So I guess you’ve been reading this blog as saying “Wow that Strato really knows what he’s talking about when it comes to technology.” And when you read one of my posts you’re probably thinking that I carry no expertise whatsoever.
But that is not true. Besides the fact that I am the human checklist, what I bring to the table is a unique theory on customer service that has helped grow this company.
In today’s post I’ll let you into a little secret about the Hurricane/client relationship:
Treat ‘em like family!
Too often in this business, it’s lost in translation that we, the entertainers, are here to share a night and a memory with a family. It’s not my party … it’s theirs.
I think about this all the time … do I really want that responsibility?
The first dance, the last dance, the dedications, candles, specials songs, speeches, toasts…even the cocktail hour — all our responsibility. Oh, and not to mention that all the dancing and entertainment is on us too. There’s no room for error.
If the food is bad, well, blame the caterer, but if anything else goes wrong … blame the DJ.
The reason why I personally went into this business is because when I’d be a party, whether it’d be for a family friend or my own family, the DJ just showed up, played some music, collected his money and called it a day.
Not here. Not at Hurricane. We pay careful attention to each party. Whether we’re doing a charity event for free or a wedding that is costing the client $5000.00, the same detail is taken into consideration.
As a master of ceremonies or DJ, you should KNOW the client. For one night, you’re expected to know Uncle Johnny just as well as the guest of honor. Uncle Johnny is going to request a song at some point, he’s going to share a drink with you, and you never know … he could be your next client. On the same note, the guest of honor is the star, the reason why the family is there and for one night, you’re there to cater to his/her needs.
Now, there are some secrets that will go to the grave with me and my business partner, but overall, the planning process at our company is similar to a first and second date. On the first date, you learn all you can about the family – likes, dislikes, history. Our second date is the party. We dance a little, sing a little and smile a lot. And in the end, you always keep them wanting more.
One thing I’ve learned through all the references we get from our past clients and the e-mails that fill our inbox:
Treat ‘em like family and they’ll become friends forever.
Once in a while I come across a new piece of technology and suddenly feel the urge to tell everyone I know about it. Ok, so here are 3 new pieces of technology which I think are awesome.
1.) Cell Phone Projector (DLP Pico-Projector)
If anyone doubted Texas Instruments’ sincerity in taking the mobile projection world by storm, now would probably be a good time to start boiling some crow. Making good on its wishes to cram DLP into even the most minuscule of locations, the company will be demonstrating its newfangled DLP pico-projector to select media groups, and apparently, those interested in taking a peek better have a front row seat. The mini projector will supposedly “fit in your fingertips,” but beyond that vague descriptor, we’re not exactly sure about the hard measurements. Notably, it appears that TI’s wee PJ could act as a standalone unit “or as an integrated component in a mobile device,” which would definitely spruce up current smartphone offerings. Sadly, there wasn’t an estimated timeframe as to when we’d (barely) see these devices crammed into cellphone enclosures, but it’s just a matter of time before we’re streaming live television shows and simultaneously beaming ‘em up for all of the subway car to see.
I love this idea because we, as mobile DJs, get asked OFTEN if we own projector / screens. We’ve thought about investing into a projector many a time but we’ve always just rented them from third parties. If we had projectors built into our cell-phones we could show presentations at any moment anywhere. AND for meetings / consultations, what better way to sell a product then display our services in full color on the client’s living room wall. I love it.
2.) Project Epoc
Mad scientists at Emotic Systems have come up with a way for gamers to
control on-screen action using only a player’s thoughts and emotions. The helmet has sensors that monitor neural activity that can turn that electrical data into fireballs and dragon punches. Users can get a hang of the braintoy in only a few hours so once developers start embracing the unit, it will make the Wiimote look like the powerglove.
I’m a big video game fan and the idea of controlling a game entirely through thought seems really futuristic and belongs in some distant time like… 3026 but those engineers in Japan are making alot of “head-way” [HAH now whose the master of puns vin] and we could potentially see this technology in production within the next 8-10 years.
Project Epoc is a headset that uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals naturally produced by the brain to detect player thoughts, feelings and expression. It connects wirelessly with all game platforms from consoles to PCs. Project Epoc now makes it possible for games to be controlled and influenced by the player’s mind.
Engaging, immersive, and nuanced, Emotiv-inspired game-play will be like nothing ever seen before.
3.) 3-D LCD TV
As part of its “extensive” coverage of this year’s International Meeting on Information Display in Korea, AVING has a brief write-up on a 42-inch LCD monitor from LG that can switch between 2D and 3D modes at the touch of a button. These LCD TVs exploit your depth perception by sending a different image to each eye tricking your brain into thinking Michael Jackson is actually in your living room.
A 3-D filter sends light in 25 different directions so images are viewable from almost any angle with no distortion. You can actually walk around the images on your TV! Hello holograms!
I think emcees tend to have a special connection to certain things in this business. Yeah, those DJ’s won’t let you go near the mixer (Strato has good reason to keep me away from his) but I have two things I’m particular about – my microphone and my suit.
Only MY microphone can project my voice the way I want it and only my suit fits the way I want myself to look in front of 100 new faces every night. It’s like a dry-cleaned security blanket.
Before my purchase of a new suit today, my old pinstriped black one had been through a lot.
Let’s see…its been through a few wedding receptions, countless Sweet 16′s, plenty of dinner dates (that includes two break-ups), first communions, confirmations and hell…I even fell asleep in that suit a few times.
Every time I’d suit up (once again, pun intended) for a gig or a family function, those memories would come rushing back. Glance into the mirror, spike up the hair and I’d remember the first time I entertained at a wedding, my grandma’s funeral, when my sister made confirmation, the time Strato lost my tie at a Sweet 16, and of course – my favorite first date.
And just like going to confession, getting a suit dry-cleaned was like starting over again every week. (if you get the Bronx Tale reference in that sentence, you’re alright in my book)
But sometimes you gotta let go and go for a new look. Half-inspired by a new Hurricane Productions website and blog, I figured it was time to let go and buy a new suit.
So out with the old (not to say those pinstripes won’t see another performance) but in with my new gray pinstripe look for now, at least. Time to make new memories.
Welcome to the first weekly addition of… DJ Strato’s Upbeat Endings.
In these weekly segments I’ll be sharing any music which I have come across and enjoyed for whatever reason(s) or have implemented into our mobile entertainment.
To start it off I’ll share some of my favorite songs that I like to end upbeat parties with:
This is a great song to pull out at the end of any family oriented party. It’s a song that everyone knows the words to and satisfies both the tastes of young and older guests. Some adult guests prefer the original version but unless specifically asked to play the original, I like to play the remix.
2. Song: The Perculator Artist: Baltimore Club Music
The Perculator has always been a Hurricane Productions favorite. We like to get all the guests up out of their chairs and into a big circle on the dance floor and just have fun with the song. During the first chorus, usually just the emcee and dancers dance in the middle of the circle. After that, we start pulling guests into the center to dance. Everyone has a lot fun with this song and its a great way to throw some spotlight on the guest of honor. The perculator has always been a song/routine which has given us a creative edge and helped us to standout among other DJ companies.
3. Song: Like a Prayer (Remix) Artist: Madonna
This song is always great to throw in at the end of a good dance set. It slows everyone down for about half a minute and the girls usually really get into singing this classic. I’m noticing this song is becoming less well-known with the younger crowds now-a-days but it still always gets a good crowd response.
4. Song: Love Like This (Remix) Artist: Faith Evans, Fatman Scoop, Crooklyn Clan
I like to pull this song out at the end of an upbeat Sweet 16 or Mitzvah. It’s got a lot of energy and some key points for crowd interaction to raise the energy level even higher. “When I say uhh, you say ahh.”
There are few more songs that I cycle through (including the old stand-by, Donna Summer’s Last Dance) but those are my top four favorites that I like to end upbeat parties with.
At last week’s DJ Expo in Atlantic City, I saw something I like. Something I really like —a bilingual female emcee. Now there already has been a movement in the mobile DJ industry to incorporate female master of ceremonies into parties. Personally, I’ve only seen a handful of females who can get out there and wow a crowd (no offense ladies). But the market isn’t too big and the talent pool is small.
But what really got me going was the idea of having a bilingual female emcee on staff. Think about the markets you can hit with that talent — a female who is not only well spoken, but in two languages!
