Could DJs Be the Next Wedding Planners?

Could DJs Be the Next Wedding Planners? “Dream DJ Wedding Gig” Contest Inspires Creativity from an Unlikely Source

Los Angeles - DJs and weddings - they go together like, well, brides and grooms, or love and marriage. Most DJs have done a ton of weddings-and although DJs might not know the secret to matrimonial bliss, they do have some pretty good ideas about what goes into to making a really special, unforgettable nuptial ceremony.

DJs have done their share of work with brides and grooms, and now they have a chance to share their pearls of wedding wisdom with the world in the AMERICAN DJ DREAM WEDDING CONTEST.

Entering is simple: contest hopefuls just send in a video of no longer than 5 minutes in length, sharing the details of their dream wedding. What would the bride and groom be like? The guests? What food would they serve? Where would the wedding be set? What kind of music and dancing would be enjoyed?

American DJ also wants to know how the DJ would use three of the newest ADJ lights to create a light show worthy of this dream wedding. The three lights are the Jellyfish, Profile Panel RGB and Revo Rave. More information on all three of these products is available on the American DJ website. www.americandj.com

Videos should be sent as video responses to DJ Brian Redds AMERICAN DJ DREAM WEDDING GIG” Contest video on his YouTube channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/briansredd). More information on how to enter the contest is available on the American DJ website, www.americandj.com

The key to this contest is for DJs to let their imaginations run wild, and share their best wedding vision to help fellow DJs know how American DJs new state-of-the-art lights can take any party to new heights. Videos will be judged on the basis of creativity, fun, inspiration and all of the other cool stuff that makes people so happy to be part of the DJ world.

The prizes are as follows: there will be four winners that will receive gear, plus 20 runners-up will receive a free custom banner from American DJ.

American DJs Choice Winner - Will receive 2 Jellyfish lighting effects plus 500 ADJ Advantage Points.

Brian S. Redds Choice Winner - Will receive 2 Profile Panel RGB lighting effects plus 500 ADJ Advantage Points.

Viewers Choice Winner - Will receive 2 Revo Rave lighting effects plus 500 ADJ Advantage Points.

Grand Prize Winner - Will receive 1 Galaxian Royale laser effect, plus an additional lighting effect will be added for each 100 video submissions to the contest. The additional lighting effects will be determined by American DJ at the end of the contest.

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

Videos must be submitted as YouTube Video responses to DJ Brian Redds “AMERICAN DJ DREAM WEDDING GIG” Contest video on his YouTube channel. (http://www.youtube.com/user/briansredd).

Here are the Official Rules of the “American DJ Dream Wedding Gig” Contest

Eligibility - The contest is open to anyone in the world. Contestants must have a YouTube account to enter the video contest. Employees of the American DJ Group, its affiliates and agencies and their immediate families are not eligible to enter the contest. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest.

Description - The contest requires contestants to submit a video up to 5 minutes in length in which they describe their dream wedding gig and describe how they would use the American DJ Jellyfish Profile Panel RGB and Revo Rave to create a lightshow worthy of this wedding.

Exclusions - Lewd, vulgar and offensive content are not permitted in the videos. The inclusions of such content either in the form of images, words, gestures or actions will immediately exclude the video from consideration.

Judgment Criteria - Videos will be judged based on originality, creativity, visual quality, personal presentation and accuracy of content. Entries will be judged by a panel of three judges selected by American DJ. The decisions of the panel are final.

How To Enter - Contestants can enter through Brian Redds YouTube Channel. To enter contestants must submit a “video response” to Brian Redds “American DJ Dream Wedding Gig” Contest video.

Liability - Contestants agree to hold American DJ, its employees, its agencies and their employees harmless from any and all liabilities that result from entering this contest. Contestants further warrant that all material submitted is original with them and violates no copyright laws. By entering this contest, contestants agree to have their videos used on the American DJ website as well as the American DJ YouTube site and the DJ Tutor YouTube site.

