Greetings - getting back in the game.

[CNC Entertainment]

Good afternoon all

I am returning to the Mobile Disco fold after a long break. Me and a college friend used to offer discos between 01 and 05, using some very outdated and cheap equipment (our speakers were literally large house speakers) but we always had a full dance floor and got bookings. Charging pennies probably helped get them I do admit. Can't remember the name of the lighting effects but they resemble the NJD Blitzer light - we had 2 of these plus a mini strobe and a rope light.

I tried to get back into it in 2008/9, bought some higher end gear but starting a family and losing hours at work when the recession hit meant I couldn't invest and gave up rather than offer a substandard service.

Fast forward to 2022 and I am back again, hoping to make a better fist of it - I had planned on this 12 months ago but issues with my kids being bullied and moved out of school for a spell scuppered it.

My equipment this time around is as follows;

Gorilla DBS Pro Booth and Overhead Lighting Kit
Alto TS315 Speakers + stands
Fujitsu Lifebook Laptop x 2 (1 spare)
2 x wireless mics
NuMark Mixtrack Pro (looking to upgrade to a bigger one if venture is a success to advice on this greatly appreciated)
2 x Equinox Onyx
2 x Equinox Boogie Lights
2 x Novopro Laser Par 3R
2 x QTX GoboPar 35
ADJ Boombox FX 2
Equinox Domin8r 2
2 x Unbranded Jelly Balls from Amazon to sit under booth
2 x moving head gobo lights

Any advice on the above, what you think is good and what you think is less than good is greatly appreciated. I am relearning it all again. Did a couple of family parties recently, and on the first one I froze when it came to speaking on the mic again, but nailed the second one. Now off to promote the product and hopefully earn some money, but above all enjoy the ride.

[Excalibur]

Hello Mark, and :welcome2:

Re gaining business going forward, I'm not the font of all knowledge. All I can suggest is to build up a good relationship with the multi ops and successful DJs in your area. Prove that you're reliable, and doors may open.

Re kit, you seem a bit heavy on lights, but if it allows choice of what you use, that's a good thing. Resist the urge to use it all at every gig, and on sound to light. Less is often more.

[Marc J]

:welcome1:

Excellent first post, and in the right section, too... you'll fit right in here!

[Excalibur]

:welcome1:

Excellent first post, and in the right section, too... you'll fit right in here!

:agree:

[CNC Entertainment]

Hello Mark, and :welcome2:

Re gaining business going forward, I'm not the font of all knowledge. All I can suggest is to build up a good relationship with the multi ops and successful DJs in your area. Prove that you're reliable, and doors may open.

Re kit, you seem a bit heavy on lights, but if it allows choice of what you use, that's a good thing. Resist the urge to use it all at every gig, and on sound to light. Less is often more.

Thank you for the response, and yes I do have a few lights but I won't be using them all together, the wouldn't fit for one, and also I'd need so many free sockets. I did a small get together last weekend and my boombox and 2 novopro lights did the job lovely. But it's nice to have variety and backups.

Thinking of getting a couple of spare speakers for obvious reasons too. Probably smaller ones that I will use for the ser gigs.


:welcome1:

Excellent first post, and in the right section, too... you'll fit right in here!

Many thanks for the welcome.

[Steven]

Welcome back to the game.

As said above, introduce yourself to multi ops. get regular work and respect the rules of the game (don't go poaching gigs etc) and you will get more and more work that way.

With regards to setup. investing smart is the best thing to do. Personally i'd buy a proper starcloth to fit your booth. Don't buy one and try make it fit. i'd get rid of most of your lights and buy 4 simple LED Pars such as the ADJ Mega Tri or similar, or if you can stretch to it Stairville Crown FX par 9s. learn DMX and i promise if you do those 4 lights could give a better lightshow than most have. a program like QLC+ is free or soundswitch is cheap enough on a monthly subscription if you want to go that way.

[Excalibur]

Welcome back to the game.

As said above, introduce yourself to multi ops. get regular work and respect the rules of the game (don't go poaching gigs etc) and you will get more and more work that way.

