Now that I have your attention, you see that it didn’t cost you anything to com to this site.

It is a site for dj’s to learn a little bit more than they would if you were on your own.

You could even ask questions pertaining to this subject and possibly get some useful answers without ever paying anything out of your pocket.
Some DJ sites try to sell you their forms and tell you how to be a dj. But I am a dj trying to help others with the option of becoming a good dj without ever charging you a cent.

All it takes is a little bit of your time to read my site and you will see that it has info for all types of djing questions.

I even have a spot for you to place your comments on an article or even ask a pertinent question or two by placing them in the comments spot.

A lot of other dj’s that are just starting in the business have done this in the past. I may not have all of the answers, but can help you enough to get thru your dilemma without too many problems.

I am not like a lot of dj’s that think that they are better than all of the rest……I am still learning all of the time…….even after being in the business for over thirty years.

So just drop me a line with a legitimate question and I will personally get back to you

Thank you and keep on reading!

Today I am going to do this story from the view of a iPod.

Hello, I am a shiny new iPod. I have the retail value of around $400, and am able, according to my owner, be able to dj a wedding.

I know that I am able to hold all kinds of songs so you will have fun listening to me. But I don’t think that I have any built in software to be able to do your wedding with. I know that I have a SHUFFLE function, but I don’t think that will be good for song selections to be put in any kind of good order for playback.
I know that I am able to be made into different play-lists, but this still can’t see the future which  doesn’t allow me to play the songs that I will need to be playing.

I don’t even have a set of EYES to allow me to see when the Bridal Party has arrived to the hall. OH MY! I don’t even have a microphone input to allow me make announcements! Ha! Again I forgot that I can’t talk!

Now it comes down to DINNER MUSIC. Will I have enough selections in case the caterer is late, or even if the buffet table isn’t removed in a timely manner off the dance floor. I even hope that it isn’t left up for people to get SECONDS.

I don’t even know when it will be time to play the “FIRST DANCE”, CUTTING THE CAKE, GARTER AND BOUQUET TOSS……………and who knows what else!

Another thing……How will I know what songs people are really dancing to and what songs that I shouldn’t play….. Like all of those explicit language songs that you shouldn’t have at such an event!

Like I said…..I know that I have a SHUFFLE BUTTON….. but how would anyone know what song is coming up next…….. fast,Slow, Rock, Slow, Oldies, Slow, Fast,Rock……… OH MY!!!!!! THE POSSIBILITIES !!!!!

Most importantly! I only have one headphone jack. How will I be able to let all of your guests hear what I am playing?
I know that some places rent P.A. or SOUND  SYSTEMS to use at these types of events, BUT, they are costly, about $400 just for a single system with one microphone. And yes, The $75 dollar set-up fee, for them to set it up and make sure that it is working, then they leave.

Now, let’s review the cost.
$400 for the iPod
$400 for system rental
$75 for system set-up
$?? for music downloads
$100 for someone to work the iPod

$975 total plus music

So……I the iPod, am not able to do a WEDDING alone.
Listen to that DJ that gave you a price that you thought was HIGH!!!
Well, At least he will have all of the music that you will need without taking up any of your time to get other things ready for your BIG DAY!

Let HIM MC the event and have some control of the music that your guests want to hear.
He will also work together with your vendors , like the video, Photographer, and even the events of your wedding.

Just think, you will not have to be responsible for packing the system up and taking it back to where you rented it from!

This is one thing that the BRIDE and GROOM should not be responsible for doing!

Im glad that I …….. The iPod, was able to give you my story.

Thank you and keep on reading.

I seem to have talked about this subject earlier on in my writings. But, maybe now it is time for me to get into the real nitty- gritty.

There is a lot to learn when you attempt to go on a new adventure. Becoming a DJ is no exception to the fact. You will be learning that there is not just “ONE SIZE FITS ALL!” You will have to find out the things that you will use like cartridges, needles, mixers, tables, computers, laptops, and controllers. Then once you have that, you will now have to learn about what PITCH and TEMPO is and then learn how to SCRATCH, or even BEAT MIX. In the opinion of most, the best way for you to learn about DJing, is to watch someone and how they do it or just find a DJ to study under. A lot of DJ’s that I know are always willing to lend a hand to someone that is willing to learn. In exchange, some DJ’s may get you to help them load and unload their equipment in and out of the gig that they have. Some may even get you to run some errands each week in exchange for some HANDS ON training.

