Roadshow or "Compact Disco"

[FDDJ 0]

I have been in the business now for the best part of 14 years and since I started I always wanted to have a large show to take on the road.

 

So over time I built up a large sound system and lightshow and no matter what size of gig I was covering, I would always take everything and try and squeeze as much of it as possible into the venue http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

Anyway last year I attended a friends Wedding at a nice hotel and expected to see a Roadshow type disco because of the size of the Wedding, type of venue etc. (it just seemed the kind of "do" that was ripe for a big show considering it was in a ballroom!).

 

Come the evening and the DJ arrives to set up and he has what I would call a very minimal disco. Two 15" speakers, two par cans, two moonflower effects and two sets of four way "traffic lights" was the sum total of his set up.

 

I was gutted! His rig didn't sound bad but wasn't very loud and the lights covered probably a quarter of the dancefloor, yet he had 150+ people on their feet for most of the night and everyone had a great time http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

So it got me thinking, do punters really care for the kit or is it really just a DJ "mines bigger than yours" kinda thing? Had I really been that blind over the years and wasted a lot of money just to buy new stuff? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wacko.gif

 

I helped out another DJ with some bookings towards the end of last year and he had a nice tidy, compact set up with 2 speakers, 4 effects on a T Bar and a UV. He told me he reguarly played at some top London venues with up to 250 guests present with that set up and had no problems with a) keeping the punters happy with enough sound & light and b) getting paid a decent fee.

 

I think there will always be a market for a large roadshow, but for me it was time to take a cold hard look at what I was doing and really work out wether or not I was doing it for my own kudos or wether it was really needed for the average punter?

 

Now a shedload of kit sits in the garage just in case a big function comes my way, but considering the majority of my work means a maximum of around 150 guests, I have put together a very compact disco with active speakers and 4 effects that all fits in my car.

 

I think compact, quality kit is the way forward, small is beautiful as they say! Although there will always be room for a large show.

 

As an old DJ once said to me, it really is all about the music http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/notworthy.gif

 

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

[jazzcat 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif i have to agree with you there.

i had bee using 2 subs and 2 large tops.

3 light sreens.

8 par cans. 3 moonflowers .

1 x gobo moonflower.

and 3 scanners.

2 amps and 1 spare amp.

a big stand with lighting above me.

looks good but does take a while to set up and break down.

i have now gone for mackie srm450 speakers(no amp required)

my cdplayer and mixer,

two light screens that clip together.3 x moonflowers.

had loads of comment about the sound and show since i changed.

i dont think most people take any notice aslong as they have a good time.

just my thoughts anyway.

steve

[brianmole 0]

Interesting observation. I allways used to take everything to all my gigs, and I had one of the bigger roadshows compared to my competitors.

 

This is waht I take out for up to 120 guests, unless it is an 18th, 21st, or a marquee gig:

 

http://www.dancemix.co.uk/images/small.JPG

 

This is basically a good quality 1KW sound system, 4 x Par56, 1 x Martin destroyer, 1 x Constella pro twin.

 

All this fits in a cavalier/omega estate/average car. I get top dollar for the gigs too, so it is mostly down to the music. If I had a marquee or a young persons do, I would use more gear.

[Kingy 0]

I suppose there will be at least two schools of thought here and I dont quite know which one I myself go with.

 

I have a large "Roadshow", yet more often than not, end up going down the compact rig route. I suppose thats the beauty of having adaptable modular equipment.

 

I think it is all down to the actual entertainment at the end of the day, I would rather hear quality than see quantity!

 

I have had really good nights with a minimalistic set up, yet poor nights at large venues with big shows. There is no gaurantee with either is there? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif

[jazzcat 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif i could not agree more .

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

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

I must admit I am disapointed when I see small disco setup in venues im a guest at.....

 

maybe this is becuase I have a disco of my own.....

 

people dont seem to mind at the birthday parties and run of the mill gigs..

 

but a few of my events company customers request that I provide a large setup for there gigs. most of these gigs being over 200 people....

 

Im happy to bring the bigger setup and charge more for it thats the core of my work. and I leave the smaller discos to do all the local stuff.

 

Disco man Productions is a mobile night club not a mobile disco.....

[Gary 0]

Crikey Brian....you must be puttin' out some power there....look what the bass is doing to those table cloths on the right !!! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif

 

I take it you're still aiming for that UDG sponsorship deal then...

 

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/offtopic.gif Ultimately, the height, width, and overall size of our shows isnt important. I've never heard of anyone discussing the disco they went to the other night, in terms of width, or height etc. Its always been, the music, the DJ, and the non-musical features eg: That wild conga line, or that stunt the DJ did with all of us in two lines etc.

 

True, you cant (yet) provide adequate sound levels for a 120ft long by 50ft wide hall from a 4inch speaker, but if/when you can...I'll buy it. Similarly, if a lighting effect comes out, which will illuminate the walls, ceiling, dancefloor and punters, from a single box - I'll buy that too. I'm not ready to go "compressed" on the music playback front yet though.

 

However, I will always maintain that the audience need/deserve something to look AT too. Starcloths, lightscreens, UV reactive name lights....something! and that'll always take up some space.

 

 

 

[brianmole 0]

QUOTE

look what the bass is doing to those table cloths on the right !!

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

 

Ahem, that's the lid for the deck, not a bass bin!!!! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/stupid.gif

 

 

 

QUOTE

I take it you're still aiming for that UDG sponsorship deal then...

 

Yep! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/laugh.gif How's your Denon sponsorship deal going Gary? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/whistling.gif

[FDDJ 0]

I do like your star cloth Brian, very snazzy! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

I'm out this weekend doing a 50th Birthday so I will take some pics of my compact set up so can see what I use now.

 

For a picture of what I used to take out click here

 

 

[bluejools 0]

i used to run with a big roadshow.... required large market van, impressive speaker stack (6 ft tall of three units), many many light boxes, scanners on the top, strobes etc etc etc

 

a three man possy to set up and break down

 

 

oh... and the vinyl the weighed more than all else http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

 

 

Now i am trying to shrink myself... and fighting it all the way..... my parents keep bringing me "things" i had left at home (are they telling me something)

 

The last things were two 4 channel 4x5 lighting screens (big) and my old bass bins. 3x3 cubes!!!!!

 

 

I cant be doing this anymore... the screens were used on new years eve and looked good.

 

 

 

I like a good show... i am saving up for a Star Cloth (or the diy job) as my main conerns at any venue are

 

1) how do i sound... speakers big importance, as is their correct set up and what i play

 

2) how i look..... i dont like cables showing, bags or boxes or flight cases on display.

 

 

Personally, long story short, the roadshow is dead....... sorry though it seems......you need some coloured light on the dance floor (abyss.....) and something to reach the back (datamoon)..... everything else is garnish.

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/014.gif yet http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[brianmole 0]

It is not a star cloth! It is a braced plywood box about 1" thick covered in black carpet style covering with LEDs drilled & glued in place.

 

Everyone comments on how good it looks.

 

© Brian Mole 2003!!

[bluejools 0]

looks like there is a business opportunity here brian

 

how many LED's are there in use there..... ?

[FDDJ 0]

QUOTE (brianmole @ Mar 11 2005, 06:55 PM)

It is not a star cloth!  It is a braced plywood box about 1" thick covered in black carpet style covering with LEDs drilled & glued in place.

That's what I mean't..... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/scared.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Digital discos 0]

www.sparksdiscos.co.uk

 

you can see my standard setup on the home page-

 

4 evl spins and an HK Lucas 1000!

 

DOn't ever really need to take much more out. I have to agree, I dj because I have a passion for entertaining rather than wanting to control loadsa of gear.

 

 

[Award Entertainment 0]

I think most people here already know my opinion on this one. If you're entertaining at an elegant wedding or corporate event, it's not about the gear and it's not even just about the music. It's about your ability at a classy, energetic consummate entertainer that’s going to make or break the night. A Bride has spent a lot of time and money making her dream wedding reception just perfect and then we come in and mess up her beautiful room with big, ugly black boxes and cables. My focus is on making my gear as unobtrusive as possible.

 

If you’re entertaining a youth event, generally you’ll want to throw in everything you’ve got for WOW factor.

 

Here's a picture of a recent wedding I entertained with my compact rig for 250 people and wasn't wanting for more sound or lighting. Do they look like they want more?

 

http://www.disco.co.nz/pics/chris_yelena.jpg

Edited March 12, 2005 by Rendezvous

[Paul Smith 0]

After reading a post on here about a year ago from Richard (Rendezvous) I looked into compacting my rig and must admit I've never looked back. Prior to this it took around 2 hours to set-up before a gig and another hour afterwards to pack up. Now it's 20 mins before and, my record to date, is 11 mins from the end to driving away - although I do still have the larger rig available if people want it.

 

My main considerations were ease of assembly/transportation and I spent a lot of time in planning the new rig (& money) so that it still looks effective but has minimum gear.

 

My experience now is that the only people interested in big rigs are DJs & wannabe DJs. I have never had anyone come up to me at the end of a night and say that they didn't think much of my light show - even after one gig last year where the client banned me from using any lights.

 

Quality of sound, music played and the professionalism of the DJ far outweigh the size of the rig.

 

PaulS

[C.S 0]

Well said that man ! I am a compact man with the mobile work but have plenty of lights to play with at the club gigs!

[Award Entertainment 0]

QUOTE (5star @ Mar 12 2005, 03:32 PM)

After reading a post on here about a year ago from Richard (Rendezvous) I looked into compacting my rig and must admit I've never looked back. Prior to this it took around 2 hours to set-up before a gig and another hour afterwards to pack up. Now it's 20 mins before and, my record to date, is 11 mins from the end to driving away

Paul, I'm thrilled that I've been a positive influence on your business in some way. I know that I've never looked back since downsizing and my clients always breath a sigh of relief when I tell them how little space I need and how visually discreet my system is. I love being able to pack my rig into the back of my Subaru Legacy Estate and being packed up in 15 to 30 minutes!

[Jimbo55 0]

 

I have read the previous posts with great interest. Whilst I agree that less can mean more in terms of a compact show. I feel that it is important to match the show with the customers wishes and the capacity of the venue. I think that it is important to be flexible in the approach and have the capacity to change and modify to meet the needs of all concerned.

 

I try and visit each venue before (where possible). I usually try to get the phone number of the venue and chat with the manager to get a mental picture if i can not visit. I personally would feel professionaly compromised if I had been booked to do a basic 500w/two light gig and found it to be stuck in a corner of a huge venue with 200+ people. It is about confidence and it is about professionalism.

 

I am also well aware that there are Dj's on this forum that can produce a show with all but the worst possible equipment. I am not that good.

 

 

Jimbo

 

 

[dfinn 0]

Hi,

 

I can second that. After Rendezvous made his post about how his rig was so compact I immediately set about doing the same type of thing.

 

here is my rig just over a year ago

 

New year 2003/4

 

And look at it now after I compacted it:

 

RIG NOW

 

I think that 90% of punters dont really care as long as the sound quality is good and there are a few lights sparkling. I htink the "mine is bigger than yours" is a thing between dj's which in the end doest prove anything. Just shows that you can waste more money on gear than the next dj.

 

Thanks to Rendezvous I can now set up in 30 minutes. I havent looked back since.

 

Daniel

[FDDJ 0]

QUOTE (Jimbo55 @ Mar 12 2005, 08:50 AM)

I personally would feel professionaly compromised if I had been booked to do a basic 500w/two light gig and found it to be stuck in a corner of a huge venue with 200+ people.

That's exactly how I felt when I was at the Wedding I used as an example!

 

It takes a while to get over the uncomfortable feeling when you turn up at a venue that could hold a bigger show (not that you should arrive with too little kit) with your compact show but when he dancefloor fills up the feeling soon passess http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

As Marky Marc said, there will always be events that need the big show though, that will never change.

[YourBigEvent 0]

The bloke right at the back, with the white shirt on looks like he wants more................

[kazzachi 0]

When I started dj-ing some 14 years ago, I always wanted to pack in as many lights as I could into my show.... our biggest show is a 10m squared astralite rig housing some 16 martin roboscans and various other effects... but, after a few years, I decided that I wanted a compact show where I only put in the minimum.... My basic rig that I take out is a couple of martin audio speakers, cd players, mixer, amp and usually just two twister 4s.... I can set it up in 15 mins and pack it down in 10!... As has been said, it really is only other djs who notice your show... A fantastic and huge light show is no use if the dj plays the wrong music. I thought I was getting a bit lazy in the compactness of my show, but it seems that your average client would prefer to base her/his choice of dj on what THEY do.. not on how many fancy lights you put in. A couple of well positioned lights at the average do will suffice.

 

Its very rare these days that I put in much more.. unless I am doing a very large function.

 

Putting on the right tune at the right time keeps a dance floor busy... Ive never heard anyone comment "oh - fantastic light effect.. lets go and dance!!"

[YourBigEvent 0]

Sort of agree with all, but I still usually put 4 Chameleons up, and 6 for bigger venues as it is easier to wire up than just two on the floor, as the lighting rig is pre-wired.

I often turn up with too much kit, but its always better that way.

[ChrisPointon 0]

I've got enough gear to cope with large of small venues. Although 99.5% of my gigs only use 3 - 4 lighting effects and a 1kw Sound System. I've only got one gig this year which requires a lot of lighting and lasers and a larger sound system, but then again it is a corporate event for 1200 guests, so I suppose it won't be overkill. However when I see some DJ's lugging in 20 lighting effects and spending 3 hours to set up for a Wedding with 100 people I often wonder what the advantage is....other than spending more time away from the missus http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif .

 

I find that 'compact' is the in thing nowadays, and all of my gear fits in a Caddy Van with room to spare, and takes two of us around a leisurely 20 - 30 mins to set up, depending on the venue layout and distance from the Van to the function room.