Some info

[ross@rds 0]

disc jockey

The work

Disc jockeys (DJs) present, mix and link recorded music for a live or radio audience. They use a wide variety of equipment including turntables and mixers; tape decks; amplifiers and headphones; graphic equalisers; and multimedia and sound processors.

 

There are three main types of DJ:

 

Radio DJs are broadcast presenters that work at radio stations providing links between music tracks. Links are filled with, for example:

 

conversation, anecdotes or jokes

phone-ins

adverts

news, weather and traffic items

interviews.

Radio DJs usually present a programme that reflects their personality and musical interests. They use mixing techniques, improvisation and work to a tight timing schedule. For more detailed information on radio work see TV/Radio Presenter.

Club DJs mix music and use other techniques to create a performance for a dance audience. They need to be aware of the venue’s music policy and the club-goers' tastes. Techniques they may use include:

 

pitch control

scratching

drop and MP3 mixing

cross fading

beat matching and juggling

effects processing

sampling and sequencing.

Mobile DJs provide musical entertainment at weddings, parties and other social events. They try to create a fun atmosphere by being the Master of Ceremonies (MC). They normally provide their own music (vinyl and CDs) and equipment.

 

Depending on the role, DJs may be required to market and promote themselves.

 

 

Hours and Environment

DJs work irregular and varied hours depending on their time slot, for example a radio DJ may work a morning show or a club DJ will often work into the early hours of the morning. DJs are likely to spend some time preparing a play list, setting up equipment and travelling to venues.

 

 

 

The working environment varies. Mobile DJs might work in village halls, pubs, public buildings, or outdoors. Radio DJs may work in air-conditioned studios or occasionally at outdoor events. Club DJs normally work in hot, loud and smoky environments.

 

Some DJs work on a part-time or casual basis combining DJing with another source of income.

 

 

Skills and Interests

To be a DJ, you should:

 

have a keen and well-developed interest in music

be technically competent with your equipment

have a confident and outgoing personality

have some understanding of sound engineering and music technology

be a clear and articulate communicator, particularly for radio

have a good sense of rhythm

be creative and enthusiastic about music

have good timing and co-ordination

have good business skills

be able to work calmly under pressure and organise your own workload.

 

Entry

There is no set career route for DJs and formal qualifications are not always necessary. However, commercial radio and the BBC set their own standards for recruitment and may require a good general standard of education, particularly a high standard of written English.

 

Entry differs depending on whether a DJ works for an employer like a radio station, or is self-employed. It is important that would-be DJs can demonstrate their skills and knowledge of a particular area of music, technical equipment and DJing techniques. Freelance DJs will need to promote themselves as a business and be persistent to get DJ slots. The Creative and Cultural Skills advice service can offer information about building a creative career or business - see Further Information for contact details.

 

Prospective radio DJs can gain experience from work placements with the BBC or commercial radio stations, but will need to be good communicators and highly motivated as there is strong competition for places. Some knowledge of digital audio editing software like Cool Edit Pro or Adobe Audition would be useful. It is important that new entrants do some research about their potential audience. Working in a related job such as radio production assistant, may be a useful starting point. Contact BBC Recruitment or the Commercial Radio Companies Association for further details.

 

Voluntary work with hospital, college or community radio is a valuable way of gaining practical experience. For details of volunteering opportunities and training, contact the Community Media Association or the Hospital Broadcasting Association.

Club DJs often start by building their reputation in bars, making contacts and moving on to bigger and more prestigious venues with the aim of establishing a residency at a club. They will often create a mix CD or demo and use this to demonstrate their skills.

 

Mobile DJs need to have their own equipment and music, and build their reputation through word of mouth or advertising.

 

Training

 

For radio DJs, training in broadcasting, music production and media can be useful, and courses are available at various levels including City & Guilds (7500) or (7790) levels 2 and 3 in Media Techniques (Radio). There are also short courses in radio, MIDI or digital audio technology, such as Cubase, Logic or Wavelab.

