Mic Mac...To DJ or not to DJ.

[RobbieD 0]

Hi Mac,

 

I'm glad it went well - and that you came back here to share with us.

 

I agree with Chris and others above. You aware of your short comings and want to learn and improve - which puts you on the right road.

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/goodjob.gif

[SnakeyEyes 0]

just a quicky, i know it's a pain but, i am in the process of indexing all my cds and yes, it is taking a very long time, i am adveraging 4 cds an hour. with the index, you can put them in their own decades and generas with comments aside to help you remember the song. This can also help as an edited printout can be given to your client before the gig so they can see what songs they would like.

[analyst 0]

Just picked up this thread, late as ever huh?

 

I won't attempt to go over old ground covered by previous posts but one thing did rather jump out at me. You don't seem very confident about the integrity of your equipment and how you risk putting the lights out on the whole neighbourhood. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif

 

If nothing else, get an RCD for say £6 - £10 and ALWAYS run your power cables through that. If 'owt goes wrong at least you'll be protected and disaster recovery should be quick and easy.

 

FWIW I run a minimum of two main cables, one for sound equipment and one for lighting and each has its own RCD.

 

It goes without saying that if you really are so unsure about the kit, get it checked out by a competent person. Better if you can get a certificate to confirm the check was done as it is a contribution to your "risk assessment" documentation and helps to demonstrate all "due diligence" (this is worth more than 1000 PAT tests to the Health and Safety Inspectorate, believe me)

[YourBigEvent 0]

Reading this topic with great interest, firstly I would like to salute Mic Mac for knowing his weaknesses, secondly it seems that most people repliying are the best DJ's in the world, you may be, but how did you start ?, I know I have done, and still do some gigs by the skin of my teeth.

As Chris Shep states and I agree ANYONE can be a DJ, go onto e-bay, buy some speakers and CD player for 2/6-, download illegal Now 40 - 60, a couple of 50w lights for £30 each, and after your first gig you are in the beer money ! Second gig is 100% profit because these guys do not declare anything.

90 minutes is more than enough time between gigs, if you yourself think it is, this week alone, I would, by Saturday evening, have done 11 gigs, Monday I was in Newbury at 5pm, had to be near Plymouth at 8pm, made it at 7.50pm, Wednesday I was 50 miles away from my next gig and had an hours drive between them, first one finished at 8pm, second one started at 9pm, just made it, but I know the set ups I use, and can load my van so one set up in out of the rear door, another one from the NS sliding door, and another one from the OS sliding door.

I would like to wish you luck, and if you want any advice give me a call.

Andy

[PEDJ 0]

Well said that man.

[MicMac 0]

Hello all http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/042.gif

 

Once again I survived 2 gigs, but there are still tales to be told, and questions to be answered.

 

In answer to some of the posts since I last wrote. I am master of the car boot, and have blagged the 600 CD's I have accumulated through buying all the CD's someone has for sale for £1 or max £2. Best deal was 70 CD's for £1, but have not paid more than 10p for any of my CD's. (Amazing how many times I have nutbush city limits....lol).

Me and wife have sat for many a night with a pile of CD's and an open exel sheet, however another trip to the car boot, doubled the collection. (I have recently discovered a way to paste the playlist into exel from the CD in the laptop, but before this wrote out every song track, rated and mooded where to play, where not to play, so we are going to set to this week and list and lable the rest of them.

 

As for the bloke who did the gigs using the Now compiliations, I am currently utilising a 3 CD set Party comilation. Lasts over three hours, most tracks blend to each other and lots of variety. Like I say rating the CD's I have is a priority

 

Plug kit into 2 extention leads, seperating both CD playes and different lights etc but have thaught about the cut out plugs, and do realise there importance. (Please see end of this post)

 

So how did they go....

 

6 year old party....

 

Here is where I really felt I came into my own. 30 kids (under 10) and I was in my eliment. Me and the wife prepared some games (Pin the tale on eeyaw, pass the parcel), and got together a few cheap prizes. Did not get into venue until 11:20 (Party started at 12).

