I-PODS: The Real Skinny.
INTRODUCTION
I've been putting off writing this page for a while now--biting my tongue, because I don't want to seem like I'm worried that I-PODS threaten the security of the industry of DJ'ing.
In truth, they don't. I'm not not worried about that aspect.
I also do not want to come across as someone who tells the bride and groom how they should do their wedding. My job is strictly to make everything work the way you want it.
I like IPODS. I have one which I use at the beach or anywhere I don't want to lug my professional stuff with me.
I also really like the fact that IPODS have really broadened peoples' scope of musical ---taste. It's introduced people to more "ethnic" forms of music from all over the globe and made it easier for people to access.
This makes my job more fun due to the diversity of what people are listening to much wider. It gives me more variety in my job and helps keep things fresh--from event to event and from wedding to wedding.
BUT, it's getting to the point where I feel I-PODS are starting to ruin people's events by misleading people into what these machines are really capable of doing.
This I feel, is a disservice.
Is this what you really want to be doing at your wedding? Why is nobody smiling in this picture?
TECHNICAL ISSUES
#1. PROFESSIONAL USAGE versus HOME USAGE
We've all seen "professional" kitchen equipment. Blenders for bartenders, microwaves, professional ovens, etc. "Industrial" is another term people use for these types of equipment.
It's the same with audio equipment. Some stuff is made to withstand travelling, heat, dust, smoke, heavy useage---while "home" players simply are not.
A long time ago, when I first started DJ'ing I used a "home" CD player as a backup. It lasted only about one month--I hardly even used it---and it was just my simple emergency back up (Its demise was the laser going out of alignment from being "jostled" around from place to place). Now, all of my backup stuff is professional grade and it's built to last 5 years or more with no problems or issues. It cost me five times as much, but I learned the value of why.
IPODS are made for HOME use. Not professional use. There's a reason why my Pioneer CD Professional Player cost me almost $1,500 and has never failed me during an event.
IPODS have a 4-5 hour battery (most models) and most shut off within 10-15 minutes of non-use. Some models like many of the newer 5GB versions have a life of only 1-2 hours. This makes having them ready at a moment's notice nearly impossible under professional conditions, such as a club or a wedding. I have found an IPOD will not "kick up" into a song nearly as fast as you want it to.
Don't put an IPOD in your back pocket, by the way.
#2. TIMING, HUMAN CONTROL & CROWD READING
IPODS have been known to "miscue" when they've been sitting on PAUSE for too long. They are also notorious for jumping into the middle of songs, not starting at all, or having to be re-cued or be re-booted. With nothing else to jump to while you are doing this, you've simply just stopped the party into a crashing halt with a deafening silence. Most IPODS work great for an hour or two on the beach or during a run--but try using them at a party and see how well it works. Some models also have a problem with getting too warm and shutting down as well. Check your model to make sure you have a low temp version. Better yet, have a party and test yours. See and test how your particular model will perform under ALL circumstances.
SIDE STORY: I work at a nightclub here on ST Thomas that has a really nice digital system on a giant PC up in the office area where you can look down on the dance floor. They have an automated music system which they use for lunch and early dinner and then turn it over to the DJ's around 10pm.
It wasn't always like that. When they first installed the digital music system, the owners tried using it in place of a DJ for several months. The result? People simply didn't dance. The music selection was good-- but the machine didn't know when the bar was full of women...or men, or what types of people were in the room--so it couldn't respond the rooms changes by being able to look out at the crowd and see what people were ready for.
TIMING is the number one secret to making people dance.
When you pre-program your music--you lose that. This is why I never pre-program my music for any event. I go in with a guideline and make it work as we go along, adapting for any and all changes.
You have to. It's an absolute must.
Seriously! Go have fun!
#3. PAUSES or CROSSFADING CAPABILTIES
IPODS usually have a 3-4 second pause in between songs. DJ's use TWO turntables, TWO CD players or TWO digital media players for the fact that the second song has to ready and waiting for you to use the mixer board to fade from one song to the next. IPODS do not have this. Which means, people who are in the groove dancing will most likely stop after every song until the next one kicks in.
IPOD has since made a DJ STATION with a crossfader for this very point---but with all the issues I have mentioned above, why would you even go there? ANSWER: To sell more IPODS, thats why. I know three DJ's who tried using this gadget, and all of them have given it up. It simply doesn't have the right amount of control that is needed.
Did I mention I've seen it all in 18 years of doing this?
ERIC'S SUGGESTIONS
Seriously, here's my thoughts.
Bring your IPOD. It's OK!
If you've got mixes you want, that are special, you know them---bring it. I have a cord for the IPOD and everything, it's a piece of cake.
I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT.
So:
--If you have something special thats on your IPOD, bring it. But remember, it's nearly impossible to DJ strictly off an IPOD alone! We've all tried it, it's NOT easy and NOT made for it.
Trust me! I haul a ton of stuff and if I thought a little tiny IPOD could replace my 50 pound console rack--I'd do it in a heartbeat.
--Let me use the IPOD only for certain selections and work those in with the rest of your requests that you've sent me via your email list.
--If it's a "common" song...just let me bring it for you. It will totally save you the hassle of worrying about remembering your IPOD--and you can let me do all the worrying for you. It's what people pay me for and I'm happy to do it.
--My stuff is also twice backed-up, so if something DID happen to your IPOD, you'd be covered, because I'd know and have it ready for you already!
--Lastly, remember your guests! Just because you like the 20 minute version of a local garage band, doesn't mean everyone in your party will get up and dance to it with you! There's certain times where you can work those songs in, hear them and go into music for your guests as well. So consider them carefully when you make up a mix! Play what you love to listen to, but remember, if you want dancing---there are "dance songs" and there are "listening songs". Some are both, but not all!
Remember, if your hard drive on your IPOD goes, or the baggage handlers aren't on top of things...you may lose your tunes!
I hope this article helps.
Please know that it is my goal to play EXACTLY what the bride and groom want and to give them the ceremony of thier dreams.
I only play what the bride and groom want. So let me know what you want to hear, and I'm here if you have questions!
This page is not ment for "bossing" people, I don't do that!
But hopefully it has informed and enlightened you.
Thanks for reading!
ERIC
