BPM 2016

[Excalibur]

According to this (http://www.visitbpm.co.uk/visit) Sunday 11th, Monday 12th, and Tuesday 13th.

Seems like tickets go on sale 1st June. Big problem now is agreeing on the best hotel. After the events of last year, something in the city centre is a must. Andy and Shaun got a good one, albeit with minor parking issues.

For the first time in years I'm not working South of here on the Saturday, so I'll have to give my travel arrangements some thought.

[Benny Smyth]

I'll be in the VIP area consuming copious amounts of Peroni. :approve:

[Excalibur]

I'll be in the VIP area consuming copious amounts of Peroni. :approve:

Well switch your :Censored:ing phone on this time then. And make sure that it has some way of alerting you to a call other than you hearing it ringing. :no:

After last year's fiasco/embarrassment/escapades/taxi drivers I'm going for a hotel in town. This one (https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/109/Birmingham-Central-hotel?location=Birmingham+Central+Travelodge&locationCode=29943&checkIn=11%2F09%2F16&checkOut=12%2F09%2F16&rooms%5B0%5D%5Badults%5D=1&rooms%5B0%5D%5Bchildren%5D=0) is looking promising, as there's a car park nearby which is tall enough for low roof transits, Fiveways car park, apparently.

[Nakatomi]

Ahhh but can we all agree on which day is best? Probably best to arrange to go when I'm not there ;)

I remember reading there's going to be a Mobile DJ Network Show for us in the Norf, but can't seem to find a link to it on the book of faces.

[mattydj50]

I shall be attending on the Monday, using the facilities provided by Arriva Cross Country Trains.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

If memory serves me correct I had a room at the Travelodge on Broad street for about £40 last year.

I've got a wedding on the Sunday night so will likely only attend if a few of us will be there on the Monday. Interesting it doesn't take place on the Saturday now so will Sunday just be mega busy?

[Benny Smyth]

Well switch your :Censored:ing phone on this time then. And make sure that it has some way of alerting you to a call other than you hearing it ringing. :no:

I was in no fit state last year, so you probably lucked out. I was supposed to cover BPM for a website article but as soon as I saw free beer, that went out the window. :lol:

[Excalibur]

If memory serves me correct I had a room at the Travelodge on Broad street for about £40 last year.

Well, after checking with someone who stayed there last year, I've booked a room at Birmingham Central Travelodge just now for £28. Parking nearby for about £6.50, and Transits fit in.


. Interesting it doesn't take place on the Saturday now so will Sunday just be mega busy?
For years there's been an outcry that DJs work on a Saturday night, and why can't we have it midweek? I think they're responding to this by moving it all along one day. Logically, Sunday will indeed be busy, and it will be interesting to see how Monday and Tuesday compare. I can see many DJs arriving Sunday and staying overnight, but adding another night to allow a visit on Tuesday, well that seems less likely to me.

[mattydj50]

For years there's been an outcry that DJs work on a Saturday night, and why can't we have it midweek? I think they're responding to this by moving it all along one day. Logically, Sunday will indeed be busy, and it will be interesting to see how Monday and Tuesday compare. I can see many DJs arriving Sunday and staying overnight, but adding another night to allow a visit on Tuesday, well that seems less likely to me.


Then, of course, there's the other side of the coin, with many DJs also having day jobs, so can't necessarily go on Monday or Tuesday. I am fortunately able take a day's leave to attend and have the luxury of beiung able to get a train virtually door to door (for free too). The Monday also happens to be my birthday, so if I spend too much cash there I won't feel quite as bad as I'm only buying my own present aren't I.:):)

[Nakatomi]

I'm working on my birthday again this year so I think I owe myself a leetle (partly) tax deductible trip away. 6.50 for all day parking & a room that price, plus bus to the NEC & back would make it way cheaper than staying out of town & parking at the NEC. That's even neglecting the 20 something quid taxi ride back to the WRONG hotel. We shoulda walked it :rofl:

[Excalibur]

. That's even neglecting the 20 something quid taxi ride back to the WRONG hotel. We shoulda walked it :rofl:

Most years some taxi driver ends up at the wrong Sheldon. Always good for a laugh.

Re the economics, when we had six or eight people in a taxi, it cost peanuts. Nowadays, as we become splintered into small groups, city centre is the way forward. Especially when it's near Brewdog*, eh Justin? :whistle:


* For those not privy to the tale, at my behest to find this oasis of real ale and rocket fuel, Justin and I followed Google maps all over Birmingham in a quest for the Holy Grail. It was supposed to be a few hundred yards. We walked miles. :(

[yourdj]

I am going this year after a 5-6 year break. Probably on the monday though.

Not sure which hotel I will be at, but it will be chosen on ranking and distance from the city centre on TA. :)
Premier Inn has an excellent ranking and is not extortionate, so something like that.

Would be great to meet up with a few of you if possible. We all remember the last time that happened!
A decent bar with decent music & some nice looking girls would be nice if thats possible? :p

Cringe.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw86xyGGMWE

[Nakatomi]

I am going this year after a 5-6 year break. Probably on the monday though.

Not sure which hotel I will be at, but it will be chosen on ranking and distance from the city centre on TA. :)
Premier Inn has an excellent ranking and is not extortionate, so something like that.

Would be great to meet up with a few of you if possible. We all remember the last time that happened!
A decent bar with decent music & some nice looking girls would be nice if thats possible? :p

Cringe.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw86xyGGMWE

What's the name of the song where everybody's dancing in the bar? Something about 400 miles? It's :Censored: awful!

:sofa:

[yourdj]

What's the name of the song where everybody's dancing in the bar? Something about 400 miles? It's :Censored: awful!

:sofa:

I love the fact that everyone still got the first chorus wrong also. Happens at every event I play it.
The DJ was really trying to impress I think? "drums".

I want a decent busy bar on a Monday with some nice dance music or urban tunes?
Girls (or people in general) take priority. :)

[Excalibur]

I want a decent busy bar on a Monday with some nice dance music or urban tunes?
Girls (or people in general) take priority. :)

And were I staying over on Monday night, I'd want a nice bar with NO music. Ooh look, there's a Wetherspoons on Broad Street. Real ale, sensible prices, no music, my kinda pub. Beer takes priority. :beer2::beer2:

P.S. You aren't allowed to look at pretty girls any more, you're married. :D

[Nakatomi]

And were I staying over on Monday night, I'd want a nice bar with NO music. Ooh look, there's a Wetherspoons on Broad Street. Real ale, sensible prices, no music, my kinda pub. Beer takes priority. :beer2::beer2:

P.S. You aren't allowed to look at pretty girls any more, you're married. :D

Music is the very LAST thing I want to hear when I'm out out. Especially the stuff that they play for general public consumption :chzy: BLECH!

[mattydj50]

You aren't allowed to look at pretty girls any more, you're married. :D

I'm sure there are plenty of pubs where you can look at ugly women.

[Excalibur]

Not only will you have the chance to buy me a small sherry on the night out in Brum, but I shall be accompanied by a colleague who has not yet been a member of our yearly pilgrimage.

[Corabar Steve]

There's a Steampunk bar in central Birmingham now :devil:

[Excalibur]

There's a Steampunk bar in central Birmingham now :devil:

I'd love to go Steve, but I think I'd fall foul of the dress code. :( I had my best helmet stolen recently. :(


Some swine's taken the pith. :coat:

[yourdj]

You aren't allowed to look at pretty girls any more, you're married. :D

I am allowed to talk to girls, but I prefer to look these days as thats the safer option.
DJing has taught me a lot about the ways of women and which ones to avoid. In a club about 90% of them ;)

I was referring to a busy bar with other people having fun really. :p


I'm sure there are plenty of pubs where you can look at ugly women.

Yes Wetherspoons. :)

I like the idea of weatherspoons (as a concept, not to drink there), but all the ones i have been in tend to attract alcoholic old men, or chavs just making use of the cheap offers. Depends which one you go to I guess as some of the smaller town ones are probably quite nice. You say no music - I stayed at a Weatherspoons hotel in Salisbury a month or so back and they had a dancfloor area with more Martin Wizards and state of the art sound i have ever seen in one space so they must have a mini club night or something there on weekends. We had one drink in there after going to some very nice bars and decided to bed. Hotel was basic but very nice indeed. :)


There's a Steampunk bar in central Birmingham now :devil:

That bar we ended up in Steve was the best one. i liked that one.
No idea where or what, but it was a nice pub.

[Nakatomi]

These days, generally speaking:
If the place has 'VIP booths' I'm out.
If the place has an entry fee I'm out.
If the place has loud music I'm out (cos it usually sounds gash & the DJ is technically incompetent.. and there's likely no shelter from the loud either).

