Volume...

[Jem]

Went to a wedding yesterday at the Wentbridge Hotel just off the A1 near Pontefract. The wedding was superb and the venue couldn't have been better :).

However, the disco at the evening do was excessively loud with a stupid amount of bass. Why is it that some DJ's just don't 'get it' when folks start leaving the room and there are more people in the adjoining rooms. Also, the choice of music was questionable, certainly not appropriate for the guests in attendance. If a few folks did get up to dance he killed the dancefloor with the next track, there was no continuity or reading of the floor going on.

Now before anyone jumps down my throat here saying Dj's are critical of other DJ's etc. I have to say in my defence that i've attended lots of weddings and many many other functions over the years since i packed in DJ'ing in the eighties. This is the first time that i've ever felt the need to have a grumble about a DJ's performance.

I certainly wouldn't post the name of the person concerned here as I don't think that would be appropriate. However, it would be nice if the DJ concerned could see this post, perhaps accept it as constructive criticism, and learn something from it. The guy doing the disco was an older guy and he had a decent setup, certainly no complaints about the equipment or the DJ personally, in fact he seemed a decent enough guy, just a bit of a volume freak and wasn't reading the dancefloor.

Oh, and it wasn't just me... Lots of people were talking about it in the adjoining rooms. Did anyone complain direct to the DJ?, well, i'm as guilty as others here because I didn't, and perhaps I should have, but the point is that you shouldn't have to...

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Went to a wedding yesterday at the Wentbridge Hotel just off the A1 near Pontefract. The wedding was superb and the venue couldn't have been better :).

However, the disco at the evening do was excessively loud with a stupid amount of bass. Why is it that some DJ's just don't 'get it' when folks start leaving the room and there are more people in the adjoining rooms. Also, the choice of music was questionable, certainly not appropriate for the guests in attendance. If a few folks did get up to dance he killed the dancefloor with the next track, there was no continuity or reading of the floor going on.

Now before anyone jumps down my throat here saying Dj's are critical of other DJ's etc. I have to say in my defence that i've attended lots of weddings and many many other functions over the years since i packed in DJ'ing in the eighties. This is the first time that i've ever felt the need to have a grumble about a DJ's performance.

I certainly wouldn't post the name of the person concerned here as I don't think that would be appropriate. However, it would be nice if the DJ concerned could see this post, perhaps accept it as constructive criticism, and learn something from it. The guy doing the disco was an older guy and he had a decent setup, certainly no complaints about the equipment or the DJ personally, in fact he seemed a decent enough guy, just a bit of a volume freak and wasn't reading the dancefloor.

Oh, and it wasn't just me... Lots of people were talking about it in the adjoining rooms. Did anyone complain direct to the DJ?, well, i'm as guilty as others here because I didn't, and perhaps I should have, but the point is that you shouldn't have to...

Volume is one thing and a lot of DJs are guilty of using it to excess, but what he was playing may have been requested by the B&G.

I've lost count of the amount of times that people have told me that they went to a function and the DJ was :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored: because of what he was playing or not playing. This is why I still maintain, although I allow people to pick and choose their music, the best functions and parties I ever did was when I chose most of the music.

[Ryu]

Went to a wedding yesterday at the Wentbridge Hotel just off the A1 near Pontefract.

I certainly wouldn't post the name of the person concerned here as I don't think that would be appropriate.



Is there more than one Wentbridge hotel just off the A1 near Pontefract then?;)

Joking aside, there is certainly something to be said for taking a bit of advice from the forum if the DJ concerned is blowing a few eardrums unnecessarily.

[Jem]

but what he was playing may have been requested by the B&G

Yes, that's entirely possible and i'm pleased you pointed it out. My error and I apologise most sincerely to the DJ if that was indeed the case. Back in the day if the B & G wanted a request they just came and asked for it on the night.

As for there being only the one hotel... I don't think this was their resident DJ (although I can't be certain). I'll have a word with the B & G when they return from their honeymoon ;)

Anyway... It was still far too loud ;)

[ckpr2]

It isnt always easy to read a crowd.

I did an engagement party and no one danced all night. I tried different types of music but no one got up.
They seemed to be happy sat as far away from the disco as possible and were chatting.

At the end of the night a woman came up and said I had played a load of rubbish.
I said then why not ask me to play something you do like ? I do take requests seriously.
She said well you should know what to play !

It was the same night I had to ask for the kids to be removed from the stage as my gear was being climbed on !

Its amazing how one gig can be fantastic and the next the gig from hell.

[JAMdisco]

I did a wedding reception at The Wentbridge Hotel a few weeks ago (15th September to be precise) - it's a lovely venue and really nice helpful staff.

I didn't feel the volume needed to be that loud to be honest as it's not a massive room (this was in The Crystal Suite). I got very good feedback from the b&G and a round of applause at the end of the evening from all the guests - they should have booked me for the one yesterday lol

In answer to your post, maybe someone could have had a quiet word about the volume (and/or bass) levels. I have been asked to turn music up and down at various venues and have always duly obliged. Sometimes you can get it wrong....

[DJ Jules]

It was the same night I had to ask for the kids to be removed from the stage as my gear was being climbed on !

I've been known to break off from the adult party and start running the disco for the kids (playing "younger" music and the odd game with them) when this kind of thing happens. Sometimes this is actually what the client wants (for the kids to be out of the way so they can sit down and chat - and I've found that frequently the adults are a lot more likely to interact with you, or even stand up and dance later on if you take this kind of approach). I don't mean that to be a criticism, in my first couple of years it never would have occurred to me to try something like this!


In answer to your post, maybe someone could have had a quiet word about the volume (and/or bass) levels. I have been asked to turn music up and down at various venues and have always duly obliged. Sometimes you can get it wrong....

It's an easy mistake to make when you're stood behind the speakers - sometimes it's very hard to judge how loud things sound out front. I normally make a point of wandering about in the crowd a few times through the evening to see how what I've set things to behind the booth translate to out in a crowded room. What sounded good in an empty room can sometimes sound rubbish in a full one!

Julian

[funkymook]

I normally make a point of wandering about in the crowd a few times through the evening to see how what I've set things to behind the booth translate to out in a crowded room. What sounded good in an empty room can sometimes sound rubbish in a full one!

Julian

I do this as well - the plate of sausage rolls is just a coincidence :devil:

[theoloyla]

My wife/assistant Jan soon tells me if it is too loud or doesnt sound right.

[CRAZY K]

It isnt always easy to read a crowd.

I did an engagement party and no one danced all night. I tried different types of music but no one got up.
They seemed to be happy sat as far away from the disco as possible and were chatting.

At the end of the night a woman came up and said I had played a load of rubbish.
I said then why not ask me to play something you do like ? I do take requests seriously.
She said well you should know what to play !

It was the same night I had to ask for the kids to be removed from the stage as my gear was being climbed on !

Its amazing how one gig can be fantastic and the next the gig from hell.

I suppose you could ask for requests by making a clear announcement over the mike if things are dying--possibly that blocks any accusations of not playing what people like to hear--ah yes the well known gift of mind reading---if only we could buy it somewhere.

I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Paul from Paul James (and his fabulous Void System--my back hurts just thinking about lugging those subs around) a few weeks ago and I suppose I have to own up that they had been subjected to a rare old warming up and loosening up process by my goodself combined with our old assistant on the occasions--alcowol--

So I gave a wry smile when Paul introduced himself and invited the audience to cheer when hearing their favourite period of music--as in 50s 60s 70s etc.

I think 80s got the biggest cheer!

So theres an idea--although I appreciate NOT ALL audiences will react like this--

[paul1404]

It isnt always easy to read a crowd.


Did a 6 hr wedding on Saturday (far too long in my opinion)
Was supposed to do 7-12 - When I arrived was a little early - GUests were all sitting around etc waiting for the music to start
Had one of these playlist that I hate when all the guests add a song to the playlist ( normally no consideration is givrn to the fact
would the song work on a dancefloor at the wedding - usually personal choise and easy listening songs :( )

Got things going - started playing all the usual wedding / activity dances etc etc
Things going really well till about 10.30 ish - By this time was kinda thinking whih way to take the disco musically
Knew the dance/urban/rock route would fail - All the big party songs had been exhausted - So I did the slow dance
spoke some words on the mic encouraging he blokes to dance with their wifes etc - put 2 slowies on
AFter this it kinda re-boosted the disco and carried on through to 12 with packed dancefloor.

Gonna use this tatic again - Honestly - I would never usually play a slow dance at 10.30 pm but just seemed to work this time
Also the people that leave early seemed happy and couples seem to be cuddling ect

If it doubt spread the love :) ( such a learning curve this job - Most of you have probably been doing this for years )

[DazzyD]

...

Gonna use this tatic again - Honestly - I would never usually play a slow dance at 10.30 pm but just seemed to work this time
Also the people that leave early seemed happy and couples seem to be cuddling ect

If it doubt spread the love :) ( such a learning curve this job - Most of you have probably been doing this for years )


Been doing for several years - I guess it's something that a wedding DJ just does naturally - build the lovey-dovey feeling in the room beyond the bride and groom! And it's always worked for me when the dance floor is getting a little "tired".

[theoloyla]

Yes I have always done this too. Many older members of the audience will not get up except for a smooch but once they are up you can often hold them on the floor.

[musicology]

It's what we ALWAYS did many years ago. It was expected back then!

[ckpr2]

I have been guilty in the past of too much volume.
I get a bit thrown as the volume behind the speakers is no where near as loud as in front.

Did a charity gig in 2004 with four other DJ's for a DJ who had passed away.
I asked if I could try to get people up dancing and was told to fill my boots.
I popped on a record and turned it up a little and lo and behold two women got up to dance.
One of the other DJ's came rushing across and turned it down.
The two women sat down !

Did an Army gig about 3 years ago.
On one side of the room someone shouted at me to turn it up so I did.
Next thing I know someone from the other side of the room asked me to turn it down !

What annoys me is bands often get away with being loud yet disco's are often told not to be.

Its a bit of a balancing act. It should be loud enough to enjoy the music but not so loud people cant chat.
If in a bar then the bar staff need to be able to take orders with out screaming at punters.