Equipment Music Personality Expectations About the Author
How to find a 'Good' DJ SERVICE
As an experienced DJ, I often find myself being asked, "How do I find a good DJ for my party?" Aside from handing them my business card, I usually offer them a few tips. In this article 'How to find a Good DJ Service' I will cover some of the things that I consider to be very important in a good DJ. "How to Find" isn't about how to find a service...it is about what to look for after you find them. If you want to know how to find a DJ service, you can find them in your local yellow pages, on the internet, or even by referral from friends and family. How to know if the DJ is offering a good service is an entirely different ballgame!! So enjoy my article on how to find a good DJ, and hopefully it will be a huge help to you! If you have questions, feel free to contact me and I will do my best to answer them for you! My contact information can be found on the contact page of this website.
It is vital that your DJ service utilizes only professional grade equipment. There is a reason for this. Some people will brag about how great their home stereo is and how good it sounds, but the truth of the matter is that a home stereo is never going to be able to perform to the level needed for a crowd of people in a large room. Home stereo equipment is designed to sound great in a home. It is not designed to punch sound through a crowd of bodies in a room the size of a small home. I don't want to go into the technical aspects of the design for a home stereo speaker versus a pro-audio speaker because it is very dry and boring. So think of it like this, the human body absorbs sound. Is a home stereo really designed to push sound through a crowd of 25, 50, or even 100 people? And accomplish it without distortion (distortion is the 'static' you hear when the volume has been turned up higher than a speaker can handle, it can also occur if a speaker is under or over powered)? Professional audio equipment is specially designed to distribute sound through crowds, in large rooms, even in open arenas. You can bet that when you go to your favorite sporting event, the sound system is not labeled "home audio." And you will probably find the same thing is true at any good bar or club where they have music.
Now that you are sure your DJ is using professional grade equipment, does he have the right equipment for what you want for your party. More often than not, you will find that this is not a problem. However, if you are planning a large reception or party with more than 100 people, you might want to double check. The size of the sound system needs to be adjusted to fit the size of the crowd as well as the size of the room. If the sound system is too large for the crowd or the room, the sound will be overwhelming. People won't be able to carry on a conversation because of the volume. On the other hand, if the sound system isn't large enough for the crowd or the room you will get the opposite effect. People right by the speakers will get their ears blown off and the rest of the room will have a hard time hearing or understanding what is coming out of the speakers. Sound will be spotty and uneven resulting in areas where the volume is intolerable and other areas where you can barely hear. So make sure your DJ can match the amount of sound to the crowd. The ideal is to have enough speakers to provide a full, even sound throughout the entire room, without damaging peoples' eardrums.
Also you will want to make sure that the DJ has any specialty equipment that you may require. Things such as wireless microphones, dance lighting, or a dance floor may need to be rented separately, or possibly through an entirely different company.
There are many different schools of thought about music. Some DJ's specialize in specific types or styles of music, some will have a huge variety of music. Some will tell you that a good DJ only uses original copies of music, others will tell you they burn copies or even DJ off of a computer or laptop. Regardless of what the DJ's philosophy on music is, you need to make sure that he or she has the music that you want! If you aren't sure if they have the music you want, ask to see a list. A good DJ service will be able to provide you with an adequate sample of their music or even an entire list if you request it. However, bear in mind that many DJ's will have 10,000 to 20,000 song titles, usually a sampling should be adequate, and if you don't see the songs you are looking for...ASK!!!!!
Don't be afraid to speak up when it comes to music selection. This is very important. Not only do you want to make sure that the DJ has the music you want. You want to make sure that he DOES NOT play music that you do not want. A good DJ should ask you up front if there is anything you do not want to hear. As an experienced DJ, I can guarantee that someone in the crowd is going to think it is just a riot to request the 'Chicken Dance' or the 'Macarena' or some song that they think is 'cute.' If you don't want to hear it, speak up now. Make a list of songs, artists, or even types of music (ie Country, Rap, Disco, Disney Songs) that you do not want played and make sure that your DJ has it.
On the same token, you may even want to make a list of songs that you absolutely have to have. If your DJ doesn't have the particular songs, or if you want to provide some additional music, be sure to bring an original and put your name on it. If you don't want to bring the original, I recommend that you make at least TWO copies of the CD to ensure that one of them will play.
This is extremely important. MAKE SURE YOU MEET WITH YOUR DJ AHEAD OF TIME!!! Make sure you meet your DJ and get to know him or her. Sit down and get to know them, spend a little time over drinks and appetizers or even dinner, and talk to them. Ask them about their experience and feel them out a little. DJs will come in all types of personalities, make sure you find one that fits you! If you want a DJ that is going to get on the microphone and get the crowd involved, that is going to be outgoing and friendly, make sure that is what you see in their personality when you meet them. If you want the DJ to sit quietly and just play the music and stay off of the microphone unless told to make a specific announcement, then make sure that you get one with that type of personality.
Make sure that the DJ knows what your expectations are. Be clear about what you want and do not want. Don't be afraid to spell it out if you aren't sure that he or she understands you! Remember that this is your party, a good DJ is there to help make things fun and enjoyable. An inexperienced DJ or a DJ that is not sure of what your expectations are, may inadvertently do something that you do not want.
DJs come in a variety of prices and packages. Some will offer you a package deal for one price, others will charge you on an hourly basis, usually with a set minimum amount of time. All I can say about this is, be careful what you pay for. The old adage 'You get what you pay for' is very much true. Does this mean that you need to run out and book the most expensive DJ you can find? Absolutely not! What it means is that you need to do your research. Meet with a couple of DJ's and compare prices on similar packages. Make sure that they can meet your needs for your event, and make sure that they meet your expectations. Follow these few simple guidelines and use your best judgment and things should come out fine in the end.
Nathan Hayes has been a DJ for over 14 years. He started out DJing in high school for 'Pep Dances' after the Friday night football games. After high school he worked for six years at an underage dance club where he learned how to 'work the crowd'. After leaving the club scene Nathan opened up his own Mobile Sound business. Nathan is an avid dancer, competing nationally in West Coast Swing with his partner and fiancé.