Obviously there is a huge Latin market that has infiltrated the DJ business and its added value to the overall product. The music is great and the parties are even better.
Not only that, you gain the experience of working with a female emcee which enhances value and production to no end.
So if you’re interested or know of anyone who may be interested, Hurricane Productions is always looking for something new and fresh!
All we do is party for the weekend, right? I mean what could an MC and DJ possibly do on Monday-Thursday?
Family always comes first at HP but other than that we have part-time jobs and like to maintain some semblance of a social life—ladies, Strato and I are single by the way, (some of us by choice, some of us because we’re stuck that way) so please let us know if you’re available for any dinner dates.
On a serious note, let me run through what this week will look like for Hurricane Productions:
Sunday – Blog of course. I mean that’s what I’m doing right now. Just kidding. We are currently setting up our schedule for the remainder of the week. It will include the following:
Monday-Thursday:
Client meetings that range from parties for Sweet 16′s and a wedding coming up in two weeks
Working with a new lighting system that we recently purchased at the DJ Expo.
Rebuilding HurricaneProductions.com for a September 1 relaunch.
Building DJN9NE.hurricaneproductions.com for our newest edition, Ed Romani, who is our hip-hop DJ.
Building a web site as a favor for a company that performs live music at wedding cocktail hours and other events (awesome concept)
Promoting Ed’s appearance at Colosseum in Sayreville, NJ Friday August 31. All you readers better be there!
Oh, did I mention that Strato and I have part-time jobs? Strato works at his family-owned business, L&J Motors. As for myself I work at the Star-Ledger in Newark.
We both work those jobs during the day but unlike people who are told to keep their day jobs…we prefer the ones we have at night.
Those dinner dates are hard to squeeze in, huh? But seriously, let us know.
The invitation to any party is the first impression your guests will receive of the evening you have planned for them. If you are throwing a Sweet Sixteen party, it is especially important to convey the party’s theme and tone by selecting the right invitations.
Picking Sweet Sixteen Party Invitations
Step One
Know that the tone of your party helps determine the formality of invitations you should select. If you are hosting a Sweet Sixteen party that features a formal sit-down dinner or buffet as well as dancing and expect your guests to attend in formal attire, your invitation should reflect that. By employing more calligraphic fonts in the text of your invitation and a fine stock of paper, you will let your guests know what to expect on the night of the party.
Step Two
Pick an invitation which reflects the theme of your party. If you are hosting a ’50s theme Sweet Sixteen, complete with poodle skirts and a soda fountain, try to find an invitation with a rock-n-roll design. Die-cut guitars or even an invitation with illustrations of sock-hopping couples would make a great choice.
Step Three
Select an engraved invitation for a more formal Sweet Sixteen party. Your local stationer or companies online can engrave your invitation details in the most formal language on high quality paper to create an elegant invitation for your guests. These invitations should be accompanied stamped reply cards and the art of a skilled calligrapher should be employed to address each.
Step Four
If your not looking to drop a big chunk your budget on invitations then check out an online invitation company such as Evite. They have many different templates to choose from and can help you manage the replies that come in once the invitation is sent. Use an online invitation for only the most informal of Sweet Sixteen parties.
Step Five
Pick a stamp which reflects the party mood before you mail your invitations. Just as for weddings and holiday cards, an invitation to a Sweet Sixteen party looks even better when addressed with a well-designed and fitting postage stamp. If you are enclosing reply cards, make sure that the stamps match.
Tips & Warnings
If you are on a budget, stay away from oversized invitations that require additional postage. Another cost cutting measure could include setting up an RSVP hotline on your home voice mail or cell phone to avoid having to enclose reply cards in your invitations.
So I’ve highlighted what blew me away at this year’s DJ expo, the following was one of the letdowns:
One thing I was seriously unimpressed with was the new line of L.E.D. DJ lighting specifically from Chauvet. I haven’t been too crazy about L.E.D. DJ lighting since the beginning but I was excited to hear that lighting companies were experimenting and trying new things with L.E.D. to make their fixtures more appealing. I really wish they held off until 2008 and put some more time into refining the new line of L.E.D. lighting. The simple fact is that L.E.D. technology, in the DJ lighting industry, is just not ready to do the things they are trying to do. I’m happy that they’re trying new things, I just think they unnecessarily rushed production.
The light-output and coverage is very lacking, even with haze/fog you don’t get much “beamage”. The smaller Vue 1 is a little better when it comes to beaming but you get these blurry magnified circles on the ground that in my opinion aren’t very attractive. DJ Lighting should be fluid and crisp, not blurry and . . . awkward.
American DJ Also came out with a similar line. They look better than the Chauvet Vue series but I’m still unimpressed and would never buy them for my own light show. The only positive I see about these lights is that, like all LEDs, the bulbs will last nearly forever. But when it comes to the aesthetics of my light show, I don’t mind replacing a bulb every 8000 hours if it means my light will look incredible.
From a distance I could hear the excitement coming from the American DJ booth. A sales rep was on the mic building up to some “AMAZING light show using LED like never before!” Naturally I rushed over thinking that they had accomplished something that Chauvet failed to accomplish. Again, I was not impressed. The showcased lights were more impressive than Chauvet’s new LEDs but still nothing to get excited over.
From the above picture, the effect looks pretty interesting but in person I don’t find anything attractive about this effect. I don’t see any of these products doing very well in the mobile or club DJ market. I wouldn’t have minded seeing these lights so much in the ADJ booth if American DJ had brought some OTHER lights! All they showcased were the new L.E.D. line! What a let-down.
All in all, I’m happy companies are trying new things wit LED, I just think it needs some more time before the technology becomes widely appealing.
There were a few things that really wowed me this year at the International DJ Expo 2007. There weren’t as many jaw-droppers this year as there have been in the past but here are a few REALLY cool things we saw.
Number one on my list is a brand-new lighting effect from a small company unaffiliated with any larger lighting company (such as martin, american dj, chauvet, etc). The lighting effect is called The StarMaze and this is the only piece of lighting this company produces.
#1 StarMaze Lighting System
This small purple box can transform any space into a planetarium. It really provides a magical atmosphere not found with ANY other piece of lighting I have ever seen. With it’s twinkling and shooting stars and an ever-transforming nebula cloud, its really an awesome piece of eye candy. I first got a glimpse of this unit when we entered the opening DJ Expo party in the biggest conference room at the convention center. This room is probably about 200x200ft and the ceiling is at least 50ft high. A couple of these small units filled the ENTIRE room with crisp nebula & star effects. I wasn’t sure what was making the effect when I first walked in, I thought the walls and ceilings had fiber-optic pinpoints throughout the entire room. Then I realized everything was moving and changing.. I was blown away. The dazzling effects that the StarMaze is capable of, must be experienced with your own eyes to fully appreciate it. Below is a video that can be found on the company’s website, http://starmazelaser.com/.
#2 Serato & Rane TTM 57SL
By combining the latest version of Serato and the newest mixer from Rane, the TTM 57SL, a digital DJ can now access all of his music from a hard-drive or computer and basically toss them into his Digital Turntables seamlessly. Serato is nothing brand-new to the DJ industry however this new version plus the new mixer from Rane are VERY new. With this new Mixer connected into a USB port on a laptop computer DJs can now navigate through their music touching ONLY the mixer. That means a DJs hands can spend less time clicking and dragging and more time mixing, scratching, eqing and everything else they should be focusing on!! I have not yet upgraded my system to Serato but seeing this newest version has convinced me completely to make the switch.
Here is some more info about the Rane TTM 57SL and the new version of Serato. All of this information can be found at http://www.rane.com/
General Description (TTM 57SL)
The TTM 57SL combines the best Rane and Serato have to offer in a single, high performance mixer. Finally a mixer that fully integrates mixer hardware, software and software controls in one powerful package. The TTM 57SL combines all the performance and features of the Rane TTM 56 with Serato Scratch LIVE software. We didn’t stop there — we also included internal effects with six stereo insert points.
The TTM 57SL comes with two pieces of control vinyl, two control CDs, Scratch LIVE software and an extensive color manual.
Simultaneously:
Play a combination of digital and analog sources.
Play up to two digital files controlled by vinyl or CD while recording your mix.
Or, record two stereo sources when not using vinyl or CD control.
Cue analog and digital sources.
Operate standalone as a no-compromise performance mixer.
Applications
Battle / Live Performance DJ
Night Club
Mobile DJ
Radio / Broadcast DJ
Mixtape DJ
Podcasting
Remix Project Studio / Post Production
System Requirements
The minimum operating system requirements are either a 800 MHz Mac G4 with OSX 10.3, or a 1 GHz PC running Windows XP with Service Pack 2, either with 512M of ram or more. Intel Macs must use ScratchLIVE version 1.5 or higher, downloadable from the Scratch LIVE forum.
The downloadable 1.7.2 version of Scratch LIVE includes support for the Microsoft Vista operating system. Note that we recommend Windows XP over Vista, most notably for performance reasons. You will be able to run XP at a lower USB buffer setting, meaning lower latency and better performance using XP than is achievable with Vista.
Screen shot – Click for larger image.
Front and Rear Panels
Click on the images for a close-up. Right-click to zoom and pan.
TTM 57SL Example System
Any combination of up to four turntables or CD players, any two of which may be used with control vinyl / CDs.
General Description (Serato Scratch Live)
Scratch LIVE is the ultimate software and hardware solution for bridging the analog world of vinyl and the digital world of computer audio files. Using regular turntables or CD players, you can scratch and mix files from your Mac or Windows computer’s CD or hard drive, add in a live mic input for scratching, and even bypass to standard vinyl if you wish. Scratch LIVE is the complete digital solution for the vinyl junkie — take your entire collection wherever you go and leave your precious vinyl at home!
The SL 1 interface connects one or two standard vinyl or CD turntables to your computer. This extremely rugged, portable, high quality, bus-powered USB interface features two switchable phono or line inputs, a microphone input, two line outputs, and pass thru outputs for the phono/line and mic.
The included 12″ vinyl records each have a Serato exclusive and unique control signal which allows Scratch LIVE to track the motion of the record, simulating the same movement with digital audio. Due to Serato’s proprietary control scheme, the result is a feel and sound indistinguishable from playing vinyl. As a producer and DJ, the track you finished today can be played on a real turntable tonight. You’ll never have to cut a dubplate again!
Scratch LIVE supports all these file formats: Fixed and Variable Bit Rate MP3, AIFF, WAV, OGG Vorbis, CD Audio and direct from the mic input.
Easily import your playlists and iTunes library.
Import files easily by dragging from Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (Mac) into the Scratch LIVE library.
You can play and scratch tracks direct from CD and CD-ROM.
Includes extensive keyboard shortcuts for fast access to key functions.
Built-in help and tips in multiple languages are accessible anytime.
It even gives you a low power warning when running off a laptop battery.
No preprocessing of MP3 files is required except to use the auto-BPM and auto-gain functions.
For tracks with no BPM information, a tap tempo button is displayed for entering your own.
Scratch LIVE includes hardware interface, USB cable, 4 stereo RCA cables, printed manual, keyboard shortcut page, two vinyl records, two CDs, and software install disc in a display box.
Scratch LIVE easily connects with either your turntables or CD players.
New Vinyl
Black vinyl comes with Scratch LIVE, but we all know vinyl wears out with use. US customers can purchase new second edition vinyl from your dealer, or at the Rane Online Store. People in other countries should contact their distributor.
#3 Of course, QSC
The QSC booth always makes me drool. Hurricane Productions plans to be 100% QSC by summer 2008.
There’s really not much I can say about QSC except you just have to hear them. QSC, in my opinion, is the BOSE of DJ loudspeakers.
We are interested in investing into the HPR series:
The new HPR Series offers performers the power, technology and legendary reliability of QSC amplification combined with the simplicity and convenience of powered loudspeaker systems. Whether your application is vocal reinforcement, dance music or full-tilt rock and roll sound, there’s an HPR speaker configuration for you.
Why choose powered loudspeakers?
The powered speaker has become a staple for mobile DJs, musicians and AV professionals alike. The simplicity and scalability of these systems is the big draw. After all, what could be easier than just connecting the output of your DJ or live sound mixer directly to the speaker and turning everything on? For those who have been reluctant to join the powered speaker party because you felt that powered speaker amplification fell short of rack-mount amp quality, you are officially out of excuses.
There is always a lot of awesome stuff to see at the expo, but those are my top 3 picks from the DJ expo 2007.
New Vinyl
