Line 6 Ships StageSource L3s, the World’s Most Versatile High-powered Subwoofer

Line 6 Ships StageSource L3s, the World’s Most Versatile High-powered Subwoofer

- Now available, StageSource L3s combines versatile design with Smart Speaker modes, automatic speaker configuration and a tour-grade enclosure for the widest variety of live sound applications -

CALABASAS, Calif. – April 10 – Line 6, Inc. proudly announces the availability of StageSource™ L3s. StageSource loudspeaker systems are built on a powerful new technology platform that enables a single enclosure to provide best-in-class performance in multiple live sound functions.

StageSource L3s is the most versatile subwoofer for high-power sound reinforcement applications. Using four innovative Smart Speaker modes, the L3s optimizes its output for a variety of performance scenarios: Reference and High Punch for PA applications, Extended Bass and Ultra Bass for playback applications.

“Our new powered subwoofer is uniquely designed to meet the demanding performance needs of both live and pre-recorded music. StageSource L3s can achieve a supremely punchy kick and bass for a live rhythm section and reproduce the deep, controlled sub-bass lows of a DJ rig,” said Simon Jones, vice president of new market development at Line 6. “Combined with other Line 6 speakers or integrated into a traditional rig, StageSource L3s goes way beyond the capabilities of a standard powered subwoofer, offering advanced DSP, smart design and true scalability with L6 LINK™ digital networking.”

StageSource L3s features L6 LINK, the new multi-channel digital audio networking protocol from Line 6. Connection to other StageSource speakers via L6 LINK triggers the automatic configuration of the system: crossovers and polarity are set, stereo signals are summed as required, all enabling stunning signal integrity. The L6 LINK signal transmission between speakers is high-resolution digital audio for maximum sound quality. Three threaded pole mounts support multiple configurations with other Line 6 speakers. Stereo inputs and out/thrus provide easy integration with traditional live sound gear.

When connected via L6 LINK, StageSource speakers and the StageScape M20d digital mixer are capable of unparalleled power and flexibility. Together they redefine the typical mixer-speaker paradigm to introduce a smarter live sound experience in which the live rig is a complete, intelligent ecosystem rather than merely a linear combination of components.

StageSource L3s features a dual 12-inch bass reflex configuration with 1,200 watts of power for maximum headroom. It can easily deliver punchy and powerful low-end to large audiences.

Boasting tour-grade construction, StageSource L3s features a heavy-duty plywood enclosure, durable fitments and a steel grille with protective screen backing. The robust speaker is also very portable with built-in, “no-rattle” wheels and three handles for easy mobility.

StageSource L3s is shipping and now widely available. Learn more at http://line6.com/l3s

Quad-Color Quadruplets: American DJ Introduces 4 Low-Profile Professional LED Pars

Quad-Color Quadruplets:

American DJ Introduces 4 Low-Profile Professional LED Pars

Featuring Quad-Color Technology With Choice Of RGB +W or RGB+ A

LOS ANGELES – (For Immediate Release) –Mobile entertainers, bands and nightclubs can get their acts “glowing like the pros” with a new series of professional color-mixing Quad LED par cans from American DJ. The company’s newly-debuted Flat Par “Q” Series consists of four low-profile par models, each featuring cutting-edge Quad-Color Technology, with either RGBW (red, green, blue white) or RGBA (red, green, blue, amber) 4-in-1 LED sources.

Powerfully bright and DMX compatible, the ultra-slim units offer smooth color mixing and vibrant hues, without the distractive RGB shadows typically produced by single-color LED sources. The series includes two RGBW models: the Flat Par QWH5, powered by five x 5-watt 4-in-1 RGBW LEDs; and the larger Flat Par QWH12, containing 12 x 5-watt RGBW LEDs. The addition of a white LED source to the RGB mix makes it possible to produce a true cool white, along with a palette of soft pastels.

There are also two RGBA models in the series — the Flat Pat QA5 and the Flat Par QA12 — which, like their RGBW counterparts, are equipped with five and 12 x 5-watt RGBA LEDs respectively. Having an amber LED source allows the Flat Pat QA5 and the Flat Par QA12 to achieve the desirable but hard-to-achieve warm orange and amber hues.