Contest Period - The contest runs from March 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010. Entries received after 5 pm Pacific Standard Time on Friday, April 30 will not be considered. Winners will be announced on Brian Redds YouTube Channel on Friday, May 7, 2010. Voting for “Viewers Choice” will be open until 5pm Pacific Standard Time on Thursday, May 6, 2010. “Viewers Choice” submissions should be made in the “comments” section of the original “American DJ Dream Wedding Gig” Contest video.

Tweet This Post 

Dual Deck Multi-Format DVD/Hard Drive System with DVD/AVI/Mp3 Ripper

V-BANK
Dual Deck Multi-Format DVD/Hard Drive System with DVD/AVI/Mp3 Ripper

Take two multi-format disc players, two 500GB hard drives*, dual USB drive and SD card inputs, and put them all together with professional digital key control, pitch control, add media ripping capability, and you have the V-BANK from VocoPro. This leap-forward unit builds on VocoPro’s Media Jukebox technology to create a massive media vault to store and play your digital library of music and video. With disc ripping capability, you can copy any non-copy protected CD, DVD or DivX® discs that you own to the on-board hard drives. So now you can rip, store and playback thousands of audio / video files at the club or at home.
*Actual formatted drive space may vary.

Features:
• Dual Disc Players Support DVD, CD, CD+G, Mp3, VCD, and DivX® AVI Formats
• Dual 500GB Hard Drives Can Store Thousands of Files
• ±12% Pitch Control Slider with key lock will change the tempo of music without changing the key
• ±7 Step Digital Key Control
• Dual USB Thumb Drive and SD Card Ports on the Front Panel for Easy Access to Additional Media
• USB Jacks to Access On-Board Hard Drives Directly with Your Computer
• Full Function Remote Control
• 120V/240V and NTSC/PAL Compatible for Worldwide Use

http://www.vocopro.com

Tweet This Post 

1st Annual “Battle of the DJ’s” Charity DriveIn WV

1st Annual “Battle of the DJ’s” Charity DriveIn WV…

Area Disc Jockeys duke it out to raise money for the local chapters of the American Red Cross
Worthington, WV, April 9, 2010: Several local Disc Jockeys will be coming together to help
raise money for a worthy cause. This winter has proven to stress out many agencies in our area
including the American Red Cross. As a gesture these disc jockeys will donate their time and talent to
an audience in an effort to help raise moneyfor thisworthy cause.
 100% of the proceeds from the entrance cover charge will be donated. ($5.00 per person)
 100% of the proceeds from raffles of prizes donated from local participating businesses will
also be donated. (Donated Prizes from Outback Steakhouse, Wingate Inn,and JC Penny are just to name a few)

The date for this event is scheduled for Friday April 9th2010 from 8PM till 2 AM,and will be held at
the Goal Rush night club in Worthington, WV. A representative from the American Red Cross will be
on hand to receive the donations, and to help make the public aware of all the things that the Red
Cross agencies do to help our local communities.
The deadline for area disc jockeys to enter this event and donate their time is March 6thandthose
interested will need to contact DJ Mojo by then. WV Radio Corporationhasalsoagreed to donate
some airtime to help promote this cause.
For more information contact Mark Williams (DJ MOJO) at (304) 669-8679 , Josh & Missy Veltri at the Goal Rush at (304) 287-9100, or Tim Yoos (DJ TIM) (304) 695-0094tim@poweralleydj.com

Tweet This Post 

LED Gigpack from MBT

MBT Lighting, a leading source of disco, DJ  lights, special effects, stage lighting and audio gear for DJs, nightclubs, bands, theaters,  churches and schools, is happy to introduce the newest LED lighting system, the
LEDGIGPACK!

Don’t worry if you’re late to the gig. Available in mid-January, MBT Lighting’s new  LEDGIGPACK sets up in minutes with its very own carry case! The slim-design 2″-thick spots are already mounted and wired to the control T-bar for all power and functions.

