ Laser Star.

MiN™ Laser FX (http://www.chauvetlighting.com/min-laser-fx.html), MiN™ Laser RGX (http://www.chauvetlighting.com/min-laser-rgx.html) and MiN™ Laser Star (http://www.chauvetlighting.com/min-laser-star.html) project thousands of red and green laser beams onto any surface and cover huge areas with or without fog. These palm-sized lasers, which weigh less than one pound, can be controlled by a wireless infrared remote control and feature automated and sound-activated programs. Each laser includes two convenient mounting stands (truss or table top) and a wireless infrared remote control to make setup and operation a breeze. Ideal for the mobile DJ or home party environment, more than a dozen of these versatile, light-weight lasers can be can be easily transported from location to location in a standard backpack.

MiN™ Laser FX projects six different effects for hours of entertainment. Red and green lasers enhance the ambiance of any party by creating circles, lines, stars, dots and more. MiN™ Laser RGX projects thousands of beams covering ceilings and walls. MiN™ Laser Star projects dozens of green stars and red laser beams to provide big coverage at small parties.

Pair any of these lasers with a Hurricane™ Haze 2 (http://www.chauvetlighting.com/hurricane-haze2.html) haze machine or a Hurricane™ 700 (http://www.chauvetlighting.com/hurricane-700.html) fog machine for even more awe-inspiring effects.

All of these lasers are variance free and comply with the United States Food and Drug Administration and Center for Devices and Radiological Health standards for Class 3R lasers.
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.

Your phone personality can kill the DJ deal

A 20 second phone message can kill a DJ deal. Answering a call sounding like you are half dead, hung over or dodging a creditor can speak volumes about your personality and even your performance.

Your public persona typically starts with a phone call and that is the very first point of contact….your first impression. The opportunity is huge to make a powerful impact. It is your first opportunity to endear your prospective client. Yet that “first impression” is so many times not only wasted but in fact sabotages your chance to make a friend, fan or client out of the caller.

I call and talk to lots of DJs around the country and it is amazing to me how dull, lifeless and un-inspired (sometimes even rude) the conversation is. Sad.

Keep in mind: this is show biz. Don’t loose track of that. The expectation is that the DJ will be upbeat, fun, and exude a sense of confidence and positive personality. When the phone rings your performance switch should click ON. People love doing business with people they learn to know, like and trust. How quickly you create a rapport with your caller will be directly proportionate to your ability to create a new friend on the phone.

Then there is the Voice Mail message. Does it sparkle…does it give a good representation of you and your personality? I experimented with the Voice Mail message at Radio Parties and on a lark decided to really ham it up, have fun with it. Its a little wacky, yes, but it jumps out and makes an impression. I am continually amazed at the unsolicited positive comments from clients, potential clients, DJs and friends. It’s just a voice mail message, but it’s different, fun and lets the caller know right off the bat we are fun entertainers. Not dull, lifeless and boring. (Call it and take a listen 800 954 3535). Then take a minute and write a cool message for your greeting. (If you want, I’d be more than happy to record the greeting if you write it.)

Shake it up, have fun, and explode with personality. The phone is maybe one of the most misused marketing tools at your daily disposal.

Subscribe to my “DJ Hot Talk” blog for tons of “FREE” useful marketing tips for DJs.

iRig Mic from IKMultimedia Review

iRig Mic from IKMultimedia looks like it’s the perfect interview system based on the Iphone platform. The days of reporters hauling a tape recorder (even a hand digital recorder) or anything more than just their phone to an interview is needed. And for the mobile DJ’s sense, this works out great if you are doing interviews with your brides and grooms or recordings with the homecoming court to play at the homecoming dance.

The microphone is a prosumer grade piece of hardware meaning that it’s professional and well beyond what would be bought at the average Walmart or included in a karaoke system from Target, no cheap plastic here with a full condenser mic element inside. It is a very solid piece of hardware with a metal housing and looks similar in nature to Pro grade microphones like the Shure SM58 that is a standard within our industry. The response on the mic for vocal recordings sounds great. The top head capsure is removable and a non removable 6 1/2 ft cable that goes through to the dual mini-jack so that you can be listening to the recording through the iphone at the same time as it is recording through the included free apps. The included free app, VocalLive Free is nice, but I do recommend upgrading to the paid version of that application through the Apple App Store or purchasing a similar full featured program for doing the recordings. Exporting of the files outside of the iphone is handled by the app. Vocallive allows you to email out the file, export it via Itunes and other options.

Within our company we have been mixing an interview with the bride and groom into the instrumental portions of the bride and groom’s first dance for several years since first learning it from a presenter at the Mobile Beat DJ Conferences. In the past we have had to record it on the phone (at lower quality) or bring them into our office and use GarageBand on our Macs to do such. This makes it much easier for us using an Iphone that many of our staff already carry.

Overall for the $60 it costs available through several locations including http://www.ikmultimedia.com/irigmic/ it’s well worth it for a DJ to have in their equipment stash!