I stopped seeing the point of paying more than a fiver a drink a long time ago.

I still do go clubbing, but only when I know I'm gonna like the music.... and I'm a right picky sod :D

And I DO like a nice break from talking to drunk, demanding women from time to time!

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I am allowed to talk to girls, but I prefer to look these days as thats the safer option.
DJing has taught me a lot about the ways of women and which ones to avoid. In a club about 90% of them ;)



Jeez Toby.........C'mon man

[Benny Smyth]

Jeez Toby.........C'mon man

To be fair, Toby is our resident misogynist. :p

[Excalibur]

Toby, Wetherspoons with music are former Lloyds. Recently both brands are coming under the same banner, whereas once upon a time they were completely separate brands. A lot like Screwfix and B&Q.

[Nakatomi]

Toby, Wetherspoons with music are former Lloyds. Recently both brands are coming under the same banner, whereas once upon a time they were completely separate brands. A lot like Screwfix and B&Q.

Ahhh Lloyds.. up there alongside Yates' as places I learned to avoid long ago. :)

[Corabar Steve]

That bar we ended up in Steve was the best one. i liked that one.
No idea where or what, but it was a nice pub.

What, Reflex??

[Excalibur]

That bar we ended up in Steve was the best one. i liked that one.
No idea where or what, but it was a nice pub.


What, Reflex??

I think not, Steve. I suspect it was indeed that nice pub just up the road from Reflex. The one which closed early. I can't really see Toby describing the Tap and Spile as nice ( and after a two hour aural assault on my ears, it's not the adjective I'd use either. ) Neither do I think Walkabout qualifies as " nice " in anybody's vocabulary. :)

[Benny Smyth]

Bacchus is a nice place. Don't know if you've ever been there, but I'd recommend it. :approve:

[flatliners]

It's worth going if only to see Mr Fisher on the craft ale

[funkymook]

Anybody not got tickets yet?

[Imagine]

Haven't ordered mine.....yet! (I can get them free from NADJ :) ).

Which hotel is everyone staying in and what night? There's an outside possibility of me being there and claiming a small sherry from a certain Yorkshireman :beer1:

[Excalibur]

Haven't ordered mine.....yet! (I can get them free from NADJ :) ).

Which hotel is everyone staying in and what night? There's an outside possibility of me being there and claiming a small sherry from a certain Yorkshireman :beer1:

How I wish people would read carefully before posting. Posts #3 and#8 clearly indicate the hotel of choice of the movers and shakers. (https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/109/Birmingham-Central-hotel?location=Birmingham+Central+Travelodge&locationCode=29943&checkIn=11%2F09%2F16&checkOut=12%2F09%2F16&rooms%5B0%5D%5Badults%5D=1&rooms%5B0%5D%5Bchildren%5D=0) ( Although some of us don't move as quickly as we used to, and shake a bit more ) :o

And what's with you wanting a free libation? :confused: Last time I looked, you owed me for giving you the heads up on those Yamaha 8s. :beer1:

[Nakatomi]

Anybody not got tickets yet?

Being the tight git wot I am I'm waiting for my MDJN discount code. Got my hotel room booked though, and cover for a thing I was needed for on the Sunday.

[Imagine]

How I wish people would read carefully before posting. Posts #3 and#8 clearly indicate the hotel of choice of the movers and shakers. (https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/109/Birmingham-Central-hotel?location=Birmingham+Central+Travelodge&locationCode=29943&checkIn=11%2F09%2F16&checkOut=12%2F09%2F16&rooms%5B0%5D%5Badults%5D=1&rooms%5B0%5D%5Bchildren%5D=0) ( Although some of us don't move as quickly as we used to, and shake a bit more ) :o

And what's with you wanting a free libation? :confused: Last time I looked, you owed me for giving you the heads up on those Yamaha 8s. :beer1:

Actually I had read the whole thread but there's several places purporting to be a Brum central so thanks for the linky.

So who's there and when. I'm thinking of turning up to said hotel on Sunday, going for a sensible sherry that evening and then on to BPM for the Monday. Is this what everyone else is doing?

And yes Mr Fisher... I probably owe you more than a beer or three (apart from the DXRs you've given me so much valuable advice since I came back into this game that you've been s life saver ;) )

[Imagine]

I've got my ticket :) (the Pro one - I can do the whole sherbang if I want to :) ).

So, I now know the hotel of choice......WHAT NIGHT? (reading between the lines, I'm assuming Sunday is the night out of choice?)

[Nakatomi]

I've got my ticket :) (the Pro one - I can do the whole sherbang if I want to :) ).

So, I now know the hotel of choice......WHAT NIGHT? (reading between the lines, I'm assuming Sunday is the night out of choice?)

Sunday isn't the damp squib I thought it'd be. I can't remember what time it was when we rolled up to the Indian restaurant but it was very likely after midnight.

[Excalibur]

Sunday isn't the damp squib I thought it'd be. I can't remember what time it was when we rolled up to the Indian restaurant but it was very likely after midnight.

Past my bedtime, certainly. I fell asleep. :Sleeping:

[Nakatomi]

FYI last time I looked there were still flexible booking rooms available for the Sunday night at £39 & standard rooms at £32. Only doubles as far as I could tell.

[mattydj50]

Anyone interested, the NADJ booking code is now on the website. I got my free member's ticket and I'll be there on Monday. If anyone else there wants a meet up, please let me know.

[yourdj]

I was going to stay in the resorts world opposite the new BPM arena location, but there are no rooms free.
Probably go for the Premiere Inn, Its not got a bad trip advisor rating (3 out of 141 hotels) and is right in the middle of some nice pubs:

17985
17984

[Excalibur]

and is right in the middle of some nice pubs:





Highly recommended. (http://www.oldjointstock.co.uk/) ( Even if it is a Fullers pub ):D

[yourdj]

Highly recommended. (http://www.oldjointstock.co.uk/) ( Even if it is a Fullers pub ):D

Great thanks for that. I have never had a bad experience with Fullers tbh. ;)
Good pubs and cocktail bars are what i am after. Decent classy club after that would also be a bonus.

Wow looks like something out of the Peeky Blinders.

17987

[Nakatomi]

What I'm wondering is: Is there going to be another hike to Brewdog this time? Preferably by a less circuitous route ;)

[Excalibur]

Highly recommended. (http://www.oldjointstock.co.uk/) ( Even if it is a Fullers pub ):D


Great thanks for that. I have never had a bad experience with Fullers tbh. ;)
In this house, Fullers is a profanity. :Censored:


Good pubs and cocktail bars are what i am after. Decent classy club after that would also be a bonus.

Wow looks like something out of the Peeky Blinders.
Toby, I do so hope you're not implying I drink in pubs that aren't Good. Would I sell you a dummy? :whistle: ( mind you, the definition of a good pub is a lot like decent music, eh? ) :D:D


What I'm wondering is: Is there going to be another hike to Brewdog this time? Preferably by a less circuitous route ;)
Don't worry son, I'm getting a new phone, printing it out from Michelin, and buying a street map. Since Flatliners owes me a pint in there, we're going. :D:D

[Imagine]

Yay - ticket sorted, hotel sorted.....I'll be there for the Sunday night/Monday :)

Looks like I've got to start saving up for Peter's sherry now ;)

[Benny Smyth]

Right...I'll be checking out two things at BPM this year. Nothing new, but things I'm seriously introducing to my rig:

Chauvet Core 3x1 - My moving head washes have been valiant and are really good, but I like the idea of having one of these on each of my plinths to create a wash and I think they'd be quite funky to look at. Add those along with my movers, I think that'd be impressive.

Evox 8 - I really need to have a proper listen to these and decide if they can be my go-to sound system for most of my events, whilst still having the option of the 905/712 or 408 for bigger gigs.

[musicology]

If the Chauvet core 3x1 were rc remote controllable I buy 2 straight away to uplight my booth.

[flatliners]

Those of us who are out on the Sunday night who is up for trying the northern soul club in Birmingham.
I mentioned it to Mr Andy Neen (deltec) and he said he would be up for it.
Sure that wise old man from Yorkshire (if only I could remember his name think he's yorkshires answer to Calvin Harris) could be tempted

[Imagine]

Those of us who are out on the Sunday night who is up for trying the northern soul club in Birmingham.
I mentioned it to Mr Andy Neen (deltec) and he said he would be up for it.
Sure that wise old man from Yorkshire (if only I could remember his name think he's yorkshires answer to Calvin Harris) could be tempted

I could well be up for that too!