 

For club DJs, training is available in DJing techniques:

 

NCFE or OCN in Mix DJ Skills

BTEC National Award in Music Technology (DJ Technology)

short vocational courses in DJ skills, mixing, music technology and production.

Degrees and BTEC HNDs in music technology or sound engineering may also be useful, or in media production for radio DJs.

Contact Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries, and the Radio Academy for further details of radio training.

 

In some areas, young people may be able to join community-based training schemes to develop their DJing skills and experience.

 

 

Opportunities

Most club, radio and mobile DJs are either self-employed or are offered freelance contracts. It is important that they build their reputation, are successful networkers and are committed to self-promotion. Occasionally, DJs are employed by clubs and the hospitality industry.

 

Successful DJs can find work opening events and giving personal appearances. There are also increasingly good opportunities for experienced club DJs to work abroad.

 

It is possible for DJs to move into related roles in music production, music retailing and recording. They could become club promoters, agents, remix producers, record distributors or even musical artists in their own right.

 

 

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

 

In the early stages, some DJs work unpaid to gain experience. DJs are able to negotiate longer and more lucrative contracts as their reputation develops.

 

Average earnings for DJs are between £50 and £300 a session.

Very experienced club and radio DJs may earn £1,000 or more per session.

Top club DJs can earn over £100,000 a year.

Mobile DJs earn from around £50 to £300 a night (for each gig).

 

Since most DJs are freelance, annual income varies depending on their reputation and experience. Top club DJs may work several sessions at different venues in one night or weekend.

 

 

Further information

 

 

Skillset

Prospect House

80-110 New Oxford Street

London

WC1A 1HB

http://www.skillset.org

 

 

Radio Academy

5 Market Place

London

W1W 8AE

Tel: 020 7255 2010

http://www.radioacademy.org

 

 

Hospital Broadcasting Association

http://www.hbauk.com

 

 

Community Media Association

The Workstation

15 Paternoster Row

Sheffield

S1 2BX

Tel: 0114 279 5219

http://www.commedia.org.uk

 

 

Commercial Radio Companies Association

The Radiocentre

77 Shaftsbury Avenue

London

W1D 5DU

Tel: 020 7306 2603

http://www.crca.co.uk

 

 

BBC Recruitment

PO Box 48305

London

W12 6YE

http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs

 

 

Skillset Careers

Tel: 08080 300 900 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Tel: 0808 100 8094 for Scotland

http://www.skillset.org/careers

[EdBray 0]

Hi and welcome to DJs United,

 

A very informative first post and I am sure some members may well benefit from reading it and the links you have provided.

 

Myself and some of the other moderators felt that it was a strange first post, and usually we find that our new members tend to introduce themselves as their first post and progress to something a little more intense in their later posts. This is not to say that what you have done is incorrect, just unusual.

 

It would be nice if you felt you would like to tell us a little about yourself, your DJing interests, your area of operation and anything else you think may be of interest to the other members.

 

I hope you will enjoy yourself on DJs United and feel free to join in with the general banter and do not be afraid reply to questions that you feel that you know the answers to, by the same token, if you feel that you require an answer to a question, do not be afraid to ask.

 

Once again welcome to the forum and thank you for your initial input.

 

Eddie.

[Paul Smith 0]

QUOTE

Mobile DJs earn from around £50 to £300 a night (for each gig).

 

If you're the tax man take the 1st figure http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/Welcome.gif to DJU - I believe the info you provided comes from a career site http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif yes you can have a career as a mobile DJ although maybe not on £50 a night unless you live in a tent and eat grass.

[ross@rds 0]

I have been a member for a while but forgot my user name and password so had to make a new account and no am not the tax man lol.

[ian . 0]

I wonder where that site the info came from got their prices?

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/Welcome.gif to DJU.

[Welsh Audio Man 21 0]

welcome to DJU