Remember Beth Standlee from MBLVXX?

Hey DJ’s,

Here’s a MUST SEE Seminar opportunity with Beth Standlee and Trainertainment.  If you learned a little about sales at the Mobile Beat DJ show in January/February then come back to Vegas May 5th and 6th and learn a LOT  more about sales.  TrainerTainment is holding a Sales Summit at Sunset Stations Casino on Thursday and ½ day Friday May 5th & 6th .  If you book your room by
Monday 4/18 and tell them that you are with TrainerTainment you’ll get a $54 rate.

I hope you’ll accept my personal invitation to attend this great event.  Click here to register  http://trainertainment.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=T&Category_Code=SC
See you soon (I hope!)

Beth
817.886.4840

Are you ready to have fun selling!

Please visit our website  www.trainertainment.net.
If you want training available 24/7 for your center sign up Xpress
Training today!

Pioneer DJ Art Mix Tour to benefit VH1 Save The Music Foundation

GLOBAL DJS AND URBAN ARTISTS PARTICIPATE IN THE “PIONEER DJ ART MIX TOUR” TO BENEFIT THE VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION

BT, Bob Haro, George Thompson, Jesse Graves, Joe Hahn, Man One, Ritzy Periwinkle, ROSTARR, Steve Aoki, The Crystal Method, Tommy Lee & DJ Aero as well as Victor “Marka27″ Quiñonez use Pioneer CDJ-2000 Digital Music Player as Canvas for Art

LONG BEACH, CA (April 11, 2011) – Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. Professional Sound and Visual Division today launched the Pioneer DJ Art Mix Tour, a unique fundraising program that brings together many of the world’s best DJs, urban artists and designers to create original works of art using Pioneer’s renowned industry standard CDJ-2000 digital music player. The one-of-a-kind celebrity designed art pieces will be exhibited in key markets across the country this summer, culminating in an online auction to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to restore music education programs in public schools.

“Pioneer is honored to work with an awesome cast of urban artists and DJs for a great cause like the VH1 Save The Music Foundation,” said David Arevalo, senior marketing manager, Professional Sound and Visual Division for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “There is an inherent synergy in the working dynamics of the DJ culture and urban artists. To be able to bring these two groups together in one exhibit, while also communicating the importance of music education and appreciation with our youth, is incredibly gratifying.”

Each participant in the Pioneer DJ Art Mix Tour will receive one CDJ-2000 to serve as a blank canvas on which to paint, design or otherwise decorate as customized works of art. Pioneer will unveil the completed art pieces in June at a hosted gallery showing in Los Angeles and New York, and from there, the collection will travel to several locations in top markets across the country. In August, following the final showing, the pieces from the Art Mix Tour will be put into a public online auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

“We are very excited to partner with Pioneer and are grateful for their help in reaching more of today’s children,” said Paul Cothran, executive director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “Having a company of their caliber lend their time and efforts to supporting our cause is an honor and we look forward to continuing to raise awareness about the importance of a musical education in a child’s life, ensuring that additional children have access to the benefits of music study.”

For more information about Pioneer DJ Art Mix Tour, visit www.PioneerDJusa.com/artmix

ABOUT VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. To date, VH1 Save The Music Foundation has provided more than $47 million in new musical instruments to 1,750 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.6 million children. The 2012 Ambassador Class – dedicated to raising awareness and funds to benefit The Foundation – includes:  Amber Riley, Ciara, Jewel, John Legend, John Mayer, Kristin Chenoweth, Lifehouse and Sara Bareilles.  Get involved at www.vh1savethemusic.com and follow us on Twitter @vh1savethemusic.

ABOUT PIONEER DJ

Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ equipment through its Professional Sound & Visual Division. Its DJM series of mixers has become an industry standard at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world, known for its high quality sound and reliability. For more information, visit www.pioneerdjusa.com. Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, CA, and its U.S. Web address is www.pioneerelectronics.com. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, established in Tokyo in 1938, is a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets. Follow Pioneer DJ USA: on Twitter at twitter.com/PioneerDJ; on Facebook at facebook.com/PioneerDJusa; on YouTube at youtube.com/pioneerdjglobal.

The Circus Is In Town by Chauvet

THE CIRCUS™ IS IN TOWN

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®, a leading manufacturer of LED lighting, announces the Circus™ [link: http://www.chauvetlighting.com/circus.html], a room-filling, high energy effect light able to simulate the performance of a moving light without the complication of internal moving parts. Circus™ features red, green, blue, white and amber LEDs housed in five separate, synchronized pods projecting ever-changing color effects using razor-sharp flowing beams making it an easy-to-use fixture ideal for mobile DJs, bands and clubs.

With the Circus™, you can cover an entire dance floor and achieve astounding aerial effects with or without fog. You can also take advantage of the built-in automated programs available in the Circus™ via master/slave mode or DMX control. By power linking up to 12 Circus™ fixtures, you will save space and time running cables and extension cords. User-friendly settings on the Circus™ provide versatility and enhance the unit’s overall performance.

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