Don't expect me to shake any moves on the dance floor though. I love watching them but can't manage much more than a jiggle from behind the booth normally ;)

[Excalibur]

Those of us who are out on the Sunday night who is up for trying the northern soul club in Birmingham.
I mentioned it to Mr Andy Neen (deltec) and he said he would be up for it.
Sure that wise old man from Yorkshire (if only I could remember his name think he's yorkshires answer to Calvin Harris) could be tempted

Right then Shaun. So currently on Sunday night we're now going to the BPM after show party, A Northern Soul Club, Reflex, Brewdog, Wetherspoons, Cogs ( the Steampunk bar ), The Old Joint Stock to annoy Toby, and finish in the Tap and Spile. Should be interesting. :D

[Benny Smyth]

Lock up yer daughters.

[DJColsie]

Wish I could join you!

[Imagine]

Right then Shaun. So currently on Sunday night we're now going to the BPM after show party, A Northern Soul Club, Reflex, Brewdog, Wetherspoons, Cogs ( the Steampunk bar ), The Old Joint Stock to annoy Toby, and finish in the Tap and Spile. Should be interesting. :D

My liver's trembling at the thought of the amount of abuse it's going to get already :o

[Nakatomi]

My liver's trembling at the thought of the amount of abuse it's going to get already :o

My feet, on the other hand, will be breathing a sigh of relief. If we're not following Google bloody maps this time :rofl:

[Nakatomi]

For future reference:

18013

[Excalibur]

Thank you for that Justin, smart move. Sadly, with the number of venues on the list, I'd bring your running shoes, as well as the smarter pair you'll need for Reflex. :)

[Corabar Steve]

That bar we ended up in Steve was the best one. i liked that one.
No idea where or what, but it was a nice pub.

IIRC The Tap & Spile

[Corabar Steve]

Great thanks for that. I have never had a bad experience with Fullers tbh. ;)
Good pubs and cocktail bars are what i am after.

Cocktails you say?

http://www.thejekyllandhyde.co.uk/about/

While we're at it, let's throw this into the mix (It forms a nice little cluster of hostelries not too far from each other with the above, Brewdog & The Old Joint Stock. I believe the 4 of them would do just nicely for the refined, discerning gentlemen among us)

http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/bacchusbarbirmingham/drinks

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Enjoy your Sunday night out guys.Unfortunatly I am unable to attend this year,

Both Alan and myself use to make a weekend out of bpm fly down on the Saturday do the show and enjoy the Sunday night out with you lot.

Toby looking at your video. Lots of people have changed since then!!!

Good times

[Corabar Steve]

That's a shame Gary, it's been ages!

[Benny Smyth]

While we're at it, let's throw this into the mix (It forms a nice little cluster of hostelries not too far from each other with the above, Brewdog & The Old Joint Stock. I believe the 4 of them would do just nicely for the refined, discerning gentlemen among us)

http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/bacchusbarbirmingham/drinks

Bacchus is awesome.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

That's a shame Gary, it's been ages!

Indeed it has. Now that I'm a specialist wedding dj I find I'm getting more bookings for Sunday weddings.

I've missed the last 2 years of bpm due to bookings.

[Excalibur]

IIRC The Tap & Spile
Steve, of all the adjectives I could use to describe the place, nice would not be one of them. ;)




While we're at it, let's throw this into the mix (It forms a nice little cluster of hostelries not too far from each other with the above, Brewdog & The Old Joint Stock. I believe the 4 of them would do just nicely for the refined, discerning gentlemen among us)



But what are the uncultured, indiscriminate oiks like me going to do? :confused::(:(



Steve, I only foresee one possible flaw in your cunning plan. Excessive walking. However, if you could get hold of a bath chair, there will be no shortage of folk happy to push the less ambulant among us.http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/prestonjjrtr/Get%20Well/wheelchair.gif

PS. If the Lady in question sees this, it was all your idea. ;) I'd like to live to see my next birthday.

[Corabar Steve]

If we do them in the right order (starting at J&H & ending at Brewdog) they all seem about a 10 min (max) walk apart & it will bring us closer to the centre of town for the hotels (or the Tap) as the night progresses.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Indeed it has. Now that I'm a specialist wedding dj I find I'm getting more bookings for Sunday weddings.

I've missed the last 2 years of bpm due to bookings.

Moving it into September doesn't help either, I'm missing out due to gigs as well sadly.

[Excalibur]

If we do them in the right order (starting at J&H & ending at Brewdog) they all seem about a 10 min (max) walk apart & it will bring us closer to the centre of town for the hotels (or the Tap) as the night progresses.

Where do I sign up for Steampunk Tours then? I'm in. :beer1:

( But I'm not drinking out of jars, buckets, teapots or shoes ) ;)

[Imagine]

Oh Gawd....my liver's still trembling at the thought of what I've signed up to :o

Peter - can I sit on your lap in that bath chair? I might need it ;)

[yourdj]

The Old Joint Stock to annoy Toby,

I was hoping for some quiet cocktail sipping, but hey-ho.
We all need to exchange numbers as I don't do online when out and about.

07835518539


Lock up yer daughters.

Yes, if only that were true, i am getting on a bit now and have far too much too loose. :p

Although saying that, I had the girl of my dreams tell me she loved me tonight (21 yo V pretty :eek:). I kind of know this person.
Took all of my professionalism to let her down gently. I was more worried about the glass of wine being spilt on my laptop tbh.
After all I need to watch Homes Under the Hammer when i get back home!! Silly girl.


Wish I could join you!

You need to go full time! I will give you as much as i can in December. :p


Cocktails you say?

http://www.thejekyllandhyde.co.uk/about/

While we're at it, let's throw this into the mix (It forms a nice little cluster of hostelries not too far from each other with the above, Brewdog & The Old Joint Stock. I believe the 4 of them would do just nicely for the refined, discerning gentlemen among us)

http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/bacchusbarbirmingham/drinks

Looks good Steve, would be nice to catch up. I went a bit mental with drinking last month, staying at my dads so really need to detox, before Sept. When I don't drink I sweat like hell at night, which surely can't be good!! Having said that I have a wine in my hand at the moment. :)

You can kind of get away with drinking lots when people say, so what do you do for job - you say "hey I am a DJ" and they say "ah that OK then, your supposed to be a nutter"

[ppentertainments]

Moving it into September doesn't help either, I'm missing out due to gigs as well sadly.
I agree, although I think no matter when they hold it there will be obstacles - and there will always be DJs who 'pretend' they are too busy (not getting at anyone, just a general comment)

We are looking to do a day trip on the Monday again, however the 3 of us going all have bookings on the Sunday so may not be possible due to :
Lack of sleep = Dangerous driving.

If it is September next year I will have the same problem, but as I said at the beginning, no matter when it is held it will be awkward for some.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Moving it into September doesn't help either, I'm missing out due to gigs as well sadly.

Very true Neil. I have found since the date changed, it interrupts the busy wedding season and I'm not in a position to turn bookings down.

I did look last night at flights down and return for the Monday its currently sitting at £125 return pp

Its a 5 hour drive down, then the same home again.so for just 1 day (Monday) sadly its not viable.

[Excalibur]

I was hoping for some quiet cocktail sipping, but hey-ho.
We all need to exchange numbers as I don't do online when out and about.

07835518539


Numbers are a good idea Toby.( Except for Benny, he'll be asleep/distracted/deaf to the world/past caring/flat battery/no signal/no interest, delete what does not apply :):) )
Here's mine 07885 319556




If it is September next year I will have the same problem, but as I said at the beginning, no matter when it is held it will be awkward for some.
An inescapable problem. :( Go midweek, and you penalise some of the part timers. Make it a weekend, and you penalise most people with gigs. Rock and a hard place. That's before you even consider what time of year. :daft: Next year, how about the first week in January, when we've all finished* Christmas and New Year?



* How long before nine people chirp up with " Ah yes, but I've got ninety seven Christmas parties in January for people who couldn't get one in December.

[Nakatomi]

And mine 07947 927806

[Imagine]

Here's mine: 07873 707802

I believe I'm in the same hotel as Mr Fisher, so if somebody wouldn't mind wheeling us both back in that bath chair of his ;)

[ppentertainments]

Next year, how about the first week in January, when we've all finished* Christmas and New Year?

Risk of bad weather is higher :daft::daft:

[Nakatomi]

Here's mine: 07873 707802

I believe I'm in the same hotel as Mr Fisher, so if somebody wouldn't mind wheeling us both back in that bath chair of his ;)

You mean the Rock N Roller R12RT with 2 van seats bungied to it? Smacks of Last of the Summer Wine for some reason...

