I'll bet you would have had the same great time without all the glam, but to each their own. I wouldn't want to set up and break down that.
Just not my style I guess.
Great job Steve. No hard feelings?
Looking to get a new DJ booth.
- Thread starter Matthew
- Start date
I'll bet you would have had the same great time without all the glam, but to each their own. I wouldn't want to set up and break down that.
Just not my style I guess.
Great job Steve. No hard feelings?
I am simplistic but creative. that is why I got the four bar, If you check out my gig report I mention that I shined my one light on the banner they had created by the restaurant and it was sparkled. The light made appear as if the letters were lights,
Thanks Ron, I appreciate the compliment.
It is not nearly as heavy as it looks... It's all in the construction. The "shell" appears to be very thick plywood, but It is not. It is reinforced where it needs to be, but after building these for over 20 years, I know where I can take weight out and still retain the integrity and strength.
Well, first off, IF I had a venue with stairs and no elevator, I would charge accordingly to offset the "pain in the arse factor". But since not everybody would want to pay the additional fee, I would just use a smaller, more portable system. Luckily, I have many different systems.
Mine is completely prewired as well. I use the "hybrid" cables (ac and 2 xlr's in one cable), so setup is a breeze. Like you, I just roll in, plug in, and play.
Actually, it is. If you look at the picture, you will notice that it is really 2 pieces.
In between the handles are 2 butterfly hinges. Simply undo the hinges, pull a few wires and move each piece individually, if necessary. It might add 10 minutes to the set-up.
-Alan
Thanks Matthew,
It is not as heavy as it looks. I don't know how much exactly, but I can man-handle it into the van by myself, and I'm almost 48 now, OUCH
The program that you see is PCDJ VRM. I used to use that, but now it is on the computer as a backup. I now use PCDJVJ, but will be moving over to VDJ shortly. But that is another story for another thread.
Best to PM or Email me so we can chat offline.
-Alan
I built a rolling cart that holds my mixer rack, two laptop docking stations, everything pre-wired. I get it in place, put the laptops in palace, setup the external hard drives in the bottom, setup the facade and hook up the speakers. I built it tall for me but had to limit the height to be able to roll into the back door of my van with a folding ramp. I think it is the best thing I have done in years, saves setup and tear down time.
Of course there are no hard feelings. No worries!
You are right on point. The set-up is extensive, requiring two people at least an hour. Of course I get paid for this, but it is never-the-less a lot more work than just a simple sound system.
The FaCIEd as I call it, only takes a minute to set up, another 5 minutes for the lighting for it. But it's the Dura-Truss and Intelligent Lighting ove-head that is the bear as far as load in--set up-- load out goes.
Today, in my market, just having a great voice, great sound system, extensive music library, and a warmming personality aren't enough for the clients. They are looking for value, as well as a "WOW" factor.
It's the WOW factor which helps set me apart from some of the other DJ Entertainers in my market.
Some folks can't afford a ritzy looking venue. With my lighting package, I can turn a dump into a palace (visually speaking)
I looked for a plastic cart after seeing yours. but couldn't find one that would fit my setup width. I think I bought the wheels at a Harbor Freight store.
I've been very happy with the cut outs that allow the L1's to slide in and have also been looking at doing the same with the B1's since they have to stick out about 2-3 inches due to the connectors. I may do that this weekend. Plus it will lighten the center section of the facade a little more.
I like using a table from the venue. I always bring a black cloth/skirt/clips set because some venues don't bother doing that for the DJ table. The J Mac and I have been able to get away with just one table from the venue (we used to be able to get 2, but with so many DJs streamlining down to laptops and facades....).
I've never understood what's so wrong about using a table from the venue. With a table, we have a place to set down all our CDs and the request binder. Yeah, we're old-fashioned; we actually take requests from the guests. I feel that a table, rather than a raised facade, makes a DJ appear more approachable.
Thinking about it more, I doubt that the J Mac and I could ever agree on a facade, if we even wanted one. He's about 6' tall and I'm at 4' 11 1/2" with shoes on. I usually step to the side of our top rack to see the crowd; I'd hate to be spending time stepping around a whole facade!
As usual, to each their own.
I've never understood what's so wrong about using a table from the venue. With a table, we have a place to set down all our CDs and the request binder. Yeah, we're old-fashioned; we actually take requests from the guests. I feel that a table, rather than a raised facade, makes a DJ appear more approachable.
Thinking about it more, I doubt that the J Mac and I could ever agree on a facade, if we even wanted one. He's about 6' tall and I'm at 4' 11 1/2" with shoes on. I usually step to the side of our top rack to see the crowd; I'd hate to be spending time stepping around a whole facade!
As usual, to each their own.
Do you mean that the newer DJ's don't? Taking requests are one thing, ability in filling them is another.
Using the venues tables does cut down on setup time and overall cost but does give a different appearance and perception. Whatever works best for the business.
Do you mean that the newer DJ's don't? Taking requests are one thing, ability in filling them is another.
Using the venues tables does cut down on setup time and overall cost but does give a different appearance and perception. Whatever works best for the business.
Once again, different markets...there's one guy around here who doesn't take many requests.
Also, there are differences between a venue table with a mess of cables and a venue table that has the cables all tied back, and looking nice.
Than again, a nice looking set of cables should be done facade or not.
Using a venue-supplied table is great if the venue has a table to spare.
In our experience, it's hit and miss. Some houses set up a table for the DJ company as a matter of practice. For those that do not, we'd have to load a table. It's for this reason we designed our rack stack to serve as our main setup.
In our experience, it's hit and miss. Some houses set up a table for the DJ company as a matter of practice. For those that do not, we'd have to load a table. It's for this reason we designed our rack stack to serve as our main setup.
Taking requests is a must. Being able to fill those requests is what's important. Digital and internet is a wonderful thing. Using a verizon wireless card allows me to fill practically any request. Of course I have the option not to as well like when they ask for annoying hardcore rap.
Using a venue-supplied table is great if the venue has a table to spare.
In our experience, it's hit and miss. Some houses set up a table for the DJ company as a matter of practice. For those that do not, we'd have to load a table. It's for this reason we designed our rack stack to serve as our main setup.
We're looking to bring our own tables as backup when we get a vehicle large enough to haul one.
oh Ron "annoying hardcore rap" is still music for some people.a good DJ plays everything.Taking requests is a must. Being able to fill those requests is what's important. Digital and internet is a wonderful thing. Using a verizon wireless card allows me to fill practically any request. Of course I have the option not to as well like when they ask for annoying hardcore rap.
A skirted table is required per my contract. If not available, I can provide mine for $45. I too think that for weddings, lighted facades just scream 'Hey, look at me'. Now, for a school dance, these lighted facades would be great!
Here's my wedding set-up. It's clean enough I think, without drawing too much attention.
Here's my wedding set-up. It's clean enough I think, without drawing too much attention.