How To DJ When The Worst Case Scenario Actually Happens
Sometimes it seems like the four horsemen of the Apocalypse are out to get you. Equipment fails, unexpected, inconvenient, and worst of all, automatic software updates, power issues (of any kind) at the venue. You name it, there’s a DJ out there who’s experienced it.
The one tip that DJs learn very early on, and the one that more experienced DJs are quick to tell those new to the industry, is to have a back-up plan. Come prepared for anything.
The problem is that most of us can only imagine so much. Then there’s Murphy’s Law. That’s the one that warns us that if something can go wrong, it most certainly will. I guess if we were all psychic, this would be a moot point. We’d know in advance exactly which of the many possible disasters was going to befall us, and we’d be ready for it.
Too bad that’s not reality!
So, the best way to prepare for issues big and small is to talk with other DJs who’ve been there. If we pool everyone’s knowledge, then maybe we can reduce the chance of failure for each one of us.
Tips, like having a back-up set-list and bringing your own equipment, are key. DJ Vintage over at Digital DJ Tips has compiled a list of must-knows. Check it out here.
What’s your best “fail” and what did you learn from it?
2 comments
Many years ago I was DJing in Switzerland and somehow a CD got some sticky substance, most likely beer, on the bottom of it. In it went into the CDJ and then would not play…. And no other CD would play… Deck down. I always have a backup source, back then it was a minidisc player with a variety of pre made mixes, now it’s an iPad. While I switched to the minidisc I took apart the CDJ and cleaned the lens. 15 mins later I was back to normal and no one noticed.
The other more recent mishap was at a bar in Denver. In I walk with my laptop and S4, set everything up, hooked into the sound system and realized I had left my laptop power supply at home. Did I have enough time to head home and get it? No. Did I have enough battery to last the evening? No. I then spent the next 15 mins crafting a playlist and dumped everything onto the iPad so when my laptop was no more, I switched to Traktor on the iPad. Saved the evening.
So many more stories I could tell – power cuts, dead amps, pulling out my car battery and amp and rewiring up to my main speakers.
Any experienced DJ will have a pile of stories and laughs to tell. Almost 30 years on since I started and I believe I have myself covered for any situation.
Andy
Awesome story, Andy!