We did a boot sale today - The publics perception of DJ's

[Cowlinn]

Today, we did a boot sale, and I was selling a couple of my old turntables. One of the punters was talking to me and really grabbing my attention, I can't remember exactly what he was saying so I'll list them as bullet points.

He mentioned that DJ's don't use turntables anymore, so there wasn't really much call for them, but he then went on to say things like:

"Nowerdays people just turn up with a cd player and hit play"

"...I mean, you can download all the songs, pop them on a disk and turn up, you don't even have to buy them!..."

"Being a DJ has got to be the easiest money ever"

"It's a real shame, the art of being a DJ has being lost"

So this is obviously the general publics perception of DJ's today.


Now most of them I just completely ignored, and tried to bite my lip in order to keep things civil, however the last point grabbed my attention and I thought could provoke some discussion on here, so thought i'd post it.


"It's a real shame, the art of been a DJ has been lost"


What do you think? Do you think it was much harder way back when, when DJ's needed at least 2 turntables, a mixer, and 10 crates of Vinyl?

Has the art of DJ'ing been made easier with the introduction of CDJ's and further more, PCDJ software?

Discuss :):beer1:

[funkymook]

Not really the 'publics' opinion - just one bloke in the middle of a field!

Personally I think he was talking just for the sake of it. There have always been press and play DJ's and those who stretch the available equipment to it's limits (and everything inbetween), that goes for vinyl, CD and software.

Would have been interesting to ask him what 'art' in particular he was talking about.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Yep another bloke making sweeping statements without much real knowledge.

What the public want has changed not the DJ's, the good ones have just moved with the times.

[Cowlinn]

Yep another bloke making sweeping statements without much real knowledge.

What the public want has changed not the DJ's, the good ones have just moved with the times.

It does annoy me when people say things like that, though.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I don't think you can say that it's the "Public's perception..." when it's one bloke that has said it that you have overheard.
A lot of people think that they know better but that's life and it doesn't matter what the trade is.

[Cowlinn]

I don't think you can say that it's the "Public's perception..." when it's one bloke that has said it that you have overheard.
A lot of people think that they know better but that's life and it doesn't matter what the trade is.

Who said I overheard it? He was talking to me.

So is that one bloke not a member of the general public?

[Vectis]

So is that one bloke not a member of the general public?

... in which case it would have been more reasonable to have stated "One member of the public's perception..." rather than "the public" :o

Agreed with the other responses. There's DJs and then there's DJs. Don't worry about what they are doing, focus your efforts on your own offering.

[Cowlinn]

... in which case it would have been more reasonable to have stated "One member of the public's perception..." rather than "the public" :o

I dont think that's really the point of the thread TBH. I didn't do a survey of the entire general public no.

It was more the points he made I was interested in, and to know that SOME of the public think that.

I'm not worrying what other DJ's are doing :)

[Vectis]

I dont think that's really the point of the thread TBH.

Then I'm definitely missing something :confused:

[Cowlinn]

Then I'm definitely missing something :confused:



"It's a real shame, the art of been a DJ has been lost"


What do you think? Do you think it was much harder way back when, when DJ's needed at least 2 turntables, a mixer, and 10 crates of Vinyl?

Has the art of DJ'ing been made easier with the introduction of CDJ's and further more, PCDJ software?

Discuss :):beer1:

It's not about whether that bloke was the general public or not. Jeez.

[Booche]

I've forgot how many times i have heard the said comments about DJ's/Mobile Jocks etc

In one way yes it may have got abit easier for us as "Some" of us no longer have to carry the said 20 box's of vinyl and a shed load of CD's

BUT

Just because we dont carry these no more doesn't make our job any easier in fact i believe it's become slightly harder as when i first started requests etc were not very often but now a days with so many resources to get music,requests etc we have to focus on alot more, DMX, Timings, Requests etc

When i first started you could get away and expect to hear slight gaps in music.

Now though as mentoned it does seem to be alot easier for Sid to setup and charge nothing and actually do nothing apart from turn up and press play.

But again it's a case of SID V's PRO etc

I do agree though just because one person has said it doesn't mean everybody thinks the same.

[Cowlinn]

I've forgot how many times i have heard the said comments about DJ's/Mobile Jocks etc

In one way yes it may have got abit easier for us as "Some" of us no longer have to carry the said 20 box's of vinyl and a shed load of CD's

BUT

Just because we dont carry these no more doesn't make our job any easier in fact i believe it's become slightly harder as when i first started requests etc were not very often but now a days with so many resources to get music,requests etc we have to focus on alot more, DMX, Timings, Requests etc

When i first started you could get away and expect to hear slight gaps in music.

Now though as mentoned it does seem to be alot easier for Sid to setup and charge nothing and actually do nothing apart from turn up and press play.

But again it's a case of SID V's PRO etc

I do agree though just because one person has said it doesn't mean everybody thinks the same.

Finally an on topic post.

I think being able to get any request, anywhere, anytime is a big advantage we have in keeping punters happy, which they wouldn't have had back in the day.

[Vectis]

It's not about whether that bloke was the general public or not. Jeez.

But that's not how the thread is TITLED is it?




Finally an on topic post.

Cheeky :Censored: - #2 on my block list methinks :mad:

[DeckstarDeluxe]

This debate has been done to death before loads of times beforehand in all fairness.

Equipment and tunes are cheaper yes but there is much more to providing a quality DJ/Disco than that.

[Cowlinn]

Cheeky :Censored: - #2 on my block list methinks :mad:

A bit uncalled for, and that sentence doesn't really make sense.


This debate has been done to death before loads of times beforehand in all fairness.

I've not seen it anywhere, sorry.


Equipment and tunes are cheaper yes but there is much more to providing a quality DJ/Disco than that.
:agree:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Here you go again! It looks like you're getting in a strop because people maybe aren't saying what YOU want to hear. If you had done a forum search, you'd see that there are lots of threads that have focused on the same thing before.

I misread your original post and thought that you'd overheard so apologies for that but it's still just one bloke that has made the comments. If you'd had a steady stream of comments throughout the day or maybe you hear comments like that on a daily basis, well maybe you would then be able to say something like....judging on your experience, the general public's perception is....

[Kernow]

Has the art of DJ'ing been made easier with the introduction of CDJ's and further more, PCDJ software?

Discuss :):beer1:

Yes, in one way a comprehensive knowledge of your music collection, and where it's located is no longer needed. When you can search for options, and even inspiration, by Year, Genre, Artist, Title, BPM etc. etc. etc. and get the results in a fraction of a second it must be easier.
However there are so many more aspects, lighting, visuals, karaoke, to name but a few, to being a DJ nowadays, that on balance the saving is offset by the additional demands. :)

[soundtracker]

A bloke said to me on Saturday, "I'm fed up with turning up at parties and finding that the DJ is just some little kid, fresh out of nappies, who has no clue about music more than a couple of years old." So obviously (using the logic of that great Chinese sage Cow Linn) this is how the public perceive spotties!

[Megamix]

His ignorance can apply to anything - perceptions are just that. Challenging them is not worth it at a boot fair, maybe because of your age he thought he'd educate you with his pearls of wisdom.

[Kernow]

A bloke said to me on Saturday, "I'm fed up with turning up at parties and finding that the DJ is just some little kid, fresh out of nappies, who has no clue about music more than a couple of years old." So obviously (using the logic of that great Chinese sage Cow Linn) this is how the public perceive spotties!

:laughup:
(Mind you Pete, there are those of us of a certain age back into them........ and anything but fresh !! ;) :D )

[soundtracker]

:laughup:
(Mind you Pete, there are those of us of a certain age back into them........ and anything but fresh !! ;) :D )

eeeyeuwww!:D

[Corabar Steve]

Here you go again! It looks like you're getting in a strop because people maybe aren't saying what YOU want to hear. .
In fairness, he's not the first one on the forum to do that (if it was the case).

I think the problem lies with people's interpretation of Matty's post.

I got what he was at straight away. Do the public perceive what we do as an easy ride?


Unfortunately I have nothing to add to the subject.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I was going to say something along the same lines as the posts above.
Also, don't you think that various trades in general have got easier over the years?
Regarding Disco Entertainment and DJing - As I said the other day, a few friends of mine and some others comment in jest that "It's just pressing a few buttons" but they don't know the score really do they.

Personally, I love the Denon HD2500 and also programs like VDJ etc because of the ease of use. Having a track there almost instantly is impressive both to us and the guests at a party. I have had comments from people that have literally requested a track whilst the current track is near it's end and their requested track has started playing as they are walking away. A silly little thing like that but people are impressed. Also the days of playing at venues using vinyl or CD's that jump and skip about are now gone.

I like the fact LED lighting effects are on the whole, more reliable etc and lighter so you aren't worrying about bulbs breaking etc.....

BUT.... with every positive, there is usually a negative and although the Digital playout systems etc are great, I do miss flicking through CD's to find the tracks I want to play. Still having 30 seconds left of the current track that is playing and still not having a clue what to play next used to keep me on my toes. Having a Digital playout system with multiple search options is great BUT....you still have to remember what to search for and I find at times that my mind goes blank. I guess this keeps me on my toes too.

[funkymook]

Having read a few vinyl v cd/mp3 debates on other forums one of the lost 'arts' they mention is the acquiring your tunes. Having to go out and actually search for and find a physical copy of a record as opposed to sitting in front of a computer and downloading it. Collections that could take DJ's years to build up can now be downloaded in an afternoon at a fraction of the cost (if any cost at all). I suppose it's a 'paying your dues' concept - you've earnt the right to play the tune it's taken you years to track down. Obviously we're not talking chart music here, but more specialised genres.

[Corabar Steve]

Having read a few vinyl v cd/mp3 debates on other forums one of the lost 'arts' they mention is the acquiring your tunes. Having to go out and actually search for and find a physical copy of a record as opposed to sitting in front of a computer and downloading it. Collections that could take DJ's years to build up can now be downloaded in an afternoon at a fraction of the cost (if any cost at all). I suppose it's a 'paying your dues' concept - you've earnt the right to play the tune it's taken you years to track down. Obviously we're not talking chart music here, but more specialised genres.
Whoever came out with that has obviously never tried to track down sopme GaragePunk or Freakbeat :sj: (or the Quarter Moon by the VIPs, still can't find that anywhere)

[yourdj]

The lower the "public" (or maybe an uneducated minority more like) opinion is the better I look!
Many of my clients book me on the fact that I have a mac and modern equipment as they do not want an old school DJ.

I always get people saying they wished they had booked me for their wedding. Normally when I ask they have not met the DJ and paid under £200 so I say "well you got what you paid for". There are plenty of bride forums out there with advice on booking a good DJ and people who shop solely on price loose out most the time.

The people who get sniify are either old men or bedroom DJ's (ie the blokes who sit at the back all night and never participate). They just sit there moaning that your rubbish even though the floor is rammed. Maybe life did not work out how they wanted but thats not my fault.

I am living my dream they are not. :D

[Pe7e]

or the Quarter Moon by the VIPs, still can't find that anywhere)

Try HERE (http://www.last.fm/music/The+VIPs/_/Quarter+Moon)

[Corabar Steve]

Try HERE (http://www.last.fm/music/The+VIPs/_/Quarter+Moon)
Not much good, but thanks anyway. No downloads & only a 7" single & an unavailable "best of" CD on Amazon.

My quest continues.

[Kernow]

Many of my clients book me on the fact that I have a mac and modern equipment The people who get sniify are old men I am living my dream . :D

:eek: :eek:
;) :D :D

[funkymook]

Whoever came out with that has obviously never tried to track down sopme GaragePunk or Freakbeat :sj: (or the Quarter Moon by the VIPs, still can't find that anywhere)

Indeed - and that argument was put forward by some.

As much as I admire anyone who has built a collection of rare vinyl (and would love to have it myself) - a good tune is a good tune whatever medium it's played on, and 99.9% of the audience don't care as long as they can have a good dance to it!

I did a gig last Friday supporting a local Mod band - a very 'scene' looking chap (age about late 30's early 40's) asked if he could came around to have a chat and see what equipment I was using as he did a bit of DJ'ing himself.

'Here we go' I thought, 'it's one of the original vinyl only brigade'

'CD's!' he exclaimed, 'I use a laptop myself!'

'People like you are ruining it for the rest of us' I shouted, waving an original Nuggets compilation CD in his face!!

[Corabar Steve]

http://planetsmilies.net/sign-smiley-438.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

[Excalibur]

In fairness, he's not the first one on the forum to do that (if it was the case).

I think the problem lies with people's interpretation of Matty's post.

I got what he was at straight away. Do the public perceive what we do as an easy ride?
Oh yuss. Particularly now.



Unfortunately I have nothing to add to the subject.
:eek:



BUT.... with every positive, there is usually a negative and although the Digital playout systems etc are great, I do miss flicking through CD's to find the tracks I want to play. Still having 30 seconds left of the current track that is playing and still not having a clue what to play next used to keep me on my toes. Having a Digital playout system with multiple search options is great BUT....you still have to remember what to search for and I find at times that my mind goes blank. I guess this keeps me on my toes too.
I get round that problem by using a laptop with Media Monkey as an aide memoire. It's also possible to do it with VDJ, but not as easily, I find.


Having read a few vinyl v cd/mp3 debates on other forums one of the lost 'arts' they mention is the acquiring your tunes. Having to go out and actually search for and find a physical copy of a record as opposed to sitting in front of a computer and downloading it. Collections that could take DJ's years to build up can now be downloaded in an afternoon at a fraction of the cost (if any cost at all). I suppose it's a 'paying your dues' concept - you've earnt the right to play the tune it's taken you years to track down. Obviously we're not talking chart music here, but more specialised genres.
The crux of the matter. I've said this before, but in the Old Days, we had the power, for we had the big music collection, painstakingly acquired over many manyyears, in the most unlikely of locations. How often have we bought an album, to get one track? I know I have.

Now, it's just a case of a fifty quid external HD, a USB cable, and a :beer1: :beer1: . Two hours to achieve what took me thirty years. Progress? Jury's out on that one.

Whoever came out with that has obviously never tried to track down sopme GaragePunk or Freakbeat :sj: (or the Quarter Moon by the VIPs, still can't find that anywhere)
If that's the track I think it is, it's a stunner.


Not much good, but thanks anyway. No downloads & only a 7" single & an unavailable "best of" CD on Amazon.

My quest continues.
All I could find was a 7" single on ebay. :( :(
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VIPS-QUARTER-MOON-PORTUGAL-7-MOD-REVIVAL-POWERPOP_W0QQitemZ230597723332QQihZ013QQcategoryZ4 5549QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Look on the bright side, now more people are looking as well. :D

[Javlingames]

The DJ/Roadshow has evolved in more recent times. In the 70's mobile DJ's were getting records sent to them in the post, it was the mobile dj, as well as the club dj, that was expected to play new music and educate people as well as entertain them on the mic by being an entertainer. They did all sorts of functions ranging from club style nights to weddings. They had huge rigs which took ours to assemble and pack down.

Nowadays DJ's are expected to play what they are told (playlists), in most cases DJ's tend to play at family parties where middle of the road music is needed, nightclubs now cater for the upfront crowd so a mobile dj doesnt tend to do the big dance spots anymore. Also DJ's are not expected to be as much of a personality anymore so in conclusion nowadays us DJ's all pretty much play the same stuff at weddings, parties etc, most dont use a mic so you could in effect give someone 1 months training, a playlist with 200 of the most played wedding songs, no mic use and there you have your new breed of DJ. Oh and the gear is much smaller these days.

[Excalibur]

Gavin, there is much truth in what you say. The job has changed out of all recognition, and we must take heed of that. I don't particularly like many of the changes, but I have to accept most of them.

What does I think harm the image of the DJ is the famed pimply youth with a laptop, a hard drive, and DJ software, who sets everything to auto, and proceeds to have zero input into the function. I've met some of them, and to me they epitomise everything that is wong with the industry of today. Instant DJ's with no knowledge, no customer service, and no interest.

Rant over, I'll put this :soapbox: away for now. :D :D :D :D

[Corabar Entertainment]

DJing today? Anybody can do it.














































....not everyone can do it well.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

The DJ/Roadshow has evolved in more recent times. In the 70's mobile DJ's were getting records sent to them in the post, it was the mobile dj, as well as the club dj, that was expected to play new music and educate people as well as entertain them on the mic by being an entertainer. They did all sorts of functions ranging from club style nights to weddings. They had huge rigs which took ours to assemble and pack down.

Nowadays DJ's are expected to play what they are told (playlists), in most cases DJ's tend to play at family parties where middle of the road music is needed, nightclubs now cater for the upfront crowd so a mobile dj doesnt tend to do the big dance spots anymore. Also DJ's are not expected to be as much of a personality anymore so in conclusion nowadays us DJ's all pretty much play the same stuff at weddings, parties etc, most dont use a mic so you could in effect give someone 1 months training, a playlist with 200 of the most played wedding songs, no mic use and there you have your new breed of DJ. Oh and the gear is much smaller these days.


I have to say that I agree with pretty much all of that.

There are things however that add value and make you better than the next DJ or company.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Well on the flipside........

Now everyone can access tunes fairly easily you have to work harder to show clients why you are the best choice for them? I'm guessing there is far more competition now too because its "easily to become a "DJ".

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Well on the flipside........

Now everyone can access tunes fairly easily you have to work harder to show clients why you are the best choice for them?

No, you just have to be cheaper in a lot of cases...

[Shakermaker Promotions]

No, you just have to be cheaper in a lot of cases...

That may well be the case but take this morning for example - In my inbox was an enquiry so I replied back straight away with a quotation. Now, I wish it was always as easy as today because within the space of around 45 minutes, the customer had confirmed, paid a booking fee by bank transfer and the booking forms were in the postbox.

The quotation wasn't the cheapest that the customer had received so she told me and she said she had made enquiries with a number of other suppliers over the weekend. She complimented me on a quick reply but also said that she liked the testimonials on my website.

I'm not sure if this is on topic but isn't it part of the whole service? Maybe I am wrong so apologies if it is off topic but the whole thing about DJing these days may well be easier. It was a lot harder when I was DJing for a friend a few years ago and he didn't have the internet or email. It was still fairly new back then. An enquiry was generally made by phone, nothing wrong with that but chasing up enquiries wasn't as easy because if you couldn't get hold of them by phone, you couldn't really email them back then. Also, cancellations etc were a pain in the backside. I remember on one occasion, a case of mis-communication and my friend sending a DJ to a function when there was already another one there. The customer had cancelled with my friend but had left a message with someone else who didn't pass that message on. That really shouldn't happen now with the likes of emails and texts too.

[axeman]

my 2 peneth...


sounds like the guy was maybe trying to haggle the priceof the decks down ?

and i would have argued the dj' s personality is amongst the most important factors in their success, provided they have a reasonable playout and collection of tracks.

but as previously said he's just one guy and he might be a nutter or a genius who knows !

[Corabar Steve]

They had huge rigs which took ours to assemble and pack down.
If they had huge rigs, why did they take yours? :sj:

[goldensounds83]

in my personal oppinion the only this that technology has improved is finding and playing the music more quickly, which if anything improves the customers experiance.

the art of DJing really has very littel to do with knowing how to use a turn table most kids of 5 can do that the art is know "What and when"

that is WHAT music will work for this audiance and WHEN will it work, that's the true art of djing and technology will never replace that, this is the thing people just don't understand.

a friend asked me how much I would charge to do his wedding I said well as its you i'll do it for £185 to which he replied Robbing :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored: all you've got to do is put a CD on, if only he knew the work that goes in to organising wedding entertainment.

in short the art of djing is still very much alive an well, yes technology has made things a littel easier but that's true of most industries, we are not glorifyed jukeboxes and that's the thing that people like this bloke and my friend need to understand.