With regards to setup. investing smart is the best thing to do. Personally i'd buy a proper starcloth to fit your booth. Don't buy one and try make it fit. i'd get rid of most of your lights and buy 4 simple LED Pars such as the ADJ Mega Tri or similar, or if you can stretch to it Stairville Crown FX par 9s. learn DMX and i promise if you do those 4 lights could give a better lightshow than most have. a program like QLC+ is free or soundswitch is cheap enough on a monthly subscription if you want to go that way.

Re the Pars, I have four more expensive ones, and with even a cheap DMX controller they make a good show. For years I was the world's biggest fan of the Thomann Powerbars, which I have used as a complete lightshow more than once. I only moved on because they're just so big and heavy. I replaced mine with Equinox COB Microbars, which aren't as mighty, but they're half the price, half the size, and a fraction of the weight. Never underestimate wash lights. They're ( in my humble opinion ) indispensable. You only need to add a couple of moonflowers to this to have a great lightshow.

As other esteemed members are/were wont to say, sometimes, " less is more".

[ppentertainments]

Re the Pars, I have four more expensive ones, and with even a cheap DMX controller they make a good show. For years I was the world's biggest fan of the Thomann Powerbars, which I have used as a complete lightshow more than once. I only moved on because they're just so big and heavy. I replaced mine with Equinox COB Microbars, which aren't as mighty, but they're half the price, half the size, and a fraction of the weight. Never underestimate wash lights. They're ( in my humble opinion ) indispensable. You only need to add a couple of moonflowers to this to have a great lightshow.

As other esteemed members are/were wont to say, sometimes, " less is more".
Or you could be like us amateurs and use a gigbar. Can't go wrong lol

[Excalibur]

Or you could be like us amateurs and use a gigbar. Can't go wrong lol :zip:


I have long been a fan of the Gigbar family, ever since using one of the early ones when subbing for a colleague. As you can guess, they offend my religion on one vital point.


They're :Censored:ing expensive! :(:(

[Nakatomi]

:zip:


I have long been a fan of the Gigbar family, ever since using one of the early ones when subbing for a colleague. As you can guess, they offend my religion on one vital point.


They're :Censored:ing expensive! :(:(

I've considered the gigbar at times but having repaired a few would steer well clear! Dud. power supplies, LEDs going off ... And the build quality is just shocking for something that's supposed to be a professional product for mobiles. As for the programs. Mmmmmm flashy flashy strobey flashy.

No, if you're thinking of going that way invest in a multihead COB LED wash system instead. Who even wants a cluster laser and puny 'strobes' anyway? Sure you can disable them but why are you paying money for stuff you're not likely to use? Bonkers.

Anyway good luck to the OP & welcome aboard!

[Excalibur]

I've considered the gigbar at times but having repaired a few would steer well clear! Dud. power supplies, LEDs going off ... And the build quality is just shocking for something that's supposed to be a professional product for mobiles. As for the programs. Mmmmmm flashy flashy strobey flashy.

No, if you're thinking of going that way invest in a multihead COB LED wash system instead. Who even wants a cluster laser and puny 'strobes' anyway? Sure you can disable them but why are you paying money for stuff you're not likely to use? Bonkers.

Anyway good luck to the OP & welcome aboard!

You jaundiced young whippersnapper, Justin! :p

The only part of your rant I would take serious issue with is your dismissal of the programs. This is what ( in my humble opinion, and also that of many esteemed colleagues ) makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts. There's nothing exciting or ground breaking lashed to a Gigbar, it's just a lightshow on a stick.


Mind you, it was once possible to get a Gigbar in a box. Still is, if you have money, and a DMX controller big enough.

The Swiss Army Knife of lights. (https://clubtek.co.uk/qtx-hadron-wash-fx-4in1-p-4791.html) Everything that's on a Gigbar, but in a box, for half the price. Sadly discontinued. :cry::cry::cry:

Blimey, they've rationalised the DMX channels! (https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Chauvet-DJ-Swarm-Wash-FX-Lighting-Effect/1KUR?gclid=CjwKCAjwkaSaBhA4EiwALBgQaG3mBSrOJ56cmaE 1xQDzJpOqL975xhuHAWySq-TJ5TZd4eCOyhx_MhoCxsgQAvD_BwE) The Chauvet that the Hadron copied. It used to use over fifty channels, but now it's two or eighteen. Game changer for a man with a thirty two channel controller. :D Oh dear, I think I've just identified my next lighting purchase. :(

[Nakatomi]

You jaundiced young whippersnapper, Justin! :p

The only part of your rant I would take serious issue with is your dismissal of the programs. This is what ( in my humble opinion, and also that of many esteemed colleagues ) makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts. There's nothing exciting or ground breaking lashed to a Gigbar, it's just a lightshow on a stick.


Mind you, it was once possible to get a Gigbar in a box. Still is, if you have money, and a DMX controller big enough.

The Swiss Army Knife of lights. (https://clubtek.co.uk/qtx-hadron-wash-fx-4in1-p-4791.html) Everything that's on a Gigbar, but in a box, for half the price. Sadly discontinued. :cry::cry::cry:

Blimey, they've rationalised the DMX channels! (https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Chauvet-DJ-Swarm-Wash-FX-Lighting-Effect/1KUR?gclid=CjwKCAjwkaSaBhA4EiwALBgQaG3mBSrOJ56cmaE 1xQDzJpOqL975xhuHAWySq-TJ5TZd4eCOyhx_MhoCxsgQAvD_BwE) The Chauvet that the Hadron copied. It used to use over fifty channels, but now it's two or eighteen. Game changer for a man with a thirty two channel controller. :D Oh dear, I think I've just identified my next lighting purchase. :(


After repairing said gigbars I felt obliged to give them a soak test, ie make them work. I thought I'd found programs I liked then they'd just start flashing like it was some sort of rave. Did I miss a trick? Maybe. Anyway, I'd be paying good money for a light with a cluster & strobes I'd neither want nor use, so it's a no from me.

My old gigAbar did plenty I liked, but I 'levelled up' & got rid of it and its German clone. I love my movers, but hate that in their cases they weigh so much :lol:

[Excalibur]

Anyway, I'd be paying good money for a light with a cluster & strobes I'd neither want nor use, so it's a no from me.


Now this is the difference between the 3-in-1 Hadron type lights, and the 4-in-1. The whacking great lights round the perimeter on the 3s are white strobes. On the 4s, they're colour wash, and there's a ring of dinky little decorative strobe LEDs on its nose. Difference is night and day.

[mbp]

I've been on the edge of getting back into the business for a few years.... but the thing that's 'worrying' me, more than anything, is the range of music that people are asking for nowadays.

There are so many, so called, 'different charts' that everyone refers to and the diversity of music is simply baffling....

What are your views?

Ta

[Excalibur]

I've been on the edge of getting back into the business for a few years.... but the thing that's 'worrying' me, more than anything, is the range of music that people are asking for nowadays.

There are so many, so called, 'different charts' that everyone refers to and the diversity of music is simply baffling....

What are your views?

Ta

Jaundiced Old Gits might tell you that there isn't a range of music nowadays, and all the modern stuff is sub 120bpm dirges and filth, especially when they'd had a couple of small sherries. :whistle:

If you could catch them in a lucid moment, they might say that for them, Promo Only tends to satisfy most of that market, The Usual Suspects still are The Usual Suspects, ( " Rollin' on a River " is still virtually a guaranteed request every night ) and 90's dance and Indie are the hot Genres. Soul and Tamla still exist, and even NS gets aired sporadically. ( Usually to a surprised and rapturous reception to those who requested it, as the pimply youth they see every other week normally replies " Wossat"? )


Right, the ills are kicking in, and while the second paragraph is indeed what I tend to find currently, I don't think I answered your question. We might need the Whippersnappers to do it justice. I really aren't qualified to explain the subtle differences and nuances of House, Deep House, Trance, Hard House, Balearic Beats, Nu School, Old School, Grime, Jump Up, and a thousand other sub genres.

Newsflash: Often the clients aren't either. Their categorisation of certain artists leaves a lot to be desired. :mad:

[DJ Jules]

I've generally been finding that new music has an even shorter shelf life than it did before and streaming services have brought 'popular music' to the younger generations. I did a couple of photo booths over the summer for Yr 6 kids. At one they had a DJ who played dance music from the last 2yrs or so for 2hrs and had an empty dance floor until he hit Cha Cha slide. At the other prom the kids all contributed to the playlist and we had 2 hours of crazy dancing to everything from Abba through to Chesney Hawkes with just a few current tracks from Lizzo and Dua Lipa.

I can't speak for others, but if you're playing weddings and general parties I'm finding that the usual suspects are still the songs that people want, regardless of age group or demographic with only a few exceptions from older generations who have specific music tastes (likes 80s punk, NS, etc) and club nights that have been marketed with a specific theme or target a particular music taste.

Ask Alexa to play party music and you'll get the general gist of what I mean....

Julian

[Excalibur]

I've generally been finding that new music has an even shorter shelf life than it did before and streaming services have brought 'popular music' to the younger generations. I did a couple of photo booths over the summer for Yr 6 kids. At one they had a DJ who played dance music from the last 2yrs or so for 2hrs and had an empty dance floor until he hit Cha Cha slide. At the other prom the kids all contributed to the playlist and we had 2 hours of crazy dancing to everything from Abba through to Chesney Hawkes with just a few current tracks from Lizzo and Dua Lipa.

I can't speak for others, but if you're playing weddings and general parties I'm finding that the usual suspects are still the songs that people want, regardless of age group or demographic with only a few exceptions from older generations who have specific music tastes (likes 80s punk, NS, etc) and club nights that have been marketed with a specific theme or target a particular music taste.

Ask Alexa to play party music and you'll get the general gist of what I mean....

Julian

Your observations tally exactly with mine, but were explained in a much better fashion. :agree:

Edit: Sometimes we get the " No Cheese " gigs, but the definition of Cheese is " flexible/dubious/uncertain" to say the least, and often the cheese board is allowed after three hours of an empty dancefloor. How many 18ths have I seen with requests for moden music played to total apathy, and yet the floor fills to Barbie Girl? Lots.

[mbp]

Thanks guys....

Also is the 'minimalist' set up theme still on trend and if so anyone got any piccies for inspiration?

Ta

[Excalibur]

Thanks guys....

Also is the 'minimalist' set up theme still on trend and if so anyone got any piccies for inspiration?

Ta


Ah. Well, from what I see on Facebook, there are still a lot of folk cramming multiple fixtures on an overhead. My standard rigs are one or two Polar speakers, and gravity poles with one batten each vertically, and one effect light. Many others are on the same page, Wayne ( Imagine ) for one, but with Ev speakers.

It expands for certain functions and venues accordingly, but usually only gains t-bars.



My Facebook page below for piccies of mine



https://www.facebook.com/Maui1155/

[Nakatomi]

Thanks guys....

Also is the 'minimalist' set up theme still on trend and if so anyone got any piccies for inspiration?

Ta



Minimalist? I like to think of it more as taking enough gear needed to do a good job, as opposed to stuffing a rig with a headache inducing cacophony of effects ;)

My rig doesn't look like much, but it's neat, doesn't take too much space or time to set up - and by jingo it more than does the job.

Two rcf HD12A, Two stairville crown fx pars,. Up to four 60w led movers. Each half of the lights goes on a mini t-bar which is mounted atop a gravity lighting pole. I can be inside & fully rigged in most ground floor venues in about half an hour

Not relying on mounting lights to the booth (err WHAT BOOTH? LOL) via overhead truss or otherwise affords me the luxury of being able to set up the PA & lights where they're best placed & be able to keep myself & the playout out of the way.

19022

In my main venue with own PA...

Or in a posh venue with a different PA...
19024


Lights on!

19025

[DJColsie]

Two rcf HD12

I used to love mine, great speakers, especially on top of RCF 905’s,

[Excalibur]

I like pic2 Justin. I agree with your concept of how much is enough, and would probably say that you could easily lose two movers without losing a lot.

[Nakatomi]

I like pic2 Justin. I agree with your concept of how much is enough, and would probably say that you could easily lose two movers without losing a lot.

Yeah but pic2 has the stick PA with a price and a weight that can't justify itself. Yes it looks prettier than tops on tripods but the LF extension is virtually the same despite the weight being an extra 25kg. Is the aesthetic worth 2 grand? Nope

[Excalibur]

Yeah but pic2 has the stick PA with a price and a weight that can't justify itself. Yes it looks prettier than tops on tripods but the LF extension is virtually the same despite the weight being an extra 25kg. Is the aesthetic worth 2 grand? Nope

Agreed. Especially when that's one of the costlier, uglier ones. :p:D:D