Initially thaught about doing musical statues, but was inspired with an idea of a name game. (Basically sat them all down and introduced myself ( QUESTION--Is it too naff to use the 'stage name' Mic, and tell punters this is my name), then got all the kids to shout theirs back. Of course had to do it again because they wern't loud enough, and because it was all jumbled I went round them all with microphone so they could say there name indiviidually. Then did do musical statues, and they loved it. Taught them the time warp, and Greesed Lighning dances. They loved it, I loved it and the parents loved it.

One REAL nightmare...Opened the books I have my CD's in and the cental popper had poped in three bags, hence many loose 'folders' of CD's.

(CAN SOMEONE 'recomend a quality CD holder- See bottom of post).

Also mother gave me 2 bags of sweets (Small packets of opal fruits and some of thoes jelly sweets. I did not think some parents would have appriciated it if their kids were eating sweets from the floor, so I just chucked out the packets, but I think I should have opened the opel fruits at least (nearly hit one kid in the head...lol (Note to self....open the sweets, throw to floor).

I was recommended by someone who went to the wedding (You remember that one...lol), and whilst there wife gave cards out, one woman said she would book me for 60th, (With catering) (Have I mentioned a local caterer is going to knock me 50p per person for any catering, that I will pass on to client),

 

So gig done, hurtled to the next one...18th in a pub...

 

I was really worried when I got there. There were three rooms to the pub, and they were tiny. I was given option to set up on one side of bar (In about three foot of space, (Thus trailing the speakers and lights accross the bar to 'the dance floor', or set up on dance floor, which was about 6 foot by 6 foot. I felt I needed to 'be with the audience, so set up on the dance floor). The party started slowley (With party girl turning up 1 hour late (but it was a surprise party) so I suggested we black out the pub, and when she arrived I wacked on the lights, and pub sang happy birthday. But at one point in the night I thaught the light box was vunerable to fall, so I turned it 'lengthways', however the Amp started to 'crackle', so I moved them back. I think it was because there were so many wires in such close proximity to each other. Anyway she asked me to work until 1am, and just paid me the £120 without discussion . Once the Karaoke got going the party really started, (around 11), and I 'announced' last orders at about 12:55, but land lord said no we are partying on....(He suggested £ would be no problem), so we went on...ONLY however until 1:20 when a neigbour complained about the noise....lol. But two major leads. Woman came up and asked if I had card, BECAUSE she is going to be new landlady of pub in December....and Landlord not only said he was really impressed and wanted me for his leaving do, but he'd 'been in game for 27 years', and knew hundreds of people in the trade, who he would recommend me to.

 

I know this may sound really cheeky, but real help to me would be for members of the site to concider 'donating' or selling me cheap stuff. I think you all should understand that I do a day job that pays me £200 per month under my outgoings (I had a really well paid job,but walked out cos they were muppets). I have about £3000 in the bank, but this is being erroded through the £200 shortfall, and all the other unexpected stuff that happen in a month. (We have the house up for sale, in an attempt to reduce our mortgage but as I am sure many of you will appriciate this could take months).

 

I accept and am prepared to speculate £650 for a kit recommended on this site plus money to join MUnion, the money to get kit PAT tested, ect..but it is other stuff, that I really need, but could easily deplete the rest of the money to a really worrying level.

I am not asking anyone to hand over their new state of the art gear, but if some could help with periferrils (CD books, lights, smoke machine,light t bar etc),

 

If I can do this then my only real worry is not actually getting gigs, but I feel this is unlikley, whereas my worry now is that this stuff could go any minute and put me out of buisness (I have Torque speakers, and 2 DJ shops had never heard of them). I hope members can appriciate my situation, and not concider me too cheeky for asking , and concider whether you would donate to the Mic, or concider it when you are updating, (rather than sticking it on ebay).

 

Like I say I am sure I will get bookings, but I want to be confident in my gear, and I want to be able to be confident to do bigger venues than the local working mens clubs, or pubs as a venue. (Don't get me wrong I do not intend at this moment to do this until I have gained more experiece, but I want to be in a position where if a gig turns out to be held at The Grand Estoria or the like then I can still do the gig.

 

I do love being a DJ and can really spar with my audience. My wife thinks I am really good, and I am getting pleantly of praise, and interest from the gigs I am doing. I really need this to work, and given my luck track record any help from members of this forum would be appriciated.

 

Again thanks all for reading my Post, and all coments, suggestions, spelling tips, ect will be taken on board....so until the next instalment....

 

The quest continues... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/headphone.gif

 

(PS Why is there such a small limit onto the number of emicons alowed in posts)

[Paul Smith 0]

Phew!! That was a long post. What I read from it is that you are keen, not only to learn but to also entertain http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/goodjob.gif

 

I can't comment on all your points but one I will pick up on is going over time. Most venues are licenced for music at specific times and if you play outside those times (even if the client / landlord say it's OK) then you could have your equipment confiscated if people (neighbours) complain - plus the landlord could have his licence rebuked (he'd blame you).

 

I must admit that I used to regularly go over by 10 - 20 mins if the people were having a good time but I don't any more and venue managers respect the fact that I always finish spot on time without them having to remind me. You also have to remember that while you are pleasing the guests with this extra time you could be http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/censored2.gif off the staff who will have to work longer and then not recommend you for future work. I know that wasn't the case this time but it is something to be aware of whilst on your steep learning curve.

 

But all in all you are building a business & reputation already plus learning fast http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

[Dukesy 0]

Quality CD folder - Slapper Cases.

 

I thought Torque speakers had a fairly good reputation as being OK? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

Maybe handy as spares if you buy new?

 

We can all have a look at our old bits and bobs / unused items to see whats available. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

 

 

 

 

[MicMac 0]

This is truley a great site. (IF my fellow DJ's are interested, the only other 2 sites I would recommend are www.moneysavingexpert.com. This is a brilliant forum site, where the host who describes himself as a Consumer Champion finds and publishes money saving loopholes, offers available, etc...And the forum has loads of people sharing the latest money saving tips, freebies, etc. It is one of the best sites I have come across).

Also there is a computer help site (www.pcadvisor.co.uk), that again has a forum that must have saved me hundreds of pounds rather than having to take PC to shop, or phone premium rate help line).

 

So back to this forum

 

I really do appriciate the support.

 

Other opinions of Torque would be appriciated.

 

As far as going on, my 'tactic' is to finish at the time paid until, say thankyou, but then put a compilation CD on low, whilst I dismantle the rest of the stuff. Is this good, because I feel a stop dead of the music is a bit 'cold', but what is the concensus

 

And the concensus as to the name I use. Mic or Paul

 

I appriciated the last thread was a long one, but I really want to use this thread to chart my career, and feel in future it will be useful / interesting to look back on my life as a DJ. Since i am always telling the wife I want to write a book, this platform gives me an oppertunity to express my litracy skills too. May use it to write a book...'The rise of an aspireing DJ'

 

But before the book, a few additional issues

 

Is there a way of testing the AMP, and is it qiute easy to repair. I say this because (Like I said in a previous post), there is an excrusiating crackle if I wiggle the wire that conects the laptop to the AMP, which I have put down to the wire, but last night (when I turned the light box round), again there was a 'loose wire' crackle, (Not as loud but noticable). I am unsure whether this was caused by the lights not being the 'right way up', the fact that all the wires were meshed into a 1" square, or a loose conection in the amp. Again (and I don't want to bleat on about it), but it comes to cost, and I don't know what to 'risk' my meger affordable speculation money. It works, so if I intend to get another amp, and use this as a spare, do I want to 'risk' £20 or whatever having it tested, for nothing to be wrong with it. cos I could do this with all the equipment), and PAT tested, and the £20 becomes much more. Again don't get me wrong I am not trying to wing it, but I need to finantially prioritise a 'minimum' needs.

