Seek A Pro To Be Your Disc Jockey!

Chances are this is your first time hiring a Disc Jockey Service. Many people are tempted to ask (What is your price?) for their first question when interviewing a prospective disc jockey service. This is not the best way to start your interview. Price is important but not the determining factor. You want to get all of the information and the most for your money. One potential DJ may charge less because the company is less experienced or is not as well equipped to handle your function. Some DJ services charge more because their service has a great reputation and may have many bookings. They may also have an exceptional sound and light show and many years of experience. Remember the law of supply and demand. There is a reason some services can get a higher price, they are usually worth it. Shop around and look for the best over all package that fits you. We have put together this list of questions to help you interview prospective DJ services. We hope you find the professional that is right for you!

Crown, QSC, Crest, Rane, Bag End, E.A.W., JBL, Shure, MTX, and Denon are the preferred professional choices of DJs. If the DJ tells you name brands that you can buy at the local electronic store (Best Buy, Circuit City etc.) chances are they are not using pro audio gear. Home Hi-Fi gear is not made to hold up to the demands of repeat performances of professional use.

2.   Do you provide back up gear in case of an emergency?

Chances are nothing will happen at your wedding reception, but if it does, is your DJ prepared to trouble shoot the problem? Do they have back-up equipment on location to get the party back on track? (They should have extra cables, fuses, basic tools, CD player, amplifier, mixer, etc.).

3.   Do you belong to any professional associations?

The most popular association in the Chicago market is the DJNet (Disc Jockey Referral Network). Members of the DJNet are screened for their professionalism and are required to be insured to entitle them to be a member.

4.   Are we guaranteed the DJ of our choice the day of the event?

Some Chicagoland companies have more than one DJ working for them. While the company may have been in business for years, your DJ may have been hired last week, so be sure who you are getting. Most companies have references on the specific DJ who will be assigned to your event.

5.    How many years of experience do you have?

This is a commonly asked question. The question should be how many wedding receptions have you performed at? A seasoned DJ will have performed hundreds of wedding receptions. There are some real pros in the Chicagoland market which have played at over 1000 wedding receptions. You may want to treat yourself to a real pro!

6.   May we call three of your references?

A good DJ service keeps current references. The list that they provide for you should have at least ten or more names and not be more than six months old. This is a good indicator of the quality you can expect. If you are not comfortable with calling strangers, ask if they have any banquet halls, photographer, or video services that recommend them. Most banquet halls, photographers and videographers work with a lot of different DJ services every weekend.

7.   How will you be dressed?

Most DJ services in the Chicagoland area wear tuxedos. Some services may tell you that they do not want to be the center of attention so they wear something else like a suite, shirt and tie, sweater etc. Remember your DJ will be in front of your family and guests all night.

8.   How early will you be Set-Up?

Most DJ services like to have the opportunity to do a sound and light check before any guests arrive. This usually takes about one hour for an average size system, may take two hours or more for a large system. If your event is in downtown Chicago they may require an extra person for security and additional time to get to the banquet room. The last thing you want is a DJ hauling equipment through your receiving line and or guests.

9.   Ask if they allow requests from you and your guests?

Consider the policy of requests. The best DJs will take requests form the audience and work them into their routine. But don’t expect the DJ to play every request. An excellent DJ blends requests with songs that will get your guests up and moving. The art of a DJ is timing, and this takes experience. Forcing a DJ to ignore his or her instincts by making them play every request will result in an uneven (and less fun) party.

10.   What type of music is available?

Remember it is not the number of CDs, Tapes or Albums they carry but the content of the media. Ask them how many hit songs they carry and what type of music they have. Ask them how do they stay current with the new hits. A good DJ service will carry a wide variety of music and will have as many as 2000 hits or more. There are professional DJ services like Promo Only and Hot Hits that are available to professional DJs. These services provide the latest hits played on the radio stations with new additions released monthly. Remember that during the dancing segment of your reception a DJ will average 65 to 75 songs, so you should hear nothing but hits all night long. This will keep your dance floor full all night and everyone will have a great time.

11.   What is your policy on food and alcohol?

Remember your DJ is a hired service not a guest. Alcohol is for your guests. If the DJ tells you he or she needs a couple of drinks to loosen up it is our opinion that they are not very professional. The last thing you need is a drunk DJ up in front of your family and friends at your wedding reception. Food is normally provided for the DJ, Photographer, and Videographer. If your not going to feed the DJ or other services you should let them know ahead of time so they can make other arrangements.

12.   Do I need a light show and what will it do for me?  Why a light show?

There are two things you want your light show to do: make the dance floor warm and inviting and turn it into a fantasyland of dazzling action, sweeping movement and intense color.

13.   You may also ask what type of a light shows are available?

The pinnacle of light shows is the Martin ‘Intelligent Light Show"! This type of show will give you the biggest bang for your buck. An intelligent light show will give you the most variety and versatility. There are many types of intelligent light fixtures, Moving Heads, Scanners, Color Changers, Punishers, Lynx, and RoboZap, etc. All Intelligent light fixtures have to be controlled by a programmed controller not just an on/off switch that is what makes them an intelligent light. The DJ operates a controller, and can choose from11- 22 shades of color, 11-28 geometric shapes (Gobos), and select the movement patterns of the light beams. You can have a different light show for every song! Your guests will be in awe and talk about your wedding reception for months. Don’t you deserve an intelligent light show?