[Benny Smyth]

( Except for Benny, he'll be asleep/distracted/deaf to the world/past caring/flat battery/no signal/no interest, delete what does not apply :):) )

Why can't it all be true? ;)

[Excalibur]

Why can't it all be true? ;)
Judging from last year's futile contact attempts, it would appear to be. :(

[Corabar Steve]

* How long before nine people chirp up with " Ah yes, but I've got ninety seven Christmas parties in January for people who couldn't get one in December.

that's before you add in the hotel staff xmas parties.

[Excalibur]

that's before you add in the hotel staff xmas parties.

Told you. Eight to go. :p

[mattydj50]

* How long before nine people chirp up with " Ah yes, but I've got ninety seven Christmas parties in January for people who couldn't get one in December.


Ahem..... me, but only 96. I'm off on the seventy twelfth of Januember.

[Excalibur]

Ahem..... me, but only 96. I'm off on the seventy twelfth of Januember.

Two down, seven to go. :p

[Twinspin]

Might make a last minute appearance at BPM this year and of course the night out. But not sure yet.

CIDER hmmm :beer1::beer1::beer1::beer1::beer1::beer1::beer1:: beer1::beer1: Going to get wrecked!! :D:D

[Benny Smyth]

I'll be there on Sunday and Tuesday, but won't be able to make the evening drinkie poos, I'm afraid.

[Excalibur]

I'll be there on Sunday and Tuesday, but won't be able to make the evening drinkie poos, I'm afraid.

Wuss. :p:p Still, at least you should be able to meet Toby and Twinspin. Worth going just for that, I'd say. :)

[Corabar Entertainment]

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow!

Just to add a spanner in the works, I'd rather like to go to the BPM After Party this year: I asked Mark Walsh what the entertainment was (expecting it to be dance/urban club-style) and was told it's Vegas-style, and they've booked live entertainment - duelling pianos!

To hedge our bets, we're booked into a hotel in town (Ibis) and plan on checking in there and leaving the van, then getting a train out to the NEC so that we can have a drinky-poos. If we don't end up staying too late, we can get the train back to town, but if the After Party is any good and we end up staying, a cab will be in order.... either way, we're covered. :-D

Given the entertainment, does anyone else fancy at least starting the night there? (Grab something to eat after BPM and wander over to the After Party after that)

[hadyn]

Hi
After deciding to give it a miss this year, me and the wife have just decided to go now so quick hotel booking sorted at the campanile and tickets purchased now a long drive up tomorrow morning (3 hours).
Hoping to see some good gear this year after walking round for 7 hours last year and coming home with a case which is still in the garage and not been put to use yet, but you have to come away with something don't you :).

[Excalibur]

Hi
After deciding to give it a miss this year, me and the wife have just decided to go now so quick hotel booking sorted at the campanile and tickets purchased now a long drive up tomorrow morning (3 hours).
Hoping to see some good gear this year after walking round for 7 hours last year and coming home with a case which is still in the garage and not been put to use yet, but you have to come away with something don't you :).

Say hello to any of The Usual Suspects you recognise, particularly a white haired old bloke wearing a confused expression.

[Imagine]

Got to admit - I too am looking forward to actually meeting you lot! (although worried about being in the same hotel as a certain white haired Yorkshireman ;) )

So....what's the plan then?

I'll be arriving at Chateaux Travelodge at roughly 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

One very important question because I'm a BPM virgin (as it were).....
If I buy anything whilst I'm there....do I actually bring them home with me or will most of the suppliers deliver? Sounds like a silly question but it makes a difference as to whether I trundle the discowagon there tomorrow or come up in the much faster and nicer looking MR2 ;)

See you all at some point tomorrow night somewhere in Brum for a few sherries and hopefully a tandoori :)

[Excalibur]

Got to admit - I too am looking forward to actually meeting you lot! (although worried about being in the same hotel as a certain white haired Yorkshireman ;) )

So....what's the plan then?

I'll be arriving at Chateaux Travelodge at roughly 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

One very important question because I'm a BPM virgin (as it were).....
If I buy anything whilst I'm there....do I actually bring them home with me or will most of the suppliers deliver? Sounds like a silly question but it makes a difference as to whether I trundle the discowagon there tomorrow or come up in the much faster and nicer looking MR2 ;)

See you all at some point tomorrow night somewhere in Brum for a few sherries and hopefully a tandoori :)
1). We normally go to the show first, and hotel second. By 3pm some of us have been in the show for 4 hours
2) Depends what you buy, who you buy it fr om, and to a certain extent, when you buy it.
3) Be careful of the Tandoori. I think they must have put sleeping tablets in my starter last year.
4) MR2? You having a mid-life crisis? Swap it for a big estate at once.,:)

[Imagine]

1). We normally go to the show first, and hotel second. By 3pm some of us have been in the show for 4 hours
2) Depends what you buy, who you buy it fr om, and to a certain extent, when you buy it.
3) Be careful of the Tandoori. I think they must have put sleeping tablets in my starter last year.
4) MR2? You having a mid-life crisis? Swap it for a big estate at once.,:)

The MR2 WAS my midlife crisis!!! It's the hairdresser's version with the roll top as well....in bright red :)

I can't get there much earlier tomorrow unfortunately. I got a little "merry" on sweet sherry at the in-law's golden wedding celebrations today and have to go and pick up the discomobile tomorrow morning once I've sobered up a little :o

As for the Tandoori...that's just old age I'm afraid Peter :) Very much looking forward to actually meeting you tomorrow for some reason ;)

[Corabar Steve]

Very much looking forward to actually meeting you tomorrow for some reason ;)

It can be quite an experience.

[Excalibur]

It can be quite an experience.

So can the Annual MDD Walking Tour Of Birmingham. ;) Sad to say, this year we lost one of our number en route. :(:(

[Imagine]

So can the Annual MDD Walking Tour Of Birmingham. ;) Sad to say, this year we lost one of our number en route. :(:(

And how much was the taxi and a glass of Merlot Peter ?? ;)

[DazzyD]

So can the Annual MDD Walking Tour Of Birmingham. ;) Sad to say, this year we lost one of our number en route. :(:(

Those sad faces look ominous, Peter. Care to elaborate?

[Imagine]

Those sad faces look ominous, Peter. Care to elaborate?

How many DJs with "smart" phones does it take to walk about 20 minutes across Birmingham? ;)

And DO NOT under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ask Peter about the taxi ride home ;)

[Nakatomi]

Next year I think the answer is to stay in the resort over the road. No getting lost, no taxis, no missing trains & defintely no missing out on free bars.

[Excalibur]

And how much was the taxi and a glass of Merlot Peter ?? ;)
:zip:

So can the Annual MDD Walking Tour Of Birmingham. ;) Sad to say, this year we lost one of our number en route. :(:(

Those sad faces look ominous, Peter. Care to elaborate?
No. :zip:

How many DJs with "smart" phones does it take to walk about 20 minutes across Birmingham? ;)

And DO NOT under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ask Peter about the taxi ride home ;)
That post contains a few clues.


Next year I think the answer is to stay in the resort over the road. No getting lost, no taxis, no missing trains & defintely no missing out on free bars.

Some of us were staying in a hotel twenty yards from a Wetherspoons, and fifty yards from an excellent curry house. Did we get to visit either? No. What was that about a foolproof plan again? :confused::mad:

Next year I'll do something easier, like herding cats.

[Benny Smyth]

Next year I'll do something easier, like herding cats.

Living in Birmingham seems to make my life easier when it comes to BPM. ;)

[yourdj]

Enjoy your Sunday night out guys.Unfortunatly I am unable to attend this year,

Both Alan and myself use to make a weekend out of bpm fly down on the Saturday do the show and enjoy the Sunday night out with you lot.

Toby looking at your video. Lots of people have changed since then!!!

Good times

We are staying in Premier Inn - right next to the station/Bull Ring.
Ball ache trying to find it earlier, took us about an hour driving about in circles!!

We will be out in about an hour not sure where yet, not over organised where we are going an what we are doing.
Had a nightmare week with the baby and 2 all day weddings. :(

Will be own the Jekle Hyde by 10pm after some food. Seems like a bar in keeping with good standards. ;)

28 Steakhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6BJ
Text on 07835518539

[Imagine]

We are staying in Premier Inn - right next to the station/Bull Ring.

Peter, myself, Davesounds and Twinspin know EXACTLY where you are Toby - we spent quite a while walking around that area last night :daft:

[Excalibur]

Living in Birmingham seems to make my life easier when it comes to BPM. ;)
Staying in Birmingham seems to make my life harder when it comes to BPM.

