Letting Others Plug In

[UKHero 0]

I am doing a gig for an agent next month, and his client has asked if a friend can plug his laptop into my PA for an hour of DJ mixing, Which worries me from the POV that I am the entertainment. But much more importantly, what about PAT PLI illegal DLs etc.

 

If my equipment fails during his use who would be liable? It could just be one of those things that was going to happen even if I were using it or it could be to do with how s/he is using it.

 

Also what if a person gets injured in some way while they are providing the entertainment, My PLI would not cover the incident as I am not the working DJ at that point in time.

 

Your thoughts guys would be most interesting.

 

Nik

[Pete Best 0]

I am doing a gig for an agent next month, and his client has asked if a friend can plug his laptop into my PA for an hour of DJ mixing, Which worries me from the POV that I am the entertainment. But much more importantly, what about PAT PLI illegal DLs etc.

 

If my equipment fails during his use who would be liable? It could just be one of those things that was going to happen even if I were using it or it could be to do with how s/he is using it.

 

Also what if a person gets injured in some way while they are providing the entertainment, My PLI would not cover the incident as I am not the working DJ at that point in time.

 

Your thoughts guys would be most interesting.

 

Nik

I would just explain to the person im sorry but your not covered on my PLI so he would need to fin another way to amplify his music.

hope this helps

Peter

[Gary (GDK) 0]

At the end of June, a client approached me and said can my mate connect to your sound system and do a DJ set. This DJ was mainly a club DJ and not a mobile, but all his equpiment was PAT tested and had PLI himself! So in that instance, I agreed.

Turned out to be good night, he was a cracking DJ and played some fantastic trance music.

Gary

[vokf 0]

Call your PLI company unless others have your policy, it'll be better to get a correct answer from them.

 

Re-issue the contract to show the DJ as hiring your equipment for the time of his performance. Illegal D/L's are not your problem (ie, it is not your role to check/validate each track on his laptop), and if the venue was inspected, you would be able to prove that he is simply hiring your equipment for 1hr and providing his own music.

If he is hiring the equipment, you can also ensure that he is solely liable for any damage during his performance - possibly check the wording of some hire companies for this. Obviously, they will have clauses for damage, and legal use of equipment.

 

Its reasonable to require his laptop (and other mains equipments) to be PATed.

 

Jason

[Dukesy 0]

I think many have (my self included) have turned a 'blind eye' towards such instances in the past, however, you bring up a point which in all fairness is a very valid one.

 

One of the many reasons why I don't let audience / clients behind the rig is because of liability. Declining someone's spontaneous request (usually the drunk one) on night to 'take over' DJ'ing is not always fully appreciated by the person requesting....they just think you're being a so and so when you say - sorry! LOL!

The gear are my tools and I don't like the idea of potential misuse... but there is the word 'compromise'....after all, I'm there to provide a service and be as accommodating as possible…or I'd simply decline the gig!

 

If I have ever decided to let someone 'plug in' to my rig, I've always controlled the levels - end of. If they don't like it, find another rig! That's the rule and I'm sticking to it!

 

Here's an idea! Why not provide an additional 'rig' and charge for the hour!

OK, not practical that one!

 

Or, why not charge for the hire of your 'hire kit' (not your main kit) and let the person DJ as long as they like!

You are not making money out of the music played (the commercial gain bit) and therefore the 'worry' is on their heads 'music legality' wise, no?

When I've hired kit from the disco shop in the past, the shop never said "Oh, and be careful what type of function you play..."

Mind, in the eyes of 'da law' (and I'm no lawyer or legal expert) a private event is a private event. This is not an accepted norm either and I feel that would make a great topic alone!

 

Could you imagine if someone being ejected from say a wedding, birthday, kids party, anniversary, etc turned round and said "Sorry, you can't eject me....cos this party ain't private, it's public!"

Yeah right! tongue out icon

 

Moving on....maybe a member who hires their kit out / spare rig could give us their opinion or experience?

Personally, with advanced knowledge, there should be time to sort something out - else, don't commit if you are unhappy with the request. smile icon

 

 

[UKHero 0]

Thanks for your replies guys the gig is 8th Aug and this request has just come in. Like I say it might not be a problem and all might be fine but its the WHAT IF factor I am worried about. Guy plugs in starts set, PA goes bang. Who is to blame and liable for repair or loss of earnings.

 

Maybe I could draw up a contract for them to sign no sig = no plug.

 

Nik

[TonyB 0]

I allow it subject to:

 

He/She would be liable for any loss or damage to my equipment during the performance.

He/She would have to be sober and conduct themselves in a responsible manner

No drinks allowed near the equipment during the performance

No other persons to be allowed near the equipment during the performance without my agreement

The period of use to be one hour only

I retain full control over volume and level settings at all times during the performance

I reserve the right to terminate the performance for any reason I deem necessary in the interests of safety and/or to prevent any loss or damage

[analyst 0]

Agree with all the above except that I'd ask him to stump up a breakage/damage deposit too, but how much could be tricky. How far would £20/£50 go to repairs?

 

But, when there's a wad of cash on the table to be lost, it tends to focus the mind a bit.

[Gary 0]

It would be an apologetic "No" from me.

 

Yes, they could damage your kit - and depending on what they damage the rest of that gig, and your next few gigs could be affected.

 

However... have a look at a DJU thread along similar lines back in February.

 

What if they claim that your equipment damaged their items?

 

Also known as "It was working alright 'til I plugged it into 'is gear" syndrome...."The DJ broke it, I wanna new one" game. Just one up from the channel 4 adverts of "Had an accident which wasnt your fault?..."

 

This is likely to be what? Friend/family member of the hirer, bedroom DJ perhaps, probably hasn't plugged into more than a home hifi or PC speakers before, doesnt know he needs a Ground Loop Isolator, has just the laptops own internal sound card, it'll sound like a kazoo and he'll blame your rig for that.

[davemoody 0]

I have had this a few times and the best solution is to set up a seperate rig just for them.

 

Couple of months ago the groom wanted to get his decks going and mix an hour of trance music before I started. All I had to do was to provide an amp and speakers as he had the rest.

 

Made it so much easier as I didn't have to worry about my main setup.

 

To be honest the few occasions I have done it, the so called "great' DJ who has had a go has gone down like a lead balloon. Nothing wrong with some bedroom DJ's but personal taste is very differetn when you want to show off on your wedding day.

 

I have had a similar request for next month when the cheeky groom has requested that if I am a load of rubbish, he is demanding he can take over!! Needless to say my reply was short and to the point.

 

'If this is what you are proposing then you had better find yourself another DJ for your wedding'

 

As of yet I have not had a reply!!

[UKHero 0]

It would be an apologetic "No" from me.

 

Yes, they could damage your kit - and depending on what they damage the rest of that gig, and your next few gigs could be affected.

 

However... have a look at a DJU thread along similar lines back in February.

 

What if they claim that your equipment damaged their items?

 

Also known as "It was working alright 'til I plugged it into 'is gear" syndrome...."The DJ broke it, I wanna new one" game. Just one up from the channel 4 adverts of "Had an accident which wasnt your fault?..."

 

This is likely to be what? Friend/family member of the hirer, bedroom DJ perhaps, probably hasn't plugged into more than a home hifi or PC speakers before, doesnt know he needs a Ground Loop Isolator, has just the laptops own internal sound card, it'll sound like a kazoo and he'll blame your rig for that.

 

 

Some good points made by Gary and also TonyB... I never thought of it the other way around what if they claim I broke there laptop mmmmm.. I dont want to upset a B&G on there day but I dont want to be out of pocket also...

 

Nik

 

I have had this a few times and the best solution is to set up a seperate rig just for them.

 

Couple of months ago the groom wanted to get his decks going and mix an hour of trance music before I started. All I had to do was to provide an amp and speakers as he had the rest.

 

Made it so much easier as I didn't have to worry about my main setup.

 

To be honest the few occasions I have done it, the so called "great' DJ who has had a go has gone down like a lead balloon. Nothing wrong with some bedroom DJ's but personal taste is very differetn when you want to show off on your wedding day.

 

I have had a similar request for next month when the cheeky groom has requested that if I am a load of rubbish, he is demanding he can take over!! Needless to say my reply was short and to the point.

 

'If this is what you are proposing then you had better find yourself another DJ for your wedding'

 

As of yet I have not had a reply!!

 

 

Lol what a cheek, I bet he would have said you were rubbish just to use your kit lol... The idea of setting up anther rig is not a problem but is time consuming and would incure extra charges.. And there is still the problem of what if it all goes Pete Tong....

 

Nik

[TonyB 0]

I would only let them connect through a GLI or DI box anyway. I also use a limiter so even if the user tried to increase the volume using the lap top volume control, they wouldn't get very far, push it too far and the limiter would just totally cut the sound.

 

If it was mains powered they would have to plug it into an RCD. I would just give them the jack plug connector or what ever they needed at the end of a long lead and tell them to plug it themselves.

 

I've only had it happen about three times that I can recall and its not been a problem. I can't think of a way that they could damage the gear through playing music through it but in the unlikely event that they did, thats what back up gear is for.

[Dukesy 0]

I am doing a gig for an agent next month, and his client has asked if a friend can plug his laptop into my PA for an hour

 

Why not contact the agent and inform that you can willingly supply a suitable sound rig for the clients friend - but it will incur a small charge as you don't want to risk your main kit or spoil their fun by chaperoning the mixer gain, EQ and master volume, etc.

 

I wouldn't want anyone to fiddle with my knobs (Ooer, Matron!) during a set, especially If I'm mixing, regardless of the format. I'm sure the clients friend will appreciate that point too!

 

IMO, if the agent spits his/her dummy out, then to be honest, I would personally find it a bit of a 'p' take and decline the gig and let the agent take the risk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kingy 0]

This would incur a further charge as it not the job of a "disco", I see this as more of a PA hire job.

 

Ask yourself why should you do this for nothing? Isn't this a business??

 

Try it at quick fit...."while the car is on the ramps can I just stick this exhaust on...."

 

Guess their reply......

[UKHero 0]

This would incur a further charge as it not the job of a "disco", I see this as more of a PA hire job.

 

Ask yourself why should you do this for nothing? Isn't this a business??

 

Try it at quick fit...."while the car is on the ramps can I just stick this exhaust on...."

 

Guess their reply......

 

 

Ha ha good reply

 

Nik

[TonyB 0]

If its just a PA hire for the period the other person is using it, shouldn't you charge less for the whole function as you are not charging for your services for the period, just the PA hire?

[Dukesy 0]

:hide:

[TonyB 0]

Sorry forgot the :hide: :dan+ju:

[Dukesy 0]

:Thumbup: :bouncy:

[UKHero 0]

If its just a PA hire for the period the other person is using it, shouldn't you charge less for the whole function as you are not charging for your services for the period, just the PA hire?

 

I thought about this so have offered a 25% discount...

 

Nik

[TonyB 0]

:Thumbup:

[Dream Catchers 0]

No Nik, you should get more because you aren't punishing them with YOUR music LOL

 

Jim

Edited July 30, 2008 by JimBoylan

[UKHero 0]

Oh NOOOOoooooo in the words of the Revfunk "I need a lie down"

 

Nik

[Dave80s 0]

I think it depends who they are, e.g. if the brides brother at a wedding asked to plug his ipod or laptop in I wouldn't mind.

 

I did a party at the weekend where a girl asked if she could plug her laptop in. I said yes as long as I can do the button clicking etc., so she just set up a playlist of her favourites and I played them randomly throughout the night. Worked well.

[Kingy 0]

If its just a PA hire for the period the other person is using it, shouldn't you charge less for the whole function as you are not charging for your services for the period, just the PA hire?

 

Absolutely not!!!! Your services are still being used and this is an additional service!!

 

I'm probably wrong!!! :hurt: