Hearing is Believing- Hiring Your Disc Jockey
Many "How To Hire A Disc Jockey" articles overlook one of themost important criteria for choosing entertainment. Your ears.
Forget checking for a business license (anyone can get one), orendorsement by some far removed, "official" DJ association. Sendthem their required fee and they will endorse you too.
Whether your entertainer is "certified" on paper or not, how hisor her system sounds is critical. Most DJs are not experts inthe technical realm of sound specifications. They may not evenknow what signal to noise ratio, total harmonic distortion orfrequency response is. The truth is, DJs often put together asound system that is limited by how much they can afford tospend. The resulting sound may turn out to be shrill (too manyhighs), unclear or "muddy" and even distorted.
This is where your ears come in. Ask for a live audition so youcan gage for yourself how the DJ's equipment looks and sounds.We always offer a live listening experience to our clients. Thisis the only way to know if you like it. If your DJ is notwilling to "audition" for you, it may be because he isembarrassed by the look or audio quality of his rig. This is ared flag.
Have your prospective DJ play a song you know. Think of one thatthat incorporates bass, drums, keyboards and vocals so you get afull range of sounds. Dance songs are usually good. Ask the DJto turn it up for a moment. Now close your eyes and listen.
You don't have to be an acoustic expert to know if you like it.Is it full and warm or hollow and "tinny". Does it sound like anAM radio or more like what you might hear in a movie theatre? Isthe base "punchy" but not overwhelming, allowing room for themids and highs? Are the highs too brassy, making dogs howl andbabys cry? Are the mid-range (vocals) present enough? Is theoverall sound flat or is there "depth"?
Remember, this is what you and your guests will be hearing allnight long.
While the sound can be enhanced by the use of equalizers andsonic enhancers, the right speakers are key. Whether it's JBL,Yamaha, Mackie or others, speakers have their own soundcharacteristics. And off-brand, budget speakers are oftenlacking in sound quality.
Ask the DJ why he chose the speakers he has. Often greatsounding, name brand speakers are not much more expensive thanlow-end, budget cabinets. If the DJ is scrimping here to save acouple of bucks, what else is is he cutting corners on?
I personally dislike "hissing" brass or cymbal sounds (highs) ortoo much bottom end (bass). For me, the midrange is where themelody is and I like to hear it. Warm and full vocals, keyboardsand guitar with the highs and lows serving as complimentarybookends. For example, I'd rather hear emphasis on Sinatra'svoice over his bass player.
Now go find the sound YOU like. You're already an expert asyou've been listening all your life. Do a little earwork and youwill feel confident as your event approaches, knowing yourguests will experience complete sonic satisfaction!
-DJ Craig
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Copyright © 2005, DJ Craig / djcraig.net
About the Author:Craig has performed in clubs, on the air and now worksexclusively for private parties. Upwards of half a millionpeople have enjoyed his sound and lighting at special events forthe past 15 years. He has been a guest speaker at classes onwedding and event coordination.Craig has been featured in the Los Angeles Times and has writtenarticles for many wedding and party related web sites.http://www.djcraig.net/
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Hearing is Believing- Hiring Your Disc Jockey