Gemini FirstMix USB DJ Controller Available
May 31, 2011
Edison, NJ – May 31, 2011 – Gemini, a division of GCI Technologies and a leading innovator of modern DJ technology, is excited to announce the availability of the highly anticipated FirstMix – a USB DJ Controller for aspiring DJs. Now available at major retail locations across the country, this introductory controller packages professional functionality into an easy to use setup. Now everyone can be the DJ.
The award winning FirstMix connects to a laptop or desktop computer via USB and allows users to DJ with their iTunes or other music library by effortlessly navigating through folders and tracks with the browse function. Once a file’s been loaded, the touch-sensitive jog wheels let you scratch or can be used to bend the pitch of a track.
FirstMix also has a Sync feature that allows the DJ to combine two separate tracks and beat match the tempos for a unique and professional-sounding mix. Novice DJs will feel like pros by spicing up tracks with effects and reverse, as well as adjustable bass and treble. Record a set and share on Facebook or SoundCloud.
The FirstMix ships with Cross LE DJ software from MixVibes and is also compatible with Traktor, Virtual DJ, Algoriddim’s DJAY and other popular DJ software.
Priced at $99.95, the FirstMix is the newest addition to Gemini’s Digital DJ Controller line and is available now at retailers like Pro Sound Stage and Lighting, Musician’s Friend and more.
For the latest information on FirstMix and all of Gemini’s DJ gear, visit www.geminidj.com and follow us at facebook.com/TheGeminiDJ and twitter.com/gemini_dj.
New Peavey IPR™ 3000 Amp: Powerful + Lightweight
May 31, 2011
Peavey Electronics® proudly announces the immediate availability of the revolutionary Peavey IPR™ 3000 power amplifier. The IPR 3000 utilizes an advanced technology that increases output power, reliability and thermal efficiency while yielding the highest audio resolution possible with dramatically light weight.
Designed with a new advanced switch-mode power supply and a high-speed class D topology, the Peavey IPR 3000 power amplifier provides 1,490 watts RMS per channel @ 2 ohms (840 watts RMS x2 @ 4 ohms) with a weight of just 7.9 lbs. The highly anticipated release of the Peavey IPR 3000 follows the IPR 1600, the award-winning power amplifier that earned rave reviews from pro audio media and turned the industry on its ear.
Peavey IPR Series power amplifiers feature two channels with independent, fourth-order Linkwitz-Riley 100 Hz crossovers—with preset selections for Hi Pass, Full Range and Subwoofer—and a variable-speed fan housed in a lightweight aluminum chassis. Inputs are combination ¼” and XLR, while outputs are combination ¼” and twist-lock connectors.
Peavey’s exclusive DDT™ speaker protection with multi-point clip sampling leads a protection-circuitry suite that also includes DC, Temp, Signal and Active safeguards, all referenced on the front panel with LED indicators. Peavey IPR 3000 and IPR 1600 power amplifiers are covered by Peavey’s five-year warranty.
Regarding the Peavey IPR 1600, Front of House reviewer Jamie Rio wrote, “[When] a good amplifier is doing its job, you ideally don’t notice it. That would be a simple definition of transparency. The Peavey IPR 1600 disappeared into the background as the music filled the foreground. As it should.”
Rio added, “During the sound check, I pushed the [Peavey IPR 1600] in an attempt to create some sort of distortion or audio anomaly, but was unsuccessful—which was a good thing.”
Pro Audio Review writer Brian Smith commented, “Despite its lean physicality, the IPR 1600 is no lightweight when it comes to providing power for live sound applications where extra weight and cost are undesirable. Performing as advertised in all instances, the amp delivered clean, good sounding audio with ample headroom … even when pushed hard.”
The Peavey IPR 1600 power amplifier won the Best New Power Amp Award from music-products retailers in the 24th annual Music & Sound Awards, presented by the Music & Sound Retailer.
The Peavey IPR 3000 and IPR 1600 power amplifiers are available now from authorized Peavey dealers.
