mobile disco

Omega28

Hi

I am considering setting up a mobile disco and looking for tips, ideas and suggestions about what I need, how I should approach this, where and how to advertise, how much to charge, what kinda sound/lighting I need etc...
Keep in mind I'm in my early 20s, first time starting anything like this. I'm doing this cause I love music, I want a bit of business experience, I like meeting new people.
If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right!

thanks

kingofslaves

PremierDJ

Not a cheap thing to start out at i'm afraid if you want to do it properly (and legally). Equipment has come down in price alot over the past few years, and there are great bargains to be had on the buy & sell sites like adverts.ie and donedeal, once you know what you are looking for. You are still looking at a four figure sum and then some however for even a basic setup, any less than that will be likely just junk that you will end up having to upgrade eventually anyway. I have bought most of my current rig second hand and have been very lucky in that it has all worked out great.

Best thing you could do is see if an established DJ in your area would let you roadie for him for a night or two and see if you like it. I love doing it personally, but be advised it can be tough at times, it takes me the guts of an hour to set up and tear down heavy equipment (never mind having to drag it in and out of a car park in the rain and possibly up a flight of stairs), and dealing with drunks and generally annoying people who want their request played "NEXT" can get very tiresome. PM me if you have any questions about anything, would be glad to help

JCarey70

Here you go sir: http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/audioequipment/2083034 €2500 and its yours. Not bad to get you going but I'd defo haggle first. Or start off with this kit and grow from there... http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/instruments/1728868?cid=1728868&

Quiggers

you'll need transport, at least an estate car but preferably a small van, and thanks to new legislation you will be stopped by gardi regularly to check if you are using it for work or recreation.

Mobile fees seem to be in free fall at the moment, recently had a mother expect me to d a gig for less than €50, i'd quoted here 4 times that figure for equipment hire and my time and travel costs, she got a quote for €50 and wanted to know if i'd better it.

Fuel prices being so high, having to pay tax on earning and buy your music mean that anything less than €150 isn't worth leaving home for. And if you tell mr tax man that you're earning less than a ton a night he wont believe you.

Weddings are more lucrative but do mean more pre planning and precious bride minding.

A led par kit and an american dj revo will be plenty of lights to get you started, get active speakers as the amps match the drivers , use balanced leads where possible, gaffer tape will save you from law suits, flight cases are king, no point spending money on equipment and hoping the cardboard box it came in is enough to protect it on the road.

Learn to bundle your leads neatly, they'll last longer and you'll be able to set up quicker, no untangling the unholy mess that leads weave themselves into if they're not kept right.

Get friendly with party caterers, bridal shops etc, leave them a stack of cards, offer discounts if the person is also using someone who gets you lots of work, nothing crazy, just €20 off or so.

Always show up, sick, tired, hung over, best mates birthday, doesnt matter, if you took the booking do the gig, if you're really sick get another dj who is as good as you to do it.
Never leave anyone down, bookings are for special once in a lifetime events and you're name will be blackened if you're a no show.

Oh and prepare for the "REAL" Dj's to hate you, and on nights where you play nothing but gaga prepare to hate yourself, to resent that what was a loved hobby has become a job.
It is a job, they're paying you so they get to choose the music.

Good luck

Omega28

cheers for the info lads, there's a lot to take on board there for me. Now with young DJ's coming up with a laptop full of music there charging pennies to do gigs, and ppl won't care if your a pro or not once the price is cheap!

I'd like to put out if there any mobile DJ's willing to let me tag along for a night or 2 to a gig to see how it all works I would be very grateful, I could help out with setting up gear or anything they wish, I'm in the Dublin area but willing to travel (within reason) and I have my own transport, I'm also over 18 just in case anyone was wondering.

thanks again guys for the info!

DubDJ

This is a lot harder than you'd think to organise.

Putting equipment, travel and money aside the actual costs of hiring out a venue and advertising it to try fill the venue is tough.
I've a full mobile set up myself which cost me in and around €5,000. (Pioneer 400-K's 1000 Watt Amp, 1,300 Watt Speakers, LED Lights, Lazer Light, Box of Lights, Stands, Leads, Headphones, Microphone) which to me is just a standard set-up.

I've been DJ'ing over 6 years (doing the tag along DJ thing for 3.5 and properly on my own for 2.5) and i've never set up my own event in this time.