There is no one book that you read, will ever give you all the knowledge that you will need to know.So in plain words, the best way to become a DJ is to learn from a DJ “HANDS ON!”

There isn’t many places, like a college or trade school, that will teach you everything you will need to become a DJ. The ability of being a DJ is like something that has to be handed down, like a father, teaching his son.

You will rarely see it taught in a classroom. Even though there are a few out there that will take your money.

DJ’s have NIGHT CLUBS, PARTIES, WEDDINGS, or just about any event where a DJ is used, to show off their skills. DJ’s that have been spining or mixing for many years, will be the best DJ teacher because of their experience.

A lot of you feel that you have to go out right away and SCRATCH to be a good DJ. But in the opinion of many, the art of SCRATCHING is overrated. Some DJ’s don’t even have a need for it. If you do a corporate event or even a Wedding, the Bride and Groom will not want the DJ to be scratching away. These are events where they want music to be playing all night.

It is all op to you on what type of DJ you want to become, I’m not saying to stay away from SCRATCHING, but there is a time and place for it. If you want to BATTLE, or DJ at a really good NIGHT CLUB, or if your doig HIP-HOP GROOVES, you will then want to learn how to SCRATCH. At these functions, it is really popular.

Be open minded when you decide to become a DJ, don’t be afraid to try everything because the more talents that you have, will determine how many jobs opportunities will be open to you.

When I started writing on this site, I had always expressed that the single MOST IMPORTANT piece of advice that can be given to anyone starting out is……………… PRACTICE!! PRACTICE!! PRACTICE, and more PRACTICE!

Most of the ways of DJing will become or make itself easier, with the more you PRACTICE! Don’t give up! To be a great entertainer of this kind, is being able to work with your music. Get to know your songs inside and out. Then get the BEAT-MIXING down to a science. Soon you will progress into other things from there.

I learned that in this business, there is not a ONE SIZE FITS ALL or that you should go with BRAND “X” because BRAND “Y” is so difficult.

In putting this article together, just from my experience and by listening to what other DJ’s had to say. There is a lot of different choices available, so if you have to scratch your head, or just find yourself puzzled about what direction to take.  Nobody but YOU will have to make that PERSONAL decision.

The next part of this will be some questions that YOU should be asking yourself, as with starting anything new.

I know that for some of you feel that you have just started DJing and what do you have to listen to a DJ Reminisce about old times.

It all really comes down to the fact that the “OLD” really does in a way, meet the “NEW” in a most unusual way.

By this I mean that times may have changed along with our slang and style, but it really hasn’t gone to far from what we have been used to do.

OLD                                                                                   NEW

Hula-hoop                                                                     Hula-hoop with batteries and flashing lights

Photo booth in a mall.                                              Now a portable photo booth to take to all kinds of events

Albums                                                                            CD’s

Records                                                                           MP3’s with coded record source.

Sock-Hops                                                                       School Dances

Wooden Roller Coasters                                           Steel Roller Coasters

Bikini’s                                                                               Bikini’s (Well that one hasn’t changed since 1946, except less material)

After school at the Malt Shop                                  In the Food courts at the Mall

Eat-n-Park and A&W Root Beer                                Sonics with rollerskating servers
with servers on Roller Skates

Big desktop computers                                                now ones that fit into your pocket

comic magazines                                                            comic paper-backs

Sing-alongs                                                                       Karaoke

Speakers that needed a separate amplifier           Self powered Speakers with an amp. inside them

Incandescent lights                                                        L.E.D.’s Light Emitting Diodes

Drive in Theaters (Here I thought that these were dead.)            Blow-up or Portable large Video Screens. [Portable DJ's are even using them for themed events  to                                                                                                                                      show movies outside or in.]

Film Cameras                                                                     Digital card Cameras

VHS Tapes                                                                           DVD’s

Board Games                                                                      Hand Held Games

Phone Booths                                                                     Cell Phones

Gas Powered Scooters                                                    Gas Powered Skateboards

Roller Skates                                                                       Inline Skates

Crew Cut/ Duck-tail Hair-cuts                                      Bald or Spiked in multi-colors

Tents                                                                                       Self Setup Camper Trailers

This gives you a General Idea that history does repeat itself in one form or another.

THIS IS WHAT GOT ME “REMINISCING”!

I know that there is a lot of things that I didn’t talk about which would include some cars and such.

Leave your comments for a later article.

Thank you and keep on reading!

Time now to talk about how well do you do at a wedding or a special gig that you have done.

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

You really don’t unless you hear someone talking about you.
How do you know if you will get another booking?
Will you get a referral from them?

You will never know unless you do a follow-up .
This can be done in a very discrete manner, and will not cost you more than an envelope and a couple of stamps

Even at the same time you could even get comments and suggestions on how you did.

All it will take is a simple letter with your djing logo and address at the top.
Then you can follow it up with how you value their opinion and strive to be better at what you do.
You should even add their name and event date.
Then you could make a questionnaire, with a rating scale following it.

Some questions to ask on it would be about HOW YOU DRESSED,SOUND QUALITY, VOLUME OF THE MUSIC, YOUR DJ PERSONALITY, SERVICE RENDERED BY THE DJ, ABOUT HOW YOU ARRIVED AND SET-UP, and maybe even HOW WAS THE MUSIC PROVIDED.

Then you could even add a section at the bottom of the letter for them to fill out about referrals of other people if they liked what your company did.

This is a simple way of grading yourself and getting extra gigs all with the cost of a couple postage stamps and envelopes to send it back again.

You will get an evaluation of how you did, so you could make improvements in the future and make yourself a successful data base for future jobs.

Always make sure that your return address, web site, and possibly where you can see pics. of some of the work that you have done.

Send me your comments and Keep on Reading.

So now is the time to talk to you about adding some lighting equipment. But before you build your lighting set, we have to discuss about the different types there is so you would know what would make people want to get up and dance or just sit there!
Remember that the mood you make will depend on the way you combine the different types of lights. It may take a little practice, but with some of the fundamentals, you will understand and know which will be the best for you!

These are descriptions of some of the lighting designs out there.

STAGE LIGHTS These usually consist of size #16 par-cans. These will hold a two inch light. The effect can be made by placing 2 sets of 4 par-cans on a T-stand. Then you would place a set on either side of the dance floor so they would give good coverage on the floor. To change the colors of the lights, you can get various colors of gels or plastic to place at the end of the cans.

MOONFLOWERS These give you a lighting effect much like a DISCO BALL with many reflective sides on it.

BEAMERS These give you an expanded beam of light across the dance floor. Most times these can be controlled by the music or by a preset controller.

STROBE LIGHTS These lights will flash at a set rate or can be variable rate. This light will cause a freeze- frame effect. These lights are bright and a lot of mobile dj’s have not been using them at their gigs.

LASERS These units have been getting more and more sophisticated that they can write names on walls or create special designs. Most people combine Lasers with a fog machine to produce some highly defined lighting effects!

Now that you see what types of lights there are, we now have to add some of the right accessories. Yes, there is always more than just the lights that you bought. You will now need plug bars, cables, controllers, dimmers,and maybe even that fog machine that we talked about earlier.

BASIC CONTROLLER This item is like a glorified bank of light switches. It takes care of which lights are on/off , all from your console without a multitude of loose cables strung all over. The number of channels you have is how many lights or effects that you can control.

ADVANCED CONTROLLERS These are almost like the basic but with built in dimmers and light pattern programs. Most of these have sound activation which allows your music to control the lights for you. Some even come with kill switches that can turn everything off all at one time.

Then we now come to the DMX CONTROLLER.  With this system, it allows you to program how your (lights, dimmers, fog machine, and whatever else type of lighting that you have). This type of controller is supposed to give you the most flexibility to power your lights. All of your gear doesn’t have to be DMX compatible.

LIGHT STANDS These were to easily fold down, and when used, will allow you to get your effects above the crouds heads and also give you a place to add more lighting equipment.

LIGHTING CABLES There is a lot of different kinds. Keep in mind that these connect the controller to you lights so they provide the power. As a special note as with all cables, make sure that they will handle the wattage of the lights you are using!

DIMMER PACKS These were made to allow you the flexibility to control the brightness of your lights. And yes, these can be added to controllers to give them greater manageability!

There you have it all in a nutshell. Go and check out what some DJ’s use and how they use them. Even bars have lighting over the dance floor. See what they have and base you decisions on them.

I even included a few pics of the items.

AMERICAN DJ STARBALL LED
LED Powered Mirrored Ball Effect

CHAUVET 4BAR LED STAGE LIGHTING SYSTEM

A lot of you still ask about how you hook up a computer to your mixing board. But now, how about hooking your iPad to the mixer and how easy it is to use it.

I know that I am not the up with all of the new products, so I had to see if there was a spot that would help me with this story.

In a feature in Mac Life, there is a feature that gtalks to the first iPad dj.

Check it out here: iPad dj……..   http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/mixing_music_ipad

You can even watch her video of her using and describing if on youtube.

Thank you and keep on reading.

I was asked to DJ at a benifit Car Cruise for the Wilkens Township Community Days, in Monroeville, Pa.

I had a great day at the event and got to see a lot of great old cars. I enjoyed talking to all of the people who told me that they liked the music that I was playing. I became confused about what they were saying, so I had to ask they what they mean. They all seemed to say the same thing. That whoever DJed the other car cruises didn’t play all oldies, but played a lot of RAP, HIP-HOP, and a lot of NEWER MUSIC! What was that other dj think he was doing? Cars from an era of the 50’s, 60’s, and the early Seventies. Why would you play anything more?

But I will leave that for another subject.

For those that wanted to see their cars and pics. I had placed them on my Facebook page.

Thank you and keep on reading.

Most of the older DJ’s are looking for smaller and lighter speakers to use with their systems. Most DJ’s don’t want to lug around big speakers that weigh in at One Hundred pounds and more. Some just do small gigs or just don’t need to show off how loud they can be!

I have been asked many of times about what kind of smaller speaker would I use. I have to say that I just don’t have just one brand that I like since I have used many, many, many different kinds. I even took on the art of making my own. This is another subject, at this time I don’t want to get into it.

I just recently used a pair of speakers that sounded really good.  They should be paired with a sub to get better sounding, but all by themselves they even make a great monitor speaker. Now to show you what type of speakers I am talking about, here goes the specifications from the company themselves. OH Yes! Not to forget to let you know, they are made in the U.S.A.!

Superior sound quality and supreme durability.

A neodymium magnet and injection-molded polypropylene cab make the Peavey PR 12 speaker light and strong. 400W handling; 12″ woofer with 2″ voice coil and neodymium magnet, 14XT™ compression driver, 1.4″ titanium diaphragm, 90° x 40° horn, tweeter protection, fail-proof crossover, polemount, and heavy-duty metal grille. 17″W x 23-3/4″H x 13-3/4″D. 33 lbs.

Made in the USA.

Peavey PR 12 Loudspeaker Features:

• 400W handling
• 12″ premium woofer
• 2″ voice coil
• Lightweight neodymium magnet
• 14XT compression driver
• 1.4″ titanium diaphragm
• 90° x 40° constant directivity horn
• Tweeter protection
• Fail-proof crossover
• Lightweight molded polypropylene enclosure
• Molded-in polemount system
• Heavy-duty metal grille
• 17″W x 23-3/4″H x 13-3/4″D
• 33 lbs.

  Made in the USA

Just think, you don’t have to sell your amps.!  So if you decided to go big again, you could without having to buy a lot of new stuff.

I even forgot to tell you that one of my other DJ’s accidentally dropped it off the stage and thought that it was all over for his gig. But to his supprize, he told me that it kept on working without any problems. As djing owners go, he didn’t tell me about it till I decided to use them at my next job. I even couldn’t tell which of the speakers he dropped. So I have to add that they will take a few small bumps and keep on working.

I hope that you enjoyed this review and send me your own comments about them, or if you have a brand that you would like me to test or check out.

Thank you and keep on reading!