I dont use a great many jingles; Just a very select few Christmas and Birthday Jingles and little else.

For a birthday, for example, I'll load the name check jingle ("Happy Birthday Chris") into one of my cd-decks samplers, and "31 today" into another Cd-deck sampler and so on...upto 12... and another on tge mixer, but I never use more than one or two jingles, and only maybe 1 show in 10.

Some jingle sets sound like a good idea, but just sound tooo cheesy for words, or just unusable for regular situations. I sent "The Impersonators CD" back for a refund about 6 or 7 years ago for that reason.

You sound as though youve had your jingles custom made though, so you shouldnt have those problems.

For playing your own Jingles, from the options given, Id go for the "Play from a seperate CD player". That way the laptop is not being given another audio application to process, at the same time.

Alternatively, store the jingles on the laptop in the same way as any normal music track and fade it in/over from within the laptops existing DJ program.

Last idea of Gary's is how I use my FEW jingles, and only at Christmas and NYE, use them as I would a normal file.

I HOT START my jingles, drop ins and sound effects from mini disc. I have the Denon(what else?) twin unit, enabling 12 items to be lined up for instant ( and I mean instant) access.

Wouldnt swap it for the world!

I dont do jingles!

I only do them at the very end of the night on NYE.

Never done jingles, I always feel like they sound cheesy.

Nnnnooooo people dont want to listen to that!

Jingles??

I think it adds to the overall presentation of the show. I use some during the warm up, a few voice overs during certain "mixes" but not being a real "Mixer" clever use of good quality drop ins can aid my show.I feel that it adds something, and certainly dont think they are any cheesier than the party influenced music that i do.

As I always have said "horses for courses"!!

...but surely, a mobile dj as opposed to a radio dj, wouldnt really need to use somebody elses voice! (I dont think any of us run advertising or the like as with radio). Some "sound effects" are ok... but come on guys..... surely everyone must have the confidence to get over what you want using your own voice - rather than play recorded stuff! I really cant see what advantage jingles are for a mobile disco business!

In fact, rather than "adding" something to your show, I think it is taking something away - YOU! Sure, we might play cheesey tunes at times, but thats because our audience wants them!

Im with Kazz on this one. I know I isn’t been in the business long but there is a few interesting ones out there but most of them are a bit dodgy.

Most people book me to be the centre of attention to liven people up and get a party atmosphere. I could stick on a compalation cd and a few jingles and then sit back and relax. But I find being there, hands on doing most things yourself more enjoyable than letting things do it for me(please no jokes). Yes I have a laptop thats for easy access to songs to give the customers more attention rather than looking for songs.

And im not saying bad djs use jingles im just saying that in my eyes there is no real need for them in a average gig. New years eve an exception maybe!

Dangermouse

P.s im not in anyway having a dig at anyone who uses them. Its down to personal choice

Oh dear........... I doubt many of us actually talk across music in the first place! A corporate edge? Hmmmm... it takes more than a few tacky jingles to get your image over to any clients!

Its been said before, you can have all the top end equipment, smartest clothes, perfect corporate image.. but these will mean absolutely nothing if you cant do the job! Jingles wont give you any edge over anybody else - it might make people think that you arent capable of using the mic yourself!

Andrew, with all due respect, I think rather than focusing on gadgets/image etc at this stage, perhaps it would be extremely beneficial for you to go out with other djs...... ?

Jingles just don't do it for me im afraid!

Sorry but if you want to promote yourself then say it over the mic not with a jingle you lazy asses !!!!!


"I am available for your special event, please note I do give large discounts for sexual favours"

..AP......I seriously doubt your audience would want to know your web address or phone number whilst you are playing! Why not wait til the end and give them a card when they ask you for one!

There are many easy ways of getting your www address and details to the audience without resorting to jingles or standing there repeating www dot - parrot style.

The more subtle ways include:-

Business cards
Request Slips (placed on tables / bars)
Balloons / giveaways
Leaflets
Newspaper / Yellow pages Ads
Moving Message Display
and errrrrrrm Google!

Believe me, at midnight 90% of the average audience won't be in a fit state to remember your name and make coherent conversation, let alone a long string of mumbo jumbo

Hell, I can't remember most web addresses Sober!.

The internet won't magically make you a good and professional DJ. Only you can work at doing that.

You appear to be missing my point.

As i say, "Horses for courses"

If you ( any of you) came to one of my shows you would be able to pick a fault. You are pros, so you should be able to.

I would probably be able to do the same!

I feel the jingles and drop ins do give me an edge, I am certainly not afraid of using the mic, and in all fairness, only perhaps use a small percentage of my available resources for the jingles etc, but do feel it adds a little something that makes MY SHOW work!

To just slag them off without seeing the end product is not fair!

If they dont work on your show, DONT USE THEM! But dont pick faults that may not be there!

Kingy.. I dont think anyone was actually picking fault with your show! As has been said, some jingles can be appropriate (well sound effects anyway). Personally, I dont use them - and I cant really see what enhancement they could bring to any show... thats just my opinion. At the end of the day, its the DJ who creates the atomosphere at any party. For me, using a jingle to convey a web address/telephone number is chringe making! Personal contact for me is best!

Kingy...can the DJU Roadshow come and visit you

I use 'end of night jingle trails' ... so to speak, but not at every function.

Depending on my clients / the nature of the gig, will determine if I play an 'outro' or 'theme', but I tend to use an end of night 'jingle song' for regular / residency work, such as:

Hit the Road Jack - either Ray Charles or The Weather Girls
Bring Me Sunshine - Morcombe & Wise
Ti Adora - Pavarotti
or 'my' main theme from The Professionals (i've used since 1992)

At the end of most adult gigs, be it an Old Skool night or Wedding or Birthday Party, the right moment 'jingle theme' can cause some funny and silly antics (especially with Bring Me Sunshine or The Professionals theme)

For years, I used to play the Hawai 5-0 theme (again at the right moment), where guests would 'surf' and 'air-row' but far too many other DJ's were doing the same thing! I always strive to be different.

Because I produce 'jingle tools' and mixed 'music-beds' for personal / third party use, they can be ideal for 'intros' - they are short (from 20-30 seconds each) but perfect for quiz nights or 'intro-mixing' for certain music genre's.

I believe that DJ microphone use is a better form of 'human contact' with an audience (when requested to announce such things as 'last orders') because 'jingles' don't carry any interactive or expected command responce like a DJ has on a mic.

I've found many DJs try to use jingles for a more 'pro-presentation' but this isn't always the case in practice!!!
The 'jingle' is either too loud, to quiet, to quick, or just not effective for the moment.

One could say it's down to what the DJ is happy to use and feels confident in useage. But from my personal experience - what I have seen, the Mobile DJ who plays a Jingle at a gig will be usually more 'excited' to use a jingle than the audience (who either act bewildered or very uninterested in the DJs 'gimmick').

So for disco advertising - stick with the tried and tested. Business Cards, poster flyers, Letterheads, etc.

By all means - if a DJ is happy using 'production Jingles' - fair enuff. But just how the jingles are used and presented is really something else.

Dan..... I dont class "themes" as jingles.... Jingles to me are those cheesy "Youve been a great crowd, Cheesey roadshow looks forward to seeing you all again soooonnn!"
Maybe I have missed something... but can someone explain to me how and when a jingle is preferential to a dj making an announcement!

Kaz, heres an example of how I use jingles.

Four Tops "Cant help myself " fades.
Isley Brothers " This old heart of mine" starts.
This has a 7 second intro.
After 3 seconds of the intro I use a 4 second "This is Motown..m.m.m.m.motown" voice over jingle.
This is played at about 3dB above the Isleys track, so that as soon as the jingle finishes, the vocals start.
When I play the next track, possibly "Baby Love " or similar, I would link that on the Mic. That way, i don't know, I feel it keeps "Fresh". Hard to explain really.Not the same voice, you know what I mean I'm sure!
Works for me anyhow!

I also link background music with jingles occasionally, but as I say, these are custom produced Voice over types and dont advertise my phone number etc. That would not suit me!

So ermmm

Wasnt the original question "How?" rather than "Should" we play jingles?


If so, then I've think the questions been answered, in a number of ways.

..Dan... which is why I explained what I classed as a jingle.....!

Looks like its getting worse.... playing jingles over music like vocals !

What about using a "jingle machine" software? Would that be useful to you?

You could load your jingles into WinAmp, have it running in the background and still use OTSDJ as your main source. The purists will knock me for running too many apps but it works well.

Or buy a cart machine (Mikeee will explain what they are for the under 20's)

Red button/Green button.............

Had a listen to the example jingles Andrew (APEVENTS)...

...very very good.

Perhaps another use (apart from 'gigs) could be for 'radio advertising' in your local area?

Only a suggestion - If a 'jingle' is not over used at the same event - on the same function - yes, it is very slick and presentable indeed . . . at the right moment!!!

Dan, he won't answer as he is 'Banned For Life'

I can pass on the comments to them if you want? I'm due to phone them over the next couple of days to help sort out their PLI info.