| Many "How To Hire A Disc Jockey" articles overlook | | | | making dogs howl and babys cry? Are the mid-range |
| one of the most important criteria for choosing | | | | (vocals) present enough? Is the overall sound flat or is |
| entertainment. Your ears.Forget checking for a | | | | there "depth"?Remember, this is what you and your |
| business license (anyone can get one), or | | | | guests will be hearing all night long.While the sound can |
| endorsement by some far removed, "official" DJ | | | | be enhanced by the use of equalizers and sonic |
| association. Send them their fee and you they will | | | | enhancers, the right speakers are key. Whether it's |
| endorse you too.Whether your entertainer is "certified" | | | | JBL, Yamaha, Mackie or others, speakers have their |
| on paper or not, how his or her system sounds is | | | | own sound characteristics. And off-brand, budget |
| critical. Most DJs are not experts in the technical realm | | | | speakers are often lacking in sound quality.Ask the DJ |
| of sound specifications. They may not even know | | | | why he chose the speakers he has. Often great |
| what signal to noise ratio, total harmonic distortion or | | | | sounding, name brand speakers are not much more |
| frequency response is. The truth is, DJs often put | | | | expensive than low-end, budget cabinets. If the DJ is |
| together a sound system that is limited by how much | | | | scrimping here to save a couple of bucks, what else is |
| they can afford to spend. The resulting sound may | | | | is he cutting corners on?I personally dislike "hissing" |
| turn out to be shrill (too many highs), unclear or | | | | brass or cymbal sounds (highs) or too much bottom |
| "muddy" and even distorted.This is where your ears | | | | end (bass). For me, the midrange is where the melody |
| come in. Ask for a live audition so you can gage for | | | | is and I like to hear it. Warm and full vocals, keyboards |
| yourself how the DJ's equipment looks and sounds. | | | | and guitar with the highs and lows serving as |
| We always offer a live listening experience to our | | | | complimentary bookends. For example, I'd rather hear |
| clients. This is the only way to know if you like it. If your | | | | emphasis on Sinatra's voice over his bass player.Now |
| DJ is not willing to "audition" for you, it may be because | | | | go find the sound YOU like. You're already an expert |
| he is embarrassed by the look or audio quality of his | | | | as you've been listening all your life. Do a little |
| rig. This is a red flag.Have your prospective DJ play a | | | | homework and you will feel confident as your event |
| song you know. Think of one that that incorporates | | | | approaches, knowing your guests will experience |
| bass, drums, keyboards and vocals so you get a full | | | | complete sonic satisfaction!-DJ Craig has performed in |
| range of sounds. Dance songs are usually good. Ask | | | | clubs, on the air and now works exclusively for private |
| the DJ to turn it up for a moment. Now close your | | | | parties. Upwards of half a million people have enjoyed |
| eyes and listen.You don't have to be an acoustic | | | | his sound and lighting at special events for the past 15 |
| expert to know if you like it. Is it full and warm or | | | | years. He has been a guest speaker at classes on |
| hollow and "tinny". Does it sound like an AM radio or | | | | wedding and event coordination. Craig has been |
| more like what you might hear in a movie theatre? Is | | | | featured in the Los Angeles Times and has written |
| the base "punchy" but not overwhelming, allowing room | | | | articles for many wedding and party related web sites. |
| for the mids and highs? Are the highs too brassy, | | | | |