American DJ Develops Breakthrough Moving Head

American DJ has unveiled a revolutionary new kind of intelligent moving head powered by a mega-watt LED.  The company’s new X-Move LED utilizes one super-size 20-watt white LED to create a brawny beam that’s powerful enough to project gobo patterns and colors across floors, walls and ceilings. To see it in action, click here.

Comparable to a 250W halogen lamp in output, the X-Move LED’s whopper LED beam shines through the fixture’s color and gobo wheels to create stunning images and patterns that look like they were produced by a traditional halogen or discharge effect. Yet, although the X-Move LED’s effects are indistinguishable from a conventional moving head to the eye, the unit offers the benefits and ease of LED technology, such as a long 50,000-hour rated lamp life and a low power draw.  At a mere 44W, it consumes just a fraction of the energy of a traditional 250W effect!  In addition to saving energy, this lets you hook up more units on a single electrical circuit.

The X-Move LED is also much smaller than a typical 250W effect, weighing only 10 lbs. and standing just 12.5” high.  The fixture’s compact size allows it to fit virtually anywhere, even in the tightest spaces, and makes it easily transportable for bands, traveling productions and mobile entertainers.

“There are a lot of new LED lighting effects coming on the market, but the X-Move LED is a truly unique technological breakthrough that will take moving heads to the next level,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies.   “It doesn’t just create colored LED beams, it actually produces a hard-edge white 20W beam that’s powerful enough to project through color and gobo wheels and send images and beams around the room, just like a traditional halogen or discharge moving head. So essentially you’re getting the same type of effects, but with a big edge in performance, convenience and portability because of the unit’s LED technology.”

Like any high-quality moving head effect, the X-Move LED has separate color and gobo wheels, allowing users to create a wide variety of exciting visual images. In total, there are 8 colors plus white, and 8 gobos plus spot.  The feature-loaded fixture also includes a Gobo Scroll Mode, Gobo Shake Effect and Variable Strobe Effect, as well as 0-100% electronic dimming – all of which are DMX controllable.

Equipped with 6 DMX channels, the X-Move LED can also be run without a controller in Sound Active and Master/Slave modes.  It features built-in programs, capable of producing an effortless, eye-popping light show in the stand-alone Sound Active mode.

A convenient 4-button menu system with a bright LED display makes it easy for users to operate the X-Move LED. Another handy feature is Auto X-Y repositioning, which will automatically return the fixture to its original position if it’s accidentally bumped or jarred.

Because its LED lamp generates very little heat, the X-Move LED can run continuously all night long with no duty cycles.  The cool operating temperature also means entertainers can pack up immediately after the show, without having to wait for a cool down period.

The X-Move LED features a 14° beam angle and is capable of wide, sweeping room coverage with 540° pan and 270° tilt.  It uses high-quality stepper motors for smooth, fast, fluid movements.  The compact unit measures 8”L x 7.5”W x 12.5”H and weighs just 10 lbs.  The MSRP of the X-Move LED is $899.95.

DJ Intelligence 6.0 Released

Today Intelligence, Inc. announced the official launch of DJ Intelligence Version 6.0. DJ Intelligence (http://www.djintelligence.com) is a service for DJs which allows them to add interactive client tools to their existing website; tools for booking and planning events online.

Version 6.0, which has been in the works for nearly a year, launches over two dozen enhancements to the software including the ability to display song lyrics for any song in the DJ’s music library with a single click, the ability for DJs to get client questions sent directly to their cell phone from their website, the ability for DJs to further customize client forms for their unique needs, controlled staff access to client and event information, and even the ability for DJs to run the tools on their own URL with the optional Private Label^TM edition. Additionally, Version 6.0 features faster performance through network improvements.

The powerful advancements included in Version 6.0 came as a result of features that were requested by some of the thousands of DJs who use DJ Intelligence. These improvements solidify DJ Intelligence as a market leader by providing DJs and their clients with the most features, flexibility, speed, and ease-of-use. For a full listing of features included in Version 6.0, please visit http://www.djintelligence.com/account/features6.0.asp

“We are thrilled to finally be able to officially release Version 6.0 which includes features that were launched over the course of the past year. Furthermore, it paves the way for an incredible 2008 and beyond with some significant developments currently in the works” said Scott Kartsounes, CEO of Intelligence, Inc., developers of DJ Intelligence. He added, “For those DJs not yet using DJ Intelligence, now is the perfect time to sign up for a trial and put it to the test on their upcoming weddings.”

