jboerlage
synthet1c,
Yeah, you are so right, we should petition Atomix to rename VDJ Pro to VDJ N00b! :P
Nah, actually, if you ask me, they should keep Virtual DJ Basic and LE under the VirtualDJ brand, drop the broadcaster versions, and think up a totally new name for Pro (not containing pro, not containing broadcast, not containing VirtualDJ)
Yeah, you are so right, we should petition Atomix to rename VDJ Pro to VDJ N00b! :P
Nah, actually, if you ask me, they should keep Virtual DJ Basic and LE under the VirtualDJ brand, drop the broadcaster versions, and think up a totally new name for Pro (not containing pro, not containing broadcast, not containing VirtualDJ)
geposted Thu 08 Sep 11 @ 11:06 am
djnutz
This is a pretty common topic that comes up periodically. I think this is a great discussion and it SHOULD be revisited often. It's always good to keep these types of ideas fresh in our minds.
I know the point trying to be made here is about gear. To be considered professional, The brand name on the gear means NOTHING. Any person looking to book me who asks about my gear, I ask them why it matters. Unless I am going to be on a stage and it is more of a situation where I am considered a performing artist, it doesn't matter. Seriously, stop and think about the types of gigs many DJ's commonly do:
Bars with dance floors and nightclubs.
In these situations, if the venue is a bar or club, then they are in business for one thing and one thing ONLY: To sell booze. Period. If you think these places are there for you the DJ, then check your EGO at the door. These places, EVEN with a cover make NOTHING on someone who comes in and doesn't buy a single drink. A bar/club DJ's job isn't to get people in the door, that is the job for the venue's advertising. The Bar/Club DJ is only supposed to make sure those who DO show up, stick around and buy several drinks. We do that by playing the right songs at the right time in order to periodically rotate our dance floor and make sure people have a chance to cycle through the bar and get a drink.
For this type of event, as long as the gear is reliable and fits easily in the space provided, then that is all one needs. If you think you need a brand name, then again, CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. As long as it works and gets the job done, that is all that matters. Period. The ONLY people who even give a $hit about what gear you are playing with are other DJ's. If they choose to say something to you, give this reply:
"So you think my gear is crap? Well, I am getting paid right now, how about you?"
Everyone else who goes out to these places just wants to hear great music and drink and dance with their friends. I have done club shows with nothing more than a laptop and a mouse. I have done club shows with 2 Technic 1200's. Hell, I have even used a dual cassette deck. I can count on a single hand the number of people who have said something to me about my gear choice over the last 22 years. What I have heard is thousands of compliments on how much FUN people had. I have had bar owners say they saw results in their register ring.
The other type is the wedding/private function
With this type of event, the DJ's job can be much more than just playing music, many times it can involve planning and directing. There are timelines and certain songs and other things that need to happen at certain points in a night. Now the FUN aspect is really the only thing that matters. The challenge with this type of event is having a media library that is diverse enough to please many different demographics that are common to these types of events.
With this event, gear makes ZERO difference. It only has to work. Period. With this type of event you only have ONE chance to get it right. ONE. The gear MUST work EVERY TIME.
With all that said, here is the truth:
The only time ANY event is perfect is when it is planned out on paper. You can plan a playlist for the club with all the best songs. You can plan out every little detail for a wedding reception. A TRUE professional is one who can SEAMLESSLY fix the issues when they crop up. These guys will use gear with better reputations for reliability so they can lessen the issues as much as possible. It's not a question of IF a piece of gear will fail, it's a question of WHEN. A DJ can be working a paid gig at a club with a top of the line Pioneer CDJ and have it fail and sit there freaked out, not knowing what to do. That DJ is NOT professional. Take a DJ with an American DJ, Gemini, or any other entry level gear, have it fail, and they have a plan in place where the people in the room have NO IDEA there was ever a problem. THAT DJ is a professional.
The professional DJ has a business plan.
The Professional DJ pays taxes.
The Professional DJ uses a contract for EVERY event.
The Professional DJ has insurance.
The Professional DJ has a backup plan for EVERY event.
The Professional DJ can handle ANY situation with a cool head and grace.
The Professional DJ knows and lives by the DJ Golden Rule:
You are ALWAYS on stage. Always. Act accordingly.