Peavey IPR 3000 Features:
* 1,490 watts RMS at 2 ohms (both channels driven)
* 1,640 watts RMS at 2 ohms (one channel driven)
* 840 watts RMS at 4 ohms (both channels driven)
* 930 watts RMS at 4 ohms (one channel driven)
* 440 watts RMS at 8 ohms (both channels driven)
* 470 watts RMS at 8 ohms (one channel driven)
* Lightweight 7.94 lbs. (3.6 kg)
* Two independent,fourth-order Linkwitz-Rileycrossovers (100 Hz)
* Combination ¼” & XLR inputs
* Combination twist-lock output connectors
* Exclusive DDT™ loudspeaker protection circuitry
* Revolutionary Peavey IPR class D topology
* Detented controls
* Individual signal pass 1/4″ jacks on each channel
* 2RU
* Five-year warranty
* U.S. MSRP $599.99
About Peavey Electronics®
Founded in 1965, Peavey® is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of musical instruments and professional sound equipment. Peavey has earned more than 180 patents and produces more than 2,000 products, which are distributed throughout the United States and to 136 other countries. Peavey and its MediaMatrix®, Architectural Acoustics®, Crest Audio®, Composite Acoustics® and Trace Elliot® brands and affiliates can be found on concert stages and in more than 5,000 airports, stadiums, theme parks and other venues around the world. To find out more, visit www.peavey.com.
Don’t Beat Your Competition…Seduce Them
May 28, 2011
Stephanie Padovani has been a professional wedding entertainer and “mistress of ceremonies” since 2000. Her specialties include client communication, copywriting, web management and search engine optimization. She draws on a rich background in inside sales and marketing.
She is also a freelance writer for the wedding industry whose works have been published in WedLock Magazine, Wed Biz Journal, Hudson Valley Weddings, Savvy Women’s Magazine and numerous other online and offline publications. Stephanie is the managing editor of the regional wedding planning blog, Best Hudson Valley Wedding Ever.
Who is Jeff Padovani?
Jeff Padovani is a professional musician, DJ and business marketing strategist. He’s the “big ideas” mastermind behind many business ventures and is chiefly responsible for the birth of the three businesses he currently co-owns with Stephanie.
Jeff has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing for several industries including retail, real estate and outside sales. He was a top sales performer and trainer for Lechmere Corporation for 10 years. Jeff currently manages the affiliate and advertising programs at Best Hudson Valley Wedding Ever.She Says
I honestly don’t think we have any competition.
Before you take me as an egomaniac, let me explain…
There is no one, and I mean no one, in our market who does exactly what we do exactly the way we do it. Because of that it’s impossible for us to have competition.
If you can make your service completely unique and different from everything else out there, then you “beat” the competition without even trying. The easiest and most effective way to do that is to target a very specific, small section of the market and specialize in it. Own it.
For example, you can specialize in certain types of music (Latin, Polka, country) or events (corporate, proms, weddings) or even types of clients. Over the years we’ve identified our ideal wedding couples: they are age 27-32 with advanced degrees, live in Manhattan, work in finance, have eclectic hipster taste in music, and choose non-traditional weddings locations.
When they find us, they immediately know we’re the right ones for them.
Which brings me to my second point. There are a few DJs in our area who have a similar style to us. Rather that whining and complaining about them because they are our “competition,” we make those closest competitors our allies.
We send them referrals. They send us referrals. Because our markets are a close match these are extremely warm leads in both directions. Our competitors make money for us, and we make it for them.
Quit worrying about the competition and win them over instead. And if they don’t bite, focus on making your service so different that your competition doesn’t even exist.
He Says
Proudly proclaiming that you specialize in “all occasions” on your website is a badge of mediocrity. What you’re really saying is that you’re not special at anything at all.
The best advice I can give any DJ is to focus like a laser on what you do best or the market you want to work for. Steer your message to this market and you won’t have any competition. Become the best at serving that market.
If you want to do weddings, pick the type of wedding. Are they low end or high end weddings? Do they want a club type atmosphere or a lower profile DJ who just plays great music?
What’s authentic to you? If you’re not good at being a club DJ and you pretend to be one, everyone is going to notice.
Then turn your competition into fans. Help them.
Say what???!!?
Do something nice for your competition and you’ll be amazed at how it will come back to you.
I regularly hear my DJ brothers and sisters complaining about the competition. It’s time for a perspective shift.
Stop looking at them as competition and look at them as potential partners.
Start thinking about how these relationships can lead to better profits for you instead of all the things you don’t like about how they run their businesses. You can only work a finite number of jobs in the year. You might: sell your leads to your competition, exchange dates when they are booked, contract them out for services you don’t offer.
Stop worrying about Craigslist DJs because there’s nothing you can do about them. They’re not going away.
Rise above them or get buried by trying to compete with them.
Don’t just BE different; make sure your difference is consistent in your message and expressed in all your marketing. It’s not enough for you to know what your specialty is; you need to clearly communicate it to your potential customers.
Take an honest look at yourself, your website and your marketing. Does it look unique? Does it look homemade? Does it solve a problem for your client?
Or is it just good enough?
Written by Stephanie and Jeff Padovani · Filed Under Business, Business College, DJ University
Technology takes a swipe at Mobile DJs
May 25, 2011
Technology has twisted and shaped just about every industry in America. Whole industries have been revamped, reconfigured and in some cases completely redesigned. Think about the travel agency business in the age of do-it-yourself on-line booking. How about graphic design and printing, or retail shopping: bookstores have been devastated, music stores virtually non-existent, even clothing stores have to rethink how they do business.
Did you think the DJ industry would come out without a scrape? Not going to happen. Actually, many things have changed our art for the better: Easy access to music, mp3s and laptops, lighter weight, higher quality sound systems and lights and amazing mixing software.
- MOBILE DJ is an all-in-one sound system for iPod, microphone, and other audio sources. You can perform for more than 12 hours on its internal, rechargeable battery or wall power. The full-range speaker and built-in 20W amplifier ensure clean, clear sound up to 150 feet away
But wait….what is this new gadget from Numark. The “Mobile DJ” is a self contained amp/speaker with dual I-pod docks, cross-fader, external input jacks, Two microphone jacks compete with special effects It rolls in on wheels with a tow handle and is ready to make a party come to life. It sells for less than what most gigs would pay in a night, under $500.
How will Numark’s “Mobile DJ” affect the mobile DJ business? It’ll wreck havoc on the DJ who views his job as music provider. It will have virtually no impact on DJs who are masters of the microphone. If you know how to engage a crowd, project your personality and jump start a party, your skill set will always have value and will always be in demand. That is, and has always been the real distinguishing difference between a music based DJ playing the hits, and a true champion of the craft who has the ability to ignite the crowd with his hosting skills.
If you want to flourish in this amazing Mobile DJ business and shield yourself from the onslaught of music based technological advancement, spend the time and dedicate yourself to become a true artist on the microphone not just a skilled music mechanic. It will pay handsomely as we move through the next decade. Numark will never be able to create a “host” or “master of ceremonies” or a fun personality driven party.
For continuous news, comment and insight into the wild and wacky world of Mobile Djing! Join me, Ric Hansen, on my blog at www.djhottalk.com
Elation Education Experience Winner James Keeley Designs Lighting for R&B/Hip-Hop Artist Cupid and XtremeFoamParties.com’s 1st Birthday Bash
May 25, 2011
Elation Education Experience Winner James Keeley Designs Lighting for R&B/Hip-Hop Artist Cupid and XtremeFoamParties.com’s 1st Birthday Bash
LOS ANGELES – Since winning an Elation Education Experience Award for aspiring lighting designers, James Keeley has become a respected lighting “guru” who so impressed Elation Professional and its parent company, American DJ, that they hired him as a consultant. Answering a few questions for American DJ customer Matt Bushweiler via Facebook helped James get the job of designing and running the lighting for the XtremeFoamParties.com 1st Birthday Bash, which recently took place at Good Times Bar & Grill in Reedsburg, Wisconsin.
The multi-talented R&B and hip-hop performer Cupid, best known for his dance club hits, “Cupid Shuffle” and “CU-Step,” was the headlining act for the 1st Birthday Bash. Wisconsin-based acts Motion, Dr. Diction and L. U. V. also performed at the event, and XtremeFoamParties.com’s own DJ Fusion and Foamalicious owner/DJ Chris Smooth kept the music going all night long (XtremeFoamParties.com is a division of Foamalicious Inc.). The company sent Interscope Records’ national recording artist Nox to the party as a surprise for all of those gathered to celebrate the foam party company’s first birthday.
James used his lighting design skills to create an upbeat and energetic mood to go along with the music the DJ’s were spinning, Nox’s performance and Cupid’s beat-driven dance tunes. He used Global Truss trussing to construct a concert-sized lighting rig to support the fixtures he used in creating dramatic, sound-activated effects such as strobing, color changes and sweeps. These fixtures included:
- 6 Elation Platinum Spot 5R’s
- 2 Elation Design LED Tri Bricks
- 2 Elation E-Spot LED’s
- 1 ADJ TriPhase
- 1 ADJ UV16
- 2 ADJ Mega Pixels
- Various lengths of 3-pin and 5-pin Accu-Cable
- Elation’s Compu Show PC software
The response and feedback James received from attendees at the party indicated that the event was a huge success. “There were a lot of people that told me that the lighting really added to the feel and look of the show,” James said. “Matt and the owners of the club are in the process of planning shows in the near future (and) I will proudly be a part of the XtremeFoamParties.com lighting crew again.”
For more information on Elation Professional, call toll-free at866-245-6726 or visit www.elationlighting.com
For more information on American DJ, call toll free 1-800-322-6337 or visit the website at www.americandj.com
For more information on XtremeFoamParties.com, visitwww.xtremefoamparties.com
Written by Ryan Burger · Filed Under Exclusive Online News and Content, Lighting, Sound
Leading European DJ Manufacturer Releases Flagship Traktor Pro Controller
May 25, 2011
Reloop Jockey III Master Edition: Full Metal Jockey
Leading European DJ Manufacturer Releases Flagship Traktor Pro Controller
North Hollywood, CA, May 24th, 2011 – Reloop is proud to introduce the Jockey III Master Edition, its new flagship Traktor Pro controller, audio interface and stand-alone digital mixer. From its bulletproof metal body to its ultra high resolution jog wheels and BurrBrown® converters, Jockey III is constructed only from the highest quality components, ensuring a high standard of durability and reliability for professional DJ’s.
Jockey III enables control of all four Traktor Pro decks thanks to its “classic mixer-style” smart deck switching system, and includes 90 fully assignable MIDI controls designed especially for Traktor’s advanced functions like hot cue points, smart loops, effects and track browsing. With the Jockey III, Reloop introduces new, larger jog wheels with an impressive 4096 impulses per rotation resolution and mechanical tension control for custom adjustment of the wheels’ response. Also featured are high quality encoders with LED rings for precise control and feedback over loops and effects and rubberized buttons for fast trigger action of cue points and samples.
On the audio side, the included interface features 24 bit / 96 kHz BurrBrown® AD/DA converters, two pairs of phono/line inputs to connect CD players or turntables, a microphone input (which can be routed to the software for recording, or direct to the output for live use), a headphone output with dual jacks, booth output and balanced master output.
As if being a top notch controller and audio interface isn’t engouh, the unit is also fully capable of running without a computer. Simply connect a pair of decks to the rear inputs, and use the mixer section to mix the old fashion way, but in full digital flavor: Jockey III is a full featured stand-alone digital mixer!
The Reloop Jockey III Master Edition will be in stores June 15th at a competitive street price of $699.99 ($899.99 MSRP), including Traktor LE. All Reloop controllers purchased after January1st, 2011 are eligible for a free upgrade to Traktor 2 LE.
For more information on the Jockey III and other Reloop products, visit http://www.mixware.net
Reloop is distributed exclusively in the US by Mixware, LLC.
Written by Ryan Burger · Filed Under Digital DJ, Exclusive Online News and Content, Sound
Controversial GAGA jumps into the TOP 30 Safe songs list
May 19, 2011
Music Notes
Gaga continues her “Madona like” profile with her latest chart climbing song “Judas”. The most controversial song on our Top 30 Safe Songs list, parallels the 1989 hit by Madonna: Like a Prayer”. Catholics and
other religious organizations are up in arms, and want it banned. I would definitely avoid playing it at your CYO dance or Catholic schools. It is not universally objectionable so it has made it to our Top 30.
GAGA was named by Forbes magazine as the world’s most powerful celebrity. And today the announcement that the world’s biggest coffee chain will join with GAGA in a PR lovefest, from now til June 3rd. Beginning today, Starbucks will host a Gaga-infused scavenger hunt across its digital properties from Facebook to Twitter to Foursquare. Gaga fanatics can follow her exploits and search out clues. There are ga
ggles of prizes, but the top winner gets special access to a Lady Gaga concert during her 2012 world tour. Gaga’s new CD, Born this Way will be released Monday May 23rd AND Starbucks customers in the U.S. will be able to stream Gaga’s new album, download her new song Edge of Glory and watch an exclusive video from the in-store Starbucks Digital Network.
This weeks Top 30 Safe Songs list for schools
| LW | TW | Artist | Title | Featuring | Prime Cuts # | BPM | Notes |
| 7 | 1 | Black Eyed Peas | Just Can’t Get Enough | 201106 | 94 | ||
| 9 | 2 | Katy Perry | ET | 105 | |||
| 3 | 3 | Lady Gaga | Born This Way | 201102 | 120 | ||
| 5 | 4 | Hold it against Me | Britney Spears | 201103 | 134 | ||
| 12 | 5 | Tinie Tempah | Written in the Stars | Eric Turner | 201104 | 93 | |
| 4 | 6 | Enrique Iglesias | Tonght | Ludacris | 201047 | 126 | Edit Sh*t |
| 14 | 7 | Jennifer Lopez | On the Floor | Pitbull | 201104 | 130 | |
| 2 | 8 | Usher | More | 201047 | 125 | ||
| 1 | 9 | Ke$ha | Blow | 201102 | 120 | ||
| 15 | 10 | Nicki Minaj | Moment for Life | Drake | 201050 | 98 | edit |
| 20 | 11 | Bruno Mars | Lazy Song | 201108 | 87 | ||
| 22 | 12 | Britney Spears | Til The World Ends | 201111 | 133 | Small edit | |
| 6 | 13 | Katy Perry | Firework | 201041 | 124 | ||
| 8 | 14 | Far East Movement | Rocketeer | Ryan Tedder | 201047 | 96 | |
| 24 | 15 | Lupe Fiasco | The Show Goes on | 201045 | 72 | ||
| 11 | 16 | Chris Brown | Yeah 3X | 201044 | 129 | ||
| 10 | 17 | Keri Hilson | Pretty Girl Rock | 201042 | 80 | ||
| 21 | 18 | Mike Posner | Bow Chicka Wow Wow | 201107 | 74 | edit sh*t | |
| 13 | 19 | Taio Cruise-Travie MacCoy | Higher | 201102 | 128 | Radio Edit | |
| 28 | 20 | T-Pain | Best Love Song | Chris Brown | 201108 | 81 | Edit |
| 19 | 21 | Nelly | Gone | Kelly Rowland | 201101 | 73 | |
| 29 | 22 | Wiz Khalifa | Roll Up | 201106 | 94 | Edit | |
| 16 | 23 | Bruno Mars | Grenade | 201044 | 111 | ||
| 30 | 24 | LMFAO | Party Rock Anthem | Lauren Bennett | 201102 | 131 | Edit |
| NEW | 25 | Lady Gaga | Judas | 201117 | 131 | No Catholic schools | |
| 17 | 26 | Chris Brown | Deuces | 201031 | 74 | EDIT | |
| NEW | 26 | Pitbulll | Give Me Everything | Ne-Yo & Nayer - | 201114 | 129 | Suggestive content |
| 18 | 27 | Rihanna | What’s My Name | 201043 | 100 | H.S Only | |
| NEW | 27 | New Boyz | Backseat | 201103 | 124 | Edit “A**” | |
| NEW | 28 | Kanye West | All of the lights | Kid Cudi, Rihanna | 201050 | 71 | Use the super clean edit |
| NEW | 29 | Beyonce | Run The World | 201118 | 127 | ||
| NEW | 30 | T-Pain | Best Love Song | 201108 | 81 | ||
| Recurrents- (Still popular) | |||||||
| Edward Maya-Mia Martina | Stereo Love | 201013 | 127 | ||||
| Pink | Raise Your Glass | 201041 | 122 | EDIT | |||
| Flo Rida | Who Dat Girl | 201046 | 125 | ||||
| Nelly | Just a Dream | 201032 | 90 | ||||
| Enrique Iglesias | I Like It | Pitbull | 201019 | 129 | |||
| Rihanna | Only Girl (In the world) | 201037 | 126 | EDIT | |||
| Pitbull | Hey Baby | 201037 | 128 | ||||
| Black Eyed Peas | The Time (Dirty Bit) | 201045 | 128 | ||||
| Mann | Buzzin | 201050 | 104 | Edit | |||
| Will.I.am | Check it Out | Nicki Minaj | 201037 | 130 | edit | ||
| Kesha | Take It Off | 201028 | 125 | ||||
| Katy Perry | Teenage Dream | 201031 | 120 | ||||
| KE$HA | We R Who We R | 201043 | 120 | Edit | |||
| Mike Posner | Please Don’t Go | 201034 | 121 | ||||
| Usher | DJ Got Us Fallin In Love | Pitbull | 201029 | 120 | Edit | ||
| Bruno Mars | Just the way you are | 201030 | 109 | ||||
| David Guetta | Memories | F/Kid Cudi | 201012 | 130 | Edit | ||
| Ditty-Dirty Money | Coming Home | 201047 | 84 | Edit nigga&sh*t | |||
| Nicki Minaj | Right Thru You | 201040 | 81 | ||||
| Jay Sean | 2012 (It ain’t the end of the world” | 201032 | 127 | ||||
| Eminem | Love The Way You Lie | Rihanna | 201027 | 87 | Edit | ||
| Taio Cruz | Dynamite | 201020 | 120 | ||||
| 3OH!3 | Double Vision- Dance Edit | 201035 | 120 | ||||
| Sean Kingston | Letting Go (Dutty Love) | 201025 | 92 | ||||
| Travie McCoy | Need You | 201037 | 74 | ||||
| Flo Rida | Club can’t Handle Me | D Guetta | 201024 | 128 | |||
| Taio Cruz | Dirty Pictures (Squeaky Clean) | Ke$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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| DO NOT PLAYLIST ADDS | |||||||
| New | Kelly Rowland | Motivation | Lil Wayne | clearly sexual | |||
| Waka Flocka Flame | Grove St. Party | Kebo Gotti | |||||
| Travis Porter | Bring it Back | ||||||
| Chris Brown | Look at me Now | ||||||
| Nicki Minaj | Did it on em | Nasty | |||||
| Big Sean | My Last | Chris Brown | Glorifies Alcohol | ||||
| Snoop Dog | Wet/Sweat | ||||||
| Kanye West | H*A*M | Jay-Z | |||||
| Rihanna | S&M | ||||||
| Pink | Fr**kin Perfect | ||||||
| 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 |
A Good Pair of Pants… By Stu Chisholm – MB 135
May 16, 2011
FRESH TIPS TO MAKE MOBILE LIFE EASIER
Before the publication of my book, The Complete Disc Jockey, you might recall my old column called “Sweating the Small Stuff.” In it, I shared all of those little ideas that won’t change the face of your show or the DJ universe, but are none the less cool, make life easier, and can make a good DJ show even better. Since this issue is taking a look in the rear view mirror at where MB and our profession have been, and since I never stop accumulating these great little ideas, tips, gadgets, etc., I’ll carry on this tradition here with some new things I’ve run across.
PHAT…ER…FAT TRUNK
Years ago, my local cable TV station had a “closet sale.” One of the items offered was a genuine Anvil™ case. Actually it was an old video camera that they were selling for a hundred bucks, but my eye was on the case it was in. I eventually sold the camera, getting my C-note back, leaving me with a great cable trunk in broadcast blue. It served me from the early ‘80s until just last year. It was old when I got it, took a beating and served me well. But, with broken casters, a cracked top panel and foam that was completely deteriorated, it was time to retire the old beast.
Fortunately, I found a great replacement, one that I can recommend to you as well, since getting it doesn’t depend on a radio or TV station fire sale. I found it at my local hardware store: the Stanley Fat Max® 4-in-1 Mobile Work Station. In actuality it is a glorified toolbox, but stands nearly 30 inches tall. It has three compartments, the largest one at the bottom being a bin, perfect for electrical cord reels and extension cords. In the middle is a segmented compartment suitable for storing mics, XLR, DMX, RCA and other cables, and then the top compartment is more like a traditional toolbox, with a smaller bin (perfect for speaker cables) and a removable top tray, which I used for adapters, couplers and other small-but-vital goodies. On the job, it expands like a three-tiered file cabinet, providing easy access. When you’re done setting up, just fold it back up, lock it closed, pull out the airline luggage style handle and wheel it away! Check it out at www.stanleytools.com.
MAKIN’ LIKE A BOY SCOUT
Things can always go wrong, but most often in predictable ways. But, like a scout at the ready, a good DJ will always be prepared. One embarrassing thing that seems to happen at weddings a few times each year is that the bride will forget her garter in the excitement of the day. Not only do I carry a few spares, but I carry the best: hand-made custom garters by Victoria. For about the same cost as a plain old wedding shop garter, Victoria from HCC Garters will create a one-of-a-kind wearable masterpiece. Not only can you save the day by having a few of these in your stash, but make a few dollars selling them. See Victoria’s work at her website: www.Hand-CraftedCreations.com.
Another detail that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle is the cake serving set. I always check to make sure that it is in place before announcing the cake cutting, and on several occasions have found that nobody remembered to bring it. Again you can be the hero of the day by thinking ahead and bringing one. These can be had at any bridal shop or even the housewares department at your local superstore.
GETTING OUTFITTED FOR BATTLE
Every DJ has to plan on two outfits when dressing for a formal event: the clothes he/she will be setting up in and the attire worn during the performance. For most of us, the latter is easy, since a tuxedo is the standard uniform for all formal events. But what about setting up? Do you frequent country clubs that prohibit blue jeans at any time? Are your set-up clothes functional? Will they stand up to the abuse of the road?