 

As always http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thanks.gif

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/headphone.gif

 

PS...What about the emicon issue http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/1106.gif

 

 

 

[Paul Smith 0]

QUOTE (MicMac @ Oct 22 2006, 06:48 PM)

PS...What about the emicon issue  http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/1106.gif

 

Unlimited free advice and unlimited smilies in your posts, why not go for all 3 and ask Gordon Brown for 0% VAT http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

 

Yes there is a restriction on the number of Smilies you can add to one post but normally this isn't an issue unless you write a book

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/whistling.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/yucky.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/bleh.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/hits_the_fan.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/newyear.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/amen.gif

Edited October 23, 2006 by Paul_Smith

[YourBigEvent 0]

MicMac - Without trrying to 'flog off my spare kit(s)', I have a couple of complete disco set up's which, if collected I would let a fellow DJU member have cheaper, off the top of my head, I have...

 

1 x C Audio 1500w amp

2 x Warrior L300 (300w) top cabs

2 x Skytec 300w bass bins

All leads and Speakons

1 x Stageline (I think !) twin CD player

1 x Gemini DJ mixer

1 x Flightcase for the above two items

All leads and cables

 

All PAT tested until April 2007 (I think !)

 

If you wanted to go with powered speakers I have some of these too, or a 'bigger named' amp, again 1500w, or a Lyonforge 400w amp for about £35

 

I will let the other guys give you a rough price, but the complete set up would cost about...........offers aroud £550?

[MicMac 0]

Cheers Andy http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thanks.gif

 

I will see what people think http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/grouphug.gif

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/headphone.gif

[RevelationDisco 0]

Hi MicMac,

Very interesting thread this. Has prompted me to make my 1st post!!!

Just thought I'd give my opinion of Torque speakers.

We run 2x Torque TZ4015 400W & 2x TZ3012 300W through a Behringer EP1500.

Sound quality is quite superb (customer comments aswell as personel opinion), plenty of bass, full mid and crystal clear top.

What model are your cabs?

Good luck for the future!

Mark

[MicMac 0]

Hello all again :djuhi: ,

 

Well I have another 2 gigs on the way :good: . Back to the Con Club on Saturday. I have a dillema in that there is another DJ who is now doing the con club (Either passing any work he has on Saurday to me, or asking me to do the club), however after my first gig there he told me that they wern't too keen on using me as 'I charged too much'. I was gobsmacked as after the 1st gig I was asked how much I wanted, and I said 'just give me what you would normally give the (now ex) DJ. Having spoke to the DJ (Female) a few weeks earlier to determine how much she was charging she wasn't too forthcomming with a figure, but 'eluded' that it wass less than £100, so I expected £80 - £90, and was quite surprised when he handed over £120. (I thaught I must have really impressed. However when i was told that I charge 'too much', I went to remonstrate with the manager. Once he realised thatI had not actually 'charged' anything, but accepted what I was given, he said....'Well you wern't very good' ;thumbdown: . I was bloody furious, and my ego was really dented. I think it was very poor, as on the night he was saying how chuffed he was, and the following day when I went to pick up my stuff again, he was singing my praises. (I felt if he wanted me to change my music (Baring in mind that his was my very first gig), he could have said so then. So now my principles want him to back down from that statement, :shrug: especially since he want me to do it again because other DJ is not available, but the financial side of me thinks, just do the gig, collect the money, and forget my principle :cheers: .

 

The second gig is a 40th Birthday :birthday: (At the con club ironically). I am just waiting to see if they want catering.

 

I have now listed all my CD's (600) on exel, and am trying to wade through listening to them all so I can rate them, and list them for suitable gigs, but let me tell you the prospect of listening and rating over 4000 songs is filling me with a little dread. :omg:

 

I am constantly searching ebay for a spare kit, lights, etc...however I have a inane fear of spending cash (See earlier in this thread), My appeal for any bits and bats yo may have lying around still stands, and any offer would be truely appriciated. :grouphug:

 

Until the next post.....

 

....The quest continues :hphone:

[madasafrog 0]

This is where Dj'ing by PC has its advantages. One hell of a quick way to store and retrieve your music.