All four models in the series feature American DJ’s new sit-flat design, with all of their power and DMX Ins/Outs intelligently positioned on the side of the fixture rather than the rear. This innovative “sideways” placement allows the units to sit directly on the ground, making them ideal for uplighting, and also to fit easily into trussing as truss toners. Featuring a 40° beam angle and equipped with dual hanging brackets, the versatile pars can also be mounted overhead on walls or truss to color wash a stage from above. With long-life 50,000-hour-rated lamps, and very low power usage – just 34 watts maximum for the 5-LED models and 80 watts for the 12-LED models – they’re also ideal for permanent installations.

Wherever they’re used, the Flat Par “Q” LED pars will make it easy for entertainers and venues to take their light shows to the next level because, along with their Quad Technology color mixing, they’re packed with professional features and effects. Each model includes 44 built-in color macros, a color strobe effect, 0-100% electronic dimming, fast or slow color change operation, and a gel frame for optional diffusion filters.

“The Flat Par ‘Q’ Series probably represents the most advanced color wash par can fixtures that American DJ has ever created – and the most versatile too,” said Alfred Gonzales, national sales manager for American DJ. “Their leading-edge Quad-Color LED technology is second to none when it comes to smooth accurate color mixing, and their many pro features and flat-bottom design give them the versatility to be used for a variety of different visual looks and applications. They’re also very versatile in terms of their operation – they can be controlled via DMX-512 for a customized lighting presentation, or they can be operated in various manual and automatic modes if you just want a simple, easy-to-use color washing effect.”

All of the fixtures in the series offer 6 operation modes: Manual Color Mode; Color Change Mode; Color Fade Mode; Auto (Program Run) Mode; Sound Active Mode; and DMX-512 Mode. For even more flexibility, 8 different DMX modes are available – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8-channel. The Flat Par QWH5, QWH12, QA5 and QA12 can also be run wirelessly from up to 15 ft./4.5M using American DJ’s ADJ LED RC2 infrared wireless remote controller (sold separately).

The units are linkable via 3-pin XLR cable and feature IEC AC In/Out outlets to daisy chain power (up to 7 units). They also include multi-voltage operation: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz.

Compact and lightweight, the Flat Par QWH5 and Flat Par QA5 each measure 10.75”L x 9”W x 4.5”H/ 272 x 230 x 115mm and weigh 6 lbs./2.5 kg. The Flat Par QWH12 and Flat Par QA12 each measure 13”L x 11”W x 4.5”H/ 328 x 280 x 115mm and weigh 7 lbs./3.2 kg.

The Flat Par QWH5 and Flat Par QA5 each have an MSRP of $339.95, while the Flat Par QWH12 and Flat Par QA12 carry an MSRP of $599.95 each.

All four fixtures can fit into Arriba Cases model AC-117, which offers a lightweight, affordable solution for transporting the Flat Par “Q” Series par cans and protecting them from dust and dirt when not in use.

For more information Contact American DJ:

U.S. Office – Tel: 800-322-6337/+1-323-582-2650 • Web: www.americandj.com

E-mail: info@americandj.com

 

Top 30 “Safe Songs” for this week’s school dances

The biggest music story in 2012 is the huge success of English “boy band” One Direction. The mastermind of this huge success is Simon Cowell, who put the band together from solo competitors  on his TV show X Factor. Part Monkeys, part Beatles, part New Kids on the Block,  One Direction’s debut album hit the US Billboard chart at #1 in the first week….that is the first time a UK band has done that ever (that includes the Beatles, and Rolling Stones). They are cute, talented and have good personalities. The perfect combination for success, at least for the short term. Their song “What Makes you Beautiful” debuts at #20 on our Safe Songs List.

America’s favorite teen idol Justin Bieber’s song “Boyfriend” is red hot on both Mainstream and Rhythmic Top 40 stations all across the country where it is ranked number 11 on both charts. It’s a safe and sane school dance song and jumped from number 29 to 17 on our Top 30 list.

If you want free access to non-boring DJ info on line click on DJ HOT TALK and subscribe to our blog free.  Right now see the must play song for class reunions, find out about a DJ Hero in Portland, and get free tips on how to subcontract DJs to grow your business.  All free and on line.  If you want to join the School Dance Network it’s easy and inexpensive, and the best way to promote your business to school administrators on line.

