How to Choose and Hire/Book a DJ for Your Event
There are radio, club/bar and mobile DJs. This page refers to Mobile DJs (disc jockeys). Mobile means that DJs will supply their own equipment & music at the place of your event. They do weddings, banquets, dances, parties, etc. This information is in-depth and will help you with straight answers, tips, the right questions to ask, topics to be discussed.
The Two Most Important Things You Need To Know
1) NEVER ASSUME what the DJ should already know. It's your event and you know what you want the DJ to do - the DJ can only guess until completely informed. You need to give your DJ as much information as possible.
2) When you pay for the services of disc jockeys - YOU ARE THE BOSS and THEY WORK FOR YOU. Tell them in advance what is needed, required and expected. It's their job to bring equipment, have and play music that you contracted for, be properly attired, etc.
How To Choose and Get The DJ You Want
To get the DJ you want, there are topics to discuss and questions to ask
(The cost of hiring a DJ also depends on the answers to these topics & questions)
1) Make a list of exactly what you want your DJ to do and not do. Just play music and don't talk? Want the DJ to make announcements and maybe play the role of an MC? Do you want your DJ to be sophisticated at all times? Be interactive? Be a party animal? Give dance lessons or don't give dance lessons? Be a singer or don't sing? Also be a karaoke host or no karaoke? Be what is commonly referred to as a normal DJ?, etc.?
TIP >>> Most DJs cannot handle all these different facets so you need to choose one that is capable of honoring your wishes. Some DJs prefer to be dance instructors, singers or karaoke hosts more than a DJ. Some won't be an MC. Some don't talk, others won't shut up. Some are strictly sophistcated, some insist on being the life of the party. Now that you know this important starting point, some will be perfect for your event.
TIP >>> What is an MC? An MC (a.k.a. emcee, announcer, master of ceremonies) is someone designated to make announcements and/or guide attendees during formalities, events at an event, games, special moments, etc.
2) KNOW THE MUSIC THAT YOU WANT PLAYED. This is obviously very important. Make sure the DJ will have the music that you want at your event. Do you want a variety of music or perhaps just Club, Top-40, Oldies, Hip Hop, Country ...? Try to find a DJ that specializes in the music that you want.
TIP>>> Variety music DJs are the most expensive because they have to be knowledgeable about many different types of music and deal with the astronomical cost of buying many more CDs/Downloads plus time learning/listening more than someone specializing in just one type. Not too many DJs will have a printed list of the music they own especially if their music collection is huge and constantly updated. However, in their websites, many do list what they have or offer access to their music databases. In any case, you need assurance that what you want will actually be at your event.
TIP #2 >>> Just because DJs have the music, it doesn't mean they will bring it to your event. Ask how much music they take with them to events like yours. If it's not much, beware. Though some events might need just a small amount of music, many require a very large amount. If something is important enough, demand it be there. Example: out of the approx 4,000 CDs I own, usually over 1,000 are taken to the average event [some events require only 100 CDs, others well over 2,000]. Those using the digital format (laptops, MP3, Wav, etc.) have no excuse for not having a lot of music with them.
3) Do you want a DJ with a set music program or be flexible? Take requests or not? Play your requests on demand or when they feel it can be fit in without altering the dance floor or mood? As always, this is completely up to you. I can't stress this strongly enough - get the DJ that will do it your way.
4) Make sure the DJ has the right equipment for your event. Be sure to state the approximate number of people who will be attending (some DJs don't have equipment to handle large events). State whether event is indoors or outdoors or both. Will equipment have to be moved from one place to another during the event? If some specific equipment will be required such as a wireless microphone, tape or CD players, make sure the DJ service has this since not all do. Lights, fog, bubbles, novelties like inflatable instruments or theme? Want them or don't want them - tell the DJ before getting a rate estimate (price quote).
5) Ask how much experience they have working events similar to yours. If it doesn't make a difference, that's OK. But if something absolutely has to go right it would be to your advantage to have someone with experience who can deal with unexpected last second changes, twists, curves and turns that always seem to come up. A good DJ can help smooth over potential awkward moments.
6) Match the DJ to place of event. If a DJ is using turntables (playing records/vinyl) or not using anti-skip cd players, the area used by the DJ must have a rock solid foundation or music will skip or stop. If there is a stage, it too has to be solid.
7) Due to direct sunlight on equipment (a bad situation) or threat of rain, not all DJs will work outdoors using their own equipment.
8) Computer [MP3/Music Files] versus CD, Vinyl and other formats. Which is best?
Can't say. Honest! All formats can do a great job and have advantages & disadvantages. Just insist that the music you want is brought to your event, that the DJ has the ability to properly segue (blend songs together) and will continuously deliver good sound.
• In the case of MP3s/music files (computer/laptop systems) ask if there is some type of emergency back-up music playing capability in case of a hard drive going bad or a corrupted program (not a music file - but the program that controls the music files).
• DJs using CDs should be using anti-skip cd players (when performing, three cd players should be available in case one quits working).
TIP >>> Here's a general guideline for music files: 192 kbps is very good, 128 and under is usually poorer quality. Through headphones it's little difference, but through a P.A. (public address sound system) it could be a big difference unless the P.A. is equiped with extra sound enhancement. It's OK to ask computer DJs what number kbps files (or comparable quality rating) they play at events.
9) After signing a contract, do you want an additional meeting (or meetings) in person before your event to go over details? Not all DJs can do this - especially part-time DJs who make their living from a different line of work. Find out before hiring a DJ.
