Dj's United > Saturday Xmas Party

FrankieJ

Dec 5 2005, 10:14 AM

I had the worst gig of my life on Saturday night,

I had a booking for a xmas party booked by a local agent in a large hotel. He had phoned me to say that there was equipment in the venue already so just to turn up with cd players and cd's.

so I thought.

Anyway he gave me the number of another guy whose equipment it was and told me to have a chat with him about his set up.

I called the guy a local mobile jockey, he told me that he had his full rig in the hotel which included lighting rig and 2 x powered Mackie 450's.
He then went on to explain that due to hotel complaints he couldnt use his bass bins only the tops and that a couple of nights previously he speakers kept overheating and cutting off for 2 to 3 mins which I would then have to wait to let them call down.

I deceided that I would still take my gear just in case.

Anyway all was going well I had a packed dance floor and the people were really tanked up and going for it, after about 2 hours of music..... Yes you guessed it, the speakers cut out, I was able to get the speakers running again after about 5 mins and tried to get the dance floor up again and then the speakers went again... By this time I had had enought the abuse that was thrown at me whilst trying to get these speakers to work where just horrible. some of the punters where really nice and understanding but some of the younger folks didnt care. I had rushed out to my car to grab my speakers and amp but in the panic I damaged my amp

, which has now since been repaired.

I am now thinking long and hard whether to take a year or so out, with my day job taking all my hours up and getting :cense: like this on the weekends I just dont need it, I dont want to let these people spoil it for me but I really have had enough. I will still of course honour all my booked gigs but not sure if I would take anymore at the moment.

I admit that there are more good times then bad, but have any of you guys ever decided to take time out????

Jearley

Dec 5 2005, 10:26 AM

Took a longtime out

I was djing 1979 until 1992 to be honest couldnt handle the younger parties
mixing was getting more popular than the cheesy dj peter kay types like myself.

so i gave it up save a odd mates wedding etc. also as i cut down the gigs it made the individual gigs more expensive to put on bulbs, new tracks etc.

over the last year i thought be nice to commit myself to just doing weddings and specialist 70s, 80s nights

bought all new gear and been getting back into it.

I want to do it because i enjoy it and the money is a nice holiday bonus

I was professional and semi professional for many years ......... didnt want it to become boring like work can do.

But dont let a few bad gigs spoil it for you...

I would carry on as you will miss it im sure just be choosy and do the ones you really fancy and that you are in control of.

hope it helps

kind regards

jason

stevie

Dec 5 2005, 10:36 AM

Hi I know how you feel i gave it up for 10 years due to family commitments but wish i had'nt.Hang in there we all have bad times.

Its funny but i was talking to a local guy that has a pair of said Mackies and he has the same problem after a few hours of work his cut out and come back on after a few mins he said they tend to do it alternately so no when he can he has fans blowing on the heat sink on the back of them but it doesnt help much,he loves the sound but is getting fed up of them cutting out,seems at this time of year with places having the heating on and full of people they just over heat

So in my opinion i will stick to the try ed and trusted method separate amp with built in cooling fans and speakers.

FrankieJ

Dec 5 2005, 10:50 AM

QUOTE

So in my opinion i will stick to the try ed and trusted method separate amp with built in cooling fans and speakers

Yes have to agree Stevie.

QUOTE

Hi I know how you feel i gave it up for 10 years due to family commitments but wish i had'nt.Hang in there we all have bad times.

Thanks, I just feel that im loosing interest at the moment so feel it would be best for the break? plus I have to work some weekends for my day job and just feel its getting tooo much.

Chrispy

Dec 5 2005, 10:54 AM

Sounds like the older versions of the Mackies which suffered from this problem. I think that given the price of the speakers that Mackie should have done the right thing and offered a recall or mod kit for this problem, but thats another thread

.

One of the major drawbacks of using built in equipment at venues, is that you don't know it's weakspots until you actually use it, and by then it's too late.

At venues with their own equipment built in, I now just use their lighting and take along my own sound system regardless of how insistant they are. The only exception to this are venues where I have played before and know that the gear is reliable.

I remember one venue who wanted to charge me £25 for using their gear, and wouldn't let me use my own

. I sent them a letter asking them to send me a copy of their insurance policy to prove that I would be covered to the same level as my life insurance policy in the event of death, should I be electrocuted whilst using what would essentially be hired equipment. Suddenly they had a change of heart and allowed me to use my gear after all

.

FrankieJ

Dec 5 2005, 11:03 AM

QUOTE

One of the major drawbacks of using built in equipment at venues, is that you don't know it's weakspots until you actually use it, and by then it's too late.

This is true, unfortunatley the equipment wasnt installed it was a mobile jockeys gear that he left in as he was in there on Sunday.