Top 30 Safe songs this week (4-26-12).  Women dominate the top 5

 

LW	TW	Artist	Title	Notes/info	Prime Cuts #	BPM
3	1	Kelly Clarkson	Stronger		201201	116
5	2	J. Jessie	Domino		201135	127
1	3	Gym Class Heroes	Self  Back Home	Re do of “A** back home”	201203	130
2	4	David Guetta/Nicki Minaj	Turn Me on	Just don’t watch the video
9	5	Katy Perry	Part of Me		201210	130
12	6	The Wanted	Glad You Came		201134	128
13	7	Nicki Minaj	Starships	Reference to Bud LIte. Edited only	201209	125
4	8	Pitbull/w Chris Brown	International Love	Requires edited version	201140	120
15	9	Chris Brown	Turn Up The Music		201206	130
7	10	Rihanna	You Da One		201147	127
8	11	Flo Rida	Good Feelin		201137	128
11	12	Rihanna	We Found Love		201140	128
6	13	LMFAO	Sorry for Party Rockin	Play Xtra clean version	201201	134
19	14	B.O.B	So Good	Reference to Dominican Beer	201209	86
10	15	Hot Chelle Rae	I Like it Like That	FT-New Boyz	201139	101
28	16	Calvin  Harris	Feel So Close		201131	64
29	17	Justin Bieber	Boyfriend		201214	97
14	18	Bruno Mars	It Will Rain	One reference to morophine	201140	75
27	19	Drake /Rihanna	Take Care		201150	122
New	20	One Direction	What Makes You Beautiful		201213	129
New	21	Goyte	Somebody that I used to Know
17	22	David Guetta	Without You	Usher	201136	128
20	23	J Cole	Workout	Edit N**ga,  S**t	201126	93
New	24	Chris Rene	Young Homie		201209	80
18	25	Selena Gomez	Love you Like a Love Song		201131	119
22	26	Dev & Enrique Iglesias	Naked	Version without singing NAKED only	201201	125
New	27	Pitbull	Back IN Time		201214	127
30	28	Karmin	Broken Hearted		201207	120
New	29	Jennifer Lopez	Dance Again		201215	128
16	30	Outasight	Tonight is the Night		201142	120

 

 

MOBILE BEAT #142 – MAY 2012

MOBILE BEAT #142, MAY 2012 – NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

MBLV16 RECAP, NEW MAG DEALER LISTINGS AND “MORE THAN JUST A DJ”…

In this issue, we take a closer look at a theme that you’ll find in every MB issue to some degree: how to expand your services to boost your bottom line…

Although he is humble enough to admit he didn’t invent the idea of diversifying your DJ portfolio, Stu Chisholm has, literally, “written the book” on the subject: The Complete Disc Jockey (along with its namesake column in MB). This time around, he covers some unique opportunities available in the sports realm in FIGURE SKATING? In MAKING AN ENTRANCE INTO EVENT LIGHTING, new columnist Matt Windsor shares his company’s experience in setting up a dedicated lighting division. And since Midweek Money most often involves going beyond the typical DJ job description, Rob Johnson reminds us about some of the great opportunities currently available to broaden your horizons, in MUCH MORE THAN “JUST A DJ.”

When it comes to expanding your services, it can be tempting to just dive in head first and splash around in the pool of new income opportunities. Always the voice of economic reason, John Stiernberg counsels against this approach, and offers some tools for actually thinking expansion through thoroughly as he asks IS BIGGER ALWAYS BETTER? Often the answer to that question is no—especially when you realize that whatever you do, you need to do it really well in order to get and keep business, let alone grow your company. In Jason Weldon’s Last Word, a well-known eatery’s offerings point to the logic of focusing your business; maybe you should just PICK TWO.

Of course, big changes aren’t always necessary to add income. For example, do you use your school connections to generate summer party business? Mark Johnson looks at how to do this and other YOUTH EVENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUMMER. And school gig guru Arnoldo Offerman helps you “Learn to Lunch Jam” thus teaching yet another way to access the youth market.

Mobile Beat is all about educating DJs, and Publisher Ryan Burger takes an opportunity in this issue to share his perspective on the magazine’s mission. And so we also provide hits of knowledge on a variety of relevant DJ topics: 8 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WEB PRESENCE (Jim Weisz), RULING YOUR DIGITAL DOMAIN: FILE MANAGEMENT ESSENTIALS (Rich McCoy), and always waxing a little philosophical, Mike Ficher takes a DEFINING MOMENT to ask, “What is an entertainer.” DJ Coach Paul Kida highlights the importance of two things that should be common in business, but are not as prevalent as they should be: INTEGRITY & COURTESY.