 

Have look through the threads on Dj'ing by PC. May be something worth considering for the future

[MicMac 0]

Hi all :djuhi:

 

Cheers Madasafrog. I have tried running through laptop, but I think there is a loose wire somewhere as when I wiggle the wire that connects the laptop to the amp, there is an excruciating unbearable 'loose wire noise' that emits through the speaker. It works OK when laptop is stable, but any movement causes the noise and is really unbearable and ruins the disco. I am looking to get a new wire to see if it's that (as opposed the amp).

 

I have another gig people :good: ....Recommended by Lass who booked me for 18th. This time it is a christening . it is on Sunday in the same venue (ie; the con club), that I am doing Karaoke on the Saturday night, so no packing up nor trawling gear across town this time. The wife is a little gutted cos it is my Birthday on sunday....The gig is a long one (12noon - 6pm) which I think really is too long, but the customer is always right. :mikee:

 

I have written a letter to both 'pubs' offering to do a few nights at a reduced rate, then either negotiate a 'residency, or call it a day type thing. and local charities, offering reduced gigs.

I am hoping that I can establish myself as resident in one or two pubs, then I can begin to feel a little better about speculating to accumulate.

 

I will return on Sunday night to let you all know how things went. :chad:

 

...The quest continues :hphone:

 

PS If this thread becomes a little boring please let me know, as I do not wish to bore you all to death with an irrelevant chart of my career.

 

[andyw 0]

its not boring for me,interesting watching how you develope.its like our own little soap opera.keep going and keep us upto date.remember we are here to help

[Andy Westcott 0]

No, don't worry about boring posts - people have an option as to whether they read this thread or not.

 

I read it!

[YourBigEvent 0]

Not boring me either, altough I am used to boring posts, as I have just read one from Westcott !

[Andy Westcott 0]

And which post would that be??

 

All my posts are rivettingly fascinating, as most people know.....

[MicMac 0]

Hello all, :djuhi:

 

Oh have I got problems...

 

did the karaoke on Saturday night. This went well, although club was really quiet (Think that may have something to do with Bonfire Night), anyway woke up on Sunday at 10am, so shot round to club for about 11, and really had to pull out all the stops to get ready for 12.

 

BUT....at about 2 in afternoon something again was disturbing the amp, with the electrical noise emiting from the speakers (I had to turn the music off whilst I messed about, however it seemed I cured it by removing the remote Mic. Then at about 4 the Compliation Party CD I was playing seemed to warp on me, (Luckiley I was able to swith to the other CD I had set up, but was again not good, and thirdly, at about 5 1/2 way through a record the music stopped and the speakers started emmititing a continuous hissing noise. This lasted for about 20 seconds, ad seemed to be resolved by me wiggling the wire from the mixer to the amp. (wiggled it at the amp). It is a real worry as I was concentating so hard in ensuring the 'kit' stayed stable, I was not able to relax (This was especially so whan a 6 year old kept comming up and asking for Cha Cha Slide, and Barbie Girl, and I really had a panic that she was going to destableise the rig. I can't do a gig like this. I should be concerned with the next track, not 'god help me if anything moves here'.

 

I (as I have said in previous post) have a feeling there is something wrong with the amp, but (again like I have said I do not want to just go and relace the amp, if this is not the cause. One of the guests suggested when there was the 'electrical noise that it could be the mixer. So I do not want to replace the amp, thus maybe having to replace the speakers to 'marry up the connecting wires', for the problem to be with the mixer. It could even be that I am not setting up the rig correctly, I really don't know.

 

If there is anyone in and around the Yorkshire area who would be willing for me to bring my kit so they could look at it and suggest what I do.

 

I am sure you all realise that this is a real mission of mine, but it needs to be enjoyable and it really was anything but. I also need to make my mark in the club, and again want to focus my attention on the music and the vibe, not the kit.

 

So can someone help me. I understand it may be that the amp/mixer I have are knackered (If anything I think it will be the amp), and I appriciate the only solution may be replacements. I also realise I need a spare kit anyway, but I really could do with knowing whether it is the kit or me.