I've priced venues - overpriced mostly in Dublin. I even have a good knowledge of web/graphic design which means no advertising costs and am a music nut (always getting new music) but from a business point of view money can't be made on an event unless your filling the place and charging €10+ for admission.

Most places charge €500+ and if your planning on getting equipment and advertising etc it's gonna start running up a high bill.

I'd suggest getting into the mobile DJ side of things and getting your experience there before going straight for anything like this.

Also, and I can't stress this enough, make sure your actually up for it and have the experience and equipment.

Had a friend who booked a DJ for €150 for his 21st. He turned up with a laptop amp and speakers. Playing youtube rips all night and had one barely visible light on the floor. No microphone to even do any announcements, and because of this the party was ruined people we're leaving 5 mins after arriving.

Because he went for a cheap DJ he got what he paid for. Make sure you have the proper experience and equipment before you set out

Hope some of this can help you anyway. It would be great if you did get it going.

Omega28

DubDJ wrote: »

This is a lot harder than you'd think to organise.

Putting equipment, travel and money aside the actual costs of hiring out a venue and advertising it to try fill the venue is tough.
I've a full mobile set up myself which cost me in and around €5,000. (Pioneer 400-K's 1000 Watt Amp, 1,300 Watt Speakers, LED Lights, Lazer Light, Box of Lights, Stands, Leads, Headphones, Microphone) which to me is just a standard set-up.

I've been DJ'ing over 6 years (doing the tag along DJ thing for 3.5 and properly on my own for 2.5) and i've never set up my own event in this time.

I've priced venues - overpriced mostly in Dublin. I even have a good knowledge of web/graphic design which means no advertising costs and am a music nut (always getting new music) but from a business point of view money can't be made on an event unless your filling the place and charging €10+ for admission.

Most places charge €500+ and if your planning on getting equipment and advertising etc it's gonna start running up a high bill.

I'd suggest getting into the mobile DJ side of things and getting your experience there before going straight for anything like this.

Also, and I can't stress this enough, make sure your actually up for it and have the experience and equipment.

Had a friend who booked a DJ for €150 for his 21st. He turned up with a laptop amp and speakers. Playing youtube rips all night and had one barely visible light on the floor. No microphone to even do any announcements, and because of this the party was ruined people we're leaving 5 mins after arriving.

Because he went for a cheap DJ he got what he paid for. Make sure you have the proper experience and equipment before you set out

Hope some of this can help you anyway. It would be great if you did get it going.

Hey DubDJ

Thanks man for the feedback, lots for me to consider.

As I said, If I'm going to do it, I want to do it right! I don't have cdj's, I use the S4 with traktor 2 software. I have a bit of experience but not much.

I wanna try get into a club djin and do the mobile disco as well. Getting a decent fund together though could be tricky if I wanna do it right, I couldn't possibly show up like the DJ did at your friends with just laptop and a ****ty amp, your man must of had some nerve! No back up or anything I take?:D

I'm trying to see if an experienced DJ within Dublin wouldn't mind letting me tag along for a few gigs to see how things are properly done.


thanks again for the info

DubDJ

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

Hey DubDJ

Thanks man for the feedback, lots for me to consider.

As I said, If I'm going to do it, I want to do it right! I don't have cdj's, I use the S4 with traktor 2 software. I have a bit of experience but not much.

I wanna try get into a club djin and do the mobile disco as well. Getting a decent fund together though could be tricky if I wanna do it right, I couldn't possibly show up like the DJ did at your friends with just laptop and a ****ty amp, your man must of had some nerve! No back up or anything I take?:D

I'm trying to see if an experienced DJ within Dublin wouldn't mind letting me tag along for a few gigs to see how things are properly done.

thanks again for the info

Well running an S4 is a good start. Atleast you have proper equipment. And no he ended up getting an ear bashing from my friend. I know I'd be embarrassed to death if I turned up to a party like that.

I think club DJ'ing would be great. You need only CD's and Headphones and your set. But those things are wrapped up with other DJ's. It's mostly who you know. Not how good you are. I've done the odd nights here in there in clubs around town. But for even the smaller clubs it's usually a friend of the owner who's the DJ or some situation like that.

As an idea for you maybe you should look into organising a free open air since it's the perfect time for it. Nice weather to boot. Could be a way to get experience and test out your equipment on a larger audience. It's just a matter of livin in a place where people won't complain about the noise.

Again just another idea for you.

Omega28

DubDJ wrote: »

Well running an S4 is a good start. Atleast you have proper equipment. And no he ended up getting an ear bashing from my friend. I know I'd be embarrassed to death if I turned up to a party like that.

I think club DJ'ing would be great. You need only CD's and Headphones and your set. But those things are wrapped up with other DJ's. It's mostly who you know. Not how good you are. I've done the odd nights here in there in clubs around town. But for even the smaller clubs it's usually a friend of the owner who's the DJ or some situation like that.

As an idea for you maybe you should look into organising a free open air since it's the perfect time for it. Nice weather to boot. Could be a way to get experience and test out your equipment on a larger audience. It's just a matter of livin in a place where people won't complain about the noise.

Again just another idea for you.

not a bad idea man! Thanks:)

Yeah I use the S4 with Macbook, I'v worked on cdj 400s and 1000s before and I can use turntables if needs be so I'm not a total newbie. I would consider getting 1000s but I like the 400s cause they have the advantage of usb which would come in handy! I could just buy a cd player as a backup though if I was to do the mobile disco, I could use the S4 as my main kit.

Club Djing is something I'd love but as u said, its who you know type of thing. I'd almost be tempted to offer my service for free for a night or 2 just to get a bit experience in this area. My original plan was to go around a few pubs & clubs with business cards and resume and throw them in as I go along, dunno how successful this would be

Problem with the mobile DJ is that there is a lot young lads doing this with their Dell laptops and illegal tunes with a few flashy lights and boom they think their a tiesto type figure charging buttons for a 4 hour set, and with ppl stuck for cash these days their content with paying this type of "DJ" 100euro or whatever they ask compared to a more professional DJ like yourself who might charge 3? 4 times that? So competition there is high I would imagine?

Do you get many gigs man?

DubDJ

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

not a bad idea man! Thanks:)

Yeah I use the S4 with Macbook, I'v worked on cdj 400s and 1000s before and I can use turntables if needs be so I'm not a total newbie. I would consider getting 1000s but I like the 400s cause they have the advantage of usb which would come in handy! I could just buy a cd player as a backup though if I was to do the mobile disco, I could use the S4 as my main kit.

Club Djing is something I'd love but as u said, its who you know type of thing. I'd almost be tempted to offer my service for free for a night or 2 just to get a bit experience in this area. My original plan was to go around a few pubs & clubs with business cards and resume and throw them in as I go along, dunno how successful this would be

Problem with the mobile DJ is that there is a lot young lads doing this with their Dell laptops and illegal tunes with a few flashy lights and boom they think their a tiesto type figure charging buttons for a 4 hour set, and with ppl stuck for cash these days their content with paying this type of "DJ" 100euro or whatever they ask compared to a more professional DJ like yourself who might charge 3? 4 times that? So competition there is high I would imagine?

Do you get many gigs man?

Yeah club DJ'ing is great and the bigger clubs like WV and Sin do have good DJ's in them. Others like Q-Bar and the new Redz and other places have gob****es. Yeah the business card thing could work. Maybe even offer a free trial to see if they like you and if your up to the job.
And yeah so many DJ's out there that are running laptops with no sort of DJ software just clicking next song one after another. I've had some try undercut me in price before. I wouldn't drop my price to compete take it or leave it as the prices it's at that's what I say.

I agree the 400's are a nice size and have midi controller built in and support CD and USB. I wouldn't use anything bigger unless they were 2000's and I don't see me getting them until the distant future ha. 400's don't have Rekordbox support but still great kit.

I'm not getting as many gigs as I used to. Only 2 for may. But I did have 5 over march so it comes and goes really.

Omega28

DubDJ wrote: »

Yeah club DJ'ing is great and the bigger clubs like WV and Sin do have good DJ's in them. Others like Q-Bar and the new Redz and other places have gob****es. Yeah the business card thing could work. Maybe even offer a free trial to see if they like you and if your up to the job.
And yeah so many DJ's out there that are running laptops with no sort of DJ software just clicking next song one after another. I've had some try undercut me in price before. I wouldn't drop my price to compete take it or leave it as the prices it's at that's what I say.

I agree the 400's are a nice size and have midi controller built in and support CD and USB. I wouldn't use anything bigger unless they were 2000's and I don't see me getting them until the distant future ha. 400's don't have Rekordbox support but still great kit.

I'm not getting as many gigs as I used to. Only 2 for may. But I did have 5 over march so it comes and goes really.

Yeah I do be out in Wrights a lot, great spot I have to say, Are you from that area yourself? I seen the new Redz there today, I wonder what its like now, I was never a fan of the spot, same for Q-bar, never liked it!

I just designed my own business card there, something a bit different so might pop into town and hand them into clubs and pubs when I get them.

Your dead right to stick to your price man, I wouldn't under my skill for a 17 yr old pressing play, no mixing skills at all!

I like the 400s but theres a few things I don't like about them, the fact there's no Rekordbox support and the another thing is the jog wheels, they feel very cheap in my opinion. I used the 350s and even though its in an improved jog wheel I felt the unit itself wasn't as strong as the 400. Also the cue and play button was kinda sticky, if that makes sense?! Ideally the 2000s would be perfect:)

At least your getting gigs man, do u mind me asking what you charge? is there much business out there? I would of thought it gets busy during the summer?

thebossanova

Nice thread guys. Enjoy hearing what the other mobile DJs are experiencing! Gigs are starting to get thin on the ground alright. Lots of inquiries but not many follow throughs, usually it's price. But you get what you pay for, usually!

DubDJ

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

Yeah I do be out in Wrights a lot, great spot I have to say, Are you from that area yourself? I seen the new Redz there today, I wonder what its like now, I was never a fan of the spot, same for Q-bar, never liked it!

I just designed my own business card there, something a bit different so might pop into town and hand them into clubs and pubs when I get them.

Your dead right to stick to your price man, I wouldn't under my skill for a 17 yr old pressing play, no mixing skills at all!

I like the 400s but theres a few things I don't like about them, the fact there's no Rekordbox support and the another thing is the jog wheels, they feel very cheap in my opinion. I used the 350s and even though its in an improved jog wheel I felt the unit itself wasn't as strong as the 400. Also the cue and play button was kinda sticky, if that makes sense?! Ideally the 2000s would be perfect:)

At least your getting gigs man, do u mind me asking what you charge? is there much business out there? I would of thought it gets busy during the summer?

Yeah living around town all my life. At this stage I must be close to DJ'ing in over 50 bars, pubs, clubs, community halls etc. Theres so much potential out there for a good nightlife scene.

I got one of the last set's of 400's they made... the 400-K kit. Its the blue one with the blue lights and flightcase. I'm glad too I think the Blue is much sexier than the normal grey and red set. As a mobile DJ I wouldn't change on the 400's. There small and compact but still pack all the great Pioneer features. Never had a CD skip on me and so far no problems I can think of. I understand what you mean with the platters they wouldnt compare to the 1000's jog wheels but at this stage i'm used to using them.

And as an average price per gig say 8.30 - 12.30 I just charge the flat rate of €250. But I know a few other DJ's around the area who all have experience and can mix and we all keep our prices level, no undercutting eachother. Kind of like a DJ's Trade Union haha. There is a few mavericks out there charging €100 - €150 but I say let them. If their happy making buttons then i'm happy to let them

Omega28

DubDJ wrote: »

Yeah living around town all my life. At this stage I must be close to DJ'ing in over 50 bars, pubs, clubs, community halls etc. Theres so much potential out there for a good nightlife scene.

I got one of the last set's of 400's they made... the 400-K kit. Its the blue one with the blue lights and flightcase. I'm glad too I think the Blue is much sexier than the normal grey and red set. As a mobile DJ I wouldn't change on the 400's. There small and compact but still pack all the great Pioneer features. Never had a CD skip on me and so far no problems I can think of. I understand what you mean with the platters they wouldnt compare to the 1000's jog wheels but at this stage i'm used to using them.

And as an average price per gig say 8.30 - 12.30 I just charge the flat rate of €250. But I know a few other DJ's around the area who all have experience and can mix and we all keep our prices level, no undercutting eachother. Kind of like a DJ's Trade Union haha. There is a few mavericks out there charging €100 - €150 but I say let them. If their happy making buttons then i'm happy to let them

The 400-k is sex! they look a million times better in my opinion, isn't it more expensive though than the normal 400? worth the extra few quid though.:D

I think I'd get the 350's, cheap and cheerful for mobile dj'ing, or if i could pick up a set of the ones u have, haven't seen too many around though!

I think 250euro is a good price, not too high, not too low either, I seen a few lads charge 50 quid, like c'mon lads, just playin off itunes, human jukebox :mad:

Quiggers

off itunes is taking the piss but the human jukebox is a side effect of being
a paid event dj, obviously no repeats no matter how much cleavage she's willing to show.

Omega28

Quiggers wrote: »

off itunes is taking the piss but the human jukebox is a side effect of being
a paid event dj, obviously no repeats no matter how much cleavage she's willing to show.

agreed:)

I take it there's a lot of human jukebox's out there?
I was in a well established club before and I seen the "DJ" just hit play all night on his virtual DJ software, enough said.

DubDJ

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

The 400-k is sex! they look a million times better in my opinion, isn't it more expensive though than the normal 400? worth the extra few quid though.:D

I think I'd get the 350's, cheap and cheerful for mobile dj'ing, or if i could pick up a set of the ones u have, haven't seen too many around though!

I think 250euro is a good price, not too high, not too low either, I seen a few lads charge 50 quid, like c'mon lads, just playin off itunes, human jukebox :mad:

No I got mine on a deal for €1,900 not too expensive think it worked out cheaper overall than buying the 400 kit separate.
At the moment I don't see myself upgrading unless of course it was a set of 2000's. And even that's not practical for mobile DJ's.
Either 350's or 400's I'd say. And yeah your right I think Pioneer have discontinued the 400 range. Still stock out there though.

Yeah I'd laugh at 50 quid. It wouldn't even cover my travel costs.

MobileDisco

Finding work once you have bought all your equipment can be difficult but maybe once you get started you can apply for a position with a DJ agency but do bare in mind you would have to be a good DJ as most DJ agencies won't accept newbie DJs they usually require DJs with years of experience you could try checking out the Sound Of Music Mobile Disco DJ Hire Agency.

endacl

MobileDisco wrote: »

Finding work once you have bought all your equipment can be difficult but maybe once you get started you can apply for a position with a DJ agency but do bare in mind you would have to be a good DJ as most DJ agencies won't accept newbie DJs they usually require DJs with years of experience you could try checking out the Sound Of Music Mobile Disco DJ Hire Agency.

^^
Great mix. You'd hardly hear the joins between the sentences.

unclebill98

I can only really comment from the wedding dj side of things.

The market is saturated with DJ's and a race to the bottom is very clearly there. Anywhere from 200-500 depending on your experience is what you can hope to get and there is a lot of work to it. If your going on after a band its now really expected that you are setting up either with the band or earlier in the day and you need to factor that into your price.

I've seen DJ's roll in with 2 tops and a laptop in a sports car to DJ's rolling in with full stacks, cd/mp3 players, laptops for backup and spare's in the small van, these guys tend to be experienced and know the drill. Lights, well its dance floor coverage, same goes for your sound but all to often the DJ's setup sounds pants to the bands so you kinda really need to gauge that.

Cracking the wedding market, well find yourself a few wedding bands and see will they take you on as part of their package. My needs most bands bands do it themselves as I do as I've been caught out to many times to trust separately booked DJ's. This option can have you using the bands rig to reduce costs and setup times but of course you charge will need to reflect this.

As for what to have, I carry around 15k songs at my disposal, some carry far more. I've iTunes and spotify for those really tricky requests. CD, laptop, iPad, phone, really makes not difference, your not really gonna get a chance to beat match tunes, maybe 3/4 songs in succession before you need to change the angle of the music and abba doesn't really work into say slayer which you can find yourself having to do. Wireless mic saves you a lot of hassle and bride/grooms will tell you if they wanna hear you talk all night or just play the tunes. There are many DJ's who fall either side of the talking rule and then there is the games.......some tracks just created them (Rock the boat) and others well you'll find out as you go along but again not all clients what it.

I'd not be going into any venue and offering a free test run, it devalues what others are tying to do and simple drives the whole market downwards.