DJ Intelligence, a service of Intelligence, Inc., was launched in January of 2002 and gives DJs the ability to add interactive tools into their existing DJ company website. Over a dozen dynamic tools are included with the annual subscription service, including an availability checker, online music search and request system, event planning forms, event timelines, satisfaction surveys, price quote generator, online booking system, contact inquiry form, secure web-based payments, automated client referrals, client login, guest requests, and more. All tools are customized to match the look & feel of the DJ’s website and can integrate into any existing site with ease, regardless of who designed it or where it is hosted. No programming required.

DJ Intelligence offers live demos and a 2 month trial at http://www.djintelligence.com. The regular service, available worldwide, is priced at $99.95 (USD) per year which includes the entire suite of tools for a DJ’s website. All tools are optional and customized to fit each unique business. DJ Intelligence is used by thousands of professional DJ companies in over a dozen countries worldwide. For more information, contact Intelligence, Inc. at info@intelligenceinc.com or visit http://www.djintelligence.com

Marketing Tidbit: Blogging

Blogs these days is one of the easiest ways to communicate over the internet. Did you know that it has more of an impact on your business than you may have originally thought? Let’s take a little in depth look as to what Blogging is and what to consider.

There are two main ways to blog - Hosted Blogging and Server Side Blogging

Hosted Blogging
Software such as http://www.blogger.com is hosted on a separate service provider but are free to use. They require no uploading or installing on your part and the setup screen is

Server Side Blogging
There are blogging scripts such as WordPress (ref: http://www.wordpress.com ) which physically get download from their servers, uploaded to your domain and installed on your server. The added benefit to this is that unlike Hosted Blogging Sites, the search engines come back to your site on a regular basis and provides a higher score for your URL, providing you higher ranking in some cases.

Tips to Blogging:

1) ON TOPIC: Pick a topic that is right in line with your company and your company focus (Weddings, Corporate, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, etc).

2) RELEVANCE: To gain the highest blogging exposure, write content that is of interest to your readers. This will create more desire for them to return to your site again and again.

3) KEYWORDS: Your blog will be indexed. This is a great place to put rich keyword into your posting content. If it falls in line with the rest of your sites content will complement your site in the eyes of the search engines.

4) UP-TO-DATE: Both human being’s reading your post, as well as the search engines love content that is updated on a regular basis. Keep consistent with your updates, should you choose to do it daily, weekly, monthly or other - just keep it consistent.

5) LINKING: Your blog is a great place to link to your main website and that of vendors and other web partners you may have. Remember that the goal is to link with quality sites, it’s not about quantity. Check their Alexa rating if you’re not sure of the quality of a potential linking site.

6) COMMENTS: To be effective with your blog - it is recommended by many experts to allow customers to comment on your blog postings. This will increase the popularity of your new marketing tool with your readers, as well as please the search engines with “fresh content” as each of your readers respond.

SEO Tips to Blogging: Participate actively in other blogs / forums within our industry.

Homework: Get started on your own blog today. Keep the information provided in your mind when setting up and posting.

American DJ Makes EX-ceptional Scanners Even Better

Two of American DJ’s best-selling intelligent DJ/club scanners – the DJ Scan 250 HP and Fusion Scan 250 — have undergone ex-treme makeovers.  Reborn as the DJ Scan 250 EX and Fusion Scan 250 EX , –  they’re a mobile 250-watt scanner and a 250-watt scanner/4.9mW green laser combo, respectively — the new, upgraded versions are packed with even more features than their popular predecessors.  Best of all, despite their many enhancements, the price tags on the two new models haven’t (in the case of the Fusion Scan 250 EX) or have barely (in the case of the DJ Scan 250 EX) increased at all, making them a more ex-ceptional dollar value than ever!

Fans of the original scanners will notice right off the bat that the DJ Scan 250 EX and Fusion Scan 250 EX each contain two brand-new fun effects – a Fast Strobe and Gobo Shake. An extra DMX channel has been added to each unit to control these new features, bringing the total to 5 channels on the DJ Scan 250 EX and 6 channels on the Fusion Scan 250 EX.

Four exciting new colors have also been added to the upgraded versions, for a total of 11 brilliant colors plus white.  Each scanner is also armed with 10 gobos plus spot.  With this profusion of colors and gobos on separate wheels, the possibilities for creating eye-popping images on the dance floor have never been greater!