The LED spots are red, yellow, blue and green and each unit has 108 ultra-bright 10mm LEDs for a total of 432 LEDs. Each cool-running spot only uses 15 watts with only 60 watts total for the entire system! Included in the system is a 4-pedal foot switch for full-on, color select and chasing modes. Additionally, an audio chase function with sound-sensitivity knob is located on the control T-bar. The system comes with a heavy-duty tripod stand that goes to 8 feet high. The form-fitted carry case is the size of an electric bass guitar case for easy portability and quick setup. Enjoy the low heat, low power use, long life and slim easy-carry design of the LEDGIGPACK! Retail price $599.00.

Tweet This Post 

Denon Displays DN-HC1000S

DENON DJ DISPLAYS THE DN-HC1000S USB MIDI SUB-CONTROLLER

- New USB MIDI Sub-Controller, compatible with Serato^TM Scratch Live, makes it extremely easy for DJs to use their computers for performance in live or studio settings -

WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 14, 2010 - Denon DJ, a leading manufacturer of reliable, premium-grade DJ equipment, is displaying the DN-HC1000S USB MIDI Sub-Controller, compatible with Serato^TM Scratch Live (developed by Serato Audio Research), which enhances a digital music library with a number of unique tools and performance features.

Controlling essential features via mouse or laptop keyboard can often be a challenge, especially considering the focused work environment. The DN-HC1000S, however, is designed to directly interface with and aid DVS systems (turntables / CD players) with Scratch Live, today’s most popular DJ software program. The DN-HC1000S offers simple plug ‘n play operation via self powered USB connectivity, and it replaces the standard PC keyboard for DVS systems with a set of dedicated controls, including track select and fast search, SHIFT/CLR button, five “hot start” and three sampler buttons, auto loop, Loop IN-OUT with exit/reloop, history and a TAP button.

Key features of the DN-HC1000S include:
- Serato-approved USB MIDI Sub Controller for Serato Scratch Live
- Simple USB plug-and-play Connection (USB MIDI / Bus power)
- Dedicated tactile controls to replace computer keyboard shortcuts
- High-quality steel cabinet with rugged rubber keys
- File Select knob and buttons with back-forward action keys
- Track Select and Fast Search buttons
- SHIFT/CLR Button
- 5 Cue Point and 3 Sampler Player buttons
- Auto Loop button with Loop Cut knob & Roll
- Loop IN/OUT button with Exit/Reloop
- File, Browse, History and Prepare keys
- Tap button
- MIDI mappable for other DJ software systems
- Unit measures 9.8″ width x 3.4″ depth, and weighs under 3 lbs

About Serato Scratch Live:
Serato Scratch Live lightened the load for the professional traveling DJ. Heavy crates of records can be exchanged into a huge library of music that can be easily transported on a computer hard drive.

Scratch Live software has an array of unique tools and performance features:
- Beat extraction
- Real-time tempo metering
- Unique color waveforms for easy identification of sound
- Multiple Cue and Loop points per track
- Capability to record directly from a microphone
- Ability to archive users’ music collections
- No-charge upgrades that constantly add new features and improvements

The Denon DJ DN-HC1000S USB MIDI Sub-Controller is now available with a U.S. MSRP of $199.99. For more information, please visit www.denondj.com.

Tweet This Post 

The Ultimate Ipod DJ System?

Straight from one of my favorite sites for Gadgets - Think Geek - It’s the ultimate Ipod DJ System.  Check it out at: http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/portable-audio-video/c45f/

It’s almost seven o’clock, and all of the boring suits have left the office. Only those selec

t few crazies (like yourself) are left - aka: the cool ones. And now it’s time to party! Whip out your MP3 player, grab one from another cool cat, and plug them into your Pocket Sized MP3 Player Mixing Deck. Now you are DJ [insert your DJ name here] and the time has come for you to rock the office.
The Pocket Sized MP3 Player Mixing Deck easily connects to the headphone jack of any MP3 player (that is, any with a standard 1/8th” headphone jack) with the included cables. Then you can easily fade between players with just a slide of the . . . um . . . slider. Why, you can even preview the next song you plan to play with the separately controlled headphone jack! See, no matter where you go, the party will follow (you’ll just need to add the speakers of your choosing). So long as you have your, Pocket Sized MP3 Player Mixing Deck, that is. Party on, Wayne.
Pocket Sized MP3 Player Mixing Deck

Everything you need to mix back and forth between two MP3 players.
Pocket sized for instant DJ action.
Preview the next song with a separate, volume-controlled headphone jack.
Easily fade between MP3 players with the smooth slider.
Includes: Mixing deck, 2 short audio cables (for connecting to MP3 players), 1 long audio cable (to connect to speakers - not included), and earbuds.
Batteries: 4 AAA (not included)
Dimensions:
Mixing Deck: approx. 4.5″ x 2.5″ x 1.25″
Long Cable: 40″
Short Cable: 17″

Tweet This Post 

Foreigner rocks with beyerdynamic wireless on tour

Foreigner rocks with beyerdynamic wireless on tour
Opus 900 Series wireless powers Kelly Hansen’s lead vocals for iconic rock band.

As one of the most popular rock acts in the world, Foreigner is constantly touring or playing major events, and singer Kelly Hansen relies on beyerdynamic Opus Series wireless microphones night after night.

“In the 20-plus years I’ve used Beyer mics, I’ve always been impressed with the sonic quality,” states Hansen. “These mics sound like studio mics onstage. I don’t want hyped midrange or narrowed spectrum to assist in feedback rejection, I want to hear what I’m putting out, and Beyer does that in a big, warm way. I sing a demanding range of music, and I’m very particular about what I need to hear, so I choose Beyer, every time.”

“We carry two systems right now, based on the new Opus 900 wireless with the EM981S condenser capsule,” says monitor engineer Lorenzo Banda, who has been with the band three years. “Bar none, it’s one of the best-sounding capsules I’ve ever heard. It just sounds so warm, especially in Kelly’s lower register. I can’t get him to use anything else. Nor would I want to. So no matter where we go in the world, these two units come with us.”

Having used it in full-scale touring, Banda is quite pleased with the Opus Series wireless. “It’s got all the features I could want as an engineer,” explains Lorenzo. “Scan and sync is really easy with the ACT button, and it’s fast and easy to change groups and frequencies if you need to. But for me, it all starts with the sound. The Beyer wireless just sounds so much better for this kind of music. I just wouldn’t use anything else.”

In addition to Hansen’s wireless, Lorenzo also carries a beyerdynamic TGX-60 handheld mic for hardwired vocals. “A lot of times, we’re doing interviews and maybe a quick acoustic set for local TV or radio. For those situations, wireless isn’t needed or practical, and the TGX-60 still gives us that Beyer sound, with a really rich low end and smoothness across the full bandwidth.”

Other beyerdynamic mics on stage include an Opus 89 dynamic for bassist Jeff Pilson’s backing vocals. And to add crowd noise into the group’s in-ear mixes, a pair of MCE 86 shotgun microphones is aimed from the stage into the crowd from behind the side speaker stacks and shooting toward the center of the house.

Lorenzo Banda also has high praise for the flexibility of the Opus 900. “It’s just got a fantastic receiver. Whether it’s a theater tour or a major television event, you would never know the difference in terms of RF performance. We do things like NASCAR races and NFL playoff halftime shows on live TV, and you know the wireless environment in those places is insane. But my Beyer gear is so solid, it never takes a hit. What more can I say?”

The Opus 900 is beyerdynamic’s pro touring wireless line, replacing the Opus 500, which operates in the 700 MHz frequency band, will become illegal to operate in the U.S. as of June 12, due to the FCC’s reallocation of spectrum. Foreigner and Banda, however, won’t give theirs up. “Foreigner is a global band and Kelly still loves his Opus 500,” he notes, “so we’ll be keeping it to use in countries where 700 MHz is still legal. But we now use the dual-channel Opus 900 as our primary touring system in the U.S.”