As frequent readers know, I’m a big fan of stealing techniques used in other professions and adapting them for mobile DJ use. In this case I’m ripping off the professional movers I met from Two Men and a Truck in Roseville, Michigan. The first thing they recommend is good steel-toed work boots. Road cases are great protection for our gear, but can be pretty painful if dropped on one’s foot! My favorite work boots are made by Caterpillar® (yes, the earth-moving people); they have all of the advantages of work boots, along with the comfort of an athletic shoe. Another great brand is Red Wing®. With boots, not only are my feet better protected, but it saves a lot of wear and tear on my formal shoes, which I carry in my suit bag along with my tuxedo.
Pants are another issue; they must be rugged, yet denim is out in some venues. They must be lightweight, and extra pockets for tools, wire ties and other set-up gear is a plus. This time both the movers and I have both stolen from yet a third type of profession: first-responders like EMTs and SWAT officers. These professionals wear what are known as BDUs, a military-style pant that is made with performance in mind, yet looks good to boot. Better brands have a cotton-poly blend that doesn’t hold sweat, reinforced knees, seat and stress points and plenty of cargo pockets. Best of all, they’re usually inexpensive. One of my favorite sources, LAPoliceGear.com, has what they call “RipStop Mil-Spec BDU pants” for as little as $15. There are a wide variety of colors, but I highly recommend avoiding the olive green and camouflage for our purposes.
Shirts are less critical, but again, due to the quirks of some venues, I find it best to stick with polo shirts. Having your company logo embroidered on them is a cool touch, making a good impression with the hall staff and even being useable as performance wear for some very informal events such as backyard parties. If you must wear a T-shirt underneath, look for the kind with wicking action; they make a huge difference on warmer days.
PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ
When it comes to tuxedos, we have a lot of options. My tip here is to try to keep your tuxedo looking good for as long as possible while, at the same time, giving you that “something extra” that other DJs might overlook. I’m talking about a boutonnière. A relative of mine did a stint at a florist shop for a while and made me about a half-dozen very convincing silk boutonnières. These make it easy to coordinate with a wedding couple’s color scheme.
But there’s one major problem with regular boutonnière use: the need to pin them on my lapel. If done week after week, my poor tux jacket might start looking worse for wear. What to do? Rip off an idea (of course!) from television news anchors and use a lavaliere microphone clip. Instead of a lapel mic, use the clip to hold your boutonnières. Look good, with no lapel damage!
Earlier this year I got a call to do a sock hop. Believe it or not, when I first started my DJ business, my partner and I used to do more of these than any other kind of event! These days, sock hops have become a bit more rare, so I like to do something special when one comes along. A tuxedo is far too formal, and rooting around in a thrift shop isn’t my favorite pastime. Instead, I head to Daddyos.com! There they have a wide variety of retro-style shirts and attire perfect for such occasions. Need a clone of the shirt James Dean wore in Rebel Without a Cause? No problem! Great attire for car cruises, too.
DANGER AHEAD?
My last tip is safety oriented: Pack a good first aid kit and know how to use everything in it. With any luck you’ll never need it, but if you do, it could make a huge difference to your clients and their family. It can also be handy if you or any of your assistants or dancers have a mishap before, during or after your show. In conjunction with the kit, it’s also a great idea to take a good CPR and first aid class. You can sometimes find them offered for free at your local police, fire department or city hall. Your local Red Cross should be able to point you in the right direction. Any decent DJ can save a party. A truly exceptional one can save a life!
Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas useful; maybe one can solve a problem you’ve been wrestling with from a different angle. The basic concept is this: Always be as prepared as possible for the unexpected—it WILL occur!
Until next time, safe spinnin’!
MOBILE BEAT, MAY 2011 #135 – NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE; PRINT EDITION HITS MAILBOXES SOON
May 16, 2011
MOBILE BEAT – MAY 2011 – #135
SPECIAL PROMOTION: Even non-subscribers can read a COMPLETE online edition of Mobile Beat’s 20th Anniversary issue online. This issue features extra content in honor of MB’s milestone year!
Normally, only a 16-page sample of the online magazine is available to you if you are not a subscriber. We invite you to check out this one FULL issue, then subscribe to get access to EVERY online issue, as well as to receive the physical magazine in your mailbox 7 times a year.