But just in case we sound like we’re taking ourselves a little too seriously with the educational and ethical talk, we invited our old friend Dr. Shock Jock back for a cameo book review appearance

For the second issue in a row, we feature a Rick Ellis profile of a recently passed pop star. (Sorry, Rick.) Sad as the death of former Monkee DAVY JONES was, Rick is still able to celebrate the life and work of a performer whose primary mission was to bring smiles and laughs to millions.

Dan Walsh, Editor-In-Chief

P.S. – Don’t miss our new FEATURED DEALER LISTING (p.34), pointing you toward DJ gear retailers where you or your gear-buying buddies can score a free copy of Mobile Beat when you hit the bricks-and-mortar tech mart to make an actual in-person purchase.

Is Bigger Actually Better? – By John Stiernberg

DIVERSIFYING AND SCALING FOR GROWTH

So you want to grow your business and revenue. Outside of raising your fees (which may be difficult in a competitive and budget-conscious market), there are two primary paths to bringing in more cash: 1) diversification and 2) scaling.

Diversification focuses on adding capabilities and products so you can offer more and charge more to your clients. Scaling points to more total gigs per year using your current rig and team. Do you need to diversify? How do you scale larger without getting overextended? Is there a hybrid scenario that combines the two? This article addresses these issues and recommends three action tips for success.

WHY DIVERSIFY?

Mobile entertainment used to be pretty simple. The pioneering DJs of the 1970s and 1980s provided sound, music programming, MC work, and (sometimes) stage lighting for shows. The range of product offerings has expanded a lot. The menu now includes audio and video recording, karaoke, gaming, and “soft” services like meeting and event planning. Sure these are marketable, but why do them?

The obvious reasons are 1) revenue growth and 2) competitive positioning. The additional revenue is a result of being more important to each client and providing “one-stop shopping.” That way the client does not have to engage separate contractors for each of the various elements of the show or event. Sounds simple, right? Maybe on the surface, but there is more to it than that.

In order to diversify, you need to 1) own additional equipment, 2) promote the additional products, and 3) be good at all of it. (It’s tough to build a company that provides excellent service to begin with.) There are three upsides beyond the potential increase in revenue:

The ability to re-market to existing clients. You can go back to your “regulars” and offer new capabilities. They know you already, and are likely to be receptive (no guarantees though).

Dealing with competitors. You can count on the fact that your competitors are thinking about diversification too. Offensively, you can beat them to the punch. Defensively, you need to anticipate their moves.

Efficiency behind the scenes. While there are increased costs, the planned revenue and marketing benefits can potentially make you more profitable overall. Example: Promoting new capabilities on a website or Facebook page does not cost more after the initial setup is done.

WHY SCALE?

The reason to scale up is also revenue growth. Doing more show dates leads to increased revenue and market presence vs. competitors. Booking more gigs with your current setup (i.e. stage rig, performance team, and business team) assumes 1) that the gigs are available and 2) that you have the tools and people to do the work.

There are risks involved here too. What if you book two gigs on the same date and you only own one sound and lighting system? Do you rent, buy, subcontract, or turn down one of the gigs? Not such an easy question to answer. As such, the “when to scale” part of the equation is just as important as the “why” part.

HOW TO DIVERSIFY AND SCALE ON YOUR OWN TERMS

Do I buy more gear? Do I hire and train more people? How do I promote the new company position vs. competitors? Whoa, slow down! Here are three suggestions for how to approach diversification and scaling in a systematic way that addresses the risk factors before you spend money or other resources.

Action Tip 1: Quantify the market potential. Whether you operate in a major metropolitan market, college town, or semi-rural area, you need to know how many potential jobs are out there and what the competitors are doing. Know that no company gets 100% market share. Run the numbers and see if there is enough work to plan for growth.

Action Tip 2: Re-assess your capabilities. What are you known for now? If your brand identity is primarily music, sound and lights, what additional service (e.g. video, karaoke, etc.) could you tiptoe into it without betting the company on it? Success tip: Talk to past and current customers who know you and get their feedback.

Action Tip 3: Update your business plan and budget. Create a preliminary budget that includes the increased revenue but also the expenses (payments on new equipment, subcontractor fees, promotional costs, etc.). Look at the resulting numbers and determine if you are comfortable taking the risk. Important success tip: Do this before buying equipment or hiring anyone.

HERE’S THE POINT…

While revenue growth is great, the path to it is risky, especially in today’s ultra-competitive market. Thoroughly think through both the advantages and risks of diversification and scaling. Be sure to implement the Action Tips in sequence: 1) quantify the market potential, 2) re-assess your current situation, and 3) run the budget numbers before making any financial, staffing, or promotional commitments.

Next time we’ll talk more about the strategic planning and decision-making process. In the meantime, best wishes for success in mobile entertainment in 2012!

John Stiernberg is founder of Stiernberg Consulting (www.stiernberg.com). His book Succeeding In Music:  Business Chops for Performers and Songwriters is published by Hal Leonard Books. Contact John via e-mail at john@stiernberg.com. You can find John on LinkedIn, Plaxo, and Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

8 Ways to Improve Your Web Presence – By Jim Weisz

SIMPLE STEPS TO ONLINE SUCCESS

It’s easy to get so busy managing the day-to-day operations of your business that you neglect the tasks necessary to maintain a strong web presence. If you’ve allowed that to happen, be sure to cut this article out and put it on your desk. Then, as you complete each task, put a line through it. When you’re finished, take a day off—you deserve it!

1. BLOG, BLOG BLOG

I’ll be the first to admit that up until a couple years ago, I wasn’t on the blog bandwagon. I knew there could be some value to it, but most DJs and other small businesses I saw blogging just weren’t doing it right. One of the biggest mistakes I saw people making was not keeping it updated. It reminded me of the 1990s when everyone thought it would be great to start an email newsletter. They would do 1-2 emails and then would stop doing them. An outdated blog gives the appearance that you aren’t busy, when in reality, you might be so busy you don’t have time to update it. So, find time. Even if it’s just 15 minutes once a week, you can make time. Another pro blogger trick is to compose a few posts at once, so you’re ahead of the game.

The second biggest mistake is not taking advantage of why you’re blogging. The biggest benefit to blogging is the search engine advantages. So, blog with a purpose. Include phrases within your titles and articles that will help push your posts to the top of the search engines.

2. ENGAGE YOUR WEBSITE VISITORS

Static websites are so 2000s. Web 2.0 is here and people expect more out of a website these days. So, embed tools on your website to encourage interaction from prospective clients. If you already use a service that offers tools for your website, make sure you have them in use in various places on your website. They provide a call to action right where you need it, and can lead to more bookings.

3. USE FACEBOOK FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Whether you have a personal account on Facebook or not, you really need to have a Facebook page for your business. I’ll often look at a businesses’ Facebook page after looking at their website to get a better feel for the company; and with over 850 million members on Facebook, I’m sure I’m not the only person who does that. So, don’t miss out on added exposure for your business—especially since it’s free!

If you already have a page, then update it on a regular basis. Add pictures from recent events. Post links to your blog posts. Encourage your clients to tag pictures of their friends and family in the pictures you post. Feel free to send out an email inviting people to like your page, but don’t be annoying about it by repeatedly sending out invites.

4. UPDATE PICTURES

I have a pretty nice SLR camera, and while I take decent pictures of my kids, the pictures I take at weddings usually turn out awful. To be honest, I don’t mind because I’d rather focus on my job as the master of ceremonies and DJ and let the photographer take pictures. So how do I get pictures for my website? I make friends with the photographers and follow up with them for pictures. Sometimes it can take a few emails asking for pictures. But, if you keep your emails short, are courteous, patient, offer to give credit, and link back to them, you’ll probably find most are willing to share pictures. It really is a win-win situation, since it gives them added exposure and makes your overall web presence more visually appealing.

5. UPDATE COPY

A prospective bride who went to your website more than likely won’t visit a year or two later (hopefully!). So, why update your website copy? More than likely your style and business philosophy has evolved in that time. You probably offer services now that you didn’t offer a year or two ago. You also may have discontinued some less popular services. If your website copy is always up to date, then a prospective client can get a current, accurate picture of what you offer. Seems like a no-brainer, but again, being busy usually is the excuse for not doing it.

6. SOLICIT REVIEWS

Chances are pretty good that someone interested in booking you will look for reviews about your company. Since there are so many places to get reviews, pick one place to focus on and work on getting a lot of reviews at that website. Then tell your prospective clients they can find reviews about your company on there. You should also link to your reviews from your website.

7. ANALYZE WEBSITE STATISTICS

In a perfect world, you would check your website statistics once every couple months, or at least once a quarter. But, it’s something that’s easy to forget to do. So, if you use a service like Google Analytics that offers reports, log in to your account and set it up to automatically email you a report once a month. Then, every month, take a few minutes to analyze the report. Where is your traffic coming from? Are there keywords you need to target more? Is there somewhere you’re advertising that’s not driving traffic to your site? Site stats offer valuable information about your website and how to improve it.

8. ADD TO YOUR ONLINE VIDEOS

According to ComScore’s February 2012 online video report, there were approximately 38 billion videos viewed in the month, with 16.7 billion watched on Google sites (including YouTube). In recent years, YouTube was the #2 search engine, overall. It’s worth the time and effort to create videos and feature them in a YouTube channel and other video hosting sites to draw even more traffic to your website.

Jim Weisz has been a DJ since 1999, primarily serving the wedding and school markets. Originally from Chicago, he relocated his thriving DJ business to Dallas in 2003. He used his company’s web presence to effectively to re-establish his client base within a just a few months. Jim is a seminar speaker and also writes for MobileBeat.com on web issues. He can be reached at jim@discoverydjs.com.

More than the Sum of Your Parts – By Michael Edwards

YOU, YOUR GEAR OR BOTH—A TRUE TRIPLE THREAT

You’ve worked hard to put together a great DJ system, an amazing music collection, an organized, computer-based, state-of-the-art office and you finally have a solid reputation as a reliable, professional DJ. But you still won’t get every job that comes your way, and some weeks are worse than others, as far as incoming revenue goes. You need to think “ahead of the curve” to generate some additional sources of income for those times when gigs are few and far between. There are plenty of opportunities for a smart DJ entrepreneur to earn extra money in a variety of DJ-related ways that don’t necessarily involve spinning music or packing a dance floor. Let’s consider a few.

“PROJECTING” YOUR VOICE

If we take away all their DJ gear, fog, laser lights and music, every DJ still possesses two priceless commodities that are uniquely their own: a voice and a personality.
Why not prepare a demo CD of sample “voice-over” commercials that you can use to showcase your MC talent? Breaking into the radio and TV advertising market as an unseen announcer is a natural transition for any DJ with years of experience behind a microphone, paired with years of experience at “selling” the client. You also already know how to work an audience to get them to dance and participate at live events—why not adapt that skill into a second career as a “voice-over” artist who can convince listeners to run out and buy whatever products you are paid to promote?

Perhaps you also have a knack at imitating celebrity voices or cartoon characters. This opens yet another door for voice-related income. You already have the ability to create and lay down a musical background track, so an impressive demo should not be a problem for you to produce. The rest depends on your level of creativity and how well you are able to market your new “character” vocal services.

If you’ve got an amazing speaking voice but selling is not your strong suit, you might be able to expand on your vocal abilities by teaching a public speaking course at a local adult education center. Once you’re involved in continuing education, it’s an easy progression to teaching classes on starting a small business, database creation or any other area where you’ve developed some expertise and have something to pass on to others.

GEARING UP FOR GREATER INCOME

An obvious way to put your PA to work for you on an off night is to lease it as a “sound system rental.” You can price it lower if they pick it up, increase the fee to include yourself as the “delivery and pick-up” person, or charge top dollar as the delivery/operator/technician for the entire event. Sort of like a DJ without music. Just make sure you have an iron-clad rental agreement and insurance that protects your investment, and be sure to collect positive forms of ID from all renters.

If you’re going to rent out your PA anyway, why not offer to add your skilled MC services to the PA rental at trade show promotions and demonstrations? Wearing your best headset microphone, I’ll bet that you can vacuum dirt from a demo carpet or operate a veggie cutter just as well as anyone else, but with more flair and personality pulled from your years behind the DJ table. There are tons of conventions, trade shows and fairs where sellers will need not only a PA system at their booth, but also someone reliable and professional to market their product, it’s a limited-time gig, but you might be able to lock in with a company to do it every year. Not so easy to find, but a perfect match for you…so name your price.

Malls often need a PA and technician for a celebrity or sports personality meet & greet, or during a multi-week seasonal promotion (Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, etc). Radio stations are always looking for “street teams” at sporting events and product promotions. They’ll arm you with prizes like t-shirts and free tickets and you simply have to plug the product or event and promote the station while playing the format they dictate.

There are a lot of situations out there where a smart DJ with a few connections can earn great extra income without even playing a note of music…. You just have to find them and make yourself the best person for the job! Just a few more ways of staying “Ahead of the Curve”!

