help and advice needed

[djforyou]

I'm currently a member of the local resident association, Recently due to funding cuts and also the requirement t put at least four fundraisng events on per year. I rather stupidly offered my services as someone could play music at events. Now been told they want me to play background music at a jubalee event in between the live artist sets. My question is have i bitten off more than i can chew saying yes to this as my kit isnt fantastic. I'm doing this for free to help out and now really starting to :Censored: myself.

1: homemix twin cd Player
2: Infamous Skytec 12" speakers
3: soundlab amp
4: 2xsoundlab vasto's
5: t bar
6: speaker stands
7: smoke machine

Any advice?

ps Gig is in a social club and music required to fill small dancefloor not entire room

[Charlie Brown]

The only thing I would save up for/concentrate on, is the Homemix CD player and potentially the Skytec Speakers.

The CD player isn't designed for mobile use. Are you intending on taking the DJ'ing further/make money out of it?

[DazzyD]

I think you deserve praise for putting yourself forward to help a cause local to you. However, I also think that it would've been wiser to get a pro in. The reason we charge what we do is because we're not going to turn up with home-DJ kit, we have the experience and the tools to do the job properly. So, yes, I do think you have bitten off more than you can chew. I'm not putting you down - I just think maybe you are not ready yet.

As for the 4 live artists, I'm just wondering if those are providing their services for free as well?

[djforyou]

thanks for the advice. i'm not plannining on turning this into a full time buisiness just helping out for free. i fear i may have jumped in feet first without. thinkinking it through properly. hopefully i can get by for one night as i said it's just background music in between the live act, bingo ect any more advice welcome thanks john


I think you deserve praise for putting yourself forward to help a cause local to you. However, I also think that it would've been wiser to get a pro in. The reason we charge what we do is because we're not going to turn up with home-DJ kit, we have the experience and the tools to do the job properly. So, yes, I do think you have bitten off more than you can chew. I'm not putting you down - I just think maybe you are not ready yet.

As for the 4 live artists, I'm just wondering if those are providing their services for free as well?
thanks for youre honesty. starting to think the same are well i'm commited to do it now heeelp

[DazzyD]

thanks for youre honesty. starting to think the same are well i'm commited to do it now heeelp

What made me think you weren't quite ready is that, in my opinion, DJing is a state of mind. It's about confidence and personality as much as anything and you come over as being a nervous wreck. As a DJ, you need to think on your feet - if things aren't going to plan you need to be able to think clearly enough to be able to alter what you're doing and change the course of the night. I think, maybe your nerves might get the best of you.

You come across as sounding very negative about your equipment and that is making you worse. When I started, I had a SoundLab powered mixer (the G742 - I've had it modified and still use it today!), a pair of Kam 12" speakers, a 4-head Acme Smart Gobo light effect and two moonflowers I bought from Woolworths. I also bought a smoke machine there but, to be honest, it was fairly poor when compared to todays even budget machines. But the thing I wasn't short of was confidence. I was a really nervous and shy person in day-to-day life but, when I was DJing, I thrived on those nerves and I came out appearing really confident. And that's what got me to where I am now - knowing how to convert the nerves in to positive confidence. If you can learn that then you'll get throught your night and, maybe, want to take it further. Or it could put you off forever!!

As for the kit you mention, with the exception of the Homemix (terrible unit, in my opinion - Argos have a lot to answer for!!) you've got enough to get you through a small show. And you're only playing background to a dancefloor so you won't need to raise the roof. If you've got enough CDs to cater for any requests then maybe someone could loan you (or hire at a small fee) a pair of old-but-reliable CD decks and a small mixer. Don't over-push the Skytecs and then you'll get through it.

But remember this - kit doesn't make you a good DJ but experience and practise does. You'll not learn this art in 5 minutes! ;)

[djforyou]

What made me think you weren't quite ready is that, in my opinion, DJing is a state of mind. It's about confidence and personality as much as anything and you come over as being a nervous wreck. As a DJ, you need to think on your feet - if things aren't going to plan you need to be able to think clearly enough to be able to alter what you're doing and change the course of the night. I think, maybe your nerves might get the best of you.

You come across as sounding very negative about your equipment and that is making you worse. When I started, I had a SoundLab powered mixer (the G742 - I've had it modified and still use it today!), a pair of Kam 12" speakers, a 4-head Acme Smart Gobo light effect and two moonflowers I bought from Woolworths. I also bought a smoke machine there but, to be honest, it was fairly poor when compared to todays even budget machines. But the thing I wasn't short of was confidence. I was a really nervous and shy person in day-to-day life but, when I was DJing, I thrived on those nerves and I came out appearing really confident. And that's what got me to where I am now - knowing how to convert the nerves in to positive confidence. If you can learn that then you'll get throught your night and, maybe, want to take it further. Or it could put you off forever!!

As for the kit you mention, with the exception of the Homemix (terrible unit, in my opinion - Argos have a lot to answer for!!) you've got enough to get you through a small show. And you're only playing background to a dancefloor so you won't need to raise the roof. If you've got enough CDs to cater for any requests then maybe someone could loan you (or hire at a small fee) a pair of old-but-reliable CD decks and a small mixer. Don't over-push the Skytecs and then you'll get through it.

But remember this - kit doesn't make you a good DJ but experience and practise does. You'll not learn this art in 5 minutes! ;)
cheers for the reply. i figured i was at a loss with the homemix, thought about using my laptop poss mediaplayer as its just for background and try and pick up a cheap mixer and deposit the homemix system in the preverbial waste bin. thenstarted reading about pro dub and the like and got very confused

[Gonzo.pete]

When I started putting on gigs I came across an awful lot of far worse prepared and equipped, so called "professional" DJ's.
There are many guys out there charging £60 and up for what many would class as a bodge job.
I think, given the nature of the job, you should stroll in confident as you can and play the gig for free for the experience value if nothing else.
Very few people will complain about something they are getting for free and if they do they, you have the comeback that if they wanted a "seasoned pro" they should have coughed up the hundreds of pounds it would have cost to hire one.
They will more than likely be appreciative for your time and equipment.

What experience have you already got-gig wise?

[Thames Valley Discos]

I don;t see any issues "background music" no fee. They should be happy to have the offer.

[djforyou]

When I started putting on gigs I came across an awful lot of far worse prepared and equipped, so called "professional" DJ's.
There are many guys out there charging £60 and up for what many would class as a bodge job.
I think, given the nature of the job, you should stroll in confident as you can and play the gig for free for the experience value if nothing else.
Very few people will complain about something they are getting for free and if they do they, you have the comeback that if they wanted a "seasoned pro" they should have coughed up the hundreds of pounds it would have cost to hire one.
They will more than likely be appreciative for your time and equipment.

What experience have you already got-gig wise?
Thanks for the reply as to gig experience absalutley none, faith in my kit quite alot just ordered a two channel kam mixer and going to ditch the homemix system not the best mixer its got to be an improvement. and yes there getting the gig for free so there shouldn't be a problem. i'm starting to feel alot more confident thanks to everyone input should be a good night. I'm also dressing up as prince phillip and along with the queen handing out joke knighthoods should be a laugh


I don;t see any issues "background music" no fee. They should be happy to have the offer.
thanks for youre reply. all these positive comments are really helping to boost my confidence. no doubt i'll be back on here after the gig to let you all know how it went

[Excalibur]

thanks for your reply. all these positive comments are really helping to boost my confidence. no doubt i'll be back on here after the gig to let you all know how it went
John, it's not a Society Wedding, or Live Aid, it's infill at a local fundraiser. You'll be fine, just don't panic, and relax and enjoy it. Your biggest problem might be that the band PA's will overshadow your gear, but resist the temptation to turn yours up past the safe maximum in order to compete. That way lies ruin.

If possible, get a techy to patch you in to the larger rig(s? ) in order to keep things more balanced

Keep us posted, and above all, Good Luck.

[JAMdisco]

John, I can't PM you as you haven't 'posted' enough yet but I have a small 2 channel Numark usb mixer, I don't want much for it, maybe £20 plus P&P so I'll put it in the for sale section over the weekend...

All you would need is a laptop, 2 usb cables (I can maybe supply these) and maybe a couple of adaptor leads to connect to your amp (again I'll have a dig around to see what I've got).

You say it's a jubilee event so I'm guessing beginning of June sometime?

Get a few more posts under your belt then we can Private message each other - I'm sure we can get you sorted :)

[djforyou]

John, I can't PM you as you haven't 'posted' enough yet but I have a small 2 channel Numark usb mixer, I don't want much for it, maybe £20 plus P&P so I'll put it in the for sale section over the weekend...

All you would need is a laptop, 2 usb cables (I can maybe supply these) and maybe a couple of adaptor leads to connect to your amp (again I'll have a dig around to see what I've got).

You say it's a jubilee event so I'm guessing beginning of June sometime?

