Hiding behind gear

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Over the years I've noticed a lot of DJs who literally hide behind their gear. Are you comfortable with say introducing a bride and grooms first dance from the side or front of your gear for example?

[Danno13]

I hate blocking myself in behind gear, and purposley leave good access so people aren't put off coming up to me.

I wouldn't have a problem introducing things from out on the dancefloor (or anywhere in the room for that matter), but since I don't use a roadie, I wouldn't be able to control the music!

[Penfold42]

Never done that.......mmmmmm

[theoloyla]

Yes I have done lots of compering and cabaret work so standing on a stage with nothing in front of me except several hundred people is no problem. I do agree with you though that a lot of dj's do hide. When I worked at Cinderella Rockerfellas in Guildford we had an open fronted dj booth with the decks to the side. No problem.

[daz226]

never hide at all allways visable and have loads of confidence talking on the mic and introducing the new Mr and Mrs. Cant understand dj's that hide they cant see whats going on around the room strange ,,,,

[djsteve10]

No I wouldn't have a problem moving from behind the gear with the mic to introduce the B&G.
Lately I have even tried using head mics to leave my hands free and allow myself to be abit more free, This was influenced after having to hands some baskets of flowers to some organisers at a wedding so I really could of done with my hands free.

[Excalibur]

Over the years I've noticed a lot of DJs who literally hide behind their gear. Are you comfortable with say introducing a bride and grooms first dance from the side or front of your gear for example?

Perhaps one reason for the tendency to hide is that it means less potential feedback problems. Solo operators also might want to be within reach of the controls. There have been occasions when I have set up the gear against a wall, and been on the dancefloor among the punters. :eek:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Perhaps one reason for the tendency to hide is that it means less potential feedback problems. Solo operators also might want to be within reach of the controls.

Not necessarily Peter, I've seen piccys of DJs with the decks/console set up facing side on to the dance floor, which wouldn't cause any feedback and you can still be in reach of the console.

[Penfold42]

Does it work for you Daz?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Does it work for you Daz?

No, I set up to the front, but quite often start an evening by the side of the gear so that people can see who is addressing them.

*Opens door for short jokes* :D

[Vectis]

I usually go out front to introduce myself, give folks a rundown of timings for the evening, eg "We're here until midnight so now you know what time to book your taxi" :D, and introduce the B&G or party boy/girl before darting behind the deck and hitting play.

On a fairly frequent basis I'll get in the middle of the crowd during the last song and thank them all, congratulate B&G etc.

[Excalibur]

Not necessarily Peter, I've seen piccys of DJs with the decks/console set up facing side on to the dance floor, which wouldn't cause any feedback and you can still be in reach of the console.

Piccys? Like I said I've done it! :D Side on, and back to. Not regularly, and always for reasons of space, but one of the big plusses can be that there's not this wall of kit between you and the punters, so they may feel less intimated about approaching you for requests et al.

On the other hand, there have been times when I'd have liked twelve foot of Armco between me and them. ;) :D

[Adam_F]

I'd feel quite comfortable to the side or in front to announce the first dance etc... but I personally feel I'm not there to be the centre of attention or for for the crowd to focus on me, for a first dance, the attention is deserved for the B&G.
For 18ths & 21st I'll venture out to the side or front for various things.

[Tony Scott]

I always make myself accessable and have no problem wondering about with a wireless if it's needed.

By contrast I was a guest at a wedding last weekend and the DJ could not be seen as his crossbar was too low and his 10 lights were all on all the time. The ballroom has a very high ceiling so there was no need for it.

For the first dance he just mumbled something and faded in the song with no warning, it made it a real non-event with the B&G only coming to the dancefloor because they heard their song!

.....I had to keep my mouth shut as it's the rule when I go out with my wife that I don't slag off the DJ! :D

[Jiggles]

I can hear it now. "Ladys and Gentlemen, welcome the talking booth disco!" :D

[Tony Scott]

Oh I just remembered ........back in the 80's I saw a DJ set-up that can only be discribed as a mobile radio studio, he sat down with his kit laid out behind a wall of light boxes (2mtrs tall x 4mtrs wide). This wall had a small hole in it (the kind you get in taxi-ranks) and he peeked through this hole to see the crowd.......most bizzare set-up I've ever seen! :daft:

[nigelwright7557]

Over the years I've noticed a lot of DJs who literally hide behind their gear. Are you comfortable with say introducing a bride and grooms first dance from the side or front of your gear for example?

I work alone so out on the floor is a no go area.
I work next to the CD decks and mixer so I cant control everything.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I work alone so out on the floor is a no go area.


Why? :confused:

[Excalibur]

.....I had to keep my mouth shut as it's the rule when I go out with my wife that I don't slag off the DJ! :D

I slag them off. ;) Somehow my wife has come to expect it. ;) :D


Oh I just remembered ........back in the 80's I saw a DJ set-up that can only be discribed as a mobile radio studio, he sat down with his kit laid out behind a wall of light boxes (2mtrs tall x 4mtrs wide). This wall had a small hole in it (the kind you get in taxi-ranks) and he peeked through this hole to see the crowd.......most bizzare set-up I've ever seen! :daft:

Have you ever noticed that if your rig includes anything like this ( stand plus bars springs to mind) how people come to the perceived aperture for requests, rather than the twenty feet of ballroom to the side, and six foot to the rear? :bang: :bang:

[Tom]

To be honest, I used to hide behind my gear when talking on the mic just incase I said the same word 5 times like a record skipping. :(, but now I stand up high behind my gear so people can see me. Mic work is still a bit hard for me but getting there. :D:D:D

Sometimes I may step to the side of the rig so people can see me (depending on size of stand or work area).

[nigelwright7557]

Why? :confused:

I need to be close to the control of the mixer, lights and CD's.

I suppose i could start the night out to one side or on the dance floor but I cant really see the point. My setup isnt very high anyway, people can see me clearly over the decks.

I dont quite see my self as the center of attention. The music and lightshow is what people want to hear and see. A DJ can turn out to be a pain in the butt if he chats too much.

Now if I am out playing guitar then people want to watch me play and that is quite a different matter.

[Excalibur]

No, I set up to the front, but quite often start an evening by the side of the gear so that people can see who is addressing them.

*Opens door for short jokes* :D



My setup isnt very high anyway, people can see me clearly over the decks.

.

Neither is Darren's, but usually people can't. :D :D I'll close the door on my way out. ;)

[Jiggles]

I'll close the door on my way out. ;)

Lock it and post the key thought the letter box :D

[nigelwright7557]

To be honest, I used to hide behind my gear when talking on the mic just incase I said the same word 5 times like a record skipping. :(, but now I stand up high behind my gear so people can see me. Mic work is still a bit hard for me but getting there. :D:D:D
).

I have always found mic work a bit odd as yo uget two sounds.
The sound from your mouth to your ear and also the sound from the speaker to your ear. Its almost like a stutter.

[rob1963]

I have no problem with confidence...on or off the mic.

However, I can't go out front as my mic lead is not very long & I don't possess a radio mic.

I certainly dont hide behind my gear, though.

[Mayhem 1]

I can not remember ever just being behind the equipment (even at adult events!!)

[Creature]

Depends on the venue and whats going on.

If im working with a compare then stay behind the rig altho if its a compare I know and we get on we may have a bit o banter over the mike.

if im working with bands i tend to use there mike to introduce and speak over - Something I found hard to do at first as felt totally exposed - thesedays i dont bat an eyelid

if just a disco then often stand at side of speakers to make important announcemnets - minor ones stay behind the rig.

Always leave plenty of access to me via left hand side

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

At most events i like to be behind my equipment to be in control but during children's party's i hardly ever go behind the decks as I'm to busy organizing and judging the games.

Makes a good changes to be in front with the audience once in a while.

[Corabar Steve]

I slag them off. ;) Somehow my wife has come to expect it. ;) :D



Have you ever noticed that if your rig includes anything like this ( stand plus bars springs to mind) how people come to the perceived aperture for requests, rather than the twenty feet of ballroom to the side, and six foot to the rear? :bang: :bang:

Indeed, I've often tried to think of ways to close this off (some sort of net curtain to project on to / through, but can't find a way around my silhouette being protected too) although I'm certainly not afraid of being seen.

[BrightLights]

Indeed, I've often tried to thionk of ways to close this off (some sort of net curtain to project on to / through, but can't find a way around my silhouette being protected too) although I'm certainly not afraid of being seen.

When I use a big video screen I sometimes do roughly what you're describing
, except I don't stand behind it. I set up the truss with the lighting on, fit the screen inside the aperture created by the truss, and project onto it from behind. I set myself up to one side on a smaller stand with no lighting.

[Javlingames]

I often used to work with my gear to the side, purely to remove the barrier between myself and the audience. Infact I do one mobile disco a year and thats on New years eve and I always work side on there.

What is it with DJ's and the whole centre of attention thing? if you do not want to be the centre of attention you really are in the wrong business.

[Corabar Steve]

But you shouldn't really be the centre of attention at a wedding, that's the B&G's job.

[Javlingames]

Agreed and by no way should a DJ steal the B&G's thunder. The DJ who taught me made a living from weddings for years. At the beginning of the night until they were dancing he was the centre of attention, doing impressions, one liners, having a laugh with people etc. It worked for him and Bride and Grooms booked him for this reason, his entertaining skills. Once the floor was busy he became a standard DJ, with the usual patter and audience participation bits.

[soundtracker]

Agreed and by no way should a DJ steal the B&G's thunder. The DJ who taught me made a living from weddings for years. At the beginning of the night until they were dancing he was the centre of attention, doing impressions, one liners, having a laugh with people etc. It worked for him and Bride and Grooms booked him for this reason, his entertaining skills. Once the floor was busy he became a standard DJ, with the usual patter and audience participation bits.

That was pretty standard in the 70s & 8os, but a lot of todays B&Gs are frightened to death that their DJ may be like this.

[kilmeedyman]

I don't hide behind my gear, I work behind it.

I spend a lot of time making sure that my setup is smart and appropriate for the event.

Me standing in front of it would completely destroy the look!

[Javlingames]

That was pretty standard in the 70s & 8os, but a lot of todays B&Gs are frightened to death that their DJ may be like this.

I disagree, I work in the office of an Entertainment agency and the DJ's who get requested the most are the ones who have an outgoing personality and good entertaining ability, admittidly different clients want different things but people will always want to be entertained.

If the DJ is a good entertainer he will entertain in such a way that the bride and groom will always remain the centre of attention and the dj will compliment the evening.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't hide behind my gear, I work behind it.

I spend a lot of time making sure that my setup is smart and appropriate for the event.

Me standing in front of it would completely destroy the look!

You've got a point there I suppose..:boxer2:

[kilmeedyman]

You've got a point there I suppose..:boxer2:

I set 'em up, Daz, and you bang 'em home!! :D

[501damian501]

Over the years I've noticed a lot of DJs who literally hide behind their gear. Are you comfortable with say introducing a bride and grooms first dance from the side or front of your gear for example?

oh yes right infront of the equipment, suited and booted plus a top hat when introducing the first dance and the rest of it :D :beer1: damian

[One Vision]

I don't hide behind my gear, I work behind it.

I spend a lot of time making sure that my setup is smart and appropriate for the event.

Me standing in front of it would completely destroy the look!

Pretty much the same here :D I used to be a bit bothered at the sound of my own voice over the speakers as am not the most upfront kind of person but seems less of a problem now.
When its something that's expected as part of the job you tend to take it by the horns, but I hate holding the mic and talking so have it on a boom.

[spin mobile disco]

I dont mind being on show, I used to do a bit of stand up comedy and have been forced to setup in strange places before. But I do in most cases stand behind my decks console pointing at dance floor so I can see everyone while working but I do always leave a large area to each side to allow people to come around to me. But my entire upper half is normally visable at all times.

Actually one of the previous post mentioned something that I had been thinking about. The low crossbeam with lights on meaning the DJ was not on view due to light dazzle.

I have 2 venues that happen to have quite low ceilings and As I use a decks stand with overhead truss I find it is forced to be to low. Solution would be to use 2 t bars either side. But this would block side access. So I have it low as a compromise. I realise you said at your venue it was a high ceiling but I know sometimes it is really unavoidable.

[CRAZY K]

I dont mind being on show, I used to do a bit of stand up comedy and have been forced to setup in strange places before. But I do in most cases stand behind my decks console pointing at dance floor so I can see everyone while working but I do always leave a large area to each side to allow people to come around to me. But my entire upper half is normally visable at all times.

Actually one of the previous post mentioned something that I had been thinking about. The low crossbeam with lights on meaning the DJ was not on view due to light dazzle.

I have 2 venues that happen to have quite low ceilings and As I use a decks stand with overhead truss I find it is forced to be to low. Solution would be to use 2 t bars either side. But this would block side access. So I have it low as a compromise. I realise you said at your venue it was a high ceiling but I know sometimes it is really unavoidable.

Hiya Matt, I use two T bars with lighting effects but always place them behind or well away from the Amp/ Mixer/ Cortex area so theres no problem wandering out to my audience FROM ONE SIDE for a bit of a demo and general laugh with the dancers etc.

I have given up using my Giraffe decks stand as it takes ages to assemble or take down---and I dont do enough Discos or have big enough Transport to have a neat portable arrangement like Corabar Steves ( on wheels )

regards

CRAZY K

[summer sounds]

Surely thats why radio mics were invented?

[theoloyla]

I make use of my radio mike now and then to go out into the audience. I am lucky that I have Jan with me to press the play button when required. I remember seeing a dj who used to work with a remote control for his cd player.

[Dillmiester]

Oh I just remembered ........back in the 80's I saw a DJ set-up that can only be discribed as a mobile radio studio, he sat down with his kit laid out behind a wall of light boxes (2mtrs tall x 4mtrs wide). This wall had a small hole in it (the kind you get in taxi-ranks) and he peeked through this hole to see the crowd.......most bizzare set-up I've ever seen! :daft:

Now i would love to see that!