Dreading it is an understatement!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I've thought more than twice about posting my thoughts on this but I feel I've got to say something.
A few weeks ago I posted in the Venue Discussion section about a venue I am visiting tonight for a wedding. It's a wedding that has come on the back of one that I did 2 years ago (almost to the day). The Bride today is the sister of the Bride from 2 years ago.

Anyway, firstly I just want to say to the 'newbies' that have posted previously about their first weddings coming up and how they are nervous and apprehensive that it still affects a number of us. I've been doing this a long time now and have probably done close to 1000 weddings since I have been DJing but today as I sit here I am working myself up into a right old state because of the venue (well, it isn't THAT Bad but I do have a number of concerns and it's been on my mind all night).

Now, when I asked the question about the place in Venue Discussion I had spoken to the venue owner over the phone. She advised me that music has to finish at 11.00pm but also said that I would not need to take speakers as she has her own system installed. It is in the roof of the permanent marquee and is directly over the dance floor.
I received information on this from a fellow member via PM and it wasn't very complimentary so I had my concerns immediately.

Rightly or wrongly I mentioned my concerns when I spoke to the Bride & Groom via a call for their pre-wedding meeting (they live in Aberdeen so it was impossible to meet seeing as they were coming down yesterday). The venue owner said I was welcome to set up yesterday so I thought why not and drove the 28 miles to the venue so I could check things out for myself. Access was easy enough and when it came to plugging into their system it was simply a case of 2 x XLR cables from my mixer into their little 'box' on the wall right by the side of the set up. There was a guy on hand who was very helpful and apparently an ex DJ so I thought he might be able to help out a bit.

When it came to soundchecking I was totally :Censored: off to be honest. First of all the quality was rubbish in my opinion and I had to adjust the mid and high EQ's on my mixer to get something near to decent. Secondly my volume on my mixer was up 3/4 and where I was stood behind the decks (2 steps away from the dance floor), I could hardly hear anything!! When I went on to the dance floor and stood directly under the system I guess it was just about passable but step off the dance floor or go behind the decks and it's almost as if there is nothing happening. That was with an empty marquee! Add 130 guests to the equation and it will be a totally different story.
I can envisage moans of "Turn it up!" happening all night and people thinking it is my fault and I am not looking forward to it at all.

The venue owner seems pretty strict on DJ's not using their own speakers but I am going to have the Mackies in the van anyway. I am also going to get there slightly earlier and have a word and see if I can use one of them as a monitor (I'll face it in the direction of the dance floor anyway to give a bit of extra kick even though it will be floor level). I'd hope to catch a word with the Bride and Groom too so that I can tell them in the nicest possible way that I am not happy with the set up and that I will do my best. I know I have to be careful as I don't want to upset them on their big day. It's not a very nice situation to be in and had I visited the venue previously and known about this then I wouldn't of taken the booking on.

It's a shame because the pre-request list is huge (a mix of the guests requests and Bride & Grooms favourites) and is varied and pretty good. I hope the venue owner is in a good mood and lets me use the Mackies too but I don't hold out too much hope.
The gig review will be interesting I guess.

[Shaun]

Nightmare. I know of one venue in Scotland that has a similar system. I played there prior to it being installed, now I just turn bookings away for there.

I have a relevant clause in my T&C's that relates to using my own gear. I just couldn't provide the best service possible when faced with the situation you've described Gary. I tend to mix a lot so really need to hear the music really clearly from the setup area, which sounds impossible from what you've described.

Here's what I have in my T&C's...


SOUND & LIGHTING
The client undertakes to ensure that the Performer is permitted to fully use his own Sound & Lighting equipment in the clients chosen venue. The Performer will be unable to provide entertainment using equipment pre-installed in venues or equipment provided by third parties.


Best of luck Gary. If it were me I'd just set the Mackie up anyway.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I did think about phoning the venue owner earlier after I'd posted here but she will obviously be busy.
I am going to get there at least 30 minutes early and make sure I see her and tell her of my concerns. I'd like to just set up the Mackie Shaun but I don't want to be a pain in the proverbial to her but I have to make it clear that my main concern is the Bride & Groom's enjoyment of the evening and that I am facing an uphill struggle from the outset.
It seriously is worrying me. I am not bothered about how many times I will more than likely have to tell people that it is out of my control. If I have to tell everyone of them singularly so they know then that's fine but you know what it's like. Most people will automatically think it's my fault because they won't know the situation and I don't like that. I will tell the venue owner that I need to plug in a speaker as a monitor so that I can hear what I am doing. I reckon there will be more volume from that one speaker on the floor then there will be from above.....(I'm going to take both anyway and see what I can get away with). The Bride obviously knows the score already so I may see if she can have a word too but I don't want to bother her too much.

You know the funniest thing - The website for the venue claims that "there isn't a house in sight" so why the music has to stop at 11.00pm and why she has this installed system is a bit of a mystery!

[Nakatomi]

Ouch. Best of luck with that one Gary.