Get a few more posts under your belt then we can Private message each other - I'm sure we can get you sorted :)
thanks so much for the offer just ordered a 2 channel kam mixer this morning. then read your post later. got a couple of laptops i can use just need to strip all the crap off them and disable any uneeded services then should be ok then to start ripping and tagging some cd's time to raid the familys cd collection

[JAMdisco]

thanks so much for the offer just ordered a 2 channel kam mixer this morning. then read your post later. got a couple of laptops i can use just need to strip all the crap off them and disable any uneeded services then should be ok then to start ripping and tagging some cd's time to raid the familys cd collection

Is it a USB mixer? If not you will need a good quality external soundcard, something like a Maya! Be warned, it can start to get expensive once you get the bug...

the mixer I was referring to is a 2 channel USB mixer - it served me well for many years until a fellow forum member (Excalibur Peter) pointed out it didn't have enough 'flashy' lights on it and the lack of bells and whistles astounded him lol :D :p :D

[djforyou]

Is it a USB mixer? If not you will need a good quality external soundcard, something like a Maya! Be warned, it can start to get expensive once you get the bug...

the mixer I was referring to is a 2 channel USB mixer - it served me well for many years until a fellow forum member (Excalibur Peter) pointed out it didn't have enough 'flashy' lights on it and the lack of bells and whistles astounded him lol :D :p :D
think im starting to catch that dreaded bug. just gotta get saving some cash next is a backup amp then replacement speakers looks like im goin to be the regular dj at these events next time there paying me for a kids halloween bash.

[djforyou]

quick update: i have visited the social club where the event is taking place. and i have been told i have full use of the pa system installed along with a twin cd and mixer, and all the installed lights and controllers, left there last night a very happy chap. also turns out the landlord used to be a mobile dj many years back and offered is help and advice if i needed to know anything.Roll on the night.

[Charlie Brown]

Brilliant stuff! See you can relax now and enjoy the evening. Did you try out his gear?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Sorry, just seen this.
I echo what was said earlier in the thread and that's fair play to you for offering.
The only nerves you should have really are nerves of excitement. Look forward to it, thrive on it and I am sure you will be ok. If you enjoy it and want to pursue it further after the event then great stuff. If you don't enjoy it then that's fair enough.

If you do decide to pursue it further, you're in the right place for help and advice. There are lots of people on here with knowledge and experience that can point you in the right direction. If it's something you really like doing then think of it as a chance of some advertising too. You never know what might happen. What may be a 'freebie' to you might just turn out to be a good move. Get some cards done (if you haven't already) just incase someone asks you for one. If it's an organised event for Jubilee, it will more than likely be well attended. Be 'Request Friendly' and who knows what could come from it.

Most of all - Good luck and enjoy it.
I'll be DJing outside on the Monday (weather permitting) and then doing a Race Night in the evening.

[djforyou]

Brilliant stuff! See you can relax now and enjoy the evening. Did you try out his gear?
yes i did try out all the gear its all working and in not bad condition. If its a good night the social club want to hire me for regular events could be a positve outcome

[djforyou]

Sorry, just seen this.
I echo what was said earlier in the thread and that's fair play to you for offering.
The only nerves you should have really are nerves of excitement. Look forward to it, thrive on it and I am sure you will be ok. If you enjoy it and want to pursue it further after the event then great stuff. If you don't enjoy it then that's fair enough.

If you do decide to pursue it further, you're in the right place for help and advice. There are lots of people on here with knowledge and experience that can point you in the right direction. If it's something you really like doing then think of it as a chance of some advertising too. You never know what might happen. What may be a 'freebie' to you might just turn out to be a good move. Get some cards done (if you haven't already) just incase someone asks you for one. If it's an organised event for Jubilee, it will more than likely be well attended. Be 'Request Friendly' and who knows what could come from it.

Most of all - Good luck and enjoy it.
I'll be DJing outside on the Monday (weather permitting) and then doing a Race Night in the evening.
thanks I'm feeling alot better now i have been to the venue. and i have the use of there equpment. i have also got one night a week to go in and practice on the said equipment by the time of the event i should be well versed on its operation and find any faults ill have to work around. i allready know the mixer has a faulty channel 3 outa 4 work that will do me. good look with the english weather i've now got a duck pond at the endof the garden i never new i had with all this rain we have been getting.

[matt the cat]

Hope it goes well for you please let us know how you get on.
I started out in similar fashion, helping out out a local pub for beer money and now ten years later im working most weekends at different venues doing Weddings, Birthdays and even BBQ s in peoples gardens!

Dont worry about the nerves because most of my best nights have been when im at my most nervous, i am quite a shy guy and people who know me cannot believe the differance in me when im on a stage, i become super confident and the strange thing is the busier the venue the more confident i become?! As someone else has already said, use the nerves to positive effect and you will be fine.

Best of luck and enjoy yourself.

[djforyou]

Just a quick update. the night turned out ok, had the loan of some jbl speakers, amp just fetched my laptop and small mixer messed the music up slightly but no one seemed to notice all the planning and timmings went through the window and got a little bit nervous but pulled it off and cant wait for next time not bad for a first gig helping out that turned more into a full on disco with added chaos

john

[Shaun]

Just a quick update. the night turned out ok, had the loan of some jbl speakers, amp just fetched my laptop and small mixer messed the music up slightly but no one seemed to notice all the planning and timmings went through the window and got a little bit nervous but pulled it off and cant wait for next time not bad for a first gig helping out that turned more into a full on disco with added chaos

john

Nice one John. :) :beer1: