First gig

Hello all ,

I'll do my first gig next month and i'm looking for some advice ;à, i don't want to forget anything (cables, etc..) ! I mix with the traktor S4.

So if you've somes advices to give me, it would be really cool .

Thanks all !

Cheers )

 

a) Plan on only having access to one power socket, and assume it is 10ft or more away from you ..
b) Have a procedure for dealing with requests...
c) if you have a playlist, know how to shorten it by 30 mins, and extend it by 30mins

good luck

 

Take spare everything..!

 

Make a list of all the gear / accesories you bring with you, check it at the end of the gig so everything goes back with you.

Good luck!

 

I found this useful, from the good lads over at TechTools http://www.djtechtools.com/2009/12/26/dj-essentials-gig-bag-check-list/

 

congrats for the gig. first one is always exciting

please give more details about your planned setup and the gig:

- what kind of gig? (club, private party, wedding...)
- how to use the S4? (direct to PA, with RCA to existing mixer)
- are there any spare devices? (CDjs or whatever? if only CDjs and no mixer, keep in mind that the S4 can`t handle stand alone...)

depending on that it is possible to give advises for cables and other stuff.

generaly:
- if the gig is in a club, I assume you are booked for a genre or a timeslot.
in that case keep in mind: you are a DJ and not a jukebox! such gigs will die if you accept "whatever wishes in a random"
- if the gig is a wedding: you are a ****ing juke box!secret here is to "read" the crowd. sometimes it is needed to make hard cuts and a total change in style. your job is: keep the people on the dance floor. if they like oldies...turn of house and move to that. mixing talents are here nearly pointless...the music selection rocks the party! by experience: it is a good advise to play different genres in blocks. 15 minutes house, 20 minutes oldies, 20 minutes discofox...depends on the reaction of the crowd. don`t make the mistake and interpret "mix all styles" into "each track is a different style". people who enters the dancefloor doing this because of a style or a track. give them the option to dance a few of these!as soon as you notice the first guys are leaving -> change to a different style.
by 15 years of doing such grap I can tell you: weddings or private parties (50 year celebration whatever) are the hardest jobs. nobody expects you to mix some specified stuff in a good way, everybody is expecting you to play "a good mix"...in his OWN taste. means in clear words: weddings has the 33% rule. 33% like it, 33% hate it, 33% give a ****. keypoint here is to satisfy everybody, what means: each **** at it`s time.

for all gigs I can say:
success is depending on the talent to read the crowd. if you have the correct track at the correct time, nobody gives a monkey if this is perfectly mixed. a simple drop can it be! mixing skills are only needed if you play dedicated styles and the crowd is expecting this. a house DJ has to be good in mixing, the crowd is there for HOUSE. the separation between "sucks" and "rocks" is there quiet easy...good tracks good mixed rocks.

a wedding DJ has different challenges. if the genre is "over" and people like to hear something else...the best mixing in the world can`t save you if you do not notice.

 

Thanks all for your advices !

@Heltino, it's a bit particular, it's a party on a beach . I'll mix with my s4 directly, without more devices. But yeah, i'm afraid to forget a specific cable

 

Don't get sand in your faders dude...!

 

Congrats! Stay as far from the sand as you can, if people are dancing around you it can get thrown onto your S4, this can cause serious problems so make sure you take percautions!

Most import! ***Dont forget to have a good time ***

 

Oooo nice, make sure you got some good grooving upbeat house, have a listen to some Hed Kandi, in particular their beach house cd's.

Have fun dude and spread the love of music.....

 

+1000! would be the first and last day you have fun DJing with your s4...

 

Great info +1

 

Good advice from poster helltino!

And remember, DO WHAT YOU DO BEST, whether on the mic, or mix, or creative playlist, etc; Party goers luv AUTHENTICITY!

Let us know how it went

 

in my bag for a s4 gig i take

spare cables for every type e.g. phono , jack , jack to phono . phono to phono , jack to jack , xlr to jack ect ..... 2x 4 way plug extentions , spare haedphones with a spare headphone jack , a mic , an extension , some fuses , a few cds with good tracks on 2 with single tracks on for djing on cdjs incase the mac falls and one mixed set on my iPhone with the cables to conect to the mixer if no cdjs are handy till you get the laptop sorted also spare needles control cds and vinyl ... just about everything other than a spare mac and s4

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this one yet (although I think it's in that djtt link somewhere if it's the article I think it is).

Pack a flashlight! I'm not talking a giant yellow flashlight that runs on 6 D Cell batteries -- Just a little key chain one is perfect.

Some people rely on their cell phone for light, but my phone's battery sucks and usually isn't still rockin by 1 am.

My friend gave me this one a few years ago. I tossed it into my DJ bag and I never have to worry about it now.

You'll be glad you have this when you need to set up and tear down quickly!


The folks who mentioned the sand in the controllers--- such a good tip. I'll probably be playing a few beach parties (in Northern Minnesota haha) this summer and I hadn't considered the sand issue.

EDIT: Also -- have a gd blast at the party dude. First show is terrifying and awesome all at once. Congratulations on leveling up.

 

true! i have a little maglite in my needle case... and a little screwdriver. you never know...

 

Best advice so far IMO:

- Bring extra cables

- Bring extra music

- Keep your equipment as far away from the sand as possible

- Keep your eye on the dance floor

- Enjoy yourself!

Also, make sure the table you are bringing for your gear is VERY STURDY! My S4 has already taken a fall at a party due to a wobbly table. Thankfully I had it in an Odyssee case, so it didn't sustain much damage. I did, however, lose an external HD and the CD drive in my old laptop. Which all could have been avoided, if I had brought a better table.

 

Good advice! With that stated; any advice on a nice professional 'sturdy' table? I have read multiple stories about failed tables

I have been looking at this one below. . . .

http://amzn.com/B002XIJ7J2

Thanx.

 

Good Reply...

The music is really what matters, great response

 

Thanks to all for your answers . My first gig was a really good experience, and the public was so good