We are staying in Premier Inn - right next to the station/Bull Ring.
Ball ache trying to find it earlier,
Piece of cake Toby:

Peter, myself, Davesounds and Twinspin know EXACTLY where you are Toby - we spent quite a while walking around that area last night :daft:

We managed it without even trying.

[Benny Smyth]

Tomorrow will be my BPM drinking day.

After I listen to the Evox 8 for the hundredth time. :lol:

[Nakatomi]

I think this year I had a much better time than last year. Firstly, because I was in a little clan from my neck of the woods (ish) & partly because I didn't waste (as much) time looking at shiny new things I have no need of.

I'm disappointed I didn't have a chance to meet more forum folks for longer than a couple of minutes, but pleased I managed to get myself to some seminars. So we missed out on some free drinks at the aftershow party - big deal.

The consensus in our little group today is that next year we'll be staying at the resort & just cutting out the city centre altogether. Drinks, fancy or otherwise can conceivably be arranged without the backdrop of BPM. By the time you factor in transport, travelling time etc it would make much more sense to stay closer to the NEC. That seems to be where it's all going on.

Robin S in the Chauvet arena didn't disappoint, though Stu Allen & Slipmatt really weren't to my taste (though the basslines of Stu's tracklist on the Nexo PA were nothing short of mind-blowing).

The PA experience was very underwhelming, I thought - apart from the revelation to my ears that a £250 unknown brand speaker absolutely blew the likes of the DXR12 out of the water. Surely shome mishtake? Andy talked to the tech guy behind the desk & gleaned that they were all bound to 100dB, and anything with a management system had it disabled 'in the interests of fairness'. I dunno what that was really about. There were definitely some glaring howlers going on in there I thought.

[Imagine]

OK - about to turn in for the night because I'm absolutely shattered now, but been struggling through and catching up on my admin and quotes since I got home from BPM (I've made two bookings for next year since I got home...happy days :) ).

As a BPM virgin, I'd like to say a mahooosive thanks to Peter, Andy, Dave, John, Steve, Angela (you're really not as scary as I'd been led to believe :heart1:), Justin (OK....it was a fleeting "hello" in Wetherspoons at 9am and you're a LOT shorter than I expected ;) ), Benny (was that Smythe or Smyth? ;)...those Evox 8's didn't sound good by the way! ) and anyone else I've missed for making me feel like a part of the crowd. There's also a lot of other folk I met who I knew from elsewhere, where although I speak to them on a regular basis online somewhere, I'd never actually met until this weekend.

From looking around the show....I've learned a LOT of stuff (I've got a few ideas for a new lighting show just using the kit I already own). I've also learned never to let a Yorkshireman guide me around Birmingham again (that's very tongue in cheek....it was "interesting" at times but all part of the fun), and not to let a chap dressed as a Victorian look after the train tickets :o (please don't ban me for saying that ;) ).

Luckily, I'm not eating a kebab in a hotel room at 1:30am tomorrow morning, and the glass of Merlot I've just consumed didn't cost the price of a Robe moving head.

Really good to actually put faces to names over the weekend and already looking forward to the speaker challenge thing next year (somebody please remind me of the date and location on that one otherwise I'm likely to book a wedding)

[Nakatomi]

OK - about to turn in for the night because I'm absolutely shattered now, but been struggling through and catching up on my admin and quotes since I got home from BPM (I've made two bookings for next year since I got home...happy days :) ).

As a BPM virgin, I'd like to say a mahooosive thanks to Peter, Andy, Dave, John, Steve, Angela (you're really not as scary as I'd been led to believe :heart1:), Justin (OK....it was a fleeting "hello" in Wetherspoons at 9am and you're a LOT shorter than I expected ;) ), Benny (was that Smythe or Smyth? ;)...those Evox 8's didn't sound good by the way! ) and anyone else I've missed for making me feel like a part of the crowd. There's also a lot of other folk I met who I knew from elsewhere, where although I speak to them on a regular basis online somewhere, I'd never actually met until this weekend.

From looking around the show....I've learned a LOT of stuff (I've got a few ideas for a new lighting show just using the kit I already own). I've also learned never to let a Yorkshireman guide me around Birmingham again (that's very tongue in cheek....it was "interesting" at times but all part of the fun), and not to let a chap dressed as a Victorian look after the train tickets :o (please don't ban me for saying that ;) ).

Luckily, I'm not eating a kebab in a hotel room at 1:30am tomorrow morning, and the glass of Merlot I've just consumed didn't cost the price of a Robe moving head.

Really good to actually put faces to names over the weekend and already looking forward to the speaker challenge thing next year (somebody please remind me of the date and location on that one otherwise I'm likely to book a wedding)

:lol: how tall did you think I am? I'm hardly known for bragging about my gangling height y'know.

Coalville is easily the best conditions for comparing gear outside of a showroom I've ever heard - not only that it's another great place to meet great folks. IF I go next year I'll definitely be taking some of my own PA along.

[DazzyD]

... Justin (OK....it was a fleeting "hello" in Wetherspoons at 9am and you're a LOT shorter than I expected ;) )...

I felt that very same way when I was introduced to Shaun (Elite DJ). I was expecting a big bloke you wouldn't dare look in the eyes! :eek:

[Imagine]

I think this year I had a much better time than last year. Firstly, because I was in a little clan from my neck of the woods (ish) & partly because I didn't waste (as much) time looking at shiny new things I have no need of.

To be honest..some of the stuff in there this year I had absolutely no idea what it was for...shiny or not.



I'm disappointed I didn't have a chance to meet more forum folks for longer than a couple of minutes, but pleased I managed to get myself to some seminars. So we missed out on some free drinks at the aftershow party - big deal.
You didn't miss much ;)



The consensus in our little group today is that next year we'll be staying at the resort & just cutting out the city centre altogether. Drinks, fancy or otherwise can conceivably be arranged without the backdrop of BPM. By the time you factor in transport, travelling time etc it would make much more sense to stay closer to the NEC. That seems to be where it's all going on.

And this is where we (possibly including Peter and Dave) beg to differ.
We were based in Broad Street.....pubs, curry houses, burger bars, kebab shops....what's not to like? The beer is a lot cheaper and you can actually get real beer rather than Eurofizz ;)


The PA experience was very underwhelming, I thought - apart from the revelation to my ears that a £250 unknown brand speaker absolutely blew the likes of the DXR12 out of the water. Surely shome mishtake? Andy talked to the tech guy behind the desk & gleaned that they were all bound to 100dB, and anything with a management system had it disabled 'in the interests of fairness'. I dunno what that was really about. There were definitely some glaring howlers going on in there I thought.

I didn't hear the DXR12 although I'm led to believe it was shocking (and I run with the Yammy DXR series in all shapes and sizes and absolutely love it!). The Evox8 was shocking, the Mackie setup was surprisingly excellent and the Bose thing with a hole in the middle sounded like it was under a sleeping bag....something definitely wrong with the setups in there IMHO.


:lol: how tall did you think I am? I'm hardly known for bragging about my gangling height y'know.

I expected you to be able to at least see over our table without standing on a stool ;)

[Nakatomi]

To be honest..some of the stuff in there this year I had absolutely no idea what it was for...shiny or not.

You didn't miss much ;)

And this is where we (possibly including Peter and Dave) beg to differ.
We were based in Broad Street.....pubs, curry houses, burger bars, kebab shops....what's not to like? The beer is a lot cheaper and you can actually get real beer rather than Eurofizz ;)

I didn't hear the DXR12 although I'm led to believe it was shocking (and I run with the Yammy DXR series in all shapes and sizes and absolutely love it!). The Evox8 was shocking, the Mackie setup was surprisingly excellent and the Bose thing with a hole in the middle sounded like it was under a sleeping bag....something definitely wrong with the setups in there IMHO.

I expected you to be able to at least see over our table without standing on a stool ;)

We were staying in the Travelodge on Broad St - it was better than being all the way out of town like last year but I still think we're gonna give the resort a crack of the whip next time. It's always gonna be tricky getting the balance for such things right no matter what you do though.

[Excalibur]

Tomorrow will be my BPM drinking day.

Next year will be my BPM drinking day, although Toby wisely waited till I was a hundred miles away before offering to buy me one. Having factored in travel costs, it would still have been only marginally more costly than the Merlot.


I think this year I had a much better time than last year. Firstly, because I was in a little clan from my neck of the woods (ish)
No problem Justin, us Southerners from Yorkshire aren't offended by that at all. :p

.
So we missed out on some free drinks at the aftershow party - big deal.
Better options than free Lager were available elsewhere.