Michael Edwards is the owner of AllStar Entertainment & UpLighting, located in Andover, MA. A member of the ADJA and the Mobile Beat Advisory Board, he can be contacted at 978-470-4700 or emailed at info@getadj.com. His company websites include: www.GetaDJ.com and www.GetUplights.com.

Electro-Voice PA makes Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer a sweet home for music lovers

Electro-Voice PA makes Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer a sweet home for music lovers

April 17th, 2012

With the enduring popularity of its heyday hits, Lynyrd Skynyrd the band has acquired a no-compromise caché that creates a ready customer base for Lynyrd Skynyrd the brand. So when DriveThis! Entertainment developed its new Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer themed restaurant and nightclub for Las Vegas’s Excalibur Hotel & Casino, owners Craig Gilbert and Michael Frey had to be careful not to dilute the experience with anything less than full-on, hard-rockin’ sound. To ensure that the music, both live and prerecorded, is presented in its full glory, DriveThis! turned to Las Vegas sound, lighting, and video design integrator FBP Systems Inc. FBP chose Electro-Voice loudspeakers and processors to handle the job.

“This is a multi-purpose room that hosts live bands, DJs, and Karaoke,” says Matthew Paupst, senior design engineer at FBP. “We needed a system that would be able to cover anything that might potentially be up on stage. The main considerations were reliability, performance, and cost.” Given the criteria, Electro-Voice was a natural choice.

“Electro-Voice has always been known in the industry for its cost-effective, superior sound quality,” Paupst says. “And they offer a big range of different solutions, so the EV loudspeaker product line was able to cover all of our requirements in terms of both performance and cost. From the main PA to the on-stage monitors to the smaller-format boxes used for delay, EV had products to fit our needs. So, with the help of Quantum Sales and Technology in Anaheim, we were able to provide the quality and price point required to make this job a huge success.”

While the room has a polished concrete floor, Paupst says that reflections were a “non-issue” due to the full barn-board wooden interior. “The architect also used acoustic paneling that was inserted into and painted to match the barn board for added treatments. This meant that we could go big with the PA without having to worry about a large amount of reflection.”

DJ power with EV warmth

The PA system is built around four Electro-Voice Xi-1153A/64F 15-inch three-way full-range loudspeakers, with four Xsub dual 18-inch subwoofers handling the low end. “We used the 1153s as the main PA, two left and two right,” Paupst says. “They are similar in characteristics to the single 15-inch top boxes that provide the right response for DJ playback systems, but they still have the warm sound of a traditional EV box for the live events.”

The main PA is supplemented with a distributed system of 20 Electro-Voice ZX1i-100 composite indoor/outdoor eight-inch two-way loudspeakers. “The ZX1i provides a warm sound, large coverage pattern, and the SPL output required for the delay system,” Paupst says. “They are lightweight, and they have a simplified bracketing system that makes them easy to install.”

The versatility of the ZX1i is underscored by the variety of uses FBP found for it in the install. “We use them for the main PA delay in the outcoves of the venue,” Paupst says. “We also use them for the patio system, which provides sound reinforcement for hotel guests that might be going by, to attract them to the event going on inside. And there are an additional six in the American Burger Works quick service burger restaurant located adjacent to the venue, which is also owned and operated by DriveThis! Entertainment.”

Additional components of the PA system include six TX1122FM 12-inch two-way full-range loudspeakers used as stage monitors and two ELX112P 12-inch two-way full-range loudspeakers used as DJ monitors. The system is processed and controlled by an Electro-Voice Dx46 IRIS-Net sound system processor. “The Dx46 is a standalone DSP that allows us to take advantage of the FIR filters provided by Electro-Voice to obtain peak performance and protection for the Xi-1153As,” Paupst says. “It’s very easy to control, and the provided FIR-Drive lets you tune the room opposed to just tuning the speaker.”

Summing up the Electro-Voice system, Paupst says “I’ll never forget the first time that I fired up the system with the owners standing there, and the facial expressions they each had. You can tell that the system sounds good when the customer starts requesting songs just to hear them the way they’re supposed to sound. The room has a very warm yet powerful feel to it. Whether the system is being used for background music during the restaurant operations, or for a DJ, or for live sound, the clarity and intelligibility stands out. And the available headroom allows any touring engineer to take the place from restaurant to rock-and-roll venue with no hesitation.”

Back to School: American DJ’s ADJ University Is Now Enrolling for the Level 2 Online Educational Video Series

Back to School

American DJ’s ADJ University Is Now Enrolling for the

Level 2 Online Educational Video Series

LOS ANGELES, February 15, 2012 (For Immediate Release) – Although DJ equipment is more complicated than it used to be, there’s no reason for aspiring DJs and entertainers to feel intimidated or wonder how they will learn to run the equipment – class is back in session at ADJ University, American DJ’s entertaining way for DJs to get the skills they need. Enrollment is now open for the Level 2 Online Educational video series that provides a fun and easy way for beginning DJs to learn the basics of how to use DJ lighting and audio equipment in the comfort of their own home, on their own time. It also offers tips and techniques for starting an enjoyable and prosperous career in the entertainment industry.

Consisting of eight all-new online, in-depth but user-friendly video courses, ADJ University is taught by successful, respected DJs who have extensive knowledge of the equipment and techniques, including Brian Redd, Arnoldo Offerman and DJ Etronik. These entertaining courses, which cover a wide range of topics including school dances, mixing, client meetings and transporting gear, provide beginning DJs with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful entertainers, and they also offer a great resource for experienced DJs and entertainers who want to refresh and update their skills and knowledge.

Although the courses are provided by American DJ, the skills acquired through the ADJ University courses are not brand specific and are applicable to any DJ gear manufacturer’s equipment. “We don’t just sell products at American DJ; we help build careers,” said Brian Dowdle, Marketing Director for American DJ and the Dean of ADJ University. “These fun and entertaining video seminars are not designed to sell products nor are they product demonstrations, instead they offer both new and seasoned DJs the opportunity to learn new skills and get up-to-date on the latest technologies in DJ equipment. Everyone is welcome to enroll, whether or not they are ADJ customers.”

Enrolling at ADJ University is fast and easy – interested DJs just need to visit www.adjuniversity.com, and click “Log In or Join Now.” Members of ADJ’s Advantage Rewards Program will simply use their ADJ Advantage log-in information, and the sign-up process is quick and straightforward for those who are not yet members. Once enrolled, students can watch the eight videos at their own pace, then take the quizzes at the end of each video. Students that successfully complete all Level 2 courses will become ADJ University Alumni members and receive a Diploma, 100 ADJ Advantage Points, a free ADJ University Alumni T-shirt and a 4 GB Flash drive.

The first four of the eight Level 2 courses are available now on the ADJ University web site, and the remainder are coming soon. The course topics are:

Course 9: School Dances, hosted by Arnoldo Offerman

Course 10: Mixing 101, hosted by DJ Etronik

Course 11: DJ Survival Kit, hosted by Brian Redd

Course 12: Client Meetings, hosted by Brian Redd

Course 13: Transporting Your Gear, hosted by Brian Redd

Course 14: Music Programming for Mobile DJs, hosted by Brian Redd

Course 15: Building Your Business with Truss, hosted by Brian Redd

Course 16: Rotating the Dance Floor, hosted by Brian Redd

 

For more information or to enroll, click http://www.adjnewswave.com/blasts/ADJ/adj-u-level2-blast2.html or visit www.adjuniversity.com.

Chauvet mix and tell series with Top DJs

Mix and Tell: New CHAUVET® DJ Series Spotlights Top DJs

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®DJ http://www.chauvetlighting.com/dj-club.html announces the release of Mix and Tell [link: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2EA510893F4D2322&feature=plcp] — a new series bringing top DJs to the CHAUVET® DJ YouTube channel [link: http://www.youtube.com/user/chauvetlighting?feature=mhee].

Mix and Tell goes behind-the scene for one-on-one interviews with some of the biggest DJs in the world and transports CHAUVET® DJ YouTube subscribers into their magnificent life and career.

Current Mix and Tell interviews feature Kaskade, named America’s No. 1 DJ by DJ Times and Pioneer DJ; Chris Cox [ DJ and Grammy-nominated record producer with over 50 No.1 Billboard hits; DJ Rap voted No. 1 female DJ in the world by Shejay and owner and operator of Propa Talent and Impropa Talent; and Static Revenger,internationally acclaimed music producer, DJ, and video director. Next on the star-studded line up: exclusive one-on-one interviews with Steve Aoki, BT, Morgan Page and Dave Audé. Visit www.chauvetdj.com for more details.

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