In addition to being operated with a standard DMX controller, both the DJ Scan 250 EX and Fusion Scan 250 EX can run stand-alone in sound-active mode and can be linked together master-slave in multiples.  Another new innovation on the upgraded versions, called the Pan/Tilt Inversion Mode, kicks in when four units are running together master-slave.  Instead of all four scanners moving in sync, as is typically the case with master-slave operation, units 1 and 3 will sync together, while units 2 and 4 move in the opposite direction, in the exact mirror image of the other two.  This makes it look like the scanners are “dancing” with each other and gives the appearance of a more sophisticated light show, one that would typically require DMX programming – yet it’s done completely without a controller!

With their many exciting features, 250-watt brightness, compact size, and affordable price tags, the DJ Scan 250 EX and Fusion Scan 250 EX are ideal for DJs, clubs, bands and other entertainment venues. Another change made in the new versions is a reduction of the beam angle by a degree to 15°.  This makes the mobile scanners even more well-suited for small clubs and rooms with low ceilings.

Additionally, the casing has been upgraded on the new units to better withstand the rigors of mobile use.  Whereas the previous models were housed in plastic, the DJ Scan 250 EX and Fusion Scan 250 EX have cases made of more sturdy, rugged metal, yet each weighs only a pound more (12 lbs.) than its predecessor.

“No matter how popular one of our lights is, we are always looking for ways to upgrade and improve it, so that we can better accommodate our customers’ needs and give them more bang for their buck,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies.  “With the DJ Scan 250 EX and the Fusion Scan 250 EX we added more features, and we did it without increasing the price of the Fusion Scan 250 EX and increasing the price of the DJ Scan 250 EX by only $20.  Plus, the new metal housing makes the scanners more durable for our customers who use them for mobile performances.”

Both the DJ Scan 250 EX and the Fusion Scan 250 EX have a high velocity fan that keeps the scanner cool, eliminating the need for duty cycles; a high-output 250W (LL-ELC 24V) halogen lamp for bright colors and clear effects; a full-focusing lens; and a hanging bracket, so they’re ready to install right out of the box.  The Fusion Scan 250 EX includes a 4.9mW class IIIr green laser diode.

In addition to being run via a DMX controller, the DJ Scan 250 EX and the Fusion Scan 250 EX can be operated with American DJ’s easy-to-use universal UC controller (sold separately). Each unit measures 17.25”L x 7.5”W x 6”H.

The MSRP of the DJ Scan 250 EX is $299.95 (just $20 more than the DJ Scan 250 HP!). The MSRP of the Fusion Scan 250 EX is $419.95 (not a cent more than the Fusion Scan 250!).

For more information, contact American DJ at 1-800-322-6337 or visit www.americandj.com , or email info@americandj.com.

Insurance: Why You Need It

The focus of my column will generally center around computer related areas of the DJ field, from the internet to creating loops, to breaking up a mix cd into individual tracks while still playing seamlessly from song to song. However, it makes no sense to forge ahead if you’re not properly prepared for a career as a DJ.

No insurance is a lack of planning. And, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

Most disc jockeys forge ahead full of enthusiasm, and make their top priority the purchase of equipment. Visions of mixers, speakers, cd decks, turntables, and effects flow through their minds. That’s fine, but when such an important focus is put on DJ gear; it makes no sense not to protect that investmen and yourself.

Sadly, many DJs operate without insurance to protect them from lawsuits. Mobile DJs operate on location and are required to carry a liability policy so that they won’t be personally responsible. A liability policy - which usually can be purchased from car insurance companies - will protect the Dj’s personal assets in a lawsuit.

The profession of DJing has gone through radical changes in the last decade. Equipment has advanced in all arenas, and it makes no sense to invest so much into equipment and then have a flagrant disregard for protecting a business and it’s assets.

All prospective DJs would be well advised to find adequate insurance before forging ahead into the entertainment world. As has been said about insurance: “It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”

To make this article computer related, I’ll provide you with a link to a page from a website I run. It is a basic page that briefly explains the need for DJ insurance and provides links to companies. But, more importantly, it will serve as an example of website design, SEO, and give you ideas of how you generate income and rank higher in search engines.

Here’s the link http://www.raymardo.com/dj-insurance.html

Outside of sponsored ads, Google ranks this page number five (worst ranking in months) for DJ insurance even though the website name (it’s my name) has nothing to do with DJing or insurance.

We’ll cover all of the fragmented topics that have developed from this topic in future articles. For now, make sure you’re properly insured. Until you have proper insurance, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Raymond A. Mardo III (Raymardo) has been in the entertainment field nearly his entire life. As a rookie, he earned awards at top east coast DJ companies where he also provided training. Mardo then published “Making Money As A Mobile Entertainer” and was featured in magazines like Entrepreneur which listed his LGR Entertainment company in their top 500 businesses in the nation. Under the name “Natural Attraction,” Raymardo released “Get Stupid” on Radikal/Popular Records in 15 countries. He now spends his time running online ventures, in film production, and writing. He’s received honors from the film festivals: Austin, Slamdance, and Scriptapalooza and is polishing his latest screenplay:  “The Fall Of The Thirteenth Disciple.”

