Frequently Asked Questions and what you should be asking when looking to book a good DJ for your special event...
Either click your question below, or click here to read all of them
How much music do you have ?
What music do you have ?
What music will you play ?
Can I choose the music ?
Can I tell you what NOT to play ?
Can my guests choose music ?
Do you have 'clean' versions of songs ?
Can I bring an iPod ?
Can I bring a CD ?
Can I bring a memory stick ?
How big are your speakers ?
What if your system breaks down ?
What if you get ill ?
How long does it take to set up ?
How long does it take to break down ?
What will you wear ?
Will you get drunk ?
What insurance do you have ?
Is your equipment tested ?
My venue has asked for PLI
My venue has asked for PAT
Can you set up earlier ?
What lighting do you have ?
How is the lighting set up ?
Do you have a smoke machine ?
How much power do you need ?
Do I get a contract ?
Do I pay a deposit ?
Where can I see you performing ?
How do I know you will be good ?
I want to project some pictures onto a screen, can you help ?
I want to colour my venue with lights, can you help ?
Can I have confetti canon for my first dance ?
Can I have bubbles ?
Will you do everything in your power to make my event special and accomodate my every wish no matter how much of a pain I become ?
How much music do you have ?
Your DJ should have something over 8000 songs, this should give enough scope to fill the dancefloor with a wide variety of music for the various age groups, but also satisfy requests on the night.
What music do you have ?
If you have international guests, or you like styles which are perhaps not general commercial chart, you will need to ask about this. Your DJ should fill you with confidence that not only does he carry these styles, but is happy to use them to fill your dancefloor. Many professional DJs will carry at least a small amount of just about every style you might need, right across the various era's of music, including many nationalities such as French, Serbian, German, Latin, Scottish, Irish, African, Israeli and much more. Perhaps just as important is the fact that he will be happy to play it !
What music will you play ?
If you have chosen the styles and any particular songs, these will be your DJs priority. Around this brief your DJs will guage the audience, and using his experience, will choose songs that will get people on the floor
Can I choose songs for you to avoid playing ?
Either giving him a list, or using an online music request system you can select songs for your DJ not to play, and he should discuss general styles you like and dont like so the evening goes the way you want it to
Can I choose the music ?
If you want to choose every song for him to play, and even the order, he sholuld advise against it, but be happy to accomodate your wishes. When booking a professional DJ, he ought to know better than you what will fill the dancefloor, but should be equally keen to incorporate your favourite songs and styles. He should offer advice, but be open to your suggestions.
Many DJs offer a free online music database where you can choose as many songs as you like (bear in mind around 19 songs per hour is the most he can play!). You also get a further login for your guests, so they can choose 2 songs each, and of course he should be happy to take requests on the night
Can my guests choose music ?
Yes, either on the night, of perhaps via an online music database system if he has one. You may also have the facility to remove any guest requests you dont like !
Do you have 'clean' versions of songs ?
Your DJ should have a large amount of 'radio edit' and cleaned versions of songs, so if you need him to make sure he plays these instead of the originals, just let him know and he should be happy to accomodate your wishes
Can I bring an iPod ?
Check with your DJ before the day, in case you want to play your own background music perhaps, or if you have some special music you need included which he doesn't have
Can I bring a CD ?
You shouldn't need to, but most have the facility to play CDs
Can I bring a memory stick ?
Once again you shouldn't need to, but many DJs will have the facility to play it
How big are your speakers ?
Unless you are in the business, most brand names will be meaningless, you may have heard of JBL and JAMO, but do you know which is far better than the other ? (it's JBL by the way) Size often isn't a good indicator of quality (how many times have you heard that !!) If you are booking for an 18th birthday, then high volume may be something you are looking for, but if it's a Wedding, then more discreet speakers would be more appropriate. Your DJ should help guide you through which systems he has, and which he recommends, you may not understand half of what he says, but you should get a feeling that he knows what he's talking about. He should point out that it will be loud enough to encourage dancing, but he will monitor the volume so that those guests who would rather talk than dance, get to enjoy their evening as well
What if your system breaks down ?
He should reassure you that he carries extra equipment with him, both sound and lighting, so in the unlikely event of a problem, he can be up and running again very quickly
What if you get ill ?
