Karaoke Forums

Well here's the scoop.  I just hooked my 1st "Bar" DJ/Karaoke gig.  Now, I'm not new to karaoke, nor to DJing...but "hosting" the mix show..at a "bar" I am.  (Note...I've been hanging out at a good friends/mixed shows for about 8 years, so I know what I'm up against)  I've had quite a few karaoke gigs, that I've done for private parties, weddings, graduations, etc.  I've strictly DJ'd at bars several times as well.  The Karaoke hadn't presented itself as of yet...so "finally" here I go.  I have the new place jitters, room acoustics/mic feedback/etc.  I know I have it down and will do good..I just want to get this 1st night over and move onto the next one, ya know what I mean?!?!...........MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Good luck to ya, we've all been there. I'm still somewhat new to this myself and I still get the jitters before every show. So take a deep breath and give it your best.
Let us know how it goes.

James

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I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

It will help you ENORMOUSLY if you go ahead and ask if you can come in about 2 hours early and test and retest everything to make sure it is working and the settings are pretty close to correct way before you start.

Just set everything up and then think of it as the beginning of a DJ night. Play some good music for the early crowd and use the DJ music as a base to start listening to the acoustics of the room, dead spots, etc..

Trust me, you aren't going to get everything right the first night, and the crowd should understand this. It took me about 3 weeks to get the acoustics right when I moved to my new bar. Luckily, while most DJ/KJs have a keen ear for acoustics and settings and the like, 90% of the crowd could care less and doesn't even notice unless there is a very sharp change, like a huge boost or cut or feedback.

But going in early will get you ont he right foot before you start!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

the very best of luck Butterflies are good they will give you and edge.

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Yah, I know aht ya mean.  My wife has been i the KJ/DJ biz for about 15 years.  And every time we go to some place new she gets all jittery and nervous.  Then it all works out, everthing goes as planned, and the night flies by.

You are your own worst enenmy.  IF you are nervous and jittery the crowd picks up on that and it can make for a long long night.  If ya can't over come it, at least try to hide it the best ya can.

Thanks guys...good tips and thoughts.  I will go a little early and try to get some kind of a sound check in before hand.  The place has a little issue on bringing in a good crowd on Thursday nights..which is where I come in, try to pick up the business..  I don't expect too big of a crowd, but who knows.  When I DJ I am always nervous too, but it never goes as I plan it in my mind, I think the 1st hour will be killer and then the 1st 2hours..."fly by"..it's actually the hour and half or so before closing time, like 12:15 till 1:45 that don't ever seem to end!...It seems like I play like 30 songs in a half hour and look up it's only 12:45, it's unreal!
MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Good luck !

If it helps any. I still get nervous when going to do a new gig. I think it is a wonderful
idea going early. I would suggest mingling with the people there and maybe getting a few slips from them ahead of time.

Maybe something else that might help:
I keep index cards for the regulars of the songs they sing. This is great when first starting out, especially when you have a smaller crowd. Instead of waiting for them to put a slip in you already have some songs they sing at your finger tips, so you can put them in rotation as soon as you see them walk in the door. Most people are flattered by this and love not having to take the time to fill out slips. This can save you on a slow night because some people will take an hour or more just to fill out there first slip.  :hug:

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Anyone care to tell me how to upload a avatar?
MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Sure - it needs to be no bigger than 120x120. Go to the left of your screen where it says User control Panel - it's in black under Memeber Area.


Then on that page click on profile settings - it is on the left side of the page also.


Then scroll to the bottom of that page where it says upload Avatar from your machine.
Click on browse and find the pic on your pc. Then click submit on the bottom of the page. You should be good to go.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Don't ever be bothered about being nervous.  IMO, the day you aren't is the day you are taking it all for granted.  Don't get me wrong; it will get easier but I still get a twinge or two every time I do it.  And though it only takes me about 15 minutes to set up, I always like getting there at least an hour before I start.  And I'm taking about the place I have been at for 5 years!  LOL

Good luck.

Kelly

Thank you soooo much, I looked there like 10 times and missed it!  Got it workin' now.........MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Good luck with the new gig.

You can also help yourself with getting in good with the bartenders, cooks & security staff. Since they know the regulars that come into the place it helps to have them on your side. Tip the bartenders well, joke & kid around with the cooks & security, let them know that you are all a team in an effort to make this night successful.

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Lito
"It's all about having FUN"

BTW, you have to PURCHASE Avatar privilages in addation to uploading it.

It can be done here.....
http://www.karaoke-forum.com/shop_effec ... pecialshop

Well thanks for that info....I repeat...got it workin' now!  MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
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Got throught this 1st Thursday night without too much trouble.  Well all the trouble was at the beginning of the night.  Damn "feedback" was terrible!!!  Had to set up in the corner, by the Xmas tree, with no room.  Had to move the amps 3 times to try and cut the feedback...still couldn't get it far enough away to get rid of the issue.  Minimized it though.  When/if I go back..we'll try a different set up...ahhhhhhhh, it was fun.  There was a descent amount of people from 10-12..then it died right down.  All the bars around are going through the same thing though.  If we keep running, I think we can have a good consistant crowd!  Onto the next gig...MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Feedback the vast majority of the time is caused by improper speaker placement, the amp should have nothing to do with it.  Make sure your mics are not in front of the speakers or the speakers crossing past where the mics are.  Further, if you're using monitors, ensure the singers are not pointing the mics toward them.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Ok..let me rephrase that statement!  Yes the overall issue was the placement of the speakers in relationship of the mics.....couldn't get the speakers ahead enough of the mics to completely take care of the feedback.  You should see this set up..there just isn't no room!  I have it down for next time.  MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Relax, even the worlds greatest KJ gets a little nervous.  :worship:

You get nervous too BigDog!?!?!
Wow, that makes me feel better...hehehhehehhe

Seriously though, thanks for the note, MrD

Damn it all...I've been thinking for the last 1-1/2 days on how to do the set-up better, can't come up with a good solution.  I'll try to get up there earlier tonight and try a few different set up....I wanna get it down before NYE.

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
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Well I sweated all that time over nothing...tried my best idea set up last night...which was the same as the 1st set up..but on the otherside of stage.  Hooked up the bar tv with the stage tv, so had the karaoke up there too.  Moved the speakers out and off the floor a bit more....bingo..no issues!    Crappy..night though, noone knew I was going to be there, plus all the holiday stuff going on....."Dead"...So at the end of the night..I only took 1/2 price to try and stay in good with the place.  Let her know that were all in same game.  Talk to her tomorrow and see what she has to say....MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]