Martin’s New Plug & Play Hazer

The Magnum 2500 Hz™ is an easy-to-use, plug-and-play hazer for DJs or when a simple haze solution is needed in smaller venues, clubs, and bars. Its large fluid container and optional DMX also make it suitable for a large variety of installations.

The compact Magnum 2500 Hz uses a 900 W heat exchanger to effortlessly punch out a full 2500 m³/min of uniform haze for mid-air projection or atmosphere enhancement.

This rugged yet portable hazer heats up fast and is continuously operational for a trouble-free ‘set it and forget it’ effect. Its large 3.8 liter fluid capacity (1 US gallon) provides for extremely long runs when needed.

Haze output and on/off timing are controllable via a handy remote control that can be conveniently stored in its own compartment.

The Magnum 2500 comes complete with all the technical excellence you expect from the Magnum range, and like all Magnum products the Magnum 2500 incorporates advanced Jem technology like new electronics, machine-saving overheat protection and fluid-out sensing.

Economically priced and featuring a new design to match the rest of the Magnum family, the Magnum 2500 offers substantial cost and maintenance benefits over a long operational life.

“The introduction of the Magnum 2500 Hz underscores the fact that Martin means business when it comes to reinventing the design of smoke machines,” states Martin Smoke Division Product Manager Ulrich Borup Hansen. “Our entire portfolio of small to medium-sized fog machines in the Magnum product line has been updated in terms of design and technology, and now we complete the line with a matching hazer. The plug-and-play concept with primary focus on ease of use and reliability is once again the driving force behind this new product.”

The Magnum 2500 Hz completes the Magnum range and joins the Magnum Hazer and Jem ZR24/7 Hazer in Martin’s hazer product line.

American DJ: Text Generating LED Messenger Effect

Getting across your “message” at clubs, parties, and weddings just got easier, thanks to American DJ’s unique new LED Messenger. A portable LED-powered moonflower effect, the LED Messenger projects glittering text messages  – such as “Happy Birthday” and “Happy New Year” –  across the walls, ceiling or dance floor in brilliant red, green and blue lights.

A dramatic addition to any special occasion, the LED Messenger comes equipped with 10 pre-programmed messages, making it ready for use right out of the box.  It is also fully programmable for customized greetings – just plug a PS2-type computer keyboard into the unit and type a message of up to 30 characters. The 192 high-output LED’s (72 red, 48 green, 72 blue) will spell out your words, allowing you to project a personalized message at any gathering, such as the bride and groom’s names at a wedding or a tribute to the guest of honor at a banquet.

An extremely versatile effect, the LED Messenger not only projects text graphics, it can also function as a high-output moonflower effect.  This versatility makes it ideal for DJs and clubs with limited budgets and space, giving them two effects in one!  As a moonflower, it can be operated with a DMX controller or simply plugged in and run in Sound Active mode to its own built-in programs.  It is also linkable to other units for Master-Slave operation in multiples.

“With the LED Messenger’s dazzling and customizable text graphics, DJs and emcees can give any event - parties, weddings, corporate banquets – the feel of a Hollywood premiere,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies.  “Since it also acts as a single moonflower effect, this very unique fixture can be used as a standard club or dance floor light, too.  What’s more, users also get all the benefits of LED-powered lighting, which is a rapidly growing trend in DJ/club effects.”

Among these benefits are LED lamps’ extremely low power consumption.  The LED Messenger is equivalent in output to a 400W halogen light, based on side-by-side visual comparison, yet it draws only 55W of power. This saves on energy costs and allows more units to be hooked up on a single electrical circuit.  LEDs also run cooler than traditional halogen bulbs, keeping the temperature more comfortable on the dance floor, and allowing the dazzling light show to run all night without shutting down for duty cycles.  The lower operating temperature also allows mobile entertainers to pack up their lights more quickly at the end of the evening, without having to wait for them to cool down.

Additionally, the LED Messenger’s LED lamps have an extremely long life, rated at 100,000 hours, which virtually eliminates the expense and hassle of lamp replacement. This, combined with the LED Messenger’s rugged housing and lack of moving parts, makes the unit virtually maintenance-free, giving users years of bright, beautiful lighting effects in rich, saturated colors that do not fade and do not require a fog machine to appear brilliant to the eye!

The LED Messenger features 3 DMX channels, a 4-button LED DMX display menu, manual light source adjustment from the outside, and a PS2 type keyboard input on the rear for typing in custom text (keyboard not included).  An optional wireless remote controller is also available (sold separately).

Compact and portable, the LED Messenger measures 12.75”L x 9”W x 9”H and weighs 15 lbs.  It features multi-voltage operation (120-240V, 50/60Hz) and comes with mounting brackets, for “set up and show” convenience.

The MSRP of the LED Messenger is $439.95.

Gemini Introduces the MM-4000 Audio FX Mixer

Edison, NJ - May 12, 2008: Offering exceptional value to Karaoke and Club DJs, Gemini’s new MM-4000 is the perfect affordable rack-mount DJ FX mixer.

Especially suited for vocal manipulation and mixing, this unit comes equipped with four ¼” mic channel inputs (unbalanced), one balanced XLR master microphone input, plus a rotary control FX Selector with Dry/Wet rotary control that lets you choose between 16 high quality built-in effect choices such as room reverbs, chorus, flange and delays!

In addition to the generous mic inputs and FX, the MM-4000 has an assignable user replaceable RailGlide^TM cross fader, balanced XLR master output and master, zone and record RCA outputs for the total package to satisfy all your mixing needs.

About Gemini:
A division of GCI Technologies, Gemini’s avant-garde commitment and dedication to pushing the art form of DJing into the forefront with its affordable and functional products was instrumental in transforming the DJ’s conventional role from music manipulator to accredited artist and/or performer. Turntablists, club and mobile DJ’s, nightclubs, recreation facilities, contractors, hobbyist, professional installers and designers throughout the world rely on Gemini products. Flash forward to the present, Gemini continues to add to its countless contributions to the DJ realm by forging ahead into the digital revolution, all the while gracefully preserving the legacy of vinyl. www.geminidj.com

Mike Buonaccorso named DJU Dean

Michael Buonaccorso, who co-founded Mobile Beat Magazine and has been the producer of all of the MB trade shows, has recently been appointed to head up the new and revamped version of ProDJ’s Disc Jockey University.

Since its inception in 1995. the ProDJ.com network of resources has continued to grow. Disc Jockey University, established in 1999,was another of these ever expanding avenues to provide education to the industry.

“I can’t think of too many people in this industry who can bring such a broad range of knowledge and experience to this undertaking,” said Ryan Burger, ProDJ Publisher. “Mike has been involved in so many significant Mobile Beat projects over the years with successful results.”

Buonaccorso, having spent many years reviewing and editing content for the magazine, as well as interviewing and selecting presenters at MB trade shows feels education is a key to keeping ahead of the competition, whether it be online or offline. He is interested in seeking out new contributors to DJU, as well as tying together much of the foundation content of Mobile Beat.

“Change is the big buzzword for 2008,” says Buonaccorso. “So it can be applied here as well. Share your ideas with us, and express your opinions. We want you to be a part of what’s planned!”

Mike can be reached at mb@mobilebeat.com

New Compact High-power Subwoofer

The smallest, high-power subwoofer ever produced is now available from Grund Audio Design. Only 17″ in height, the 2000 watt, double-18″ GT-LPB-36CX has a sensitivity of 99 dB at 1w1m (132 dB full power). The Linear Pressure Base design utilizes a combination of Thiele/Small, LEAP and LMS parameters to direct the output forward, not interfering with stage SPL.”Sound professionals have long requested a small profile subwoofer to fit under stages and take up less precious space without loss in quality or SPL” - said Frank Grund, chief engineer. “Whereas, subwoofers have a single resonant point, the LPB is flat from 40-80 Hz with a tighter, more musical sound. We’re having fun winning shootouts with competitive boxes over twice the size.”

Built for touring or fixed installation, its 13-ply Baltic-birch cabinet incorporates dado and rabbet construction. Unit is available in 4 finishes; black, white, exclusive natural finish (no filler marks) and black with rugged Tour CoatTM, two-part, epoxy finish.

About Grund Audio Design: A division of Grundorf Corporation, headquartered in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Grund Audio Design has been producing and wholesaling engineered speaker cabinet products since 1984. Customers include touring sound companies, music stores and fixed installations including churches and theaters as well as a turnkey OEM producer for significant audio manufacturers. Its parent company, Grundorf Corporation, is an internationally recognized producer of customized, high-durability touring/mobile cases, racks and accessories.

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