First gig coming up....GF's 18th...

[drunknmunky]

Hey all. Ive got my first gig coming up this Friday and to be honest, im ******* it already! It kinda makes things worse that im DJ'in for my girlfriends 18th and all her friends and family (that ive never met before) will be there so was wondering if anyone had any tips to put on a half-decent performance.

Im not too confident on the mic so really wanted to do as little as possible, if any at all(!). My mixing abilities have always tended to be based on dance mixing so the variation of tunes will obviously be an issue i'll have to deal with. How would you guys usually start with a set of random tunes? Im thinking of using BPM from low to high so it gradually picks up throughout the night but then theres the risk of the genre's clashing and the mixes sounding bad (can't keep using that backspin!) lol.

The hall I will be in on the night is for upto 150 people so a little advice on sound setup wouldn't go a-miss either. I'm hiring out 2 JBL JRX100 speakers with an amp, mixer and stand etc. The setup is 800w total...does this sound about right? This is the package i was recommended so Im assuming it should be ok, just wondering if anyone had used it really.

I'll be mixing all my tracks on the night using my laptop and a hercules mkii dj console. Anyone have one of these and if so, is it easy to use? only 3 days left and i wont get it til the day before....:eek:

ANY tips would be great. already seen a load that will help on the night....just need MORE lol

cheers :beer1:

[Shaun]

Hello. Please take a moment to read this topic here (http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=11711). Welcome to the forum.

[robbiedj]

Im not too confident on the mic so really wanted to do as little as possible, if any at all(!).

So don't. Say it if it needs saying, then as you get settled, you will feel easier with it.

My mixing abilities have always tended to be based on dance mixing so the variation of tunes will obviously be an issue i'll have to deal with. How would you guys usually start with a set of random tunes? Im thinking of using BPM from low to high so it gradually picks up throughout the night but then theres the risk of the genre's clashing and the mixes sounding bad (can't keep using that backspin!) lol.

Use beat mixing with house, dance, club etc. With older or slower tracks, just beat match. Do short sets of one genre e.g. reggae or soul, so the flow is easy. Early on, they will probably be talking a lot as people catch up with others they haven't seen since the last family affair, so play the less dancey but popular tracks as background for a while and watch reactions to different styles such as foot-tapping, bobbing around etc to guide your choices later.

I'll be mixing all my tracks on the night using my laptop and a hercules mkii dj console. Anyone have one of these and if so, is it easy to use? only 3 days left and i wont get it til the day before....:eek:

So practice as much as possible when you get it to make yourself more comfortable with the new gear.


Seeing as it's your girlfriend, get her to give you some favourite tracks and ask any family you know as well. Check the age range expected and make sure you can cater for it.

Then relax and enjoy. :D

[rob1963]

The other day there was a similar thread started by someone else asking for advice on their first gig, which was also an 18th. Here's the link:

http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=12396

[Jay]

Hey,

I used to have a hercules dj console, and they wern't totally terrible. If ou practice with it enough you should be fine.

I also use 2 JBL JRX100's and they seem great to me and I never needed them anywhere near full volume the only problem is theyre huge and a pain to carry. I hope you don't have to go upstairs lol..

All I can say is I was in the exact same position as you but once you get going you will be fine. I was nervous on the mic too but just do whats been said, only say what you have to at first and trust me, when you get more confident you will be fine.

I don't want to sound as if I know everything because I have only had one gig but from that one gig I have learned a hell of a lot

[Dillmiester]

Try drinking alcohol, it makes speaking on the mic easy and good luck!

[djsteve10]

Try drinking alcohol, it makes speaking on the mic easy and good luck!

Can't see how this works, No one should need alcohol to fuel their performance.

[DJmissbehaving]

Can't see how this works, No one should need alcohol to fuel their performance.

I am not too confident on the mic either as i have only done a few gigs but having a few(not too many) alcoholic beverages helps you relax when you dont have the confidence.......then once you get the ball rolling its easy......

Good luck anyways. Just be yourself, enjoy and relax

[Boogie Boy]

Of course, there was a time when if you didn't have the confidence to talk over a PA system, you wouldn't have even considered being a DJ. How times change, but I for one, would hope that DJs still need to be able to talk over their system and be understood.

The best advice is try to relax and try to enjoy. Hopefully your girlfriend won't be too hard on you and her relations will be understanding.

The slower to faster BPM approach is pretty sound, but try to have sets of about an hour with some smoochers in between and try at least one set where you start off relatively fast, take it up and maybe bring it back down again ending on two or three real blasts. Like others have said, try and get together a few tracks from a genre to form a small grouping if you can and mix and match genre groupings to BPMs. It might be an idea to make out a wish list playlist in advance and see how you can work those tracks, as on a first gig, with everything else to think about that'll be kinda foreign to you, you may not have the time to make the best decisions on the spur of the moment.

[Royalblue]

I am not too confident on the mic either as i have only done a few gigs but having a few(not too many) alcoholic beverages helps you relax when you dont have the confidence.......then once you get the ball rolling its easy......

Good luck anyways. Just be yourself, enjoy and relax

However, not so good when you are so drunk you can only slobber incoherently in to the microphone :beer1:

[Shaun]

I completely disagree with the advice of having a drink or two. You're there to do a job, save the drink for when you get home.

[rob1963]

I completely disagree with the advice of having a drink or two. You're there to do a job, save the drink for when you get home.

I'm with you on that one Shaun.

I think it's more important to have yout wits about you.

If you need one or more drinks before being able to do a disco (even if it IS your first one), then you've chosen the wrong job!

[DJmissbehaving]

that is jus my personal opinion......i said only a few as i would never ever have more than two drinks even if that, thats why i said having a few helps settle the nerves......

I dont agree that DJing is all about being able to talk on a mic. It is part of the job and yes it does have to be done but there are more important things about DJing than talking on a mic......Personal opinion

[rob1963]

I dnt agree that DJing is all about being able to talk on a mic. It is part of the job and yes it does have to be done but there are more important things about DJing than talking on a mic......Personal opinion

Hi Pam,

I agree with you on that.

I think the most important part of DJing is the music you play.

After all, that's the primary thing people book a disco for in the first place!

:)

[soundtracker]

I dont agree that DJing is all about being able to talk on a mic. It is part of the job and yes it does have to be done but there are more important things about DJing than talking on a mic......Personal opinion

Its a very important part of being a DJ, I've seen many people over the years who have let themselves down with either incoherent mumbling, or insane rantings over the microphone. Granted, the musical choice is very important, but its easy to undo all of the good work with poor microphone work.

[DJmissbehaving]

That is the number one prority and you must read your audience to decide what music to play......You must play to the crowd and not always what you want to play.....

After the first few words have been said your over the first stepping stone. I still dont feel too comfortable with speaking but i kno i have to do it. I think its the fact of everyone hearing my voice very loud. In most cases people dont listen to you anyway but i still do get nervous and i think its something i will overcome with experience.....

It is important to speak clearly so that everyone will understand you but like i said i think it only comes with experience and when you get used to the mic you begin to feel comfortable.....

[soundtracker]

It really is the easiest thing to practice - I used to sit in front of a mirror just running through bits and bobs for ages! - mind you there was always a very good looking young man staring back and encouraging me....wonder whatever happened to him?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It seems to me that the people who think mic work is unimportant are the ones not confident using it.

Mic work is very important. How will you ever get to do a wedding and introduce the B&G by mumbling a few words that no-one hears or understands?

[Shaun]

There's different levels of 'mic work'. Over-use and inappropriate use of the mic can be just as bad as under-use. I can think of nothing worse than the stereotypical Peter Kay type DJ who thinks he's a comedian and wont shut up on the mic.

The key to good mic work (in my opinion) is to be articulate, concise, and confident.

[rob1963]

Mic work is very important. How will you ever get to do a wedding and introduce the B&G by mumbling a few words that no-one hears or understands?

I agree...although I once completely lost my voice and had to do a wedding disco literally without saying a word all night!

I whispered the problem to the bride & groom, and they understood.

To be honest, I personally have no more problem talking on the mic than I have talking in real life!

:D

[flatliners]

when using the mic speak clearly and in queens english and pronunce your ings

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

ITo be honest, I personally have no more problem talking on the mic than I have talking in real life!



Which is why I was very surprised when you told me you don't say that much on the mic :sj:

[DJmissbehaving]

It seems to me that the people who think mic work is unimportant are the ones not confident using it.

Mic work is very important. How will you ever get to do a wedding and introduce the B&G by mumbling a few words that no-one hears or understands?

I didnt say it was unimportant.....i said that i didnt think it was the most important part of djing......You could speak brilliantly on the mic but choose absoloutely rubbish music.....therefore, my point is, its the whole picture you paint to the public...

I do still use the mic as i know it is part of my job and i said my confidence will grom with experience......its just like evrything though some people are better at some things than others......

[rob1963]

Which is why I was very surprised when you told me you don't say that much on the mic :sj:

To be honest, Darren, they have to put up with me jabbering away all night at my quizzes, so I think it's nice to give the people at my discos a bit of a rest!

:D

[Dillmiester]

Ive become alot more confident on the mic since I started using the switch that auto turns down the music and activates the mic. As before I used to just put the mic fader up on the desk and this resulted in feedback and over modulated voice which combined in an awful sound and me feeling nervous using it.
Now the mic is very clear, everyone understands what im saying and theres never any feedback.

I do think it is important to use the mic but it only needs to be the basics.
You should introduce yourself somewhere in the first few tunes.
A few well timed comments during the gig.
And of course thankyous at the end of the set.
We are there mainly to play tunes but I do feel people expect to here you say a few things.
Do the above and no one can complain.

[Boogie Boy]

Ive become alot more confident on the mic since I started using the switch that auto turns down the music and activates the mic. As before I used to just put the mic fader up on the desk and this resulted in feedback and over modulated voice which combined in an awful sound and me feeling nervous using it.
Now the mic is very clear, everyone understands what im saying and theres never any feedback.

Firstly, there is no reason why you couldn't emulate the auto dipping feature without getting feedback...just set your mic controls properly and ride the track levels a smidgeon. Give it a try.

Secondly, for my money auto dipping on tracks usually sounds much worse than if done manually (usually ends up sounding too jittery, the way most people I've ever heard have it set it up)....I'd be far less confident using auto dipping, as I'm less in control.

[soundtracker]

Firstly, there is no reason why you couldn't emulate the auto dipping feature without getting feedback...just set your mic controls properly and ride the track levels a smidgeon. Give it a try.

Secondly, for my money auto dipping on tracks usually sounds much worse than if done manually (usually ends up sounding too jittery, the way most people I've ever heard have it set it up)....I'd be far less confident using auto dipping, as I'm less in control.

Agreed:)

[rob1963]

My own opinion of auto talk over which cuts down the music automatically when you talk on the mic is that it's complete toilet.

The problem is that they are too slow to respond.

When you talk, it takes a short while before the music level reduces, and after you've stopped talking it takes even longer for the volume level to return to it's normal level.

You get much tighter control by manually pulling down the music fader when you talk, and then pushing it back up again as soon as you stop.

[JAMdisco]

Yep. that's what I do, I've used auto talk over before and I agree, it's pants.
I suppose the more expensive ones might be pretty good, but guessing how much you'd pay, I'd rather do it by hand.

As for drinking, I sometimes have 1 bottle of bud before the disco, then onto soft drinks for the rest of the night.

[soundtracker]

My own opinion of auto talk over which cuts down the music automatically when you talk on the mic is that it's complete toilet.

The problem is that they are too slow to respond.

When you talk, it takes a short while before the music level reduces, and after you've stopped talking it takes even longer for the volume level to return to it's normal level.

You get much tighter control by manually pulling down the music fader when you talk, and then pushing it back up again as soon as you stop.

er... didn't we just say that?

[rob1963]

er... didn't we just say that?

Possibly...I clearly haven't woken up properly yet!

:sorry:

[soundtracker]

No probs!

[theoloyla]

The only time I have ever used autofade is when I am using a radio mike from the other side of the room (my arms arent long enough to reach the faders!)

[robbiedj]

The only time I have ever used autofade is when I am using a radio mike from the other side of the room (my arms arent long enough to reach the faders!)

True.

Also I turn it on when the crowd is chav. If one comes up asking to sing over a track I can say no, it will fade out if mic is on. If they just grab it, it fades out. Perfect! :devil:

[theoloyla]

Also I turn it on when the crowd is chav. If one comes up asking to sing over a track I can say no, it will fade out if mic is on. If they just grab it, it fades out. Perfect! :devil:
What a good idea! I must remember that one. Trouble is they are probably so :Censored: that they wont even notice!

[Shaun]

Mind the language please guys. Thanks

[theoloyla]

Sorry! Just the common vernacular coming out.

[robbiedj]

Sorry! Just the common vernacular coming out.

It's the influence of those chavs, Theo. :D

[Dillmiester]

Maybe you got the wrong end of my stick.
I didnt mean Auto Fade as in the system sences when the mics being used.
I meant as in a switch on my sound card that I press and it instantly cuts down the music to a desired level and activates the mic. Theres not jittering, just clean vocal at the touch of a button, perfect!