How much do mobile DJ's get paid and more questions?

[Jaytee]

Hey.

I was saw an ad in a magazine for casual work doing mobile DJ'ing for 'MOBDYDISC'.

They were looking for mature minded people to work as DJ's at Weddings and Parties. They supplied training and equipment and guaranteed weekend work.

I was interested in applying until I read that I needed a reliable car which I don't have

How much do mobile DJ's get paid?

What really happens, do you got solo DJing or do you work with another peson at a party etc?

But I'm also guessing that their target age bracket will be 25-35.

[CBG]

Wouldn't recommend it man.

It's most likely going to be a business that does weddings and shit.

ie. a lot of 70's & 80's music. So you need a good knowledge of that.

Prbly something you'd do after you do clubs imo

[Jaytee]

Lucky you replied

But I need free training

[CBG]

hey man, do it if you like. But they wont teach any sort of DJing that will get you work in clubs.

"ok so press play on here and as the other one starts to finish, move the crossfader. BAMN!"

They'd basically teach you how to set stuff up like the lighting and the audio system.

But yeah, I spose you could do it if it meant you earn some coin. But just realise that it wont teach you a lot in terms of mixing.

Wish I was in Brissy so I could give you a few free lessons.

[Tomy]

you'll learn how to read a crowd.

[stevegunn]

Lets start by saying I've been doing this stuff for nearly thirty years.

Also i'm not knocking moby disc at all.

Used to have alot of mobile DJs on the books and at the time (mid 80's early 90s) moby disc was paying (from bad memory) around $60-$80 PER GIG for their DJs. (correct me if im wrong, just the info i got at the time)

I was paying around the $140 mark. Remember this was parties/weddings/etc only in the 80s.

Not sure what they pay these days but a few of my guys worked for them at one stage or another and didn't seem to mind as long as the gigs came in. But still had a whinge about what they got paid!

We were (and still are) charging a lot more than the what they charge. Mind you I send my guys out in my van with a lot of gear you'd never fit it in a car. And I make sure the guys or girls nowadays know what they're doing before they even do there first gig on there own. Not sure about the free training thing, it may be free which is ok but then what? Training for a couple of hours then off to a gig or real training?

Check it out by all means but ask the questions.

If you wanna learn beat/key mixing etc. I don't think its the way to go.

Play at parties as mentioned above "press play there ya go you're a DJ" well I don't think I'd call that training.

But its a start

[SourceRaver]

I made some enquires about joining a mobile Dj firm. The training went something like this:

1) One or two nights a week at the shop beeing taught the basics - unpaid

2) Shadowing an established Dj for a several weeks - unpaid

3) First gigs paid at a reduced rate due to your 'ameteur' status

Given that what they wanted to pay (a coupla hundred dollars) compared to what they charge ($600 to $800) per wedding. It didnt sound very reasonable given I had all my own gear and already had a few friends weddings under my belt.

Just give a couple of local companies a call and I'm sure they'll be happy to let you know how it works. You pretty much end up playing the same songs all the time and if your into EDM it can get very boring real fast.

And yes...you dont need to know how to beat mix.

[DjDennis]

SourceRaver you have to start somewhere

I been doing all types of shows for over 32x years and you never stop learning

you only have to stuff up and your name is mud in the industry - seen it happen to too many wannabees that think they know it all go out and try and do shows they have NO idea on how to do them

if your adapted to do weddings then you can end up earning a lot more than you do in a club

so there isnt just club djs that are wannabees there are lots more

if you go with mobydics then watch out they dont take you for a ride - there are other companies that do the right thing

[pill]

With regards to mobile djing and the pay rates....

SourceRaver you have to start somewhere

you only have to stuff up and your name is mud in the industry - seen it happen to too many wannabees that think they know it all go out and try and do shows they have NO idea on how to do them

... indeed you do. i suggest friend's parties or somewhere friendly before you start asking money for it, and seeing someone else in action is a good idea. it's not as easy as it looks. and you can't expect to charge the big bucks before you are worth it. even with my time in the industry my rates are still tiny in comparison to some of the major players.

I been doing all types of shows for over 32x years and you never stop learning

if your adapted to do weddings then you can end up earning a lot more than you do in a club

In my (small in comparison) 5 years dj'ing, no crowd is ever the same, you need to learn to be able to adapt and read your target audiences as a mobile dj. pure wedding djs get good at it and that's why they charge so much; while not beatmixing makes mobile djs "fake djs" to some, they certainly make alot of money if they're decent, and ultimately, it's just to a different audience isn't it? A friend of mine charges $1200 a night. that's over $60,000 a year assuming one per weekend.

if you go with mobydics then watch out they dont take you for a ride - there are other companies that do the right thing

I heard some companies give you 4 discmans and a $100 behringer mixer with some powered speakers and a wallet full of cds. I suppose that's why they charge so little and their clients never receive a quality service.

I know that if I was going to let another Dj work under my banner, they'd get better quality gear than I use, because I don't want them ruining my name in the industry. This would mean months of training, imho.

But they wont teach any sort of DJing that will get you work in clubs.

"ok so press play on here and as the other one starts to finish, move the crossfader. BAMN!"

They'd basically teach you how to set stuff up like the lighting and the audio system.

But yeah, I spose you could do it if it meant you earn some coin. But just realise that it wont teach you a lot in terms of mixing.

They won't teach you beatmixing, or many skills that would get you club work bar familiarity with the equipment. What "i'm a real dj" nutters seem to forget is that there are many different kind of djs, and its up to you what kind of line you want to go down. To be honest, it'll be a great way to make money and get familiar with equipment and crowds.

However, remember that mobile DJs don't cater to clubs, they cater to mobile functions, and unless it's an 18th-21st kind of function, the guests probably won't want the kind of music you hear in your average nightclub. They don't care how many pioneers and technics you got, they care that it sounds good and the lights look cool. Whereas, club audiences differ hugely.

It's up to you who you want to DJ for, and what your reasons for doing it are. In terms of the potential money, i'd say work with them for six months, then start your own business

[Cupe]

nice post +rep

[DjDennis]

But I will also add one main factor

Dj Licences and Copyright licences

get caught without them you wont just get your gear taken but you will set it for others to get caught as well

www.apra.com.au - format shift of over $800 a year to use a computer on the job

www.ppca.com.au - dj licence

if you still dont have them better check out the site that can show you the most

www.mipi.com.au

[ChevChelios]

Dejavu

[Skank]

my advice is that if you wanna be a house dj only play gigs that want house, if you wanna only be a club dj only play at clubs, but also practice your arse off in your bedroom so that you have enuff skill to make it through your set cause it only takes one trainwreck in a club to give you a bad name

[DjDennis]

then get caught, I love watching a dj being pulled over the coals for breaking the law

certainly makes my day

especially when I have reported them for copyright as well

[Skank]

why would u dob people in, doing that sort of stuff could come back at u

[DjDennis]

If the Dj breaks the law then I will report

but if they did the correct thing - licences etc

then I wouldnt report them

as they say you have NO friends in Business

[Skank]

but what im sayin is why would you go out of your way to do it, do u get a comission or payed for it?

[pill]

i think the point is that if we are paying money for music, and licenses, and other people are just ripping it off the net, then not only do the pirates make more money than us but they can then charge less (it makes business sense).

[DjDennis]

Thanks Pill Some have no idea its just steal what you can and stuff anyone else what happens...

oh by the way Skank

even if I did I maybe in the ppca or such and you wouldnt know, I might just be knocking on your door to make sure your legal - you never know!

have a nice day you are IGNORED

[Skank]

i dare you to come knocking at my door you will leave in a bag

you have been WARNED

have a nice day

[DjDennis]

lol I bent someone nose out of shape

maybe he has something to worry about being legal (if he is)

maybe my contacts that do knock on doors can do that for me

they are in Sydney busting guys (peewee ferris was one)

anyway nice was knowing you lol

[Skank]

oh by the way Skank

I might just be knocking on your door

you didnt bend my nose you tried to threaten me and now your talking about contacts that knock on doors, you trying to say you play with the big boys?

remember old man we still havnt seen you back up shit about it being illegal to play mp3's or using computers to dj outside the home, how bout you stick to giving Positive advice or just keep your condescending mouth shut

[SourceRaver]

Settle down you two.

I can empathise with Dennis. If your main income is from Dj'ing and your doing it legally, it must be really hard watching some guys come in and steal your business simply because they dont pay any overheads (ie buy the music, licenses etc). I too would be tempted to report them as its may mean you'll no longer be able to afford to keep Djing for a living. This could also easily apply in the clubs. You may spend hours or days tracking down a rare tune or remix only to find that everyone has stolen it off the net. Same deal for the music you may also be producing.

If your ever in a position to get paid to Dj, give a bit back by rewarding those folks who are making your tunes. Simple.

Dennis, dont go knocking on peoples doors (even metaphorically). Its about winning 'hearts and minds', not a napalm remedy.

[RhemyD]

Dennis has a point (although, off topic and highly repetitive). Back on topic: I started DJn for a mobile company back in 2005 when I first started DJn for "real money". They paid me $16 an hour after supplying me with 2 months of useless training.

Mobile DJ training will be on how to pick music based on a wedding and not on the DJing that most of you will be after (beat matching, sampling, turntablism). Be warned that most of these places will rip you off and undervalue your services. It is useful to learn how to read a crowd, dealing with requests and how to use a microphone. Many of these skills get over looked by most club jocks and as such it can give you an edge. Unfortunatly though, you will get riped off in most cases.

I now do club work and mobile work through my own company. My mobile work I use a booking agent who understands the need to sustain the industry. As such I make sure my minumum rates are paid regardless of the gig I am doing. My rates start from $50ph but this is at the low end of the spectrum. When negotiating a wage you must understand you need to cover your own overheads ie. music, licence fees, equipment costs and travel.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WORK FOR FREE! Do not under value your skills. Network with other DJs in your area to work out what sort of rates to charge. Also, if you are just starting out the read as much as you can. Knowledge is power.

[DjDennis]

yeah I am going knock on doors from western Australia right thats good

I must have long arms to do that

RhemyD

trouble is most on this board are breaking the law and when they are caught they will cry like little babies (I was busted cry cry cry)

I have no remorse for anyone that breaks the law what so ever, get caught tough

So I really dont care if a person is breaking the law, then its affecting other Djs by stealing

then I will report them

if they want to come and check me out then when I do a CLUB by all means go for it as the club will also have to have licences

if they dont then they can be shut down for copyright

look I have had enough of this crap, if your legal you have nothing to fear, if you break the law (which seems most are) then you can get what you get from the authorities when they bust you and take all the gear your using and that includes what you have at home.

have a nice day