I only know of one venue near me who insist on using their in house system & although it isn't a marquee it's the same kind of deal. Plug into their puny underpowered, unsuitable for anything but background music pa or bust.

It's easy to see why venues make decisions like this - it's a lot simpler and cheaper than installing sound insulation. My advice for the future would be to refuse to work there again. It more operators cotton on the place might even change their tune. Or hell might freeze over.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Like I said, if I'd of known in advance then I would have refused the booking. I had a similar thing for a venue in East Horsley once which was a venue that was part of a hotel chain. Pain in the backside is an understatement!

Anyway, I didn't want to do it but I have literally just got off the phone to the venue owner. I remembered that the couple are getting married at a church down the road at 2.30pm so she'd be available. I explained that I couldn't hear myself yesterday when setting up and that one step off the dance floor and I could hardly hear anything. Her reply was "That's the point".
I also explained that if that was the case yesterday when the place was empty then it would be more difficult for me tonight when there are 130 people in the marquee. I said I would be taking a monitor with me and she was fine with that. I'll be setting up both Mackies behind me on the floor and feel a lot happier now. It's still not ideal but will have to do.

[Shaun]

I explained that I couldn't hear myself yesterday when setting up and that one step off the dance floor and I could hardly hear anything. Her reply was "That's the point".
. Charming!


I said I would be taking a monitor with me and she was fine with that. I'll be setting up both Mackies behind me on the floor and feel a lot happier now. It's still not ideal but will have to do.

Take a pair and set them up on tripods. One pointed towards you a a monitor and the other to the dance area. :zip:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

That would be really pushing it mate plus the fact that the Bride & Groom paid a bit extra for me to go in and set up early so I wasn't trekking in and out with equipment.
The area is really tight mate. Look at this photo I took from yesterday (The Starcloth isn't straight because my laptop has to go on its stand and then I can tidy it all up). It might be a bit difficult having 2 stands there and the dance floor is right up to the set up. I could always take 1 stand and have that pointed at me and the other on the floor on its side or something just happening to face the dance floor?
17353

[Shaun]

Yeah, it is tight. 2 on the floor right at the back of you on their sides as monitors? Adding stands in that tight space might be a problem.

Anyways, best of luck. :)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

2 on their sides behind me was the idea Shaun. I think that will probably be the best bet. If I aim that at the gaps behind the set up then that might help a bit. There's no chance really for any of the guests in the seating area of hearing what's going on but at least the people on the dance floor will have a bit more volume. I wonder how long it will be before the venue owner makes an appearance and says something but fingers crossed eh!
Full report tomorrow. I have another wedding tomorrow in one of my favourite venues and that should be a cracker. I hate the feeling where I am already wishing this one away and can't wait for the finish time. I know it's wrong but I don't think anyone would blame me.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Nightmare. I know of one venue in Scotland that has a similar system. I played there prior to it being installed, now I just turn bookings away for there.


You wouldn't perchance mean a venue that rhymes with Pamilton Hark Race Course would you? :confused:

Rubbish situation and the worst of it is that you can tell the audience until they're blue in the face but they'll still put the blame at your door.

I know it's a bit late but if it was me I'd be going table to table before the first dance just letting everyone know the score and apologising so they're in no doubt that it's the stupid venue's fault.

[Shaun]

You wouldn't perchance mean a venue that rhymes with Pamilton Hark Race Course would you? :confused:



Yes, that's the one. :beer1:

[ckpr2]

I did a gig and someone wanted to make a speech through the venue's sound system.
It was far too quiet and well distorted.
So I offered my mic instead into my system and he was delighted.

I think you are doing right taking your own speakers, I would set them up but not use them until the complaints come in.
Then offer to the groom to use your "better" speakers.

[musicology]

I had one like this a couple of years ago. The brides father got the venue owner on the phone (he'd gone out to dinner). I don't know exactly what was said, but the phone was handed to me and the venue owner relented and let me use my own speakers because the whole place was in uproar as they couldn't hear the music. Just feet shuffling over the music! Further problems later with the power supply too and I had to switch half my lighting off. The place was simply not fit for purpose and they ceased trading a few months later.
The party were great with me as they all knew it wasn't my fault, and when I plugged my speakers in a huge cheer went up!

[yourdj]

Parametric 'directional' sound system. The worst thing ever for running a party.

I refuse any venue that has one, or anything you have to plug in to that automatically reduces your volume, or thats under 95db.
If a venue cant play music it should close at a suitable time and not fob off clients with "oh yes our system is limited but you will have a good party", because no (reasonable) volume, means no dancing. The Formula sound ones are OK as you can use the mid to trick it and at least have a decent volume. :)

Good luck gary!! Hope its not too bad.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks for the comments. I got through it and a full report is now going in Good Gig / Bad Gig.
I will say though Jim that the thought of telling everybody over the mic about the sound system did cross my mind but somehow it just didn't feel the right thing to do. I did mention it to the best man though on arrival and asked him if he could let people know discretely but whether he did or not, I don't know. I don't think I would ever go round the tables though.