Music acquisition/customer service.

[Excalibur]

Here is the poll which Crazy K suspected might happen. ;)

[Ecstatic Events]

It's saved my bacon in the past, I've mentioned this before but i did a wedding a few months ago and the FIRST DANCE was incorrectly tagged in my collection. A dongle saved the day! I'd use my iPhone from now on, to download and play out!!!!

[Jonathan Ford]

I voted "will resort to black magic...", though it's not quite true. As I've discussed here many times before, I have the technical know-how of a grapefruit. I'd be more than happy to download requests on the night...but have no idea how to get them from iTunes and on to Virtual DJ without shutting Virtual DJ down. Very willing, but equally unable.

[Excalibur]

I voted "will resort to black magic...", though it's not quite true. As I've discussed here many times before, I have the technical know-how of a grapefruit. I'd be more than happy to download requests on the night...but have no idea how to get them from iTunes and on to Virtual DJ without shutting Virtual DJ down. Very willing, but equally unable.
Bin itunes, and use 7digital, Amazon et al. Simples.
However:Those Laptop DJ's who know these things, swear that they will never connect their playout lappy to t'interweb, lest some dastardly lurgy infect and corrupt it. ;) ;)

[Jonathan Ford]

Bin itunes, and use 7digital, Amazon et al. Simples.
However:Those Laptop DJ's who know these things, swear that they will never connect their playout lappy to t'interweb, lest some dastardly lurgy infect and corrupt it. ;) ;)

That did occur to me, but when I went digital, I decided that I was too tight to shell out for ProDub, so at present I download directly to the playout device. The only internet activity on the work lappy is connecting to iTunes.

[CRAZY K]

It's saved my bacon in the past, I've mentioned this before but i did a wedding a few months ago and the FIRST DANCE was incorrectly tagged in my collection. A dongle saved the day! I'd use my iPhone from now on, to download and play out!!!!

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Im sorry absolutely NO EXCUSES to use this as a reason.:(

I play every requested track on my HD before the event to make sure--

1. Its in my collection (unless im 100 per cent sure) Agadoo yeah got that;)

2.It plays what it says on the tin

3. I have the first dance and it plays all the way through

Useful as sometimes tracks arent so easy to find as I might think.

Adopting this procedure has never let me down--because I work with very MOR music fans mostly not had any problems--if I get any hassle ( cant really remember any) I just hand over the playlist and ask for a request.;)

I can see if your down the pub/club/public event and someone wants the latest music it would be very useful.

So ill vote for black magic yes its handy--

Not my market though.

Course there is the black arts way as explained to me by a very dodgy DeeJay who will remain nameless--who hooks his laptop into the Social Club WI FI then goes onto one of the free music sites--doesnt pay a penny and has access to any track you want--and it doesnt cost him anything but he gets paid for stealing music.

Lovely eh?

[simonp]

I definitely don't download on the night - for me that's creating a rod for your own back.
I always make the client aware of the fact prior to the gig. When I mention the playout and put in their mind to think of the 'macbook' as the modern day record box.
If the question arises such as 'Ooo if someone asks for a song and you haven't got it, can you download it?' - The answer is practically always the same "No, I'm carrying approximately 22,000 songs with me and to be perfectly honest, if the request isn't amongst that lot then it probably shouldn't be let near a dance floor" :D

With every gig I do I get my Event Forms back at least two weeks prior to the gig so if there are any specific/oddball/obscure requests (especially first dances) on there I can source them before the event.

[STEVE HANLEY]

Peter and I have had this discussion a few times and yes I will download a track if neccesary. It's a customer service thing IMO and only costs £0.89 tops from Amazon.

Plus it could make someones night. Plus it gets people thinking :Censored: me he is good. Didn't think he'd have that particular track

[Gary (GDK)]

Im after a netbook for this occasion, as I won't connect my main laptop to the net... Under no circumstances...

Netbook would be small enough to fit into my main backpack to.

[STEVE HANLEY]

Im after a netbook for this occasion, as I won't connect my main laptop to the net... Under no circumstances...

Netbook would be small enough to fit into my main backpack to.

A netbook is what I use Gary. It's spot on mate

[Gary (GDK)]

Yeah, I mean its not like for this sort of thing I need the most powerful one going.

[Ecstatic Events]

Crazy K. I made a mistake and had the tools to correct it, why the shocked faces?

It's a great tool to have on board, the ability to download mid gig...

[CRAZY K]

Crazy K. I made a mistake and had the tools to correct it, why the shocked faces?

It's a great tool to have on board, the ability to download mid gig...

Not my style---so what happens then if your Laptop connection doesnt work.

Your :Censored:

Nuff said :zip:

[Corabar Steve]

Option 2 then (although I'm digital as opposed to didgital)
Apart from anything else, I've got enough to be thinking about during a gig without trying to source tunes

[Digital Jack]

Apart from anything else, I've got enough to be thinking about during a gig without trying to source tunes

I'm of the same opinion , you must be busy (not) playing megamixes if you have time to go online in search of tunes WHILE working.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I'm of the same opinion , you must be busy (not) playing megamixes if you have time to go online in search of tunes WHILE working.

I dont do much in the way of searching. I will try Amazon, 7Digital and Tesco and if they dont have it...then its tough :)

[DazzyD]

It has to be option 2 for me also. I give the client plenty of chances to provide requests in advance so I can check out the tracks, make sure they are appropriate, play properly, analyse them for BPM, etc. The last thing I want when working a kids party is having to listen to a new track through the headphones to make sure there's no offensive language before cueing it up.

I have downloaded in the past but the number of tracks purchased at gigs I can count on one hand.


That did occur to me, but when I went digital, I decided that I was too tight to shell out for ProDub, so at present I download directly to the playout device. The only internet activity on the work lappy is connecting to iTunes.

I use 7Digital, Amazon and Tesco for MP3s and always download them to the playout HDD. So, I can't really see your point.

[Excalibur]

Option 2 then (although I'm digital as opposed to didgital)
Apart from anything else, I've got enough to be thinking about during a gig without trying to source tunes
Spelling error noted. Must try harder.
:o :o

I'm of the same opinion , you must be busy (not) playing megamixes if you have time to go online in search of tunes WHILE working.
Steve and Jack, I note your replies, but even someone as fumble fingered as myself can usually manage it, so I feel there is at least the option. I will agree with you both that often the requests come at inopportune moments though.


I dont do much in the way of searching. I will try Amazon, 7Digital and Tesco and if they dont have it...then its tough :)
That's pretty much my policy.


It has to be option 2 for me also. I give the client plenty of chances to provide requests in advance so I can check out the tracks, make sure they are appropriate, play properly, analyse them for BPM, etc. The last thing I want when working a kids party is having to listen to a new track through the headphones to make sure there's no offensive language before cueing it up.
.

Ah yes, but some of us don't always meet the client beforehand, ( and not through our choice ) so don't have that luxury. :( :( And it's not always the client who makes requests.


It's surprising to me to see that the vote is roughly 50/50 downloaders vs can't/won't. I had expected a far greater number prepared to get music on the fly. Just goes to show.

[notroubleclubber]

I have another person with me most of the time at gigs so if i need a track that i havent got i get him to search and download it on another laptop i carry (my backup) that has either a wireless connection to the venue or if not using a vodafone dongle i always carry. I then check this out by playing it via headphones on the backup laptop (my helper does this) and if its all ok i transfer it after checking for viruses on the backup laptop via usb stick to my main playout laptop.
Its handy having a helper!

[BeerFunk]

I feel I'm equipped with all reasonable requests for a mobile disco, so no, I wouldn't be downloading mid-gig even if I had that facility. I also feel it is taking your focus away from the primary job at hand.

Putting it another way - from a business perspective, I see no gain.

[Jonathan Ford]

I use 7Digital, Amazon and Tesco for MP3s and always download them to the playout HDD. So, I can't really see your point.

I was responding to Peter, not about the choice of sites, but about the fact that the only time my playout laptop is connected to the internet is to visit iTunes, thus (in my innocent little mind) mitigating the risk of it being exposed to the lurgy.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I've said it before but there are a number of people out there (and quite a few locally), that use torrents etc to download illegal tunes. I have known of one guy in particular whose collection is literally illegal stuff and he just downloads willy nilly, everything and anything even though he hardly gets any work. He never does private stuff and does stuff for mates etc because he is mega cheap. He uses CD's.

The reason I mention this is because he's got caught out on a couple of occasions in the past using his illegal downloads. He obviously didn't check them as one of the tracks stopped after about 30 seconds and another had 'interference' in the middle of the track in the shape of explicit language from the person who uploaded it. Can you imagine if others do this and it's a first dance at someone's wedding, you haven't checked the MP3 and halfway through the song, an explicit announcement of "This is a :Censored: illegal download you :Censored: :Censored: !!".

I check everything once I have purchased it. I don't take a dongle with me but what I do is make sure I have everything that the customer wants before the event. If I have gigs at the weekend, my time in the week is spent making sure I get everything that they want. I use Amazon MP3 and it's great.

[CRAZY K]

Ah yes, but some of us don't always meet the client beforehand, ( and not through our choice ) so don't have that luxury. :( :( And it's not always the client who makes requests.




Where you dont meet the B and G in advance send them a list of tunes to choose from--copy them off my website if you wish Peter for the Wedding next year IN HULL then you wont have to be downloading during the Wedding.

I assume you wont take random requests at Weddings unless the Bride agrees :confused:

Show them the Brides Playlist.;)

;) ;) ;)

[djdave01]

around 18 months ago, i took a 12 month contract on a dongle, to be used at gigs if i needed a song i didnt have.

in that 12 month period, i downloaded just two songs.

at £15 per month & 89p per song, they were very expensive songs.

i can if required download music to my phone, so i no longer bother with a dongle, but ive only had to do that once in the last few months.

[Jason]

"I'm digital, but there's no way I'm shelling out for requests on the night."

I'm generally too busy, and see this as a slippery slope.
I have a good collection, there will always be some gaps but I can normally recommend alternatives.

I can see this being a problem- a big distraction for the DJ leading to a poorer service.

The only crevat I could think of would be if there was time during the buffet and the requests were a few floor fillers that you didn't have (doh!), and you therefore had time to purchase and download.
I would never make this facility known to clients or guests.

[Shaun]

I happily download on the evening if it's a song I don't have and think will work. I'll download via the venues wifi or via my 3g connection.

[Excalibur]

Where you dont meet the B and G in advance send them a list of tunes to choose from--copy them off my website if you wish Peter for the Wedding next year IN HULL then you wont have to be downloading during the Wedding.I assume you wont take random requests at Weddings unless the Bride agrees :confused:

Show them the Brides Playlist.;)

;) ;) ;)
Actually, standard form unless otherwise agreed, is to always take requests from just about anyone. It has been for about thirty five years.
Alan, don't panic. In the New Year, I shall arrange a meet with the B&G at the venue, where they will be able to give me their thoughts on the music lists I've sent them previously.


I happily download on the evening if it's a song I don't have and think will work. I'll download via the venues wifi or via my 3g connection.
Halllelujah, I was beginning to think that I was alone in regarding this practice as beneficial, rather than something shameful!! :eek: :eek:


I'm honestly quite flabbergasted that some folk don't regard providing the music which is requested as high on the list of priorities.:confused: :confused: :eek: :eek: Especially at functions where advance notification of requests is not feasible.

[Jason]

Actually, standard form unless otherwise agreed, is to always take requests from just about anyone. It has been for about thirty five years.
Alan, don't panic. In the New Year, I shall arrange a meet with the B&G at the venue, where they will be able to give me their thoughts on the music lists I've sent them previously.


Halllelujah, I was beginning to think that I was alone in regarding this practice as beneficial, rather than something shameful!! :eek: :eek:


I'm honestly quite flabbergasted that some folk don't regard providing the music which is requested as high on the list of priorities.:confused: :confused: :eek: :eek: Especially at functions where advance notification of requests is not feasible.

This is only recently been availible technology, and many venues are solid old buildings with poor 3G reception.
I guess if you've a netbook/phone that will allow a download and its not too much of a distraction, then not fine.
But, I'd not want to see a DJ messing around with a PC when they should be DJing. If you have a roadie who can take over/take care of the searching, purchasing and downloading then its less of an issue.

The party is hardly ruined if you don't have every request. CD and Vinyl DJ's have had this problems for years. Having access to 10,000,000 tracks really won't make it a better night and will simply be a distraction and additional expense.
Any self-respected DJ should have a good music collection, and should have enough knowledge to suggest an alternative if the request is not in stock. (we normally take a note and purchase after, if its an obviousl obmission!)

Note: If we're talking about weddings where you've been booked by the venue and for some mad reason there has been no contact with the B&G, then I can see this important to ensuring you can get their 1st Dance.
However, not all songs can be purchased, and 3G/Wifi access is never guarrenteed so having any relianace on this is a dangerous statergy.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

This is only recently been availible technology, and many venues are solid old buildings with poor 3G reception.
I guess if you've a netbook/phone that will allow a download and its not too much of a distraction, then not fine.
But, I'd not want to see a DJ messing around with a PC when they should be DJing. If you have a roadie who can take over/take care of the searching, purchasing and downloading then its less of an issue.

The party is hardly ruined if you don't have every request. CD and Vinyl DJ's have had this problems for years. Having access to 10,000,000 tracks really won't make it a better night and will simply be a distraction and additional expense.
Any self-respected DJ should have a good music collection, and should have enough knowledge to suggest an alternative if the request is not in stock. (we normally take a note and purchase after, if its an obviousl obmission!)

Note: If we're talking about weddings where you've been booked by the venue and for some mad reason there has been no contact with the B&G, then I can see this important to ensuring you can get their 1st Dance.
However, not all songs can be purchased, and 3G/Wifi access is never guarrenteed so having any relianace on this is a dangerous statergy.

Agreed. Great post and some good points.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I think it's good to have the ability to get stuff downloaded on the night if you really need it (like Ecstatic Events example earlier on this thread), but to me, the points made above are spot on. Yes, I want to make sure everyone has the music that they want and I think I have a big enough, eclectic enough library of tracks available to me (updated every week with the latest chart stuff and my continuation of ripping lost gems etc), that there should not really be an occasion where someone asks for something that I don't have.

If I don't have it then I don't have it but I do make a note of the song and if it's one that I should have....it will be in my library as soon as possible.

[DazzyD]

...

Ah yes, but some of us don't always meet the client beforehand, ( and not through our choice ) so don't have that luxury. :( :( And it's not always the client who makes requests.
...

I rarely meet clients, too, Peter. I was referring to the amount of telephone and email contact I have with clients prior to the gig. I always encourage requests early on in the booking process to give me time to source any harder to find tracks.

Your point about guests requesting tracks is a valid one but I tend to find I have the vast majority of requests to cover a wide range of music so if there's a particular 1st choice request I haven't got, then I've usually got the 2nd choice.


I was responding to Peter, not about the choice of sites, but about the fact that the only time my playout laptop is connected to the internet is to visit iTunes, thus (in my innocent little mind) mitigating the risk of it being exposed to the lurgy.

My apologies. I read your post as meaning that you used iTunes because you download straight to your playout device and, perhaps, you weren't aware of other download stores that allow you to choose where you download to.

I understand what you mean about security issues but I would never use a site I hadn't heard of to download anything. I'm very security conscious when it comes to the internet.

[BeerFunk]

Your point about guests requesting tracks is a valid one but I tend to find I have the vast majority of requests to cover a wide range of music so if there's a particular 1st choice request I haven't got, then I've usually got the 2nd choice.I agree. The other thing is that if you don't have a requested track, you can spin the situation into a bit of banter and interaction with the person requesting it. By asking them what they do like, it involves them, and makes them feel like you're genuinely interested and trying to help them.