You need assurance that if he gets ill, you will still have a DJ. Most DJs will know other DJs who may be able to cover your gig at short notice, and many DJs are members of DJSupport, an online facility to quickly locate emergency cover. Have a chat with him, he should reassure you how he would cope in this emergency
You should never end up with him sending his roadie/ friend/brother to entertain on your special day
How long does it take to set up ?
For a normal amount of equipment with reasonable access to the room/ marquee, allow an hour. Should you book extra's such as uplighting, this takes longer but your DJ would discuss this so you are fully aware.
How long does it take to break down ?
For a normal amount of equipment it's usually around 45 minutes. You may need to bear this in mind when planning your timings, in case the venue insists both guests AND equipment are out of the venue by a certain time.
What will you wear ?
For a Wedding, most professional DJs would normally wear black tie (dinner suit) as we think you and your guests have made an effort, therefore so should we. However if you would prefer him in shirt and tie, fancy dress, very loud Hawaiian shirt, then just let him know ! He should be flexible to your requests, as with all other arrangements
Will you get drunk ?
"Absolutely not !" should be the answer, hopefully followed up with "I don't drink alcohol while working". You wouldn't expect a plumber to be sipping a Bud while sorting your central heating, or a doctor with a hip flask. The waiters & bar staff are unlikely to be drinking, so why should your DJ ?
My venue has asked for PLI (Public Liability Insurance)
Many venues now ask for this in case of claims by guests following an accident. Your DJ should have cover, but do check the level in case it's below that required for the venue. Some ask for £2million, some for £10 million just in case of any accidents with their equipment or set up. Your DJ should be happy to email either you or your venue with the policy
My venue has asked for PAT
This is Portable Appliance Testing, all electrical equipment taken into a venue should be annually tested by a qualified Electrician, with each item having a sticker as well as having a test certificate. Some venues will insist on seeing this, either before the event, or on the day. Your DJ should be happy to email either you or your venue with the Certificate
Can you set up earlier ?
You may wish to have everything set up early, perhaps before a Wedding Breakfast or conferance, although it's not always appropriate. In a marquee this is the preferred option as guests will rarely go somewhere else after the Wedding Breakfast, so bringing a lot of equipment through your crowd of guests is not really what you want. If however you have chosen a beautiful venue with nice architecture, do you really want 21st century equipment in your photo's... probably not.
It's something you should discuss, but my general advice is to enjoy your venue for the Wedding Breakfast, then take a one hour break when you can relax and greet evening guests as well as chatting infomally with your daytime guests, while your DJ sets up a great show for you
What lighting do you have ?
Rather like sound systems, there is a good chance you won't know brands or details. What you are looking for is lighting that will complement or change your venue (there is a big difference). A professional DJ will supply around 8 effect lights or more, probably suspended from a truss or overhead bar above the disco. Many DJs will have the ability to control these (DMX), so there's seperating lighting scenes for slow dances and fast dances, and perhaps even strobe effects for high energy dance music.
Back in the 70's and 80's discos used light screens at the front to cover wires and other such things you dont want to see. These days, the more professional DJ uses a star cloth (black or white cloth with embedded LED or tiny bulbs that twinkle) to give a classy and tidy look to the show. Of course you may prefer the retro look, but again it's something YOU should decide, not be dictated by your DJ
Technical terms which may hep understand what he's talking about-
moving head - colours and patterns in a 'head' that can rotate in all directions, givving full room coverage of the effects
wash - a light which creates a wall of colour, for either the dancefloor or a wall
scanner - same principal as moving head, but only pointing forwards rather than 360 degree coverage
moonflower/ flower - an amount of coloured beams which may or may not rotate and/ or change colour to fill the dancefloor with moving lights
laser - some produce coloured dots around the venue, others will do random lines and patterns, higher end ones will draw cartoons and words
UV - Ultra Violet lighting or blacklight highlights white fabric and items (beware of white underclothes v thin top clothes !)
Mirror ball - Since people first started dancing, the mirror ball has been a major part of effect lighting, and still is !
LED par cans/ uplighters - A recent development in lighting concepts, multiple uplighters can wash the walls of your venue to co-ordinate with your colour scheme or favourite colour. Either static on one colour or slowly fading between a selection, or even joining with the other disco lighting, it's an amazing effect when done correctly
DMX - hardware or computer generated signals that allow complete control to give you subtle lighting when you need it, an amazing first dance sequence and a great disco show
You should get a WOW factor from your DJs light show and it's a major part of the package he offers
How is the lighting set up ?
The choice can be yours. It can be suspended from an overhead bar o trussing or perhaps on 2 or more 'T' bars.
If you prefer a more subtle look, all the lighting can be placed at floor level, and this can look really special, allowing a gorgeous venue to remain so, but adding a touch of modern technology to work some light magic to bring the evening to life
If you have a marquee, some DJs can rig the trussing from the apex of the marquee (with owners permission) before you and your guests arrive and this gets it up and out of the way, while giving maximum impact once powered up in the evening
Do you have a smoke machine ?
You will need to check with your venue if they allow their use. There is also a big difference between smoke/ haze/ low level fog and dry ice
Smoke is thicker and sets off most fire detection systems but would fine for an 18th in a marquee
Haze is almost invisible, but brings the beams of light in most modern lighting effects to life, and only sets off a small amount of fire detection systems.
Low level fog sits at floor level and is normally around a foot deep (great effect for a special first dance), only effects fire detection systems when disturbed to make it rise to the ceiling
Dry ice - same effect as low level fog and does not affect fire detection systems
How much power do you need ?
Two domestic style 13amp sockets is normally what would be required for most shows, or perhaps one 16amp C-Form socket. Power is rarely a problem as most DJs carry numerous extension cables, and only really needs discussion where a marquee is involved, here I would recommend your DJ liaises with the marquee company to ensure that he doesnt clash with caterers needs and any high powered outside lighting they may have.
Do I get a contract ?
You MUST get a contract or booking form !! It should confirm exactly what you want from your DJ and when he should be set up, play from, play until, where, the date, the venue, and the costs involved. It should also state what the cancellation policy and charges are.
By you both having a signed contract, there will be no misunderstanding about timings or location, what you require from him, and it will detail all charges, so you have no nasty surprises on the day
Do I pay a deposit ?
Some DJs like to take a deposit in addition to the contract, where requested we expect this to be up to 20% or the whole fee, and would probably not be refunded in case of you cancelling (do check the contract).
Where can I see you performing ?
You can't is the quick answer ! It's unlikely your DJ will encourage this, imagine how you would feel with all your guests dressed up for your special event, and in come perhaps several couples, plus maybe relatives, to stand there and judge your DJ... Not a happy thought is it ?
Of course you want to make sure you have the right DJ, but showing up at someone elses party will not prove much if anything. He may be under strict instructions to only play rock music, use strobes, use a small lighting rig and wear shirt and trousers, all or some of which may not be what you are looking for.
How do I know you will be good ?
We have checked all the paperwork for the DJs you find here, and keep a check annualy on these items. Although this is no guarantee of quality, it's far more likely that a DJ who invests time and money in getting insurance, and having his equipment regularly tested will do a good job for you. But asking many of the questions we have detailed here, and just getting to know your DJ, you should get a feel for how well he will perform at your party. The most important thing is to make sure he understands what you want from the evening
I want to project some pictures onto a screen, can you help ?
Some DJs have a projector and screen. The projector can accept normally accept a variety of inputs either you or he can supply, for either video or stills projection for part or all of your event
I want to colour my venue with lights, can you help ?
Many DJs now offer this service as an extra, and will have photographs of how easily they can transform a room for you by washing the walls or features with your chosen colour/s. They can remain on one colour, slowly fade between 2 or more, and/ or become part of the disco lighting in the evening.
Can I have confetti canon for my first dance ?
Some DJs have this facility, but do check with your venue if they charge extra for cleaning up afterwards !
Can I have bubbles ?
Some DJs have this facility, although we don't recommend it as they make the dancefloor really slippery and dangerous. Lovely idea, but not really practical
Although he may not say it, you are looking to get the impression from your DJ that he will be flexible and do everything in your power to make your event special and accomodate your every wish no matter how much of a pain you become ?
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