:: CELEBRATE WITH US! ::
20 Years…Really? Yes, Mobile Beat is celebrating its 20th anniversary with this issue!
Inside, Mobile Beat founders Bob Lindquist and Mike Buonaccorso take us back to the beginning and talk about HOW IT ALL BEGAN. We also take a look at MB history from a bunch of different angles: We check in with the magazine’s FIRST DJ PROFILE subject, Chris Pangalos to see where he went with his mobile DJ career; we look at how close MB came in predicting gear developments in FUTURE JOCK, REVISITED; Mike B. talks MB Las Vegas show history in an excerpt from his upcoming book TURNTABLES, HARD DRIVES AND EGOS; and much more!
Rather than “make room” for the anniversary items, we added pages and kept our usual assortment of info-packed articles at full strength. A major highlight is the addition of financial expert Dave Ramsey to our high-powered stable of business writers, with his new column, DAVE SAYS…ON DJ BUSINESS. Also on the business tip, John Stiernberg continues his in-depth discussion of how to delegate and SHARPEN YOUR TEAM’S SPECIAL SKILLS. Multi-system managers should not miss this series!
Stu Chisholm offers his typically practical tips in two pieces: GOING COMMERCIAL gives you fair warning about new government regs on your traveling rig; and he reprises his previous column, Sweating the Small Stuff with a head-smackingly helpful selection of miscellaneous tips. (Duh, why didn’t I think of that?)
People-wise, we get a quick look at what makes DJ CRASH COURSE creator JOSH YAWN tick. Publisher Ryan Burger offers an eye-opening look at what event planners think of DJs in TEAMING UP. DJ Coach Paul Kida discusses how COMPLACENCY KILLS; and Mark Johnson has more to say about those who say I’M A DJ TOO!
In the tech realm, MB 135 contains reviews of: the DENON’s new DN-MC6000 control unit; BEATS PRO high-end HEADPHONES; and a TALE OF TWO MIXERS from SOUNCRAFT and STANTON.
This collector’s edition of Mobile Beat is literally bursting with material to make your DJ life better, and celebrate the magazine’s place in DJ history. Don’t miss it!
Future Jock, Revisted – By Dan Walsh – MB 135
May 16, 2011
HOW ON-TARGET WERE EARLY MB TECH PREDICTIONS?
Way back sometime in the first five years of MB (1994, issues 18 and 19 to be precise), then-primary tech writer Henry Collins and publisher Bob Lindquist did a two-part feature called “Future Jock” where they talked about what might be in store for DJs and their gear in coming decades. As we’ve delved into the MB archives to find material for this retrospective issue, it’s been fun to see how things have changed. And in the case of “Future Jock” it’s especially interesting to see the mixture of accurate and incorrect predicting our tech-minded MB scribes were able to muster.
Take, for example, the opening paragraph of Future Jock, Part 1:
“The year is 2000 and DJ Digital Jam is cranking up his computer work station. He begins to download musical selections for the upcoming weekend jobs. Quickly checking his play list for the evening, he then dials out to perform a loop back diagnostic on his remote systems. Tonight, “Dee Jam,” his preferred handle, will be telemixing to four client sites. He will be spinning new wave Latin music at one club, progressive hip-hop at the second, techno at the third and Top 40 at the fourth.”
Well, remote DJing hasn’t caught on quite yet; but of course it is well within the realm of possibility with current networking technology. Only within the last few years have internet connection speeds, bandwidth capabilities, video hardware and audio/video software all developed to the point where a completely “telemixed” performance might be done with acceptable sound and video quality.
More on target were Henry’s predictions about digital playback. While the “Future Jock” series predated the advent of MP3 as the defacto standard of digital audio file storage, he foresaw DJs leaving behind vinyl and CDs (and MiniDiscs, which at the time seemed poised for possible ascendancy—oh well, sorry Sony) for hard drives packed with tracks and/or online “file server” storage.
Again, just recently—in this case, very recently—that last idea has really come to fruition. Online file servers, now known more affectionately as “the cloud” when taken as a group, are now capable not only of storage, but real-time playback. Amazon’s new Cloud Drive and Cloud Player let you not only store music you’ve purchased at the mega-commerce site, but also upload your other music files to store (ultimately for a fee, of course) and play everything back from a computer…or even a smartphone. (We should track Henry down and see if he had even an inkling that we’d be able to play music from the phones in our pockets. Who knew?)
After looking at the courageous attempt at prophecy made by an earlier MB writer and editor, the current crew has realized we need to man-up and take our own crack at the ole’ crystal ball. Look for new generation of “Future Jock” (or maybe some other hip new kinda title) in the near future!