I know the point trying to be made here is about gear. To be considered professional, The brand name on the gear means NOTHING. Any person looking to book me who asks about my gear, I ask them why it matters. Unless I am going to be on a stage and it is more of a situation where I am considered a performing artist, it doesn't matter. Seriously, stop and think about the types of gigs many DJ's commonly do:
Bars with dance floors and nightclubs.
In these situations, if the venue is a bar or club, then they are in business for one thing and one thing ONLY: To sell booze. Period. If you think these places are there for you the DJ, then check your EGO at the door. These places, EVEN with a cover make NOTHING on someone who comes in and doesn't buy a single drink. A bar/club DJ's job isn't to get people in the door, that is the job for the venue's advertising. The Bar/Club DJ is only supposed to make sure those who DO show up, stick around and buy several drinks. We do that by playing the right songs at the right time in order to periodically rotate our dance floor and make sure people have a chance to cycle through the bar and get a drink.
For this type of event, as long as the gear is reliable and fits easily in the space provided, then that is all one needs. If you think you need a brand name, then again, CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. As long as it works and gets the job done, that is all that matters. Period. The ONLY people who even give a $hit about what gear you are playing with are other DJ's. If they choose to say something to you, give this reply:
"So you think my gear is crap? Well, I am getting paid right now, how about you?"
Everyone else who goes out to these places just wants to hear great music and drink and dance with their friends. I have done club shows with nothing more than a laptop and a mouse. I have done club shows with 2 Technic 1200's. Hell, I have even used a dual cassette deck. I can count on a single hand the number of people who have said something to me about my gear choice over the last 22 years. What I have heard is thousands of compliments on how much FUN people had. I have had bar owners say they saw results in their register ring.
The other type is the wedding/private function
With this type of event, the DJ's job can be much more than just playing music, many times it can involve planning and directing. There are timelines and certain songs and other things that need to happen at certain points in a night. Now the FUN aspect is really the only thing that matters. The challenge with this type of event is having a media library that is diverse enough to please many different demographics that are common to these types of events.
With this event, gear makes ZERO difference. It only has to work. Period. With this type of event you only have ONE chance to get it right. ONE. The gear MUST work EVERY TIME.
With all that said, here is the truth:
The only time ANY event is perfect is when it is planned out on paper. You can plan a playlist for the club with all the best songs. You can plan out every little detail for a wedding reception. A TRUE professional is one who can SEAMLESSLY fix the issues when they crop up. These guys will use gear with better reputations for reliability so they can lessen the issues as much as possible. It's not a question of IF a piece of gear will fail, it's a question of WHEN. A DJ can be working a paid gig at a club with a top of the line Pioneer CDJ and have it fail and sit there freaked out, not knowing what to do. That DJ is NOT professional. Take a DJ with an American DJ, Gemini, or any other entry level gear, have it fail, and they have a plan in place where the people in the room have NO IDEA there was ever a problem. THAT DJ is a professional.
The professional DJ has a business plan.
The Professional DJ pays taxes.
The Professional DJ uses a contract for EVERY event.
The Professional DJ has insurance.
The Professional DJ has a backup plan for EVERY event.
The Professional DJ can handle ANY situation with a cool head and grace.
The Professional DJ knows and lives by the DJ Golden Rule:
You are ALWAYS on stage. Always. Act accordingly.
geposted Thu 08 Sep 11 @ 12:56 pm
jimmy b
@djnutz,
Great post, mate
geposted Thu 08 Sep 11 @ 2:52 pm
tayla
Wot! you been on a cruise for five years, come back and thats all you got to say...
geposted Thu 08 Sep 11 @ 3:02 pm
SuperAceMan
@Nutz - If I were you, I'd give up DJing and take up writing! :) That one is definitely a best seller!
geposted Thu 08 Sep 11 @ 3:48 pm
Tear Em 'Up
jimmy b wrote :
@djnutz,
Great post, mate
@djnutz,
Great post, mate
+1...and who is this Jimmy B person... ;^)
geposted Thu 08 Sep 11 @ 5:48 pm
jboerlage
djnutz wrote :
CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. As long as it works and gets the job done, that is all that matters. Period. The ONLY people who even give a $hit about what gear you are playing with are other DJ's.