I have learnt my lesson from this, you do get used to your own tools I suppose.

Gary

Dec 5 2005, 11:14 AM

Mackie powered speakers

and

Overheating -

Two elements that just seem to keep getting tied together.

I vaguely recall that there was a bit of a DIY solution, involving fans, and a comment about a re-designed, or MKII version of the 450.

Is there a MKII now? how can the MKI be distinguised from the MKII

In the whole big scheme of things, I would agree with you that the good times by far outweight the bad times as far as disco's go, and I'd suggest that you dont let this one "part night" of heckling/gear fail, play a bias in your decision of taking time out from DJ'ing.

DJF

Dec 5 2005, 11:19 AM

i gave up a few years ago due to girlfriend commitments or lack of with working every weekend,but i will say some may not believe but i don't think ever had such abuse would make me wanna git it a miss.

sorry to hear your predicament mate hope you are ok and we all try not to let the punters get to us. we work far to hard and put too much in to let a very small minority get to us but i suppose it can and will happen.

YourBigEvent

Dec 5 2005, 11:23 AM

Alway carry a set of powered speakers with me..just ijn case something like this happens, keep the speakers by the kit, if it did happen it would take 2 minutes to rectify.

FrankieJ

Dec 5 2005, 11:29 AM

Thanks guys,

I have been thinking long a hard about it and dont want the punters to get the better of me, but with work commintments and dj'ing weekends Im just loosing interest.
I expect I will regret it but wont sell my equipment just in case.
My fiancee has been great she said that she would go along with whatever I decided.

Chrispy

Dec 5 2005, 11:52 AM

QUOTE

I have been thinking long a hard about it and dont want the punters to get the better of me, but with work commintments and dj'ing weekends Im just loosing interest

Be honest with yourself!. Is it the fact that you've had one gig which is crap and stressful tainting your view of all of your past successes and preventing you from seeing any future successes?

If you have a genuine reason for giving up, such as work / family committments then that is a perfectly good reason for doing so, and if you are loosing interest too, then perhaps you are making the right decision.

However don't just use them as an excuse, if the real reason is down to a bad audience or one bad experience.

Often we are our own worst critics, and usually guilty of what my grandmother used to call a 'Wasted Worry'. In other words we worry and beat ourselves up about something which doesn't deserve worrying that much about and long after it ceases to be of any importance

. I've had gigs which I have thought have been terrible, i've had gigs where i've felt ill to the point where I just wanted to go home and go to bed . But I've Smiled through them, and have been surprised that the audience and client have come over at the end and thanked me for a great night when I've believed that it was a terrible gig.

Yes, you had the embarassment of gear cutting out on you. So have most of us at some point in our careers and as long as you don't make a weekly habit of it, then it's really no big deal

.

Think about it logically. How many gigs have you done?, and how many gigs have you done where the gear has crapped out on you?. I think you'll find that you've had a great many more successful nights than you perhaps realise, the problem here is isolated and purely because you used the equipment of the other DJ, so it had nothing to do with your performance as a DJ or your equipment!.

Think about the other guy, he has to use this equipment every week

, and he's still in business.

You've had one bad experience thats all, learn from it, then put it behind you and move on

Don't be too hasty about making such a sweeping decision so soon after a bad experience. Give it a month or two, and then make the decision. If in the New Year you are still 100% of the belief that you've had enough then i'll help you to pack away your gear myself!

. However if you pack in too soon, and realise you've made a big mistake then the only person to lose out will be you.

FrankieJ

Dec 5 2005, 12:18 PM

Thanks Chris, I appreciate the reply, you are right in what you say, I have had many great gigs and Saturday I suppose knocked my confidence big time.

I will give it until the New Year to see if I am making the right choice as I still have bookings to honour.

QUOTE

Often we are our own worst critics, and usually guilty of what my grandmother used to call a 'Wasted Worry'. In other words we worry and beat ourselves up about something which doesn't deserve worrying that much about and long after it ceases to be of any importance

Love your grandmothers quote by the way.

High Fidelity

Dec 5 2005, 01:06 PM

As you have a day job, I'm guessing that you're not dependant on the disco for a living, so I would suggest:

Be picky about what bookings you take. Only take the ones that you like.

For example, I don't do 18th's or kids parties, or football presentations.

I'm lucky that I don't rely on the disco to earn a living so I can be very choosy.

Hopefully, your next couple of bookings will be great and you'll get the "buzz" back again.

brianmole

Dec 5 2005, 01:24 PM

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Dec 5 2005, 12:52 PM)

QUOTE

I have been thinking long a hard about it and dont want the punters to get the better of me, but with work commintments and dj'ing weekends Im just loosing interest

Be honest with yourself!. Is it the fact that you've had one gig which is crap and stressful tainting your view of all of your past successes and preventing you from seeing any future successes?

If you have a genuine reason for giving up, such as work / family committments then that is a perfectly good reason for doing so, and if you are loosing interest too, then perhaps you are making the right decision.

However don't just use them as an excuse, if the real reason is down to a bad audience or one bad experience.

Often we are our own worst critics, and usually guilty of what my grandmother used to call a 'Wasted Worry'. In other words we worry and beat ourselves up about something which doesn't deserve worrying that much about and long after it ceases to be of any importance

. I've had gigs which I have thought have been terrible, i've had gigs where i've felt ill to the point where I just wanted to go home and go to bed . But I've Smiled through them, and have been surprised that the audience and client have come over at the end and thanked me for a great night when I've believed that it was a terrible gig.

Yes, you had the embarassment of gear cutting out on you. So have most of us at some point in our careers and as long as you don't make a weekly habit of it, then it's really no big deal

.

Think about it logically. How many gigs have you done?, and how many gigs have you done where the gear has crapped out on you?. I think you'll find that you've had a great many more successful nights than you perhaps realise, the problem here is isolated and purely because you used the equipment of the other DJ, so it had nothing to do with your performance as a DJ or your equipment!.

Think about the other guy, he has to use this equipment every week

, and he's still in business.

You've had one bad experience thats all, learn from it, then put it behind you and move on

Don't be too hasty about making such a sweeping decision so soon after a bad experience. Give it a month or two, and then make the decision. If in the New Year you are still 100% of the belief that you've had enough then i'll help you to pack away your gear myself!

. However if you pack in too soon, and realise you've made a big mistake then the only person to lose out will be you.

well said..

bluejools

Dec 5 2005, 02:40 PM

I know how you feel..... I got a regular gig in a pub 2 years ago. Seemed Ideal. Easy access, very local.

However, the pub was just a starting point for everyone going on to a club.

However and whatever i tried i could never get people going......except my missus and her mates when they attended.

Did my back in, lost that gig.

Best thing that happened.

I also work 12-13 hour days during the week at the "9-5".

So i dont mind if i dont play (i do sometimes) and i treat it more as fun, picking what and when i want to play. If i get to 6 booking a month, that will be enough... and next year is looking that way.

As for Mackies...... every other DJ i have spoken to complains of them cutting out.

I have Carlsbro Gammas... drive them hard all night (the bass cabs even in their travel case) and they get hot....too hot sometimes. But have never cut out (wood .... wood where is my wood in this silly hi-tech office)

Keep going and look just to enjoy.... your always to young to stop.

otronics

Dec 5 2005, 03:45 PM

ALWAYS have backup equipment in the room with you. Try and connect it as much as you can too, ie/ spare amp.

I think that is a valid point here and Chris has beaten me to it on taking time out etc!

Good luck

absvicandmark

Dec 5 2005, 05:49 PM

Ive been having a "cool off" period myself. Im an engineer that works full time and works call out which is about 1 night a week. Also, im up for promotion next year so ive been putting more hours on the pc to impress the boss!!!

Also, the guy who usually helps me has started giving me excuses for not helping (even though I pay him up to 40% of what I earn!).
The last gig I done went down a storm but I`ll hopefully be moving soon and what with christmas and the kids , I think its just a bit too much stress.
I know its not the best time of the year for a rest but I think i`d rather have a rest than flog the lot.
If anything m8, have a rest - then you might feel geared up to give it another go.

Kingy

Dec 5 2005, 07:10 PM

I sympathise with you, but I have been an ACTIVE fan for a few years now and never had any problems at all. I will not be going back.

Where I believe the problem lies is this: Djs think that a pair of Mackies will produce the biggest sound ever. Before using active systems, how many of you would have turned up to a gig with just a pair of 1x12's? Not many I will bet. But when the 450s came along many DJs visited my shop and chopped in 15" passive cabs and replaced them with active 12s. They then expected the big sound a 15" delivers from a relitively light weight 12" driver. This does not equate.

My advise? Use your 450s and the such like for up to 100 people, bigger than that you should be considering something a bit beefier. Go to the back of the venue and you will see (or hear) what I mean. A 15" gives a better bottom end.

Just because the cab is active does not necessarily mean it will be louder.

jeffwall

Dec 5 2005, 08:15 PM

These mackies are getting slated abit i notice

Think chris is right they have produced two lots of mackies and the latest ones within 18months i believe have had this problem fixed, the heat sinks on the rear are huge and as ive said in another thread, never had a problem with mine

dont know how you tell them apart, but someone may let us all know hopefully??

Also, im in the same boat, just gig for extra income but for the fun too, i love it and its the best thing ive decided to do in the last 18 months despite few bad gigs!
Good luck with your desision though!

M3KTG

Dec 5 2005, 11:01 PM

I have also been active for the last 2 years and have never looked back, All this talk of over heating made me think i have never felt mine get any hotter than warm but there again i dont use Mackies, I did a try before you buy and found they didnt suit us so i looked around and in the end i bought some FBT MaxX6a's.

Steve_Mitchell

Dec 6 2005, 04:29 PM

3 of the biggests clubs/pubs in southport us these cabs. One is a hotel pub and also is not allowed to use a base bin with them. They have never had this problem and they are driving 7 nights aweek.

This is why I bought mine. They are top quality.

exbutlinred82

Dec 6 2005, 05:07 PM

I really think Chris ought to make this sticky then we can all refer to it when we have had a bad night.

In my.... tiny little village..... in tiny little South Yorkshire... in Britain which is a tiny little country I have built up a reputation that I am so proud of.

I was highly recommended for a 40th birthday party(that is my favourite age....all of my acquaintances were there.....I was ready for it to be the icing on the cake).I started the equipment and picked up a little hum and ignored it in the excitement.A quarter of an hour later.....NO AMP.Rushed home(10 MINS) got the spare amp......10 mins later no sound.

The cheeks of my

were clenched so tightly together you couldn't have got a fagpaper between them.By the grace of God I somehow managed to squeeze out 2 hours music instead of 4.And got a standing ovation....mainly out of relief I think.I didn't charge the customer.

Next morning the problem was traced to a faulty microphone cable....which was about the only piece of hardware I hadn't replaced.

Did I learn some lessons that night!!!!!And now i'm much stronger for it.I could easily have written the same piece next morning as you have.

UP TO YOU IF YOU QUIT.....

You'll be a long time sucking on that pipe in your slippers tho!!!!!!

Kingy

Dec 6 2005, 05:19 PM

The Mackie cabs are very good, I especially like the clarity of the top end, however, I have heard them severely over driven by some artists (not just Djs) thinking they can reproduce a club sound using them. A 15" sounds a lot better. That is why I went and bought two pairs of the HK ELIAS system, I wanted a portable active hi-quality system which would still fit into an estate car.

They were designed to be a vocal cab remember. When the reps first started bringing them round the shops that was the market they were aimed at.

I personally found the Alto 12" cabs gave these 450s a severe run for the money, sounding a little better on the bottom end. I have also found that the mackies sound a lot better with the Behringer processor fitted to them, a much better sound that some of you ought to test run. This is a very wise way of spending £75ish. You wont run them without it once you have tried it!!

Any how.....sound is so personal, what I like may not excite you folks!!

mick

Dec 6 2005, 09:16 PM

I have a pair of Alto PS4 active spekers and I am very pleased with them.
have done gig in big hall 350 kids and had them really turned up. They got quite warm but never let up. I usuall run a big Peavey fan cooled amp here but decided to try them (just so I would know). I like the quality sound quality from the alto's and at a normal venue they are more than adequate. incidently they were £600 for the pair - mick

Chrispy

Dec 6 2005, 10:27 PM

There is more about the Mackies on another thread, and the problem was very real and not isolated to one or two units as a google search will bring up many Musicians and DJ's from all over the world complaining about the same problem.

It was pot luck whether your units were affected, and if you bought one of the problematic ones, then you would be aware of it by now

.

The problem wasn't actually a fault as such. From researching this a little bit more It seems that some muppet fitted an oversensitive thermal trip to a batch of them, and instead of cutting out at a heatsink temp of 85c - 90c they cut out at a much lower temperature. In other words the wrong component was fitted to some units, causing nuisance tripping.

Newer units are not affected, although it is something that you should bear in mind when buying older ones or second hand Mackies.

dj_johnno

Dec 7 2005, 09:27 AM

QUOTE (High Fidelity @ Dec 5 2005, 01:06 PM)

For example, I don't do 18th's or kids parties, or football presentations.

mmmm I had a similar "straw that broke the camel's back" gig - and it was a football presentation. I hadn't done many of those but I had a residency so I took whatever came along - had some smashing nights there, too.

That night was definitely characterised by people who (as they later explained) expected me to spend the whole night imploring them to dance when they clearly couldn't care less and weren't going to.

Every time I get a slap on the back and someone saying what a great job I did, I tell 'em that you're only as good as the people you play to (slight exageration and I "stole" that line off someone on here) - but really there are times when things are beyond your control.

At the time I was overdoing it - I was working every night and had a full time job too, and I got things out of proportion.

As a result I didn't do any djing for nearly ten years - but you always come back.

The other advice about cutting down and being more selective is good I reckon.