The consensus in our little group today is that next year we'll be staying at the resort & just cutting out the city centre altogether. Drinks, fancy or otherwise can conceivably be arranged without the backdrop of BPM. By the time you factor in transport, travelling time etc it would make much more sense to stay closer to the NEC. That seems to be where it's all going on.
Some of us who stayed in the city centre managed to cut it out altogether as well. :(



The PA experience was very underwhelming, I thought - apart from the revelation to my ears that a £250 unknown brand speaker absolutely blew the likes of the DXR12 out of the water. Surely shome mishtake? Andy talked to the tech guy behind the desk & gleaned that they were all bound to 100dB, and anything with a management system had it disabled 'in the interests of fairness'. I dunno what that was really about. There were definitely some glaring howlers going on in there I thought.
The little IMG was a revelation. The volume levels and tone setting rules were the same as they always are, it shows how much some of the rigs depend on " outside help ".



Really good to actually put faces to names over the weekend and already looking forward to the speaker challenge thing next year (somebody please remind me of the date and location on that one otherwise I'm likely to book a wedding)

How many more times? 19th February ( Subject to confirmation. )
Great to meet you Wayne, Dave says next year he'll just ride in the Transit, it's less scary.:) ( Mind you, he wasn't steering it when I backed out of that last corner after trying to keep up with your go kart. Even if I'd kept it on the road, I don't think the kit would still have stayed inside. ) :eek:
John says he'll happily have a seat though if there's one going. Said he enjoyed chatting with you. ;)

See you at Coalville 19th February It's possible to do an overnight there as well. :beer1::wine:

[Nakatomi]

Bah. That came out wrong. What I meant was I didn't spend quite so much time on the Sunday by myself. Got very boring in places last year because I didn't have a plan. That's the key to getting what you expect from any event - planning!

[Corabar Steve]

and not to let a chap dressed as a Victorian look after the train tickets :o

Did we need them again?

[yourdj]

Next year will be my BPM drinking day, although Toby wisely waited till I was a hundred miles away before offering to buy me one.

Piece of cake Toby, we managed it without even trying


Its easy to find on foot, try finding it when driving, all the sodding roads are all dug up with dead ends etc. I should have google street mapped it first (I usually do), but I have been too busy. We had 3 sat navs on the go all taking us to different bloody locations!! got there in the end and the hotel is fabulous for the price. Good old trip advisor rating!!

I will probably stay at the resort next time too. As lovely as it was following the fresher girls from bar to bar, it was not brilliant, all the homeless people, gang having a punch up was an eye opener!! Birmingham is really not a nice place at its heart. :(

[Excalibur]

Did we need them again?

Yes. :mad: Sadly we couldn't use them to save, ooh about a gallon and a half of beer tokens*.


* Adjusted for Southern Weighting.

[Corabar Steve]

Yes. :mad: Sadly we couldn't use them to save, ooh about a gallon and a half of beer tokens*.


* Adjusted for Southern Weighting.

I did say if anyone wanted to go back to town while the trains were running I'd pay.

[Twinspin]

Another great Show, Nice to see everyone and have a good laugh as always. I see Wayne from Imagine hasn't posted that video of O' Neills yet on here. Oh goody lol

:D:D

The show in general was good I really enjoyed that. The PA demo was good. I was surprised by those IMG Stage line speakers. They certainly opened my eyes. They was nice. As a whole the best system in the entire PA demo room was the KV2 Audio EX series on the back wall with 12 inch tops and 18 inch subs. I'll definitely be selling my RCF system for that KV2 Audio system by December.

The DXR Yamaha's in that Demo room I thought was very disappointing tbh. Ive heard them before and thought they were good. The EVOX 8 system I had fancied with me liking my RCF sound. But I wasn't that impressed with it after listening to it at BPM.

The other system that sounded good was that on the ADJ Stand, Sontronics or something like that it was called.

Good show and nice to meet everyone.

[Corabar Entertainment]

My view: The show is much better in the Genting Arena: there was more room, and all the sounds weren't deafening, and there were even quiet(ish) areas, so it was much easier to TALK to people as well as look at stuff.

We stayed at the Ibis Budget in Town - which is within walking distance of the train, and also to Broad Street and the like, and, as we appeared to be the only people able to use google maps, we found everything very easily. The hotel itself was very basic, but exceptionally clean and, would lend itself quite nicely to a DJ get-together - with an open air car park (ie no problems for vans. We could even see the van out of our room window). It has a 24 hour reception and plenty of room to sit around, but no bar or restaurant: instead, it had several fridges full of alcohol, a tea/coffee machine, and a couple of shelves of food and a microwave, and a pizza menu and anything you wanted at any time of the day or night, you just asked at reception.... oh, and a football table.

The walk to the station to get to BPM was easy - even for me, and Steve and I found a decent pub nearby whilst we were waiting for (several hours for) the others. The After Party at the World's Bar had great entertainment put on, and also free drinks (which came as a bit of a surprise - albeit from a limited 'menu' of drinks, but still....).

The cab back to town after isn't cheap, but it isn't too bad - especially when you're splitting it between several people.

We had to finish the night in the Tap & Spile (It's become a bit of a tradition!) and, I'm pleased to report that has gone back to having good, very varied music playing - rather than the poor attempt at a nightclub as it was last time we were there.

We were lazy when we finally left the Tap and decided to get a cab back to the hotel - even though it was really within walking distance.

....and all in all, the cost of the hotel, the train, and the cabs, and we still paid around half the cost of what I know people spent on their room alone to stay out at the resort.

Oh...... just one comment on previous posts......
... Angela (you're really not as scary as I'd been led to believe :heart1:), WHO TOLD YOU I WAS SCARY?

[Excalibur]

My view: The show is much better in the Genting Arena: there was more room, and all the sounds weren't deafening, and there were even quiet(ish) areas, so it was much easier to TALK to people as well as look at stuff.
My initial thoughts were that I didn't find the new layout as easy to navigate, but as Angela says, once you'd got your bearings, it was actually a lot better. The PA demo room certainly had very little extraneous noise.


We stayed at the Ibis Budget in Town - which is within walking distance of the train, and also to Broad Street and the like, and, as we appeared to be the only people able to use google maps, we found everything very easily. The walk to the station to get to BPM was easy -
From your description of the hotel, it seems the answer to everything. I shall certainly try that one next year. With its proximity to the station, and the cost of a train ticket being peanuts, I'm keen to park the motor there straight away, and travel to and from the arena that way.


The cab back to town after isn't cheap, but it isn't too bad - especially when you're splitting it between several people.
It costs a lot more than the train. If you're prepared to be Cinderella, ( back on the train by midnight ) it's perfect. You can still be back in Broad Street in good time for anything you want.




Oh...... WHO TOLD YOU I WAS SCARY?
Everybody. :p

[soundmaster mobile disco]

So how was everyone's bpm show?

I hope you all enjoyed it and had a great time

Was there any piece of equipment that looked good?

[Benny Smyth]

Evox 8 sounded awful. I don't know if it was the environment, but I was desperately disappointed with it.

Today I heard the FBT Vertus CS1000 at BPM and they are fantastic. Certainly wiped the floor with the Evox 8, and I am a big RCF advocate.

I wanted a closer look at Chauvet's Core 3x1 but they've been discontinued and replaced with...naff all. Righto.

I looked at the FX Par 9 by Chauvet and was very impressed with them and at 150 notes each, seem to be very good value.

[Nakatomi]

Evox 8 sounded awful. I don't know if it was the environment, but I was desperately disappointed with it.

Today I heard the FBT Vertus CS1000 at BPM and they are fantastic. Certainly wiped the floor with the Evox 8, and I am a big RCF advocate.

I wanted a closer look at Chauvet's Core 3x1 but they've been discontinued and replaced with...naff all. Righto.

I looked at the FX Par 9 by Chauvet and was very impressed with them and at 150 notes each, seem to be very good value.

Ah well Benny, we heard the Evox 8 again at our local NADJ shindig tonight - and it was WAY better than it sounded at BPM. It was run flat from the mixer end & only default processing left on. No bells or whistles. It was impressive. Get to a dealer to have a proper listen. Something was afoot at BPM, I'm almost convinced of it especially now I've heard the evox again so soon. Seriously.

The CS1000 on FBT's stand was er, on FBT's stand so you'd likely have heard it as straight as a dealer would show it.

[Benny Smyth]

The CS1000 on FBT's stand was er, on FBT's stand so you'd likely have heard it as straight as a dealer would show it.

Except I was the one controlling it. I ran them flar and they were really good.

[Nakatomi]

Except I was the one controlling it. I ran them flar and they were really good.

There you go then. I think you need to give the evox another chance though. I've seriously heard it sound much better than in the PA Experience.

[ppentertainments]

There you go then. I think you need to give the evox another chance though. I've seriously heard it sound much better than in the PA Experience.
And the explanation as to WHY some sounded better than others at BPM is very believable too :zip:

[rth_discos]

There you go then. I think you need to give the evox another chance though. I've seriously heard it sound much better than in the PA Experience.

How big was the PA Experience room? Is it the same size as an average wedding venue? It's never going to fill a huge space - and sat next to some 18 inch subs it's going to sound very lacking.

I'd love to come to BPM for the training sessions, but I'm not so sure how useful everything else is.

Why are the light displays set up to look like the X-Factor? I'd much rather displays with just a couple of lights to see how it might look for an average mobile rig.

[Nakatomi]

How big was the PA Experience room? Is it the same size as an average wedding venue? It's never going to fill a huge space - and sat next to some 18 inch subs it's going to sound very lacking.

I'd love to come to BPM for the training sessions, but I'm not so sure how useful everything else is.

Why are the light displays set up to look like the X-Factor? I'd much rather displays with just a couple of lights to see how it might look for an average mobile rig.

The pa experience area is about the size of a smallish function room - actually about the size of the biggest room at my residency.

The differences I spotted were in quality of output not decibels. Apparently they're all lined up to output 100dB with all their processing turned off (as much as is possible via panel controls anyway).

That a yamaha, rcf, kv2 etc sounded like utter crap compared to a 250 quid speaker I think questions need to be asked. It may well be that it genuinely IS better sounding to many but by the same benchmark I've heard the Evox perform much better than it did that day. The dxr12 sounded utterly awful like it was bottoming out - not what any speaker in its class should be like at all.

As for the lighting... The show is about a lot more than mobile DJs. Indeed again, none of the mobile lighting stood out for me. The current vogue for tumbling effects of no real substance is troubling. What I believe to be ADJ's best bang for buck effect the Quad Phase HP was very conspicuous by its absence. I had to check their current catalogue to see if it's still in production (it is btw, phew!). Oh look, one of those puny gobo cross things! Oh and another but with a cluster built in. Oh look another but with a subpar jellydome bolted on! MEH.

Img opened my eyes to their take on the inno pocket range though. A diddy little scanner with 12W cree led, separate colour & gobo wheels for 115 quids?! Bright enough for the gobos to be seen on the hall ceiling (just mind) too.

[rth_discos]

I've heard the Evox perform much better than it did that day.

The Evox running flat didn't really do anything for me. I have quite a bit of EQ running on mine, and I get quite a thump from it.

Still doesn't match what I could get from an 18" sub / 12" top system, but I can't be lumping that in (and I'm grateful to have the Evox when there's little space!)



A diddy little scanner with 12W cree led, separate colour & gobo wheels for 115 quids?! Bright enough for the gobos to be seen on the hall ceiling (just mind) too.

I gave up on 12w stuff a year ago. I got rid of it all and spent lots of money on much higher powered equipment which makes a far bigger impact with less fixtures. Because it's higher powered, it tends to have a much wider spread, rather than a very small footprint gobo from a 12w LED.

Mine is now a minimum of 60w LED per fixture.

[Nakatomi]

The Evox running flat didn't really do anything for me. I have quite a bit of EQ running on mine, and I get quite a thump from it.

Still doesn't match what I could get from an 18" sub / 12" top system, but I can't be lumping that in (and I'm grateful to have the Evox when there's little space!)




I gave up on 12w stuff a year ago. I got rid of it all and spent lots of money on much higher powered equipment which makes a far bigger impact with less fixtures. Because it's higher powered, it tends to have a much wider spread, rather than a very small footprint gobo from a 12w LED.

Mine is now a minimum of 60w LED per fixture.

Aye , when I get my movers or whatever they're not gonna be 25W that's for sure. It should be noted yet again that it's not all about watts. It's about output. A 12W LED of yesteryear is very unlikely to be as bright as a newer model.

The PAs at the local NADJ lineup last night were all run flat EQ & they really kicked some ass - especially the Evox8. It definitely sounded very different to the setup at BPM. We know they're all SUPPOSED to be on a level playing field but I genuinely suspect they're not. There are some irregularities to explain.

[rth_discos]

It definitely sounded very different to the setup at BPM.

I have found that the placement makes a big difference.

2 Evox's spread out by a few metres provides quite a lack lustre bass - something to do with the waves cancelling each other out.

So that could have affected it.

Plus the make up of the room (what were the walls made of, how high was the ceiling etc, will all affect the sound)

[Nakatomi]

I have found that the placement makes a big difference.

2 Evox's spread out by a few metres provides quite a lack lustre bass - something to do with the waves cancelling each other out.

So that could have affected it.

Plus the make up of the room (what were the walls made of, how high was the ceiling etc, will all affect the sound)

There was only one in both cases. Ceiling heights.. hmmm.. BPM's was lower than the venue last night. Room size etc has less of a bearing on sound when you get close, and I made sure to do that. It sounded rough as hell at BPM & didn't at the NADJ thing.

[Sapphire Disco]

That a yamaha, rcf, kv2 etc sounded like utter crap compared to a 250 quid speaker

And was that a particular speaker or just £250 speakers generally ?

[Nakatomi]

Next year will be my BPM drinking day, although Toby wisely waited till I was a hundred miles away before offering to buy me one. Having factored in travel costs, it would still have been only marginally more costly than the Merlot.


No problem Justin, us Southerners from Yorkshire aren't offended by that at all. :p

.
Better options than free Lager were available elsewhere.


Some of us who stayed in the city centre managed to cut it out altogether as well. :(



The little IMG was a revelation. The volume levels and tone setting rules were the same as they always are, it shows how much some of the rigs depend on " outside help ".



How many more times? 19th February ( Subject to confirmation. )
Great to meet you Wayne, Dave says next year he'll just ride in the Transit, it's less scary.:) ( Mind you, he wasn't steering it when I backed out of that last corner after trying to keep up with your go kart. Even if I'd kept it on the road, I don't think the kit would still have stayed inside. ) :eek:
John says he'll happily have a seat though if there's one going. Said he enjoyed chatting with you. ;)

See you at Coalville 19th February It's possible to do an overnight there as well. :beer1::wine:


And was that a particular speaker or just £250 speakers generally ?

Img stageline PAK-412 I believe

[TONYTIGER]

The pa experience area is about the size of a smallish function room - actually about the size of the biggest room at my residency.

The differences I spotted were in quality of output not decibels. Apparently they're all lined up to output 100dB with all their processing turned off (as much as is possible via panel controls anyway).

That a yamaha, rcf, kv2 etc sounded like utter crap compared to a 250 quid speaker I think questions need to be asked. It may well be that it genuinely IS better sounding to many but by the same benchmark I've heard the Evox perform much better than it did that day. The dxr12 sounded utterly awful like it was bottoming out - not what any speaker in its class should be like at all.

As for the lighting... The show is about a lot more than mobile DJs. Indeed again, none of the mobile lighting stood out for me. The current vogue for tumbling effects of no real substance is troubling. What I believe to be ADJ's best bang for buck effect the Quad Phase HP was very conspicuous by its absence. I had to check their current catalogue to see if it's still in production (it is btw, phew!). Oh look, one of those puny gobo cross things! Oh and another but with a cluster built in. Oh look another but with a subpar jellydome bolted on! MEH.

Img opened my eyes to their take on the inno pocket range though. A diddy little scanner with 12W cree led, separate colour & gobo wheels for 115 quids?! Bright enough for the gobos to be seen on the hall ceiling (just mind) too.

The Kam Gobostar is really rated my your local supplier Phase one and there very cheap,very good value for money.

[Nakatomi]

The Kam Gobostar is really rated my your local supplier Phase one and there very cheap,very good value for money.

Yeah I know but I've seen one. Not much cop compared to a Quad Phase HP IMHO. Maybe good for dark rooms but when I put my washes on a room is anything but that.

[rth_discos]

The Kam Gobostar is really rated my your local supplier Phase one and there very cheap,very good value for money.

Everyone seems to be raving about it, but I can't stand it. It would suit a small pub, but I can't see any other use for it.

The only time I would be interested is if the gobos were of ghosts, witches and ghouls and it was a Halloween themed product!

[TONYTIGER]

Everyone seems to be raving about it, but I can't stand it. It would suit a small pub, but I can't see any other use for it.

The only time I would be interested is if the gobos were of ghosts, witches and ghouls and it was a Halloween themed product!

Yes everybody is raving about it including the public who book us ,perhaps its time we listen to our customers and stop making preconceptions ,incidentally it has been our most popular item in our hire range over the last 6 weeks so i am happy as they have already paid for themselves.

[Nakatomi]

I'll give it these concessions. It's cheap, it's not dotty & even on s2l it's not annoyingly batcack crazy. There.

[rth_discos]

Yes everybody is raving about it

Clearly that's an inaccurate statement, as mentioned, I'm not raving about it... ;)

[musicology]

just been looking at youtube vids from the show and looks like they've got piles of smoke going on for the lighting. Think I'll offer to hire them my phantom hazer for next year!

[rth_discos]

just been looking at youtube vids from the show and looks like they've got piles of smoke going on for the lighting. Think I'll offer to hire them my phantom hazer for next year!

Maybe time for a mobile DJ version of BPM that's more realistic...

- Sound limiter in place (max of 87db)
- No smoke or haze permitted
- Everything must be set up within 1 hour, and the guy opening the centre will be running late
- Oh, and there's a flight of metal fire escape stairs that all the suppliers need to bring the equipment in via...

[Andy P]

Was nice to meet a few of the members over the weekend

[TONYTIGER]

Clearly that's an inaccurate statement, as mentioned, I'm not raving about it... ;)

But you dont count,you are not a customer who pays the money.


just been looking at youtube vids from the show and looks like they've got piles of smoke going on for the lighting. Think I'll offer to hire them my phantom hazer for next year!

Noe thats what i call a proper hazer.

[rth_discos]

But you dont count,you are not a customer who pays the money.

:thumbsup: :beerchug:

[musicology]

Maybe time for a mobile DJ version of BPM that's more realistic...

- Sound limiter in place (max of 87db)
- No smoke or haze permitted
- Everything must be set up within 1 hour, and the guy opening the centre will be running late
- Oh, and there's a flight of metal fire escape stairs that all the suppliers need to bring the equipment in via...

:like:

[Imagine]

Maybe time for a mobile DJ version of BPM that's more realistic...

- Sound limiter in place (max of 87db)
- No smoke or haze permitted
- Everything must be set up within 1 hour, and the guy opening the centre will be running late
- Oh, and there's a flight of metal fire escape stairs that all the suppliers need to bring the equipment in via...

It was my first ever BPM and I did come away wondering why they can't split it down just a little bit further, i.e. separate the mobile and install stuff.
An awful lot of the lighting was clearly aimed at installations (hence the X-Factor type trussing all over the ceilings). Some of the moving heads were akin to medieval cannons in size and when I asked about the price of the laser that was projecting across the room I nearly had a heart attack! It would have maybe been nice for some of the kit to be set up in a more realistic mobile situation (i.e. on an "average" sized mobile rig).

Just about every lighting stand had haze going, which really brought out the best in the lights. It's a shame the manufacturers can't bring out some sort of haze which could potentially be used anywhere without setting of alarms.

Got to admit though....by the end of Monday when I left my throat felt like I'd inhaled a heck of a lot of haze :daft:

[TONYTIGER]

It was my first ever BPM and I did come away wondering why they can't split it down just a little bit further, i.e. separate the mobile and install stuff.
An awful lot of the lighting was clearly aimed at installations (hence the X-Factor type trussing all over the ceilings). Some of the moving heads were akin to medieval cannons in size and when I asked about the price of the laser that was projecting across the room I nearly had a heart attack! It would have maybe been nice for some of the kit to be set up in a more realistic mobile situation (i.e. on an "average" sized mobile rig).

Just about every lighting stand had haze going, which really brought out the best in the lights. It's a shame the manufacturers can't bring out some sort of haze which could potentially be used anywhere without setting of alarms.

Got to admit though....by the end of Monday when I left my throat felt like I'd inhaled a heck of a lot of haze :daft:

Buy a Phantom Hazer problem solved,but the cost ouch!

[rth_discos]

Buy a Phantom Hazer problem solved,but the cost ouch!

Out of interest, do venues that traditionally NOT allow smoke machines/hazers allow a phantom hazer? Does it not set of smoke alarms, or does it get treated the same way as any other smoke machine?

[Nakatomi]

Most venues which already disallow smoke & haze will not change their minds on the say so of a DJ who rocks up with a different kind of haze machine.

You can protest that the particle size is 100 times smaller all you like but all it means is it takes more of it to trigger an optical detector. It's more than their job's worth to bend their own rules so they don't.

The more enlightened venues disable zones where it's possible but how many of those are there?

With regard to BPM, the majority of hazing I saw was from fazers - smoke machines with big fans. Even ADJs new machine seems to be one of those & the ones in the Chauvet arena appeared to be working on the same principle.

[mattydj50]

Maybe time for a mobile DJ version of BPM that's more realistic...

- Sound limiter in place (max of 87db)
- No smoke or haze permitted
- Everything must be set up within 1 hour, and the guy opening the centre will be running late
- Oh, and there's a flight of metal fire escape stairs that all the suppliers need to bring the equipment in via...


And all the power shuts of at EXACTLY the appointed finish time, with the house lights coming on full. Then you have 10 minutes to pack up and leave, with a 138 year old caretaker tut tutting everytime he thinks you are not going fast enough.

[Nakatomi]

And all the power shuts of at EXACTLY the appointed finish time, with the house lights coming on full. Then you have 10 minutes to pack up and leave, with a 138 year old caretaker tut tutting everytime he thinks you are not going fast enough.

Add to that the fact that everybody who asks for music is leaving in 5 minutes, or throws a strop when something they don't like comes on :rofl:

It's only an 8 hour day but all the staff are given 20 hour playlists to get through. Oh & during loadin & loadout it's absolutely mashing it down. The rest of the time it's lovely outside & that's where everyone goes.

[Benny Smyth]

So what we're saying is that we'd like to see stuff similar to what we have now as opposed to being inspired by something that will probably not be achievable for most of us but could give us ideas to take those large scale concepts and introduce them on a much smaller scale to suit our needs and aspirations?

Ideas trickle down. From Theatres, to Clubs to the Mobile Disco and finally to the Bedroom DJ. It's better to get inspiration from the level above you because if you see ideas on a mobile rig, that means it's already been thought of, and probably a by a lot of people The Liteconsole with four plinths and moving heads wasn't as prevalent when I started using them as they are today, but they are the exact reason why I'm really starting to dislike that setup now as it's becoming the 'norm' (with some operators are doing it better than others). When I start to look at changing things up, I'll be taking my inspiration from Theatres and installations and trying to work out how I could introduce those concepts to the mobile rig.

Eyes ahead. Not sideways. :approve:

[TONYTIGER]

Out of interest, do venues that traditionally NOT allow smoke machines/hazers allow a phantom hazer? Does it not set of smoke alarms, or does it get treated the same way as any other smoke machine?

Any venues that are skeptical we give them a demo that if used correctly it will not set off a alarm,most people are amazed that they cant see or smell the haze but the cost is prohibitive for most mobiles.


So what we're saying is that we'd like to see stuff similar to what we have now as opposed to being inspired by something that will probably not be achievable for most of us but could give us ideas to take those large scale concepts and introduce them on a much smaller scale to suit our needs and aspirations?

Ideas trickle down. From Theatres, to Clubs to the Mobile Disco and finally to the Bedroom DJ. It's better to get inspiration from the level above you because if you see ideas on a mobile rig, that means it's already been thought of, and probably a by a lot of people The Liteconsole with four plinths and moving heads wasn't as prevalent when I started using them as they are today, but they are the exact reason why I'm really starting to dislike that setup now as it's becoming the 'norm' (with some operators are doing it better than others). When I start to look at changing things up, I'll be taking my inspiration from Theatres and installations and trying to work out how I could introduce those concepts to the mobile rig.

Eyes ahead. Not sideways. :approve:

Brilliant reply just how i feel and run my outfit and it has seen me right for 50 years.

[IainB]

Rather late to the party with this one :(
Location - loved it
BPM as a show (Ive done 3 or 4 over the last few years) struggled with this one, not sure if it was because we didnt get there till late (had to drop my boys back to their mum then the M1 was shut) but found it lacking 'something'.
A few of the companies who used to have a lot of square footage only had small stands (Lamba being one) and because we rushed to get around it all before closing my goodie bag was severely lacking
Personally I preferred the Sat/Sun old slot rather than the Sun/Mon/Tues

[Brian A Crossland]

it was outstanding and thanks to this website for making me aware of the event