+Million Milliard .. some DJ's forget they are the entertainer and at the service of the crowd. Regardless wetter you do clubs, house parties, weddings, podcasts ... Good reality check for some
geposted Fri 09 Sep 11 @ 12:26 am
coach k
With all that said, here is the truth:
The only time ANY event is perfect is when it is planned out on paper. You can plan a playlist for the club with all the best songs. You can plan out every little detail for a wedding reception. A TRUE professional is one who can SEAMLESSLY fix the issues when they crop up. These guys will use gear with better reputations for reliability so they can lessen the issues as much as possible. It's not a question of IF a piece of gear will fail, it's a question of WHEN. A DJ can be working a paid gig at a club with a top of the line Pioneer CDJ and have it fail and sit there freaked out, not knowing what to do. That DJ is NOT professional. Take a DJ with an American DJ, Gemini, or any other entry level gear, have it fail, and they have a plan in place where the people in the room have NO IDEA there was ever a problem. THAT DJ is a professional.
The professional DJ has a business plan.
The Professional DJ pays taxes.
The Professional DJ uses a contract for EVERY event.
The Professional DJ has insurance.
The Professional DJ has a backup plan for EVERY event.
The Professional DJ can handle ANY situation with a cool head and grace.
The Professional DJ knows and lives by the DJ Golden Rule:
You are ALWAYS on stage. Always. Act accordingly.
[/quote]
BOOYAH!!!!
The only time ANY event is perfect is when it is planned out on paper. You can plan a playlist for the club with all the best songs. You can plan out every little detail for a wedding reception. A TRUE professional is one who can SEAMLESSLY fix the issues when they crop up. These guys will use gear with better reputations for reliability so they can lessen the issues as much as possible. It's not a question of IF a piece of gear will fail, it's a question of WHEN. A DJ can be working a paid gig at a club with a top of the line Pioneer CDJ and have it fail and sit there freaked out, not knowing what to do. That DJ is NOT professional. Take a DJ with an American DJ, Gemini, or any other entry level gear, have it fail, and they have a plan in place where the people in the room have NO IDEA there was ever a problem. THAT DJ is a professional.
The professional DJ has a business plan.
The Professional DJ pays taxes.
The Professional DJ uses a contract for EVERY event.
The Professional DJ has insurance.
The Professional DJ has a backup plan for EVERY event.
The Professional DJ can handle ANY situation with a cool head and grace.
The Professional DJ knows and lives by the DJ Golden Rule:
You are ALWAYS on stage. Always. Act accordingly.
[/quote]
BOOYAH!!!!
geposted Fri 09 Sep 11 @ 9:26 am
djnutz
I normally detest those who "bump" threads, but this one is worth sending back to page one again...
geposted Sat 10 Sep 11 @ 8:28 am
GadgetMan
Because I work (elsewhere) full time. I have always considered DJing a professional hobby.
In other words, it pays for itself. It's been like this for me for the past 30 years (almost). My hobby pays for itself, but I could not support my family on what I earn from DJing. It just means that my family does not have to support me or suffer because I DJ.
I act with professionalism ALWAYS. Never drink alcohol if I am being paid. I have several back up plans. I am the host when required or can slip quietly in to the background (eg wedding) when I am not the main attraction!!!
Do I consider myself a professional? No. Do others considered me a professional? I leave that up to them.
I prefer the term 'premium gear' as opposed to 'pro gear'. The latter is what makes bedroom DJ's, wack DJ's and anyone else for that matter, consider themselves a pro.
I am always learning: new music, mixing styles/skills, new hardware and software features. Lighting, etc... As long as I am learning, I do not consider myself a pro.
Cheers,
Roy
In other words, it pays for itself. It's been like this for me for the past 30 years (almost). My hobby pays for itself, but I could not support my family on what I earn from DJing. It just means that my family does not have to support me or suffer because I DJ.
I act with professionalism ALWAYS. Never drink alcohol if I am being paid. I have several back up plans. I am the host when required or can slip quietly in to the background (eg wedding) when I am not the main attraction!!!
Do I consider myself a professional? No. Do others considered me a professional? I leave that up to them.
I prefer the term 'premium gear' as opposed to 'pro gear'. The latter is what makes bedroom DJ's, wack DJ's and anyone else for that matter, consider themselves a pro.
I am always learning: new music, mixing styles/skills, new hardware and software features. Lighting, etc... As long as I am learning, I do not consider myself a pro.
Cheers,
Roy
geposted Sat 10 Sep 11 @ 8:26 pm