Mobile DJ Tips and Questions

[MintyCondition]

After a first successful gig I have scored myself another gig. This time it is a house party that goes for 4 hours and has about 150 people attending it. The age group is around 15-17 year olds. I have a few questions firstly though.

1. How should I structure my mix?

2. My friend told me that you start with rnb and build it up to house and pop, is this the standard structure?

3. Can you actually mix pop music? Or is it just fader work?

4. I am getting this lighting pack: http://www.djwarehouse.com.au/rental-hi ... -pack.html

How do I setup everything? Or just what are some general guidelines I should follow?

5. What type of music do I need?

6. How much should I charge? I am doing it with a mate as a duo and we are thinking of about 400 bucks. Is that fine?

7. Any other tips would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[AlexJ]

depends on the area. i mean 400 would be good if it was just you but in all honesty if you want to rock up to some small house with a 150 16 yr olds who are going to be requesting a song every 2 seconds then you'll probs want more than 200 for your efforts. that being said seeing as you are just starting out thats probably not too bad.

as for mixing. yes you can definatly mix pop however unless you have a very large music base (which i will definatly suggest) and knowledge of that music it is very difficult. for the average house party yes there is alot of fader work.

unfortunatly house parties often contain people with very eclectic (specific) tastes that vary widely from person to person. being able to read the crowd is a must hence strictly 'pre-planning' a set is a bad idea. have a general idea about where you would like to go, but be open to the fact that you could go to bust the latest electro banger and the room clears then you switch to a justin beiber song and suddenly your the god of music. be open to the fact that your taste as a dj is most probably quite different to the average person.

as for setting up the lights. it shouldnt be terrible difficult i would recommend having a t-bar or something though to rig it too. the problem with this gig is doing it with your mate AND hiring gear its not going to be a huge profit event for you, so missaswell make it a good show. ensure your prepared with as much music as you can find.

as for what you should play. generally top 40's. anything that you hear on the radio (that isnt triple j) is probably going to be fine. seriously hit up itunes top 100, aria charts. billboard charts. you'll get a good idea of whats trending. remember that although they mightnt be top of the charts, dont forget the party hits. shit like party rock anthem, gangnam style, macarena etc. doesnt matter really when or where you play them but they are the sort of tracks everyone dances too (even teh oldies). the good party dj has entire playlists like this.

thats about all from me for now. good luck

[overit]

^strong post Alex.

I would add - With that age group be really aware how much they are drinking. We all remember being kids and at that age a youth can go from seeming ok to falling onto your decks in 30 seconds flat. It is good two of you are going. You'll be able to ensure you do not leave the kit alone, and although I wouldn't normally say this: you may find the parents your best mates on the night if they are there - they will be trying to keep their house in a reasonable way and will be the true source of your payment.

On the other hand you may have room full of stars who can handle themselves and no 'rents onsite. Good luck.

[MintyCondition]

Thank you for your prompt response! Another question I have is that I want to buy a tablecloth to cover the table and make it look neat, but I have no idea how large this tablecloth should be. What size? Also how do I cover the front of the table so that nobody sees the wiring that I have going on?

[Mitch]

Thank you for your prompt response! Another question I have is that I want to buy a tablecloth to cover the table and make it look neat, but I have no idea how large this tablecloth should be. What size? Also how do I cover the front of the table so that nobody sees the wiring that I have going on?

Measure the table you are using and make it appropriately sized

Have the tablecloth be big enough to hang over front of table to near ground level so people can't see underneath.

Then use some cable management and clever use of tape to keep the cabling out of the way

[MintyCondition]

Thank you for your prompt response! Another question I have is that I want to buy a tablecloth to cover the table and make it look neat, but I have no idea how large this tablecloth should be. What size? Also how do I cover the front of the table so that nobody sees the wiring that I have going on?

Measure the table you are using and make it appropriately sized

Have the tablecloth be big enough to hang over front of table to near ground level so people can't see underneath.

Then use some cable management and clever use of tape to keep the cabling out of the way

Thanks!

[GREMM1S]

You should be able to get fairly standard black ones for this exact kind of use at the likes of bunnings i'd say.

You don't have to go crazy with cords so long as they won't get pulled by people tripping on them and as long as they don't look terribly ugly.

I just run most of mine behind or under the table along a wall etc

[Robbo123]

did my first gig for 80 people more or less and around the same age group got 70 bucks and i thought it was pretty decent i mean bro its only youre second gig, 400 bucks is super steep and they migth find that ridiculous considering it is only youre second time but i know why its 400 because you wanna split profit with friend but this doesnt mean you double the price. if they can get one guy for 250 why would they hire 2 guys for 400. my little two cents ahhah and i get you probs have to cover youre hire costs, i started with trancey songs and then more electroey, then couple hours in i was getting into the good drops and shiz and then add youre classics in there as well like get low, dougie and few other cheesy songs that young teens go wet over...gl buddy

[AlexJ]

did my first gig for 80 people more or less and around the same age group got 70 bucks and i thought it was pretty decent i mean bro its only youre second gig, 400 bucks is super steep and they migth find that ridiculous considering it is only youre second time but i know why its 400 because you wanna split profit with friend but this doesnt mean you double the price. if they can get one guy for 250 why would they hire 2 guys for 400. my little two cents ahhah and i get you probs have to cover youre hire costs, i started with trancey songs and then more electroey, then couple hours in i was getting into the good drops and shiz and then add youre classics in there as well like get low, dougie and few other cheesy songs that young teens go wet over...gl buddy

lol @ 70 bucks

i know you think thats ok. but if you let it be ok then that person who hired you is going to know form then on that it is OK to hire djs for 70 bucks...which is a turkey slap to the face for the rest of us. 2nd gig or not, if you can do the job and bring all the equipment then you SHOULD be paid well for your time. 9/10 the shit party dj's put up with from shit music all the way to dodgy venues deserves an excess.

[Mitch]

Yep, undercharging kills it for the professionals.

Some mobile djs charge closer to a grand for a whole night - and they are just jukebox DJs not mix DJs.

They do conduct themselves professionally though

[AlexJ]

Yep, undercharging kills it for the professionals.

Some mobile djs charge closer to a grand for a whole night - and they are just jukebox DJs not mix DJs.

They do conduct themselves professionally though

exactly

everything from backup equipment, to independant power. being able to ensure NOTHING goes wrong that cannot be fixed is a huge selling point. I know a bloke working in sydney that charges more than 2grand for (very basic) weddings (weddings normally at a premium anyway) because he is the go-to guy. a mix of a professional attitude and good reputation. what the guy actually does during the gig could be pulled off by almost anyone, but outside of the gig he knows what he is doing and he is very organised, attributing to his ability to reassure the client.

make no mistake

most people hiring the dj's are already stressed about the event they are planning. wedding, funeral or 16th birthday bash. if you can be organised and make things EASY then you are a far more valuable asset to them. better to do a good job than a cheap one. at the end of the day, you will get remembered for the killer perfomance. if something goes wrong then its on your head and your business will suffer from lack of repeat business/poor reputation. the motivation to do well should not be driven by the econimic factor but buy the desire to simply be known as the best. sure u can b known as the best from $10 an hour but by the time your the best you could charge 50x that and nobody asks questions. idk about you but i know where i would rather be.

[djbater]

The thing that i learnt after my first gig is to quote your price for 5 hours and then give a rate for time after that.

[GREMM1S]

The thing that i learnt after my first gig is to quote your price for 5 hours and then give a rate for time after that.

When everyone is drunk and suddenly the party finishing is the worst thing that could happen you can charge ridiculous amounts haha

[AlexJ]

The thing that i learnt after my first gig is to quote your price for 5 hours and then give a rate for time after that.

When everyone is drunk and suddenly the party finishing is the worst thing that could happen you can charge ridiculous amounts haha

this is very true

i remember djing a yr 12 grad after party, payed for 5 hours only got til like 2am. the bulk of people didnt arrive til like 11.30 so by 1.30 they were hammered. when i announced last song (to a crowd of boo's) one of kids came up and said i cant stop. i was really tired by this point and noted that i had no where to stay, had already played for hours and still had a long packup ahead. offered to keep me playin' for 200 bucks an hour. played through til 5am. collected a grand for 8 hours work. requested energy drinks, got given them, packed up and was in bed by 7am.

moral to the story is. always be open to stay late. sometimes not only will that be when everyone is in epic party mode but you will get paid some nice moola

[djpeterd]

I charge $660 for a private function and mobile is not boring as long as you entertain.

Mobile work is very different from club and pub ( I have done these before and only recently left the club scene). Mobile is rewarding as an entertainer and you too can make a difference, just check out www.djaa.com.au