MOBILE BEAT #197 - AUGUST 2018 Reflecting on Visuals: Photo & Video in the Spotlight Mobile Beat is certainly a lean, (not so) mean, stripped-down machine these days, so occasionally Publisher Ryan Burger says, "Dan, don't worry if the issue is a little short, let's just get 'er done..." Such was the case with this summertime issue. Unfortunately(?), I was showered with so much great content, on so many different aspects of video and photography as they relate to DJs, that I just HAD to get it all in. But I think you'll be thanking me after you check it out. (Sorry Ryan.) ~ Dan Walsh, Editor-in-Chief REFLECTING ON VISUALS Easy Photo & V... [read more]

MOBILE BEAT #196 - JULY 2018 ENTERTAINING YOUTH This sleak summer issue of MB is laser-focused on the youth event market. Inside you'll find a ton of great ideas and good advice for successfully entertaining the younger crowd. Get ready to rock... ~ Dan Walsh, Editor-in-Chief ENTERTAINING YOUTH Kid Rock - Stu Chisholm Oontz Oontz: Kids’ DJ School Is In Session - Staci Nichols Musical Prudence for Youth Events - Jay Maxwell Successful Trivia Shows with Teens - Rob Johnson Bubbling Up the Fun at Kids’ Events - Matt Martindale Party Pumpers! - Mike “Dr Frankenstand” Ryan PLUS: Pittsburgh’s DJ Jess - Mike Cordeiro Does Today’s... [read more]

MOBILE BEAT #195 - JUNE 2018 DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES This issue ended up as a bit of a smorgasbord (translation: an unexpected mix of goodies), but the articles all share something in common: a certain unique angle on the DJ business or other areas of entertainment interest. Along the way we offer some interestingly relevant ideas from some truly unique characters. Served up for your summer-time enjoyment... ~ Dan Walsh, Editor-in-Chief DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES Beginning the Cruise DJ Adventure - DJ Dayna Hiring the Right People - Daniel Fullard Branding with Gene Simmons - Mike Cordeiro Carrot Top: Working Hard for the Laughs - Mike Cordeiro... [read more]

I recently had a chance meeting with Moby at a restaurant in Los Angeles. He was beyond kind to chat with me for a few moments. After eating I purchased his book, Porcelain, and powered through it in a week. It’s a candid telling of his hard life before fame, living in an abandoned warehouse, dashing about through Gotham City’s sordid and dangerous street life. One of the things that stuck me was his honesty about a couple of mistakes he made while performing in night clubs—mistakes that would have destroyed any normal DJ. We all make mistakes; how we respond to them tests our mettle as professional entertainers. It is inevitable that yo... [read more]

If you are looking for new DJ headphones, there are many choices in the market- place today. However, I heartily encourage you to check out Pioneer DJ’s new HDJ-X10s before making your decision. I have been road testing the new Pioneers for a few weeks now, at all types of gigs. The first thing I noticed is how good they sound, not just with both ear cups on, but also in the typical DJ style with one on and one off. The bass response pumps enough to easily beat mix, but without blowing out your ear drum or muddying up the song. The high end is crisp, but not too bright. Overall, the precise frequency response helps you avoid major ear fatig... [read more]

The “silent dance party” or “silent disco” has been around for a while now, and has come down to an affordable level for many DJs interested in buying such a system, rather than renting. If you aren’t familiar with the silent disco concept, here’s a quick primer. Instead of pumping sound out through speakers, everyone in the audience wears a wireless headphone that can pick up one of two or three DJs playing simultaneously, with the signals going out through a broadcaster box. In this way, a club, for example, can serve multiple audiences with different DJ/music styles without having a separate room for each one. While there are some... [read more]

These days computers are a core part of most DJ rigs, so smooth, reliable performance is essential. In most cases the computer is running a DJ application like Virtual DJ, Serato, rekordbox or the like, and is also the media source. Any glitch in the system can result in a stoppage of music...and the party! This article has been crafted after consultation with computer experts, as well as DJ hardware software manu- facturers. These tips are likely to ensure a stable, powerful system; however, neither I, Mobile Beat, nor these experts can guarantee performance and cannot be held liable for any issues you may encounter. We strongly recommended that you maintain a backup of all data.read more]

Acouple of summers ago, I was asked to help out a local DJ who was running late getting to his assigned ceremony/reception. As it turned out, he really didn’t need any help, but I hung around for a bit. As the bridal party began assembling, he grabbed his laptop and headed for the ceremony site. Unable to locate a convenient AC outlet, I suggested he just run it off the battery. He couldn’t. There wasn’t one. Not only that, the hinge was broken to the point he had to prop up the screen. My guess was that it had been dropped—probably more than once. There was also a dis- gusting layer of grime on the keyboard and screen. Was this an extreme c... [read more]

This is the age of expressing one’s thoughts more freely than ever before, to the widest possible audience, all with the easy click of a “send” button. Yet, while you may think that your opinions deserve to be aired on social media, take a moment to think about your connections and consider: “Could this be costing me business?” More than likely, the answer is a resounding “yes!” Ever heard the phrase, “birds of a feather, flock together?” Sure you have. Seth Godin, in his book “Tribes” talks about how the internet has eliminated the barriers of geography, cost and time. Society has linked up to create groups, or tribes. A tribe is... [read more]

Recently, my son’s high school robotics club asked me to speak on the essentials of professionalism. To help them remember the essentials, I told them to remember the acronym PLEASE. After delivering this talk to my son’s group, I realized that these essentials apply to many professions, including mobile DJs. PALM-IN-PALM P is a phrase to help a professional remember to shake hands. The handshake, where people connect their palms, is an essential of professionalism because it helps make a firm physical contact with another human. At many worship services, there is a time where the pastor invites the congregation to shake someone’s hand. Whethe... [read more]