Why hire a professional Disc Jockey? There’s a reason they are so popular...
A professional Disc Jockey can be a great option: there’s a reason they are so popular –
By Adrian Cavlan
I know you saw that key word in the title of this section: professional. It’s a biggie. Over 80% of “working” DJs are part-time hobbyists who do it for fun and some extra pocket money on the weekends. Some, perhaps only a few, of these operators are pretty good, and here and there, you will be able to find a real value where you truly get more than you are paying for, but the truth is that most of the time, you won’t: you’ll only know it when it is too late to do anything about it.
The advent of file sharing, iTunes, the iPod and Craigslist have made it incredibly easy for someone to act on a whim to start a DJ business. There are some aspects to this that are pretty darned cool, actually, but it has caused a lot of confusion in the marketplace.
What is the difference between a professional and an amateur DJ/MC?
A professional DJ should –
• Own an enormous variety of legally-obtained music that he/she is expertly versed in.
• Be helpful and willing to guide you in choosing satisfying and appropriate music for all the different parts of your celebration.
• Be approachable and enthusiastic about playing guest requests
• Be able to program sets of music that are logically structured and pleasing to the listeners and dancers.
• Have a good understanding of music theory, song structure and the functionality of his/her equipment be able to seamlessly mix from song to song without stops and jarring transitions that make people stop dancing and leave the dance floor.
• Have a high-quality professional-grade sound system.
• Have backup equipment for all components with him/her on premises.
• Have a second sound system that can be used for a remote area on site like a ceremony or a cocktail hour.
• Have at least one professional-grade wireless hand-held microphone for the reception and at least one professional-grade wireless lavalier microphone for the officiant’s use in the ceremony (if applicable).
• Have a clean and professional equipment setup, including a front façade to hide all cables and connections.
• Be experienced and able provide references if asked
• Carry liability insurance (which may well be required by your event facility – don’t forget to ask first!)
If you choose to hire your MC/DJ from a “multi-op” DJ company or a talent agency, you should insist on meeting the actual person whom you are considering hiring, not just a salesperson or agent. Sometimes hiring from a company can provide many securities and additional benefits, but it is important that they operate in an above-board manner.
Remember: when you buy a $500 wedding DJ, you have bought a $500 wedding DJ, and you will almost undoubtedly get a $500 wedding DJ. That’s reality. The question is can you live with it? Statistics say that people who went the cheap route on DJs or other entertainment typically end up wishing they had allocated more. Great DJs, like great bands, are not cheap. Be smart and don’t ruin a great wedding with a bad DJ.