Banda also took time out to praise beyerdynamic for its factory support. “I can’t say enough positive things about this company,” he says. “especially now during the wireless transition. Their support has been as strong as we could ask for, both in the U.S. and Europe. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

Foreigner toured extensively last fall, in support of the groups recent Can’t Slow Down album release, the band’s first studio release with Hansen on vocals. The group has just begun an intensive 2010 tour schedule, starting with two months of North American dates followed by some April dates in Europe.

For more information about beyerdynamic, please visit www.beyerdynamic-usa.com

Tweet This Post 

American DJ MBLVX Recap - Mobile Beat Las Vegas 2010

Check out American DJ Group of Companies at the 2010 Mobile Beat Show (MBLVX) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tweet This Post 

Tom Talks Audio: What I Saw At Mobile Beat

Tom Talks Audio
What I Saw At Mobile Beat
Tom Freret, the indefatigable National Sales Manager of American Audio, never rests! Even when he’s enjoying himself at the American DJ Customer Appreciation Party at Mobile Beat, Tom is still busy learning. Tom spent a lot of time listening to DJs at our party and the Mobile Beat Show, so he can get a better understanding of where our world is headed in the way of audio. Here is what he learned:

So, did you have a good time in Vegas at Mobile Beat?

“Yes, I always enjoy going to these shows and our Customer Appreciation party was a blast. Every year, these things seem to be more fun. DJs are really like a big extended family, so this was really like a family reunion. But the show was more than a good time; it was a chance for me to learn about our customers and what they want.”

Can you elaborate on that point?

“Sure, when you work in an office and deal with product development teams like I do, you can run the risk of getting out of touch with your customer, the mobile enteratainers and DJs that use our products. These people are the reason we’re in business, so I always want to have a good sense of where they’re at and what they want. I go to clubs and have DJs as friends, I also visit a lot of dealers, but it’s not the same thing as being at a show with hundreds of DJs. It’s just a great learning experience.”

Ok - well what have you learned?

“The thing that jumped out at me is that the age of digital files is here without the shadow of a doubt. DJs are totally comfortable putting their music on SD cards and creating their shows with music software. There’s a comfort level among most DJs with playing, editing and mixing music from your computer that we didn’t see a few short years ago.”

Why do you think the ‘tipping point’ has been reached and there is now such great acceptance of digital performance tools?

“There are a couple of reasons. First, I think DJs and mobile entertainers recognized right from the start that there were tremendous advantages to digital performance tools, such as their compactness - you no longer have to lug CDs around - the access to a larger library, and the ability to manipulate music and sound. Second, I think the user-friendly features in products like our DP2Universal Midi Controller, convinced a lot of DJs that you didn’t need an advanced degree in engineering to go digital, so making the move from playing CDs to digital files looked a lot less scary.”

Can you tell us a little more about the DP2 Universal Midi Controller?

“I’ll be glad to. For starters, it’s a very user-friendly and very versatile digital controller, that we designed specifically to help DJs make a smooth transition from playing CDs to digital files. It really offers the best of both worlds, because it makes it easy to play and mix music from a computer, while still offering the familiar tactile feel of traditional CD player hardware.”

How is it user-friendly?

“Its dual player decks have a layout that’s just like a traditional CD player, with familiar features like a large jog wheel and 4 Hot Cue buttons on each side. The fact that the DP2 has a look and feel that’s familiar to DJs makes it very easy to get used to - in fact, doing things like loading tracks, loops, scratching and adding effects are as easy, if not easier, on the DP2 than they are on a traditional CD player. The DP2 also makes it easy to mix up tracks with its convenient on-board 2-channel digital mixer. In addition to the hardware, the DP2 package includes its own PCDJ DEX LE software, and it will also work with most popular DJ programs. So, it has all the tools a DJ needs for easy professional mixing.”

You mentioned putting a whole night’s worth of music on a single SD card. The SDJ-2 was one of the first products to make this possible for the average DJ, how is this product doing?

“We had a lot of great feedback about the SDJ-2 at the Mobile Beat Show. DJs value the convenience and portability this product offers. They can put their music on an SD card without having to worry about external hard drives, expensive laptops, or complicated software to learn. This system is easy to use, and since it can support high capacity SD cards as well as standard cards, it has the power that any DJ gig will require. Since it combines user-friendliness and powerful performance features, the SDJ-2 is sure to develop a loyal following among DJs - and that’s just what’s happened.”

So, do you plan on attending the Mobile Beat Show next year?

“I sure do - I’ll be there having fun - and learning a lot from my customers.”

Tweet This Post 

Think Big To Get The Most Out Of Even A Small Lighting Budget

Ask Alfred
Think Big To Get The Most Out Of Even A Small Lighting Budget
Don’t have a lot of money to spend on lighting? Not to worry, you can still achieve big results if you think big -and put together a coordinated system, rather than a collection of individual lights. That’s the view of Alfred Gonzales, National Sales Manager of American DJ. In this interview, Alfred draws on his extensive experience to share advice on building a system.

So, you’re big on thinking in terms of systems rather than lights, how come?
“I’ve worked many gigs of all types and sizes as a DJ, and from experience I can tell you that the best light shows aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones; they’re the ones that have been put together best as a system. You don’t need to have the most expensive fixtures, newest cutting-edge technologies, or greatest numbers of lighting units. What you do need is a well-balanced system, in which the various pieces in your toolchest complement each other and work together. Your lighting system, as a whole, should be able to cover all the different moods and activities that occur at the various venues you perform at — or even at a single event. That’s my philosophy of lighting.”

How does this philosophy translate into practical reality for the average DJ?
“I think it means have a diverse mix of lights so you can do a good job in a variety of situations. You have to think of the different types of gigs you play, then make sure that you have lights that fit all of the different moods you’ll be called upon to create. After all, this is a big part of what DJs do - they create moods.

“In most cases this will mean having a balance between mood and effects pieces. For example, you’ll want par cans, color washes or some other types of effects to create a laid back mood for the cocktail receptions and the beginnings of events. Then you might when the mood heats up, you’ll want moonflower effects, gobos, chasing bars and moving heads to enliven the atmosphere. Of course you can use fog or haze to transition from mood to mood.”

Does conveying different moods mean having a lot of different lights?
“Of course you need a variety of lights to create a variety of moods, but you can stretch your budget quite a bit today, thanks to the affordable lights that perform multiple functions. There are quite a view two-in-one lights in the American DJ line.”

Any examples?
“One that comes to mind instantly is our Mega Bar Pro. The thing I like about this light is that it can be used as a wall wash to set a soft, quiet mood, or as a heart stomping high energy color chaser. I also like the American DJ H2O LED; it’s a real budget stretcher because it can be used in combination with other high-energy effects to create some very memorable blends of images.”

Are there other ways to add versatility to your light show?
“Yes, I would definitely advise DJs not to over look the creative use of gobos. Changing gobos is a quick and affordable way to create different looks. I also suggest that you invest in a moving head, because even though it may be costly next to some other fixtures, it adds so much to a show. The pan and tilt capability of moving heads gives you great coverage — and you can use many as a gobo projector, which only increases their versatility.”

So, it’s not how much you spend as much as it is how smart you spend it that makes a great light show?
“Absolutely — this is true of lighting, just as it is with so many things in life, you can’t buy your way to a better light show. Lighting is a creative activity, and you can’t spend your way to creativity; you have to have a vision and then know how to make it happen. American DJ lights are tools to help you turn your vision into a great show. “

Tweet This Post 

Next Page »