 

Ironically (Despite the failings) a few people came up to me and said what a great event it was and they would use me in the future.

 

I think I maybe doing the Karaoke in the club on Saturday, and I do have the gig in early december, but like I say I need to be confident in the kit, as I am confident in my skill.

 

....The quest continues :hphone:

 

PS. In case any of you are a little confused I was called on Thursday afternoon to do a Christening on Sunday from 12 - 6

[madasafrog 0]

Hi all :djuhi:

 

Cheers Madasafrog. I have tried running through laptop, but I think there is a loose wire somewhere as when I wiggle the wire that connects the laptop to the amp, there is an excruciating unbearable 'loose wire noise' that emits through the speaker. It works OK when laptop is stable, but any movement causes the noise and is really unbearable and ruins the disco. I am looking to get a new wire to see if it's that (as opposed the amp).

 

 

It could be the socket to the laptop.

 

What i was suggesting is use something like itunes as the database for your music. If someone asks for a song, you can use the search facility to tell you what album it is on so you canlay your hands on that CD quickly.

 

If you decide to run your music via the laptop, i would recommend an external USB sound card. You can use that as your output and can cue via the internal soundcard. The benefit of the external soundcard is that the sound should be better and you are not putting as much processing pressure on the laptop. This can be a benefit as a lot of the DJ software out there gets a bit unreliable and can jump/skip a little as the laptop heats up after a while.

 

Well done on your progress so far. Makes a riveting read

 

[TonyB 0]

Do you by any chance have your amp and decks all flight cased in the same flightcase? I was wondering if something is overheating. Heat would make the CD warp and would also make the amplifier cut out. When the music is turned off, it will cool down and reset itself. You could also check that any dust filters aren't blocked.

[MicMac 0]

Hello all :djuhi:

 

Well an oppertunity has presented itself. :cheers:

 

A pub about three hundred yards from my house has just had it's 'Pub to Let' sign taken down. (Now this pub is in a village which hosts about 14 pubs in a 1 mile stretch, and this pub is either dead, or 'Chav's' hanging around), however the village's Pubs are viberant, and defo room for another pub to make it's mark.

 

So yesterday I went and spoke to new landlady who said that she was interested in me becoming the resident DJ. She asked if I could do a quiz etc..., however the bloke who was helping them fund the starting of getting this pub off the ground, would not have 'loads'. She said she would speak to him, and sure enough today he rang and asked to meet me tomorrow night to discuss an agreement. From what I gather in a conversation landlady had with wife they initially will be looking at Friday for a Karaoke, and a Sunday for a quiz.

 

So...what do you all think. :grouphug:

 

What questions should I be ensuring I ask

 

Is there anything I should assure myself of

 

What is the opinion on the financial side. Given the pub is on it's ar$e, I can not expect to earn big bucks initially, but I was thinking of £20.00 per hour for 4 weeks, then £30.00 per hour, but I don't want to overprice/underprice myself, but I see it as an opertunity to eventually work 4/5 nights.

 

Anyhow like I say a (quick) response would be appriciated, and of course I will return after my meeting and let you all know the craik.

 

Until next time....

 

....The quest continues :hphone:

 

[Paul Smith 0]

I admire your determination. If you can help them get off the ground then they'll either remember you forever or dump you in favour of someone cheaper once they've had their use - that's the nature of business depending on the ethics of whomever you are doing business with.

 

With that in mind you need to decide which type they are and then make your offer to them. I don't really have much experience of the pub side of DJing but building up a business relationship is important. If you intend to start off cheap to help them out let them know this so that when you raise your price it isn't unexpected - again they will either appreciate this or already make a decision to replace you once you raise your price.

 

The best thing to do would be to prepare a mini business plan to present to them - eg I'll do 4 weeks at this price, if numbers increase then I'll charge this price or I'll do 4 weeks at this price then I'll charge this price (regardless of whether numbers increase or not) or I'll do 4 weeks trial at this price etc

 

That's the best I can do at this early hour :zzz: