Hello All.

[DJNaviss 0]

Hi, Everyone!

I just wanted to take time out, To let everyone know who I am before I start posting.

As I'm very new to DJ-ing, And trying to learn everything I can about it.

 

First off, My name is Justin, AKA - DJ Naviss, As that is what I go by.

I'm from the US, Indiana.

I'm 16 Year's Old.

 

I've wanted to become, A DJ for a long time. Just never took that first step into becoming one.

What made me take that first step, Was when I went to the school home coming... And the school hired a DJ.

I don't believe I left his side the whole night. LOL

 

After that I had a talk with my mother, And now 4 month's later. I have a really big system. As I'll list it at the end of this post.

 

I have my first live "gig" next month. And hope to get more booking's. As my card's have still yet to come.

 

However... I do not use turntable's "spin". Due to not many place's I've called does not want a DJ that spin's.

Also the school's don't want that.

So, With that being said, I only use CD's. Along with my Laptop.

-----------------------------------------

And here is a list of my system. With lighting Etc... I would have photo's, Of it... But it's so big, I can't put it all up in the house.

I'll have photo's once I do my first gig.

Also any idea's you may have for me are very welcome! I would love to hear what you all have to say.

 

Justin.

-----------------------------------------

1 Pyle Pro 8 CH Mixer.

2 Mic's.

1 Dual Pyle Pro CD Player.

1 Crown CE 2000 Power Amp. (Pushing 2000 WRMS)

1 Crown CE 4000 Power Amp. (Pushing 4000 WRMS)

1 Pyle Pro 800 WRMS Power Amp.

2 JBL SF25 Dual 15 Inch Sub Woofer's. (500 WRMS - 2000 Watt Peak Each)

Also 2 more, In case something would happen to the first two.

2 Pyle Pro 15 Inch Sub Woofer's. WITH STAND'S (400 WRMS 800 Watt Peak Each)

8 CH Lighting Power House.

 

And I'm shure you are wanting to know what that 4000, Watt amp is pushing. HeHe.

Nothing less then 2 JBL SR4719X's.

Thumping at 1,200 WRMS EACH.

 

For those that wouldn't know what they are. They are four 18 inch woofer's. In two bin's.

And I forone MUST say.. They are sweet... They MOVE the air. They are worth the money.

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Lighting

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1 Chauvet Starbust System.

1 Chauvet Mini Sphere Ball.

3 Chauvet Mini Strobe's.

1 12' Chauvet Disco Ball.

1 Chauvet Mushroom.

1 10 x 10 (W/H) Foot Truss. (Can be 10 Or lower x 5)

1 Chauvet Fogger. (3,500 CU. FT. Per Min)

1 Chauvet Fogger. (1,500 CU. FT. Per Min)

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Yes, I know.. I don't have a Cross over.. And only a 10 band EQ.

I'm looking into a Crossover, And a bigger EQ.

 

[NineLives 0]

Hi and welcome to the Forum,

 

Thats a very impressive setup for a 16 year old , heck I dont have such a setup at 46 and 20+ years doing disco work ! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif

 

You iether got nice parents or a good paying paper round ! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif

 

Well done , enjoy you visits....................

[ChrisPointon 0]

LOL - yeah thats one hell of a set up, you must have got good grades to persuade them to buy you all that http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

BTW:- What are your links with the D.J equipment supply company you use in your email addy?, can you email me some more information? TIA.

 

Anyway, welcome to the forum, I hope that you will spend some time here, and enjoy it as much as we do.

 

Most of us UK based D.J's now use CD's and Laptops to cover the majority of functions, although there are a few vinyl die hards out there who still prefer vinyl or use a combination of vinyl and cd for their set.

 

Anyway, look around, feel free to post and join in the chat and enjoy your time here http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif

[DJNaviss 0]

Yes, I've spent alittle over 10,000$ for it all.

 

And my mother has given me alot of help with it all, As I just got done paying alot for my car. ( 98 Chevy Blazer )

And then I went into DJ-ing. And had to pay out all the money for my system.

 

I'm out of school, As I went to a privite school for 13 year's. And then at the age of 13 I was doing high school work.

Now, That I'm 16. I being home schooled. So, I could have time to work, And now DJ! Also I'm going to get my GED next year.

 

I have also been in computer programming and online business sell's for the past 3 year's. (I went to alot of classes for computer programming, I make site's, Along with script's.)

And that's where I make all my money.

Now, I hope to make my money being a DJ.

 

Thank's again, As I've very happy to be here. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

[DJNaviss 0]

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Dec 17 2003, 02:09 PM)

BTW:- What are your links with the D.J equipment supply company you use in your email addy?, can you email me some more information? TIA.

That website. [EDITED - GO READ THE RULES - ADMIN] I own and run. I drop ship alot of the item's listed.

That is just one of the businesses I run.

 

I believe they only ship to the US. But, Not all shure. I can check into it, If you like.

Edited December 17, 2003 by Chris_Pointon

[ChrisPointon 0]

DJNaviss - lets not set off on the wrong foot here shall we???. I asked you to EMAIL me the details for obvious (if you had read the rules) reasons.

 

As it happens I am looking for a reliable US ONLY based distributor to help out on here for the US based membership we have, however due to the nature of how this forum is funded it would be by invitation only.

 

Please do not think that this is an open forum for you to advertise your wares, so if this is the only reason you are here, then you will be disappointed.

 

It's usually a good idea to join in a bit, and get known before launching into a public Spam excercise, Advertising from your 1st post is usually considered very impolite, and usually would not be allowed at all, especially as the nature of your business breaks the rules.

 

Please let me look into your business activities and evaluate the situation and please await the invitation before launching into a sales excercise, otherwise I will remove your posting ability.

[DJNaviss 0]

I'm very sorry.

As I didn't mean to offend anyone, Or not go by the forum rule's.

 

I didn't come here to get sale's by anymean's. I came here for idea's about DJ-ing.

I'll be more then happy to send you via e-mail some of my US drop shipper's.

As for that site, I would rather nobody know about it.

It's not bringing in enough money, As I need to be able to keep it, Open. As inturn to this, I don't sell anything there anymore, Just trying to find the time, To take it down.

 

Again, I'm very sorry. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif

Edited December 17, 2003 by DJNaviss

[ChrisPointon 0]

That's okay then, now we've cleared that up http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

If you want the opportunity to help out with sales enquiries from US based members and perhaps give you business another go, then we'll talk by email, or add me to MSN, and we'll try and boost your sales a bit, you may get some enquiries from it, either way, it won't cost you anything to try.

 

It's your choice. In the meantime you are welcome to continue using the forum, just please bear in mind the posting rules.

[Gary 0]

Welcome to the forum. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/042.gif

 

The fact that you've included such detailed descriptions of your gear...especially the smoke machines, makes me think that you must be in Sales... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

Or if not, you should be... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/huh.gif

 

Have a read through the forum, take a look around, post questions, get answers, question the answers, get more answers, and so on, and so on. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wacko.gif

 

 

[ChrisPointon 0]

One thing that I will point out at this stage, is that you don't need to impress, or have £500,000 worth of gear to join in, or be accepted here. We are not the VIP lounge at the local golf club http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

This isn't aimed at anybody, just a general point and re-assurance for any new members looking in, who think that they may need to impress to gain respect and in order to be replied to. This isn't the case, and everybody gets treated equally and help if they need it.

[DJNaviss 0]

Gary, Thank's... Happy to be here.

And you can count on that. I'll be asking, The dumbest question's... As I only know alittle about DJ-ing. LOL

And Yes... I've been in sale's for 2 year's. Mostly just programming the site's for my mother, To own and run.

 

And not trying to impress anyone. However.... I think that the JBL SR4719X's, Are very nice, And for the price, You may think no way... As I did... But - Believe me they are worth every penny!

 

I may have a good sound system... But, As far as my mixer, CD Player, And such... There is alot better out there. Just I spent more time and money on my sound system, Due to - That's what everyone look's at...

 

But, That's just how I think of it.

[C.S 0]

Welcome,have fun and be nice here.

[tonyj 0]

hi and welcome http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/071.gif

[kazzachi 0]

Welcome.... could it be that you will become the next Bill Gates I wonder!

 

What sort of crowd are you going to set your sites at with the dj-ing? I only ask because I have worked for a few american/international schools and had to do tons of research as to what chart they listened to in the us... what was popular etc, and found that the audience was extremely diverse.

[DJNaviss 0]

Eh, Well - I have not yet started DJ-ing, As I stated before, My first gig will be next month.

I'm going to do anything I can. But - With my age, I have alot of limit's.

 

As for school's, When I went to a few of them. They mostly played like the top 100 in Pop, RnB, Rap, And some country. As that is what I'll be playing, When or if hired.

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

I'm going to do anything I can. But - With my age, I have alot of limit's.

 

Age only limit's you if you let it knock your confidence or let yourself believe that you are limited http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif . Most D.J's started D.J'ing "properly" in their teens, some had the interest from childhood. I was 13 when I started learning how to D.J, and 15 when I did my first gig for which I was paid.

 

Joe another member of DJU is also 15, and currently running a Mobile Disco (See his interview). Okay he is restricting himself to doing disco's for people around his age and younger whilst he gains experience and confidence, but he is getting paid for his gigs and learning from them.

 

So don't use age as an excuse for not pushing your interest and potential. You may have to work twice as hard for people to take you seriously at 16, but if you really want something and are willing to work hard, then you will probably make a success out of it http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

Above all, listen to any advice that you are given, and try and get some experience from helping or watching an older, professional D.J if you can. Nobody becomes a D.J overnight no matter how good you are (or think you are). Listen to your audience, they are a true unbiased reflection of your D.J'ing skills.

 

QUOTE

They mostly played like the top 100 in Pop, RnB, Rap, And some country. As that is what I'll be playing, When or if hired.

 

More importantly, play to the age group of the audience that you are entertaining, even if it means playing something that you don't like personally. Don't just play what you saw ONE other D.J'ing playing at ONE other gig!. Every audience has different tastes and there is a different atmosphere at different gigs!. If you make sure that you have musiv from all popular genre's then you can't go wrong. It may be that you are asked to play exactly the same as at the other gig you refer to, then again it may be something completely different - we have all been caught out with that idea and jumping to conclusions! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif, but if you carry all music types with you, and are willing to play them, then you can never really go wrong!.

[DJNaviss 0]

Thank You Chris... As I'll remember that.

 

And I'm willing to play anywhere... I would play anywhere I'm asked. Only reason, I said anything about my age is, You must be 21 or no less then 18 to play in a bar. And under 21, You must fill out alot of paper's, And the owner's don't want to have to bother with it all, Very well knowing there is more DJ's then just me in the world.

So, Until I can gain their trust, And in this case time. I wont be able to play in bar's.

And I don't of many other place's to go? Other then school's and home partie's.

 

I've also seen that a Day's Inn hire's a DJ for their lobby... Never heard of such a thing, But - I was asked.

Wonder if I get a free room too? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

Yes, Everytime I see a DJ in "action" I take time out to watch them, But - Almost all I've seen don't want me to watch... So, I find myself in a ruff spot. As I love to watch other's. Give's me alot of idea's, For a starter like myself.

Also, I've tried to find some DJ video's online... Even short clip's... But, There aren't many out there.

[ChrisPointon 0]

Yes, I agree with your point regarding working in clubs and pubs. The drinking age in the UK is 18, but over 14's are allowed to go into most bars if accompanied by a responsible adult and drink soft drinks only, I also had the added advantage, at 16 that I looked far older, so given this, and the fact that I never drank alcohol and was accompanied by my Father until I was 18, managed to swing it for me. I do accept that you local laws may be different, and so pub and club work is not an option for you at the moment.

 

However, there are other alternatives, High Schools (Or Junior High I believe you call them in the U.S?) - Basically 11 - 18 year olds, are there many schools with kids of this age group within travelling distance around you?. Try contacting them after Christmas and see if they need a D.J. Graduation Disco's are also another option you may like to offer your services for later in the New Year.

 

I don't know if you have independant rooms available for hire over there, as we do in the U.K?, basically somewhere where somebody can hire a room for a few hours for a Wedding, Birthday etc and have a band or disco?. If it is independant to a bar or club then it will probably be legal for you to work in there. So being able to offer your services, once you get a little more experience, could be another option, try looking in the Yellow Pages, or local phone / business directories and any local newspapers that are available for this sort of thing.

 

QUOTE

Yes, Everytime I see a DJ in "action" I take time out to watch them, But - Almost all I've seen don't want me to watch..

 

I understand this, since professional Jealousy is still very common in this industry, although happily this forum is starting to break down that barrier, and D.J's are starting to offer each other advice and help out people like yourself who are new to the industry. Sadly some D.J's can still have large Ego's and an attitude problem or simply don't want you hanging around them when they are working.

 

Of course there is nothing they can do to stop you from watching and listening to them working at a public gig, so perhaps you'll have to try that for a while.

 

You seem to get on okay with your parents, so maybe you could discuss your interest in greater detail with them?, after all you already have the equipment so I'm sure that they will be happy for you to put it to some use http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif . Maybe they could help you to contact a local D.J in order to help him / her out?. Usually the best way to do this is to find all the local D.J's (Yellow Pages / Internet Search engine) and write or email them a letter, introducing yourself and offering to help them at the Weekend?, if you were to construct a polite, well written letter or email then I am sure that you will find somebody willing to give you a chance. You may have to work hard for a few hours for very little payment or even nothing in some cases! but think of it as earning something that money can rarely buy - and that "something" is first hand experience from a professional D.J at actual gigs.

 

Nobody ever got hurt by asking a question, so if there is any particular aspect of D.J'ing your unsure of then simply post the question in the relevant section!. maybe even spend some time browsing the forum, the information here is free and written by 100's of other D.J's who probably all started much the same way as you are now. There are already lots of tips and suggestions going back over the last 10 months or so.

[DJNaviss 0]

Well, Here in the US. There is something like that... I can go into a bar, With a parent. But, It's not that easy. We must sign alot of paper's... And such to be able to. And that take's time, That I guess the owner of the bar(s) do not have.

And I don't blame them... As I said before more DJ's out there then just me, And that are over 21.

Yes, There is alot of people that rent building's out, And hire DJ's for the night... I've been looking into them.

As for school's... There are 5 of them around me...

I asked one about hiring DJ's, And their comment was that they only hire a DJ for Home Coming. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbdown.gif

 

But, Who know's... Maybe better luck on the next 4 school's!

 

I've only seen a few DJ's in action... As I do have panic disorder... And it stop's me from getting out alot.

 

And as for looking for a local DJ... All of them are stuck up to be blunt.

 

I have called alot of bar's and such... And alot of them have called me back, To book me.. But then again... They also have food there.. So, It's not really just a bar.

 

Yes, I've been reading alot of the post's on the forum... As that's where I have gained alot of my idea's, And stuff that has came to help me in this hard task.

I'm also a member of alot of other DJ's to learn even more. Due to none of the DJ's around my area want to give their helpping hand.

[ChrisPointon 0]

What a lot of bar owners tend to forget, is that the 16 year olds of today, are their potential future customers in the coming years http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif , over here, more and more pubs are getting to be family orientated venues with kids play area's and entertainment, and certainly going to the pub in the UK, is increasingly becoming a family occasion.

 

I think that you have established that you are not able to work in this sort of environment, so perhaps the only option is to look at the other area's open to you, however lmited they are, a little opportunity is better than non at all.

 

As I said on the first post, don't let a few refusal's put you off, nothing is easy these days and everything seems to need more and more effort to make an idea or an interest work. You'll find that it gets easier the older you get and the more experienced you become.

 

QUOTE

As I do have panic disorder... And it stop's me from getting out alot.

 

Yes, I can see how this can play a major part in any D.J'ing opportunity. I'm assuming that you are having some form of counselling or treatment for this?. You may actually find that your love of D.J'ing could help you to overcome this disorder in time.

 

I hope that you do find the opportunity that you are looking for?, we all deserve a break once in a while http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

[mobile_dj_crooks 0]

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

 

the first year is always hard....u always face new problems, but after a while, you'll know what to do when the same problem comes again....

 

good luck http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/kid.gif

[DJNaviss 0]

Thank you Crook's... Even if I'm not ready for all the problem's. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sadwalk.gif

 

Yes, Chris... I'm going to look far and wide for anybody that will hire me... I'm shure alot will.

Also something that will get me alittle more buisness is, I have a big enough system to be able to do some outside thing's... In the summer.

 

Yes, I feel at home when I'm behind the booth... So, I feel I wont have any problem with my disorder. Well, I hope not.

 

Oh, And I wanted to share a photo with you all, Of two of my speaker's. The one's on top is the JBL SF-25's. And the two big bass bin's are the JBL SR4719-X's.

And that's my mother standing by them... She's 5'8 and the Speaker's stand 7 foot 7 inch's.... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

They photo isn't that good, I had to take it in the house....

 

http://www.DJWeb.Net/jkhome/photos/dj/2.jpg

Edited December 23, 2003 by DJNaviss

[ChrisPointon 0]

Yes, Mother's make the best Roadies! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

The SF-25's are nice speakers, although a little big. I've just had some in and was quite surprised by the Quality. Slightly better sounding than the Dual 15" loaded Ohm RW's which are around the same size and price.

 

 

[kazzachi 0]

Thank god size isnt everything! I would not fancy taking those monsters out with me week after week! Have you considered buying something smaller - I think you may have a problem finding venues to use those in!

[ChrisPointon 0]

That makes a change...a woman telling a man that size isn't everything http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif