Style, substance, or both?

[Excalibur]

This one came up as an offshoot of another thread, and a fairly flippant remark made after Darren left himself open to it. Here it is in it's own right, since a couple of folk asked.

How would/do customers view/employ Discos? Given a choice of one which really looked stunning visually, even before it was switched on, but when in action was disappointing musically and one which was decidedly shabby and road weary, but provided a wide range of the right music at the right times, and gave those present a wonderful evening, which one would get the work and compliments?:confused: :confused:
In this totally hypothetical scenario, we are assuming that both rigs have more than acceptable sound quality and reliability in every important respect.

I'm sure that most of us on here wish to and attempt to provide a total package, so suspect that a lot of this doesn't apply to you, but let's know what you think.
As I said in the other thread, I have upgraded the look of my kit a lot recently, mainly due to advice and views on here, and partly due to being shamed by some of your rigs. :o How much importance do customers attach to the look of the gear, rather than the performance? Do we as DJ's attach too much importance to things which customers don't notice?:confused:

[ppentertainments]

Personally I think a good first impression helps the whole night go a lot smoother. I don't mean fancy speakers, mixers, amps etc but a nice tidy setup without wires hanging anywhere. I believe 99% of customers would be unaware if you had the latest equipment or shopped in maplins. My small rig - which was very cheap yet reliable - actually gets commented on a lot especially by people not neccesarily wanting loads of lights and music too loud.

However I believe a successful night is only really achieved by the music played throughout the night.

To sum up - a nice tidy rig with music enjoyed by all as opposed to a big fancy rig blasting out tunes that gives everyone earache.

[Vectis]

I think the answer depends largely on your target market and the types of gigs you perform.

I see nothing wrong with someone who targets pubs and 18ths/21sts carrying, shall we say, tired equipment around because no-one's really going to care so long as the music is good and relevant and they have a good time.

However, if you're turning up at posh 5* hotels or massive marquees for upmarket weddings and functions, especially if you're doing an early setup and leaving the kit "on display" in daylight for a while, then it needs to look the dogs IMHO otherwise this will definitely reflect in the feedback/onward recommendations.

I like to think my rig looks neat and presentable always, but when it comes to the latter scenario I always spend an extra 10 minutes routing the cables nicely, bundling and tying/taping them whereas for the former scenario I might be a little more lax in the interests of getting in and getting going.

[TonyB]

In order of priority from most important first:

1) The DJ - attitude, personality & ability
2) Music
3) Ability of equipment to do the job
4) Appearance of setup
5) Lights

[Danno13]

I agree with vectis.

It's more about the apperance than the brands, especially in the more lucrative markets. That said, I think you should still buy the best quality you can afford, as its great to be able to provide a good all round package.

Not only that, but its a false economy buying the cheaper stuff as you'll usually have to replace it sooner so you may as well gone for something more expensive in the first place and have the benefit of the better performance/sound quality etc. for a longer time.

[BeerFunk]

In order of priority from most important first:

1) The DJ - attitude, personality & ability
2) Music
3) Ability of equipment to do the job
4) Appearance of setup
5) Lights
I'd agree generally, but I have seen/heard some terrible DJs, who knew what to play but their technique and application was completely at sea.

The last example I can think of was actually working for a locally well known company, and he had the floor filled all night, but he truly was terrible. It wasn't just me that noticed, as I noticed a few people literally cringing at points, alongside myself. He was attempting to beatmatch tracks, which was absolutely unnecessary, and his mixing on the whole was abrupt and uncohesive. His microphone wasn't EQ'ed well either, as it was very muffled, although he wasn't too bad in his technique despite that.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that if you play the right tracks, you will get away with everything else in a lot of cases!

[rob1963]

In order of priority from most important first:

1) The DJ - attitude, personality & ability
2) Music
3) Ability of equipment to do the job
4) Appearance of setup
5) Lights

I would swap round the first two. People primarily book a disco for the music, so that has to be first. I've even been out & worked when I've had a cold & have COMPLETELY lost my voice, so I couldn't say a word all night...not even to announce the first dance. How much did it matter? Not much!

I would also swap round the last two. In my opinion, appearance of set up is the least important of the 5 points you listed.

[Corabar Steve]

How would/do customers view/employ Discos? Given a choice of one which really looked stunning visually, even before it was switched on, but when in action was disappointing musically and one which was decidedly shabby and road weary, but provided a wide range of the right music at the right times, and gave those present a wonderful evening, which one would get the work and compliments?:confused: :confused:

We try to go for a combination of the 2, disappointing musically and decidedly shabby and road weary :sj:

Oh no, hang on, that's just me personally.

Judging by what has been said by some of our clients, the priority stands with getting the music right, but the set up has to be neat & tidy too.

[robbiedj]

Judging by what has been said by some of our clients, the priority stands with getting the music right, but the set up has to be neat & tidy too.

Exactly, get the music right and keep it tidy to look at (ok, behind the decks might have enough gaffa tape holding cables to re-mummify King Tut). The view to Joe Public is neat with cable ties holding everything in place and out of sight.

How many (non-dj) customers really know Martin from Maplins? Not many, they just see and hear a good disco.

[Excalibur]

Bring out your dead! :eek:

The debate over the aesthetics of Dave's rig versus the undoubted efficacy of the man and the kit led me to resurrect this one. As someone who has over the years had a limb or two in just about every possible camp, I feel I can sit easily on the fence/play Devil's advocate.


Dave's rig is less than easy on the eye, but he and it obviously do the business. So, two scenarios:

1) Dave knows how the gear works, how to set it up, what to play, and what to say. The rig looks better in the dark, but sounds superb. Result-Happy punters, job done.

2) In the room next door to Dave, is a young lad, with a DSB, all LED lights, a pair of the finest active cabs, through which he proceeds to play some highly unsuitable music, at a deafening volume, with no attempt at Eq'ing, so it sounds horrid. Result: Unhappy punters, but at least the rig was tidy.

Bearing in mind that option 3) MDD member with beautiful kit, finely tuned ears and cabs, and superb song selection and interpersonal skills isn't available, which one would you want doing your staff Xmas party, 1) or 2). :confused: :confused:

[Corabar Steve]

Bearing in mind that option 3) MDD member with beautiful kit, finely tuned ears and cabs, and superb song selection and interpersonal skills isn't available
So nice of you to say that about me, & you haven't even seen me work :sj:

[Excalibur]

So nice of you to say that about me, & you haven't even seen me work :sj:

Your reputation precedes you. :bowdown:

[Corabar Entertainment]

Come on, Peter, no-one is ever going to choose a crap DJ with a good-looking set up, but if a DJ doesn't care about presentation, then I'd be wondering what other 'details' they didn't care about either.

[Excalibur]

Come on, Peter, no-one is ever going to choose a crap DJ with a good-looking set up,
Here, as you well know, I beg to differ.



but if a DJ doesn't care about presentation, then I'd be wondering what other 'details' they didn't care about either.

A valid point. The only problem is that we're deailng with supposition here, rather than facts. I do accept the basic tenet of your argument completely though.