Paul Smith

Yes Chris I'm interested in the LED's. Two of our light effect transit boxes double up at the venue to put the bass bins on. A few LED stars on one side of these will add a nice effect and not intrude on the space inside. I'm also thinking of adding a flashing LED into each set. How many LEDs can you put in series B4 it starts to have an effect on the output? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/unsure.gif Paul S

At wedding receptions I always write the names of the bride & groom on a card & leave it on the mixer for the night. This time I had forgotten & the card was from the last function so I called out the wrong names!! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/oops.gif

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/dj.gif Happy Birthday DJ Trev http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/notworthy.gif I hoped you've booked yourself for the party & negotiated a good fee! How is Norfolk these days - I was born in Gt Yarmouth - but now live 'over the water' just outside Belfast. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/139.gif All the best Paul S

I'm afraid I'm gonna be a 'Doom & Gloom' merchant on this one http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/nono.gif Most of the checks required for PAT are straightforward eg 1. Check the cable for damage 2. Remove the plug top and check the cable clamp (not too tight or the wires will fracture over time), the fuse rating, the fuse holder, correct polarity and tightness of terminals. I think most people will be 'competent' with this. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/tongue.gif When it comes to a formal inspection you need to know is it a class 1, 2,3 etc appliance and you need

I loved school!!!! It was just the lessons & the teachers I didn't like. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif The social side was great, lots of friends, lots of parties, school trips etc but they do say youth is wasted on the young! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif Paul S

If someone asked for something naff or something we don't have then: a. The other DJ has it tonight b. We had that one stolen last week c. Ask the guests - put it to the vote over the mike d. When it's busy I normally tell the punters ask for anything but if no-one dances to it within 30 seconds from the start off it comes. Paul S http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/1087.gif

Revolving the 'Fire door' subject (excuse the pun - no don't) isn't it a pain when you have to move your equipment along a service corridor that has fire doors every few metres. I keep meaning to take a few wedges with me. On one occasion we used fire extinguishers to hold them just long enough to move the gear thru - the duty manager saw us & http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/mad.gif 'if the fire inspection officer calls now we're in trouble & so are you!!!' But it is 3o'clock in the morning said I! Paul S

I still use a bubble machine at weddings because it keeps the kids happy. I normally try to aim it away from the dance floor onto carpet into an area where the children can play happily and stay out of the way. Keep it high & the bubbles will travel about 5 feet. I've never seen a snow machine in operation but for some reason thought they would leave a right mess which is why I've never considered one ... but now. Well this is what the forum is all about - helping us to provide a better service. Paul S PS I see this topic was started some time ago & I've only just found it. I wond

One of my effects is a 'Broken Swing' for anyone not familiar I haven't dropped it - that's the name. I find it's a bit bulky with the wide wings so is there something that will provide a similar effect but is smaller? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif Paul S

I found that the word 'Contract' can scare people off so I entitled mine 'Booking Form' at the top and then start it with 'This is a contract of hire between......' Paul S

There's some interesting comment here & I'd like to add my bit. First of all a 5 hour disco is much more than that: there's travel, setting up & dismantling, allowing time between setting up & starting etc. This makes it at least 9 hours & if there's two of you 18 man hours. At the minimum wage this amounts to £75, then there's the 'hire' of your gear by them for their party, even for a small set-up say £50 (I'm being very conservative here) and your overheads (travel, maintenance, insurance, tax etc) say £20 So an absolute minimum is £145. Anyone doing a 5 hour gig

Thanks Chris! I feel so much better now especially after Sats gig (Groom "Can I get you a drink" Me "No its OK thanks I'll stick to the iced water" Groom "Well do you want me to get one of the lads to roll you a joint!") Sort of sums up the night http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif

I've just had to dig out the policy. The first £1million is included with the normal cover from music guard for the equipment. When I later asked to increase this to £5 million they charged me a further £29 including IPT. If anyone is thinking of going to them check out WWW.musicguard.co.uk and if you quote 020713916 you'll get a good deal (& so will I when my renewal comes up) http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif Paul S

Lots of good advice here - the only thing I can add is get someone at the party to be the judge/referee http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/nono.gif to determine who's in/out. It saves you getting the blame (& allows you to concentate on other things). Paul S PS All these inputs & I'm not even a roadie yet!

Last december I thought this as well - will the staff think I only have a few CDs? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wacko.gif Then in January I was back to do a gig at the same place for an bunch of students who were into heavy metal etc. Several members of staff commented that they preferred my 'normal' music - that same night I got the staff 'do' booking for February plus this December as well so they musta liked what I played at Christmas! I also try to play the odd request for staff on these block bookings and it's nice to see the way their attitude towards you changes from the f

I heard the following story recently. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/oops.gif The DJ was organising some games - one of which involved a woman (of ample porportions) to stand on a chair. The chair broke & she injured her back. Her solicitor tried to claim compo from the hotel but they argued that they only supply chairs for sitting on and as it broke whilst she was standing on it they were not liable So the DJs now in the frame - he doesn't have PLI but even if he did I doubt if they would pay up (show due care etc) http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif Last yea

Thanks for the info Chris. You make some valid points & I think I'll forget this idea http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/1087.gif but who knows what the future holds? I'm sure when something new does appear we'll read it here first! Paul

Hi Dj's I've just noticed in a catalogue that a hard disc recorder is available with either a 20gig or 40 gig drive. Described as 'digital recordable jukebox converts CD to MP3 without the need for a computer' Features USB interface, Optical output & phono in & out. Has anyone tried one yet? http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/huh.gif My worry with using a laptop is the safety net of 'backup' when on a gig; but with 2 of these machines (both with an identical hard drive) the problem could be solved. http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/smile.gif An