In It for the Long Haul

#214 JAN MOBILEBEAT.COM 2020 IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

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PLAYLIST

A DIFFERENT BEAT �� 8 In It for the Long Haul: Protecting Your Tech By Stu Chisholm

PRO PERSPECTIVE �� 10 Sustainable Success By Troy Adams

FEATURE �� 12 Everlasting Love By Kevin Freese

DJ SHOPPER �� 16 Music Tech Extravaganza: NAMM 2020 By Staci Nichols

FEATURE ��20 NAMM 2020: Back to the Future? By Mike Buonaccorso ADVERTISERS THIS IS HOW WE DO IT �� 21 Staying in the Game ColorKey www.colorkeyled.com 2 By Joe Bunn DJ Event Planner www.djeventplanner.com 15 INSIDE THE INDUSTRY �� 22 Frankenstand www.frankenstand.com 27 AROCK and BPM Supreme By Mike Cordeiro Innovative LED www.innovativeledsales.com 3

THE SPIN DOCTOR ��26 Mobile Beat Las Vegas www.mobilebeatlasvegas.com 28

Reflecting on a Decade QSC www.qsc.com 9 By Mike “Dr. Frankenstand” Ryan Roland www.roland.com/global/products/dj-707m 5

P.10

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Events Director Emeritus Ryan Burger Dan Walsh Michael Buonaccorso Mobile Beat Editorial Assistant / Events Director Writer Jake Feldman Rebecca Burger

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4 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 Roland www.roland.com/global/products/dj-707m

A DIFFERENT BEAT In It for the Long Haul: Protecting Your Tech

By Stu Chisholm

A DIFFERENT BEAT

tion! So digital is here to stay. Yet it comes You may end up actually having to use it, with a whole bag of trouble that we need to and you need to assure that it is not only In It for the be aware of. functional, but won’t compromise your per- #1 is corruption. Files, for whatever formance. Also be sure to keep your back-up reason (or seemingly none at all) can become library as up-to-date as your primary! Have Long Haul: corrupted. I’ve noted that extensively using spares for every cable, power supply, amp/ Serato and Virtual DJ seems to impact files speaker and anything else you might use. that aren’t used that often. Then, one day ARMOR FOR HARDWARE Protecting you’ll punch-up that obscure song, all proud that you have it, and hear...gobbledy- I’m always amazed by how often a DJ will gook! Or it won’t load at all. For this reason, spend top dollar on a new piece of gear, my #1 face-saver is to keep a permanent yet try to skimp when it comes to proper Your Tech REFERENCE FILE at home on the desktop. It’s road cases or bags. The fact is that most not to be used with any playback program; gear is damaged in transit. If you’re buying By Stu Chisholm it is simply a safety copy, just in case files get premium equipment, then go the extra corrupted. (And they will.) This will save you mile to buy premium protection for it. Make valuable re-rip time, or having to re-buy a sure that said gear is mounted properly and magine this: You’ve fired-up your track you didn’t back up. securely. On the upside, a lot of road cases I audience and the dance floor double as performance consoles, so they SAFETY IN NUMBERS solve two problems at once. is packed. Everyone is fed, happy As for gear, I will first recommend that you Don’t overlook speaker cabinets. After and ready to party! You’re in the carry 100% backup to every job. These days all, we only sound as good as our speakers. groove, responding to the vibe, that’s not such a tall order, as our gear has They are also probably the biggest ticket throwing down just the right tune items in our arsenal, so extra care here at the right time…and then—poof! means more bang for your speaker buck. Nearly every manufacturer offers bags or No sound. Or, even worse, a horrible road cases for their speakers, as do third- noise. No matter how great you’ve party companies. Word to the wise: In been up to that point, everyone’s winter months and climates, once you’ve attention is now riveted on you, for removed the speaker from its case or cover, makes sure you let it come up to room the wrong reason. Ever been there? temperature before firing it up. A frozen Hopefully not. While gear failure is speaker cone can resist movement, poten- inevitable (I have even had a piece of brand tially causing permanent damage. Make new gear straight out of the box not work), your speakers the first item you uncase and there are many steps a DJ/entertainer can set up so that they have time to warm up. take to assure that his/her gear does not crap out at a vital moment, and if it does, DON’T BE ROCKIN’ WHEN YOU’RE that a quick fix is on hand. Let’s consider ROLLIN’ how we treat our tools of the trade. Lastly, I like to borrow a method used by professional shippers and movers: truck DIGITAL DOES NOT NECESSARILY packing. Try to arrange all of your road MEAN “GOOD” cases in your vehicle so that they are tightly I find it both gratifying and ironic that mil- jammed up against one another, prevent- lennials are discovering the sound and ing movement. If your vehicle is large, then human-scale utility of vinyl records. Going look into cargo control features, such as digital has indeed been a compromise, and gotten smaller and smaller. While your tension straps, D-rings/bungee cords or one doesn’t need to have “golden ears” to budget or space might not allow you to E-track systems. At the very least, moving hear it. In fact, my past career as a drummer, have, say, two Denon DJ Prime 4 systems, it blankets between cases and in voids can DJ (for the past 40 years), firearms instructor most likely will allow you to have a smaller keep your cases in-place and absorb shock. and pyrotechnic tech (amateur) have taken controller, such as the Numark DJ2GO2 If your cases and/or speakers have wheels their toll on my hearing, yet at low bit rates, and a laptop/flash drive just in case disaster on them, be sure to tip them on their back even I can hear the sonic shortcomings of strikes. A word of caution here, though: or side once inside your vehicle. Yes, it an MP3. I can hear the artifacts that exist Check all of your back-up gear periodically! seems like common sense, yet I’ve seen pro- even in .WAV and FLAC files. We fessional road crews forget to do tolerate them because we can Stu Chisholm had been collecting music since he was about this, and insurance companies fit the collections that used to age 8 and began his DJ career in 1979. After a stint at the Specs have no sense of humor when require two trips to the vehicle Howard School of Broadcast Arts, he studied the DJ arts with being asked to pay for a cabinet to retrieve cases and cases of famous Michigan broadcaster Bill Henning, interned at Detroit's (AND the roll-up door of a truck) CDs, into a drive that fits into a rock powerhouse, WRIF, and later added voiceover work and for a wheeled cabinet that got shirt pocket. In fact, I recently club gigs at Detroit's best venues. He has shared his extensive loose. Don’t become a meme! DJ experience through MB columns, as a seminar speaker and acquired thumb drives that each through his book, The Complete Disc Jockey: A Comprehensive As always, thank you for have a 2TB capacity—enough for Manual for the Professional DJ. your eyeball time. Until next all of the audio files in my collec- time, safe travels!

8 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 9

QSC...... www.qsc.com PRO PERSPECTIVE Sustainable Success

By Troy Adams

PRO PERSPECTIVE

weekend in the spring/fall? Perhaps none of your team was available or you didn't think Sustainable Success it was the best match. If things are not a fit for both you and the client, that’s business IT’S ABOUT “TIME” you should likely walk away from. The more detail the better. Instead of By Troy Adams tracking that leads came from a planner or venue, track exact planners and venues they TIME came from. The same applies when tracking what services people purchased from you. recently spent time talking to Time of course is an obvious answer in Don’t just put “event” package, for example. I the owner of a very successful itself. One must invest considerable time and List what length of time it was. Did they add effort into building a sustainable business. wedding venue and he made a lighting or a photo booth also? comment that hit me in the face. However, the acronym TIME stands for Tracking, Investing, MDBs, and Expectations. For my business, this information To paraphrase him, he basically I know you're reading this saying "what the has made it much more simple to project said, "While I love working with heck are MDBs?!" We’ll get to that; let's take a business and set goals. For example, over wedding planners, I don't need their closer look at each letter in turn... the last six years I know we qualify about half of all the leads we get. I also know that referrals for us to hit our numbers." TRACKING as a team we book 82% of the people we Wow. Tracking information is crucial to better talk to. When I set goals to grow, I work Feels a little over-confident right? Now understanding where you are spending time backwards from the goal to establish how first you must know this person to realize and money, as well as where your business many new leads I need to find. Then I look he wasn’t saying it to be high-and-mighty. is coming from and what exactly people at my referral sources that I track and can What he meant was he has a formula for are buying from you. Tracking information better identify where to find those leads. sustainable success. That formula doesn’t allows you to better identify trends, focus As a business, we book about 10% of our rely on one person or one group of people. on sweet spots, adjust where needed and business from online marketing, 10% from We all want to be in a position where we more accurately project business revenue. shows, and 80% from referrals. Which have business balance and multiple streams For starters, track things like total makes for a perfect transition to the next of revenue. Where we can better forecast our leads coming in, how many were qualified, aspect of sustainable success... future, make goals a reality and create long where they came from and what percent- INVESTING term success. So what's the mix for that? age of leads you book. Don't brush off lost Of course you need to invest in quality If you've ever heard me speak or read business and neglect to track that. Keep a equipment, marketing, operations and self- anything I've written before, you know I record of business that was lost and why. improvement. But there is one more key love acronyms, especially because they aid Was it due to budget, travel, a competi- item you ignore at your peril. For sustain- in remembering important information. It's tor, or maybe they didn't mesh with you or able success, you need to invest in people. become a common thread across everything your DJ? Maybe they reached out with too The people you work for, and the people I do. It's my steady bass beat if you will. So short a notice, or they were one of a zillion you work with. here's my acronym for sustainable success… people trying to get married on that same

Troy Adams has been a professional DJ for 27 years, starting at age 16. During that time, he also juggled successful “mini-careers” in television, radio, print, and as a golf pro, GM and business coach. He now manages a team of 40 at Carolina DJ Professionals. He also founded a Lunch & Learn series focused on better business practices for colleagues. A believer in life-long learning, he’s the son of a teacher, father of two boys, two dogs…and twenty-two sets of DJ equipment.

10 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 Years ago I realized I was being reality in both my business and personal life. stretched too thin. My work and my ability Use that information and the relation- to grow was suffering because of it. So I ships you've built to set goals for your business made the investment in people. And each and then break them down into daily, weekly year, I put my time and money into my team or monthly tasks. Put them in your calendar and first. They are an extension of me and and then make that choice daily to complete our business. I want them to be motivated them. You'll conquer your kingdom and create and fulfilled. I believe culture is key and rela- sustainability in the process. tionships drive business. The fellow event professionals you work with are also part of EXPECTATIONS your team. Invest in them, as it takes a team We work with people. People are different. to pull off great business. And of course, And with different people, come different invest in your clients. There's nothing out expectations from the same situation. If there that beats a past client's referral. you want to build the relationships, reviews If you're not familiar with the Pareto and ultimately repeat revenue to build your Principle, also referred to as the 80/20 Rule, business on—you must meet other people's that's something that will reveal itself in expectations. And they need to know what tracking information. What it says is that 80% expectations you have. of results often come from 20% of the efforts When you sit down with your clients, or sources. I know that's true for our business. ask them questions about their expecta- Roughly 20% of our lead sources generate tions both overall and in certain situations. around 80% of our revenue. When we decide Walk them through exactly how things who and what we're investing in, we want to are going to go. Here's the real key: Don't take care of that 20% that takes care of us first. skip over the things that could go wrong. It takes some serious guts to talk about those MDBS things. But once you identify expectations So, what the heck are MDBs?! This stands for from all sides, that sets you up for success. Minimum Daily Behaviors. I spent years as Set the expectations with colleagues both a student and instructor with Sandler and your team also. When you begin having Training, which is the largest personal and these types of discussions, you demon- professional development organization strate true accountability and leadership. in the world. I'm lucky to have had great That makes you a professional. And that mentors throughout my life, and one of those makes for sustainable success. people (shout-out to Tim!) came through my The bottom line for sustainable time with Sandler. They taught me the value success truly is a matter of TIME. The of breaking things down into smaller achiev- approaches set out above are “field-tested” able tasks. Then before you know it, you've ways to help your business grow year by climbed that mountain one step at a time. year. Give them a try! I practice this habit of making goals a daily

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 11 FEATURE Everlasting Love

By Kevin Freese

FEATURE Everlasting Love THE AMAZING STAYING POWER OF TRADITIONAL PARTY STANDARDS By Kevin Freese

Knowledge of music history is an important mission for s mobile DJs we are always in search of the latest Songfacts.com. “What we've learned over the years is that music A pop song that guests at our events will swoon over. unites us in ways other topics can't,” founder Carl Wiser explains. “If There’s no doubt of the magic that comes from playing you're in line at Walmart and "Sweet Home Alabama" comes on, you can easily strike up a conversation about how it contains a good- the latest big hits at a gig. Equally powerful are the natured jab at Neil Young in the line "southern man don't need him familiar tunes that have collectively been a part of our around anyhow." Next time "Beat It" plays, say, "Eddie Van Halen lives for decades—the songs that drive even the most gets all the credit for the guitar solo, but the guy from Toto is the hesitant guests to the dancefloor. “Dancing Queen” by one who came up with that riff." You'll likely end up in a conversation much more pleasant than if you brought up sports or politics.” Abba, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, Gloria Gaynor’s And if you’re looking to strike up a conversation about some “I Will Survive”—these are the songs that almost feel of the most enduring party songs ever recorded, or simply want like kin when you’re a mobile DJ. They are the backbone to learn more about the tunes you’ve probably heard and spun of most parties, and even when they are on a client’s hundreds of times, here are a few selections to get you started. “do not play” list they serve as an important tool— “SHOUT” BY THE ISLEY BROTHERS informing us about the style of event our customers Not only does “Shout” by The Isley Brothers remain one of the are looking for. These are the songs that will endure. most played party songs in the mobile entertainment industry, So how did they come into existence? it continues to be one of the most asked for songs. According to I turned toward the website Songfacts.com as a primary software company DJ Intelligence whose popular music request resource for answers. The website was founded in 1999 by radio system is used by clients across the globe, “Shout” is consistently DJ and music historian Carl Wiser. From legendary stories of music among the top 200 songs requested each year. In 2019, there were history to exclusive information obtained through interviews with over 10,000 requests for it through their system alone. industry pros, Songfacts.com is a consolidated source for learning Ironically, one of the best-known party songs of all time wasn’t the background of virtually any song. Since its inception, the site originally conceived as a stand-alone piece by its creators. Ever has added plenty of other bells and whistles including a music listen to the song “Lonely Teardrops” by Jackie Wilson and feel a history calendar, a list of popular wedding songs with story links, strange sense of Déjà vu? You’re not alone. There is a direct connec- and frequently updated music-related quizzes. tion between Wilson’s tune and “Shout.”

12 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 The famous line, “…you impersonator of well-known know you make me want to artists. Taking a literal twist on shout” was first uttered by one of those artist’s names— Ronald Isley during a 1959 that of Fats Domino—Evans concert in Washington, D.C. chose Chubby Checker as his He and brothers Rudy and stage name. “The Twist” was O’Kelly were covering “Lonely the instant hit that Dick Clark Teardrops” when inspiration anticipated once Checker hit through a culmination of performed it on American audience energy and creative Bandstand. Checker’s version genius. Influenced by the of the song would sell over 15 call-and-response style of million copies in its first five singing that they grew up with years. in church, the Isley Brothers quickly elicited a response from the Interestingly, when “The Twist” was originally performed by audience. One can imagine the crowd in a smoky D.C. club calling Ballard, band members would raise one leg when doing the song’s out “Shout!” for the first time. The extended version of “Lonely popular dance. This evolved into the custom of keeping both feet Teardrops” became a part of their regular act. It was upon the sug- on the ground that we all know today. When asked to describe “The gestion of RCA executive Howard Bloom that the Isley Brothers Twist” dance, Chubby Checker said, “[It’s] like putting out a cigarette developed “Shout” into its own piece, or pieces. “Shout” consisted with both feet and coming out of a shower and wiping your bottom of a part 1 on side a and part 2 on side b when first released by RCA. with a towel to the beat.” The two parts are most often played as one continuous song today. Despite the fact that “Shout” was not a chart topper for the Isley “CELEBRATION” BY KOOL & THE GANG Brothers, the song nevertheless went platinum and spurred their “You're gonna play this song for the rest of your life, so get ready!" career. It has also been covered by numerous artists including The These prophetic words were spoken by the mother of Kool & the Beatles, Tommy James and the Shondells, and The Kingsmen. The Gang’s J.T. Taylor when she first heard “Celebration.” Released by the song’s popularity resurged in the late ‘70s when it appeared in the band in 1980, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and film National Lampoon’s Animal House. “The group that performed did very well on other charts as well. It also remains a regular on it in Animal House, Otis Day And the Knights, was created for the DJ Intelligence’s Top 200 list each year, remaining among the songs movie but became a real group after the movie was released,” with more than 10,000 requests in 2019. explains Carl Wiser. Another version of “Shout” that’s a favorite of Kool & the Gang formed in 1964 with brothers Robert and mobile DJs due to its up-tempo arrangement was recorded by a Ronald Bell as the driving creative force behind the band. Robert lesser-known group called The Dynatones in 1987. had given himself the nickname of “Kool” as a kid, attempting to conform to the street gang style of his neighborhood in Jersey City, “THE TWIST” BY CHUBBY CHECKER NJ. His name, however, didn’t appear in the band’s title at first—they Unlike the Isley Brothers’ party anthem, Chubby Checker’s dance- were instead known as the Jazziacs. By the time 1980 rolled around, floor hit “The Twist” was a familiar title on U.S. music charts when the band had already been through three other name changes and first released in the early 1960s. It first hit #1 during the summer of several personnel shake-ups with the Bell brothers remaining at the 1960 when it was released, and again found its place in the top spot core of the group. after being re-released in the winter of 1961. As noted on Songfacts. According to Songfacts.com, “Celebration” germinated out com, “The Twist” is the only song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot of a period of religious reflection by Ronald Bell. In an interview 100 chart two separate times with identical versions. “The song was with Billboard, Bell is quoted as saying, “The initial idea came from the ultimate dancefloor filler in the early ‘60s,” says Carl. “We got lots reading the Quran. I was reading the passage where God was of input from oldies DJs and music historians who helped its story.” creating Adam, and the angels were celebrating and singing praises. And an interesting story it is. That inspired me to write the basic chords and the line, ‘Everyone “The Twist” was written by Hank Ballard and originally around the world, come on, let's celebrate.’” The festive song was performed by his group Hank Ballard & the Midnighters. Ballard rounded out with inspiration from the band’s previous hit “Ladies’ wrote the song after noticing the movement of his bandmates Night” which contained the line, “Come on, let’s all celebrate.” onstage during performances—they looked like they were putting Although J.T. Taylor is no longer in the band, he was the lead out cigarettes with their feet, moving in a twisting fashion that singer of Kool & the Gang caught his attention. The original version of the song was not when “Celebration” was promoted as a single by Ballard’s record label, but it became a fan released. And his mother was favorite at live shows. It was through these performances that Dick right. “Celebration” was ubiq- Clark who was hosting American Bandstand in Philadelphia at the uitously played at gatherings time heard the song and decided that it could be a sensation—but and social events once the not with Hank Ballard. Regarded as a controversial artist in 1959, song hit airwaves. It became Ballard was known for such songs as “Sexy Ways” and the sugges- the anthem for the release of tive “Work With Me Annie.” Clark decided a fresh face was needed to America’s hostages from Iran introduce “The Twist” to Americans. Enter Chubby Checker. in 1981 and played promi- Checker’s actual name is Ernest Evans. Known by friends and nently at major sporting family for his golden voice, Ernest worked on a chicken farm and events such as the World would often sing on the job, gaining a reputation as a talented Series, Superbowl, and NBA

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 13 FEATURE

Finals during the 1980 - 1981 seasons. One can only guess how influential band The New York Dolls during the early 1970s. The many times it’s been played at wedding receptions since that era. band was known for its rough-edged sound that predated punk rock and for its larger-than-life, gender-bending style. Johansen “HOT HOT HOT” BY BUSTER POINDEXTER continued with a highly regarded solo career after the breakup of While “Hot Hot Hot” may not be one of the most requested songs the Dolls, but only as Buster Poindexter did widespread commercial at events in 2020, it remains the surest way to induce a conga line success come his way. at virtually any party. The most recognized version of the song was During his Caribbean tour, Arrow’s version of “Hot Hot Hot” recorded by David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter) in 1987, but seemed to be everywhere, and Johansen thought it would be a fun a Montserratian musical artist named Arrow was behind the 1984 tune to perform. “Then we recorded it and it was a hit,” Johansen original. Arrow was known for his soca style of music—a genre that told Mojo magazine in the March 2015 issue. The song’s success was “Hot Hot Hot” falls into. Asked to explain what soca—short for soul of catapulted in the MTV era by a catchy video that often played on calypso—is and how it differs from the original calypso style, Arrow the music channel throughout the day. used his famous song as an In a 2011 interview with GQ, Johansen admits that he used example. “Feeling ‘Hot Hot Hot' to enjoy performing “Hot Hot Hot” though he has disavowed the makes you forget that there's a song since its heyday, referring to it at one point as “the bane of his volcano and remember there's existence.” fun to be had,” he said, referring “One time I went to my nephew’s wedding and they made me to Montserrat’s active volcano. get up and sing it,” Johansen told GQ. “Now I don’t go to weddings. David Johansen first heard I’m like Larry David—I can’t go to weddings because they’ll make the song while touring the me sing ‘Hot Hot Hot.’" Caribbean as Buster Poindexter. A trailblazer in rock ‘n’ roll “Y.M.C.A.” BY THE VILLAGE PEOPLE history, Johansen was the lead The eight-story, red brick building at 213 West 23rd in Manhattan’s singer of the short-lived but famed Chelsea neighborhood might catch the eye of any passerby

Kevin Freese began his career as a mobile DJ at the age of sixteen when he joined Chicago’s Bass Control Productions. There he performed at hundreds of elite events in the Chicagoland area, including an opening spot for K.C. & the Sunshine Band at the House of Blues. He later became the owner of Bass Control, operating the company until moving to North Carolina. Kevin continues to stay connected with the mobile DJ industry while also focusing on his career as a freelance writer. His work appears in Midway Magazine, Hair Trigger, F Magazine, and Carnival Magazine among other publications. With an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago, Kevin also serves as an editorial consultant and writing coach.

14 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 given the classic beauty of its Beaux-Arts style, but not everyone Released in 1978, “Y.M.C.A.” would realize its historical significance, musically speaking. This reached #2 on the Billboard building, now luxury condos, was once home to the McBurney Hot 100 and broke into the Y.M.C.A. Sure, it’s the place where Charles Merrill met Edmund #1 spot on many other global Lynch long before there was a Merrill Lynch, and the McBurney Y charts. Although chart success hosted notable members such as Andy Warhol and Al Pacino, but is important, it was a perfor- its true claim to fame is as the actual branch that inspired the song mance on Dick Clark’s American “Y.M.C.A” by the Village People. Bandstand that made “Y.M.C.A.” The brainchild of French music producers Jacques Morali and the stuff of dancefloor legend. Henri Belolo along with lead singer Victor Willis, the Village People Amid the Village People’s appealed to its intended LGBT audience as well as disco lovers every- routine, audience members where. By the time “Y.M.C.A.” was conceived, Morali and Willis had began to spell out the letters taken over songwriting responsibilities for the group. Songfacts. of the song while dancing. It com discovered a 2008 interview with the Village People in Spin marked the first time the now famous, yet simple choreography magazine in which the group’s cowboy, Randy Jones, explains, took place. Asked later by Dick Clark if the group would incorpo- “When I moved to New York in 1975, I joined the McBurney YMCA on rate the dance into their performance Victor Willis replied, “I think 23rd Street. I took Jacques (Morali) there three or four times in 1977, we’re going to have to.” New generations of partygoers have been and he loved it…Those visits with me planted a seed in him, and learning the dance ever since and—as with many party standards that's how he got the idea for ‘Y.M.C.A.’—by literally going to the such as the ones highlighted here—future generations will likely Y.M.C.A.” In the same interview David Hodo who played the group’s be hitting the dancefloor with “Y.M.C.A.” for years to come. construction worker notes that Morali wrote the song in twenty minutes before handing it over to Willis to finish. As described by Hodo, “Y.M.C.A.” wasn’t intended as a single at first, but the group’s label heard its potential.

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 15

DJ Event Planner www.djeventplanner.com DJ SHOPPER Music Tech Extravaganza: NAMM 2020

By Staci Nichols

DJ SHOPPER Music Tech Extravaganza STACI'S ANNUAL TOP PICKS FROM THE 2020 WINTER NAMM SHOW By Staci Nichols

very year at the Anaheim Convention Center, the E musical world (from DJs to ukelele makers) comes together to drool over all the latest industry toys— this enormous invite-only gathering of musicians from around the globe is called NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants). In case you missed #5 - VOCOPRO WIFIOKE our coverage of the NAMM show live on our Instagram page, here are my top picks relevent to the MB What if you could offer karaoke to community. Ladies & gentlemen...start your engines! your DJ clients without a subcontrac- tor, monthly music subscriptions, or an enormous collection of notebooks/ discs? For $349, get this handy-dandy all- in-one unit from Vocopro that let's your clients sing directly from YouTube with two integrated mics. As if this package isn't sweet enough, the Wifioke unit #7 - ADJ MDF2-9SYS ILLUMINATED has wheels and a telescoping handle to DANCE FLOOR make it completely portable! This is an easy money-maker for any mobile DJ. Finally, one of the big-name DJ gear manufacturers is getting on board the illuminated dance floor bus (it's like the Double Dutch Bus)! This durable 9-panel system comes with the kind of quality and ease-of-use you'd expect from ADJ, for $2,999. That price includes the case and everything else you need. For details, come out and see this floor in person at the ADJ booth at MBLV23.

#6 – MYCASEBUILDER.COM

Design your own customized flight case or SKB-style plastic case with MyCaseBuilder.com. The pricing is very reasonable and no crazy waiting period. I inspected the cases and found them to be made of heavy-duty, top-quality materials.

16 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 #4 – ODYSSEY'S MOBILE DJ BOOTH PROTOTYPE

Odyssey truly put together a “swiss army” DJ booth as a prototype for NAMM. It was like a Rock N Roller-style cart with the following welded on to it: two speaker mounts, an overhead lighting truss, a facade, a cup holder, a hook for headphones, a mic stand, and a flatscreen TV mount. It even had what appeared to be a trailer hitch! What do you think of this mammoth all-in-one portable booth? Would you gig with it?

#3 - PIONEER XDJ-XZ CONTROLLER

There's nothing I love like a shiny, new Pioneer controller generally speaking; but this updated stand-alone didn't rank higher because, even with all the new bells and whistles (improved mic feedback control), it still doesn't have two Serato output cables for the easiest possible DJ personnel change-overs (maybe not a deal-breaker for DJs who only do solo mobile gigs). It's a beast to carry around, like a Numark NS-7, but the fact that it finally plays well with Serato is appreciated.

#2 – PHASE'S NEW SERATO INTEGRATION

In 2020, non-tangibles, like software updates, are actually ranking on my NAMM list. But the new Serato integration for this remote, stylus-free, turntable control device is worthy, I believe. This update means no more plugging in RCA cables to the Phase charging box—just one cable from Phase to your laptop. Easy peasy! Stand by for the official release date; it's currently in alpha testing.

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 17 DJ SHOPPER

#1 – DENON PRIME GO

Denon is at the top of my list 2 years in a row! All I need to tell you about this pretty, little siren is that it's a battery-powered DJ controller (4-hour battery life). Mic drop—race over! By now, I'm sure you've heard about the Denon industry-shaking, stand-alone controller, the Prime 4, which was released at NAMM last year. Well, imagine a heaping serving of that goodness packed into a compact controller that can go “off the grid.” You will, however, need to be on the grid to use the built-in streaming feature! I was also highly impressed by Denon's updated media player, the SC-6000. Denon has genuinely brought the high-torque turntable experience to the convenience of a CDJ. The feel of the SC-6000, to me, was a much closer match than spinning on a Rane-12. And, of course, Denon is expanding on the Prime 4 line with the new 2-channel Prime controller (yep, it still has 4 mic outputs and everything you love about it's big brother). Available now for $999.

#4 - 12 Inch Skinz... can now put a related DJ accessories, all easily accesible Camelot Wheel (the Mixed-In-Key chart) on via website. Honorable a Rane-12 record, Numark NS-7 record, or Mentions: Phase “dummy” record! Get a pair of glow- Again, every product mentioned here can in-the-dark slipmats to match! be seen up close on our “NAMM 2020” #1 - Jetpack's new rollerbag... Finally all story highlight on our Instagram profile @ your personal DJ gear items with a tele- #5 - Chauvet's latest installment of MobileBeatMagazine. Which one of these scoping handle and wheels. Coming soon! the GigBAR, the “Move”... now has (in new toys are you itching to play with? addition to recent blacklight additions) two moving heads. Grab one now for $799. #2 - Stylus Timer... Like an odometer for your turntable needles so you know when they DJ Staci, the Track Star, has been a full-time mobile DJ need to be replaced before they break mid-gig #6 - OWC’s 1 terabyte solid state for 10 years. She has performed internationally, on the thumbdrive for $249... that's waterproof, Vegas strip, at festivals, celebrity weddings, and for on you. Learn more at StylusTimer.com. companies like Lamborghini and Reebok. Staci has dustproof, drop proof, and the files copy at spoken at industry conferences and been featured on lightning speed! It's a DJ back-up dream. #3 - Pro-X's Mesa Media facade... It's DJ News TV, ADJA and BookMoreBrides.com webinars, the Wedding MBA podcast, and a BPM Supreme like their popular Mesa MK2 but with a Female DJ Forum. Staci is represented by both Scratch flatscreen mount on the front and no #7 - CustomSlipmatsOnline.com... You Events & Purim Agency. outdated “angled in” top section. guessed it: They make custom slipmats &

18 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 A Notable NAMM Mashup... At the demo for E-V’s new EVOLVE 30M compact column loudspeaker (even more mobile than the EVOLVE 50), we were also treated to a high-energy set by DJ Krystaval, featuring (our very own) Joe Bunn’s Bunn Gear Command Center DJ Booth. In this case, NAMM really did rock. ~ DW

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 19 FEATURE NAMM 2020: Back to the Future?

By Mike Buonaccorso

FEATURE NAMM 2020: Back to the Future? WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN FOR MOBILE DJS? By Mike Buonaccorso

fter the cold western New York holidays, I A jumped at the opportunity to catch some California sun and write a review of the 2020 NAMM show from the assignment, that read, in part: “...from another perspective, the historical one...an article comparing and contrasting the presentation of the DJ market segment at NAMM as experienced back in the 1990s, when Mobile Beat was created, to the present.”

Greeted by media reports of “What is the big this year, and Keith Richards would be just and others could be found, as well as those enduring value of trade shows in 2020?” and another face in the crowd of wrinkles. Simply trying to attract interest in what they call a “A unique opportunity to see ‘all the pieces stated, it was pretty obvious a generation or “DJ:” A remixing, editing, mashup producing come together,’ “ I set out with a few questions two that grew up on getting their info from scratcher. I found examples at Nugen Audio, of my own, ones I had waited 20+ years to ask. personal devices and social media are not Tracktion, Presonus, Avid, Lasonic, and Prism But don’t get too excited; I didn’t find many filling in the holes here, at least beyond the Sound. Don’t ask me what they had that answers. (Oh, and speaking of greeters, I don’t rocker-wannabee types with the day passes. every event host needed; you’d have to ask recall the show security PD carrying AR-15s in In retrospect, it’s puzzling. The publica- their demo people with names like Flipflop, the past.) tion bins are long gone, as printed magazines Boi Jeanius, Free the Robots, or Rayted R. Numbers looked good: The Show are relics of a bygone era. A DJ presence was Somewhere in there I’m sure I could have welcomed over 2,000 exhibiting member hovering around the “acceptable” level, but a gotten what I needed to improve my perfor- companies, representing 7,000 brands, as well mere trace of the existence of actual mobile mance by at least 1%. as 115,888 NAMM members and invited reg- DJs was harder to find than an 8-track player Then suddenly came that “a-ha” moment istrants. The Anaheim Convention Center and at the Consumer Electronics Show. Even the when I asked myself “What possible reason exhibit halls are world-class, state-of-the-art term “DJ” ie, DISC+JOCKEY seemed oddly would a DJ advocate have to be at this event facilities. Over the years the improvements obsolete. To attend as one representing DJs to in the year 2020?” Peering over the crowd I and additions make this place a pleasant envi- a manufacturer is a similar experience to why pondered, “Who are these people? Why are any ronment. Upon entering, I realized how much the Sudafed is now kept behind the pharmacy of them here?” I could not shake off the thought my purpose for attendance had changed. In counter. “I can sell you this stuff but what did that if 90% of them had stayed home, the only the past, we used this annual opportunity as a you say you’re gonna use it for?” segment of the vendors there that would have personal mission field, to spread the credibil- Oh yes, there were some “new at NAMM” had their annual bottom lines affected nega- ity of the DJ as a viable player in this market products, although I wasn’t able to fact- tively was the overpriced concessions. and introduce a trade publication (Mobile check whether they had been seen before As I rode to the airport, it was amazing Beat) and a trade show (MBLV) to the major Jan 16, 2020 or not. The traditional favorites to find many of my conclusions were, with no leagues. This time, though, it felt like a dys- ADJ, Electro-Voice, QSC. Pioneer, Yamaha prompting, shared by my Uber driver, who functional family reunion. has worked the show for the last six Was it the show that seemed years. I could swear I heard piped in so much older, or was it just me? music: This formerly was THE place one A co-founder of Mobile Beat Magazine in 1991 and originator/ former producer of Mobile Beat Las Vegas, Mike has worn just “To everything (turn, turn needed to go to find the “movers turn), there is a season (turn, turn, and shakers” of the music industry; about every hat possible in the evolution of the magazine, from turn), and a time to every purpose so why did I feel like I was at Spring writing articles to making sales calls. In “retirement” he enjoys under heaven....” Break for the Woodstock crowd? working for the benefit of humanity, travelling to strange locations, and making cryptic social media posts about his Definitely no gym rats in this crowd, ~BOOM!~ ~CRASH!~ (What whereabouts. yet a great place to re-wear your the heck was that?) Mic drop... Halloween costume. Purple hair was Buonaccorso... OUT.

20 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 THIS IS HOW WE DO IT Staying in the Game

By Joe Bunn

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT Staying in the Game GOOD ADVICE FROM A VETERAN DJ By Joe Bunn

priately? Are they asking the thought about it the right questions? Are they truly I other day: I’ve been watching and learning and DJing for over 35 years now. taking notes, or are they off in La La Land? Your people are That’s a long career, no what are going to make you a matter what the industry. success for a long time. I have friends that I graduated college with in the PLANNING mid ‘90s that have changed You need to plan for your jobs a dozen times over the future. I am currently looking past 25 years. Some of them to buy a space for the Bunn in the tech industry don’t even DJ Company/The DJ’s Vault/ bother unpacking their boxes Bunn Gear headquarters. Why? or setting up their desk because Because I have wasted hundreds some headhunter is going to of thousands of dollars over call and offer them something the past 20 years on rent, on better, more money, more stock someone else’s building. I wish I options in the next six months. had been smarter in my thirties So what does it take to “stay in the game?” Let’s look at what I think and bought something. It’s one of my biggest regrets, that I might are some of the keys to being a DJ company owner for the long as well try and fix in my late forties. haul. You also need to plan other things, for example, what happens if you get hurt and can’t DJ? Are you covered? What if you die unex- PASSION pectedly? Is your family going to be OK financially? What about If you don’t love what you do, you’ll never be able to last. You have be your kids and their college fund? At what age do you want to retire? passionate about your career, about DJing, or at least about owning I’ll be completely honest with you. One of my biggest weaknesses a DJ company. You have to know that you are providing an amazing is that I’m not good with money. So guess what? I have surrounded service to someone that hires you, that trusts you to entertain them myself with people that are. I have a great accountant and great and their guests. Without passion, this is just a hobby. bookkeeper and they have put me in touch with the people that can answer the questions I just asked above. I have a great life SYSTEMS insurance person (actually two). I have someone that does wealth Putting systems into place is another key to being in this for a long planning for me. I also have someone that is helping me better duration. I’m asked all the time how I do it all. It’s because of the understand saving and investing for retirement. All of these people systems that I have put into place. Everything from how a lead gets are available in your town, no matter how small of a market you live handled, to how we meet with clients, to the forms that get filled in. Trust me, they can help. Reach out to them today! out by the staff, to how we perform at shows is spelled out and taught to the DJs and staff that work at Bunn DJ Company. GIVING BACK I saw a post the other day in The DJ’s Vault about how to take the tax PERSONNEL write off for donating your services and thought to myself, “You’re Speaking of the staff, it is imperative that you choose the right looking at it all wrong man”. More than likely, your gear is paid for, people to work for your company. Whether it’s the person that you have a unique skill set that charities need, and honestly, you are answers the phone, or runs your photo booth, or most important- just donating your time, not hard costs like for example a caterer ly, your DJ talent. Take the time to properly screen these people or florist would have. So why don’t you just donate to help? Giving before they ever go out and do a show under your brand name. back to your community or an organization is so rewarding in many The interview is just phase one, and normally your gut will guide different ways. First off, it just feels good. Not only will the charity you during that part. The next phase is really on you, and that’s the appreciate it, but the word will training and shadowing. I really spread about how great you and believe that shadowing is even Joe Bunn started his DJ career over 30 years ago. His your organization are. Again, long more important than formal company has four offices and now does over 1000 weddings game strategy here folks. training. I have someone come a year and another 400 private, corporate and charity events. out with me or my veteran DJs at He still DJs almost every weekend, but also helps other DJs I sincerely hope some of these least six times before I even think grow their businesses as a consultant, writer, and speaker. tips will help those of you reading of giving them the most basic Visit www.djjoebunn.com to learn more. His latest venture this that are trying to figure out if gig. You can tell so much during is The DJ’s Vault (www.thedjsvault.com) you can make owing a DJ company this time. Do they show up on featuring content to help DJs build their businesses the a long-term career. The truth is, I time? Are they dressed appro- right way. have, and so can you.

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 21 INSIDE THE INDUSTRY AROCK and BPM Supreme

By Mike Cordeiro

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY AROCK and BPM Supreme

COMPANY FOUNDER TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF DJS, THEIR DIGITAL MUSIC, AND HIS UPSTART ENTERPRISE

By Mike Cordeiro

ver the past five years DJs have witnessed another huge shift in technology. It’s no secret that controllers have Ochanged the face of the DJ world. Many of the new controllers by companies like Denon and Pioneer don’t even need a laptop or external hard drive to perform with. The only common denominator with all DJ gear is how you get your music. The majority of us use record pools, which are considered the most “legal” way to obtain music for performance. Online music services like BPM Supreme offer access to a massive library for a small monthly fee. So what’s the next step in the evolution of the DJ world? I interviewed the founder of BPM Supreme, Angel “AROCK” Castillo, to discuss the future of the music industry, what the future will bring to the DJ world and finding that elusive work/life balance. His answers may surprise you..

22 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 Mike Cordeiro: What inspired you to become a DJ? MC : I bet they’re kicking themselves now. So you saw an opportunity and you decided to go for it. How did you get the licensing to distrib- ‘AROCK’ Castillo: I attended a middle school dance when I was ute all the music? That seems like such a huge process. 11 or 12 and I was fascinated by how the DJ controlled the crowd and mixed the music. I was amazed at how the music AC : Licensing is the toughest area of our business and the set the atmosphere and made everyone feel. I knew I wanted most expensive. Record pools have traditionally been a gray to do that. area. We’re always working with the promotional departments at major labels to get all the latest music. The hard part is the MC : What was the first piece of DJ equipment you bought? upper echelon of the record companies. They don’t seem to get how the DJ system works. AC : I can’t remember the brand name, but my first purchase was some used turntables. I remember my parents being MC : How do you mean? happy because before that I would take their stereo system and try to teach myself how to put two songs together without AC : Most online music services like iTunes or others just offer any break. Actually, I would take two stereo systems and use you one or two versions of a song. DJs need multiple versions them both at the same time because I didn’t have a real mixer. to be able to mix. An artist creates a new song and the label I would fade out the volumes and go back and forth. may release two versions. A radio edit and an album version or sometimes a live version. DJs need redrums, acapellas, special MC : What year was this? edit, etc. Those all need a license variation on the artist’s original track. AC : Around 1999. MC : I see. I heard that you want to expand BPM to a streaming MC : That’s interesting because by ‘99 most guys (including me) were service? already using compact discs to DJ. Did you stick with turntables? AC : A few years ago I saw that streaming was the way the AC : I switched over to Serato around 2004, but I still love using music industry was going. It’s been my goal to have the largest turntables. available music library. Not only for DJs, but for the public as well, so when we would get licensing for all the new promo MC : Before starting BPM Supreme you worked for a local record music, I would go after the license for the entire artist catalog. pool... That is a whole different level. The record companies don’t like AC : I joined a record pool in San Diego when I was like 15. It that we had access to their masters. It’s an ongoing battle. was very different than the music services we have today. It was more of a club than a music service. It was made up of MC : How much does a license cost? I’m sure it’s thousands of dollars. local club and radio DJs that got together and traded mostly AC : That’s not something we disclose, but they are very vinyl. expensive and we are in constant negotiations with the labels. MC : We had something very similar in Boston called Mass Pool. How MC : What about ASCAP and BMI? Do you pay into them as well? much was that? AC : Currently no. Right now we work directly with the labels AC : About $100 per month to get all the latest releases. and not the publishers. That’s still an area of discussion in the music industry. Everyone is still trying to figure out how to MC : That is a big difference from the cost of BPM today. Why are you best move forward. able to offer such affordable subscriptions? AC : The digital age and things like iTunes totally changed MC : There’s lot of argument concerning DJs that use Spotify or how people consume music. Back then we were buying whole Pandora to play music at gigs. From what I understand, currently albums and 12-inch cuts before the public could get them. The music you get from streaming services is for personal use only and price was actually pretty fair considering how much music you not for performance. How does that work with BPM? got at the time. Now people just buy one song at a time or AC : This is a tough one to explain. It’s another big gray area. use apps to stream their music. By eliminating packaging and BPM Supreme is a licensed music provider. You pay us to be mailing discs the cost per song has come way down. Plus our able to download music legally, which means you own the membership is worldwide, versus one or two cities. track. When you stream you are just “borrowing” the music. You don’t get to keep it. The other side of the coin is that no MC : How did you get your foot in the door to work for the record pool service or streaming service grants you a performance pool? license. We don’t pay ASCAP or BMI, so it’s really up to the DJ AC : I’ve always been the type of person to ask a lot of questions. to do their homework and make sure the venue has paid into I would hang around the office and learn what I could from all them. the other DJs. I was able to get my foot in the door and that lead to me becoming an intern for them. MC : Right now you are looking to move BPM Supreme towards becoming a streaming service. How will that translate to the DJ MC : What prompted you to start your own company? world? Have you thought about integrating BPM with any controllers, like Pioneer or Denon or Numark for example? AC : After I started using Serato and saw how many people were switching to a digital format, I realized that this was AC : Great question. We have some partnerships that we are going to be the future of the DJ industry. I talked to the guys at working on for 2020, but aren’t ready to announce yet. I think my record pool about adding a digital service to the vinyl, but once they are done it’s really going to change the DJ industry. they didn’t see the value of it. They really believed vinyl wasn’t going to go away or be replaced. MC : Wow, any hints?

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 23 INSIDE THE INDUSTRY

AC : Let’s just say when we are ready the news will be huge. We’ll have the largest DJ ready library.

MC : Fair enough. How do you get to be a remix artist for BPM? AC : I have a team of about 15 people in house that work all day on curating music. They keep track of what’s working and what DJs are playing.

MC : How do you choose the redrums or remixes you add? What’s the process for getting your mix on the BPM site? AC : You would submit your mix to our department through the email on the BPM Supreme site. We get thousands of tracks sent in. Not everyone makes it into our library. Competition is tough.

MC : Do people get paid if you use their remix? AC : We do hire people that we like and that consistently submit quality mixes. You have to get your work known by our music curation department.

MC : Running your company must take up a serious amount of time. Do you still DJ? AC : It does. I haven’t actually gone out worked an event in a few years, but I’m still very passionate about the industry.

MC : How do you keep up with what’s going on in the DJ world? AC : I read a lot of blogs and my office staff is filled with working DJs. I surround myself with the DJ culture. That keeps me in the loop.

MC : So what’s your office culture like? AC : Like family. I don’t like to say that I have people working for me, but rather with me.

MC : Tell me about the new BPM Supreme App? What are some of the key features that will help DJs? AC : We put a lot of time and thought into the new app. One of the main features that will benefit DJs is the ability to discover new music on the go. What I mean by that is as you’re streaming music you can instantly select a song you like from a playlist and add it to a crate.

MC : Wow that is helpful, especially if you’re trying to build a set list for a themed event. AC : Yes. Let’s say you have an ‘80s party coming up and you’re listening to a bunch of ‘80s tracks. As you go through, you can select the ones you like and build a crate or add to an existing one for your event. The app will recommend music that is similar so you don’t have to waste time searching your entire library.

MC : That is huge! So what is in your opinion is going to set BPM Supreme apart from other pool type services? AC : Foremost would be our commitment to innovation. We have a top notch design team that is always working to improve our user interface. Technology and the music industry are changing daily. I always want BPM Supreme to have the most user-friendly interface available. The second thing is content. BPM has the largest DJ friendly library on the market. Our library is constantly evolving to give DJs access to the music and remixes they need for any type of event.

24 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 MC : What do you think is the next evolution of how we play music? We went from vinyl to disc to digital in less than twenty years. AC : The next evolution is definitely streaming. It’s a very weird balance in the DJ world. DJs love technology and gear, but at the same time they are very slow to change. The reason is because they are using the technology for work and it can’t fail them on the job.

MC : That is so true. I’ll buy a new piece of gear and play with it in my office for a few months before I take it to an event, just to make sure it’s not going to break down on me. The major concern with streaming is connectivity. If you’re in a place with bad wifi, you’re going to lose the ability to access your music. How do you overcome that? AC : I would say most DJs carry back up gear to their events, right? The next evolution MC : Yeah, I do all the time. is definitely streaming. AC : Same principle. Have back up music for now. What’s going to help with con- It’s a very weird balance nectivity issues will be the development and use of offline modes. You’ll be able in the DJ world. DJs love tech- to pull down your crates and have access to them in your computer even if you nology and gear, but at the lose the connection. The company that same time they are very slow has the biggest library and best interface will lead the way. to change. The reason is be- MC : You want BPM to be that company? cause they are using the tech- AC : Absolutely. I know we will. nology for work and it can’t fail MC : Before we wrap up I want to switch gears them on the job. ask how you find balance between being a CEO, family and personal time. I read that you’re an avid runner. How do you squeeze that into your daily routine? AC : It’s tough. I’m usually up at 6:00 AM and I hit the gym. It can be hard to get a good workout in because my phone is already ringing that me and turns this into an addiction for me. early. I have a few side projects going on as well as managing a few artists. The biggest thing I’ve done is to get an executive MC : For a guy in his early thirties you’ve already accomplished so assistant. I make a daily schedule and try to stick to it. much. If your life were a mountain where would you be on it? Halfway up? Closer to the top? MC : Do you get burned out? AC : Thank you. I would have to say one third up. The company and I still have so much to do. Even with as much as we’ve AC : I get tired, but what I do is not a job to me. It’s my done I think BPM is still just scratching the surface of what we addiction. It’s like a hobby I love that I get to do every day. So can do for the music industry. I myself still have a lot of things it’s not “work” for me. It’s not about the money either. For me I want to accomplish personally. it’s about what I can accomplish each day. What the next big idea is. Where my vision going to take me. That’s what drives MC : Ok, so what do you think is at the top of the mountain? How will you know when you’ve reached the summit? AC : I’ll leave you with this: Our current tag line is” Redefining Michael Cordeiro is the owner of M.C. Entertainment, a small multi-op in the way DJs discover music.” Soon our tag line will be: “The Rhode Island. He has been on TLC’s Four Weddings, hosted an episode of way you discover music.” That opens up endless possibilities Toddlers & Tiaras and has opened for many celebrities. He has a degree for BPM to change the world. in Entertainment and Event Management from Johnson and Wales University.

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 25 THE SPIN DOCTOR Reflecting on a Decade

By Mike “Dr. Frankenstand” Ryan

THE SPIN DOCTOR

obile Beat editor Dan Walsh asked me to reflect M on the past decade on all things mobile DJ Reflecting from my perspective as an elder statesman...well elder anyway. As I ponder what to write, I first have to give kudos to all the writers who share knowledge on a Decade and document our industry. Well done, fellow scribes! In the past decade I’ve watched this industry, in a sense, pass LONG-TIME MB SCRIBE LOOKS me by...and that’s ok with me. I never really embraced all the new BACK ON THE 20-TEENS music but during this past decade I’ve gleefully watched from the sidelines as the new generation of sophisticated and (I think) By Mike “Dr. Frankenstand” Ryan highly intelligent mobile DJs have shared their passion and excite- ment about new music and technology. I feel fortunate to have been able to experience the range from DJing with records, single track tapes and CDs on the radio, to DJing private parties with CDs, laptop computers and controllers. Yes, I’ve definitely needed help setting up my DJ controllers. But, try as I might, I still don’t understand DMX. I feel honored to have been part of the mobile DJ industry. My DJing will be taking a back seat (literally, by doing a few car shows) to my new major focus on making speaker stands...“mining the miners” as Gold Rush shop keeper Samuel Brannan would say. Meanwhile reflecting on the past decade here’s what I found most interesting…

MUSIC Music, being the elixir of life and fuel of our profession, continued to evolve in the past decade. EDM, rap (rhythm and poetry), dubstep, certainly garnered our attention. According to Mixmag.net, “Since 2010, electronic music has exploded in a blaze of creativity from the twin big bands of EDM and dubstep, ricocheting in new experimental directions, rediscov- ering its roots and setting down new ones.” During the past ten years we witnessed a female artist beating out all others, as Rihanna charted the most number one hits, with nine. Bruno Mars had seven, Drake had six, and Justin Bieber tied with Taylor Swift with five. And at 19 weeks rapper Lil Nas X set the new record for longest running Billboard number one hit with “Old Town Road.” Boy bands returned to the music scene with dance moves and harmonies from the likes of the Jonas Brothers and the K-pop sensation BTS.

TECHNOLOGY “...new technologies mean new possibilities. The only way to continue the evolution of craft is to push the tools to their max.” - LANDR blog, https://blog.landr.com. It’s been said the beauty of mobile DJing is in its simplicity. The past decade that simplicity got more complicated, more versatile and heaver. Lights and truss, DMX controllers, photo booths, line arrays and subwoofers all cost more, weigh more and take up more storage space; but they also can increases your average sales! Controllers, those steering wheels of our mobile sound systems, have seen the most development during the decade. I recently purchased a white Pioneer DDJ-SZ2 (I’m a Pioneer guy) and I’m thrilled with the dedicated mic channel; however I’ve had second thoughts about this beauty after noticing Denon’s equivalent controller, which includes a mono-stereo switch—a simple but useful tool for street parties and car shows. New speakers that have caught my ears include models from Bassboss, Pioneer, Novin Audio and the Avante line from ADJ. Other gear advancements include: portable line arrays and air-powered speaker stands. In the software realm, rekordbox, Stems, Traktor Kontrol, and music streaming have also made modern DJing easier.

26 MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 Photo booths developed into a with DJ superstars like Martin Garrix, solid add-on sales vehicle for mobile DJs Mike Ryan started out writing for Tiesto, Calvin Harris, David Guetta and during the 2010s. Evolving from 131-year news radio, and has been a DJ in many others (and most of these guys technology, this past decade found the SoCal radio market on KGB and and gals are producers as well). Ten years more people searching for photo booth KSDS. He mobiles as Mike on the ago I could not have imagined DJing to rentals than for DJs. In Los Angeles alone Mike. He is also the inventor/owner thousands at huge outdoor weekend of Frankenstand Powered Speaker there were more than 600 photo booth Stands. long parties like Chowchilla. Exciting rental companies with over 200-hundred light shows that partnered with concert thousand monthly online searches for DJs are really a throwback to the late photo booths globally. sixties when light show companies were ”...by some reports, the majority of weddings now have photo nearly as exciting as top bands of the days. (“Princess 109” was one booths. Photo booths are now an essential part of the whole of my favorites at the Fillmore West music venue in San Francisco.) wedding experience. Without them it would feel like something is One bane to our business over the past decade still bothers missing.” - Rob Savickis, Mobile Beat me: the advent of Hollywood celebrity “DJs” who’ve taken up spinning like it’s a new diet trend. I feel it’s demeaning and dilutes DJ EVOLUTION our perceived value as a profession. It’s hard enough living down The days of being either a mobile, club or radio DJ went away forever the “You’re a DJ?” stigma. during the last decade. In some cases, the DJ has morphed into the technical sounding DJ/Producer or Producer/DJ, with computer PARTING THOUGHTS music programs have opening up a whole new community of My wish for the next decade: A non-profit, true certification process music production. for mobile DJs, one that will be embraced by the entire hospitality Consider DJ-turned-music producer Moby. His album Play industry. At this point, the recent attempts by various associations became one of the most commercially licensed albums ever and to achieve this still aren’t good enough, in my humble opinion. was featured in films, television and commercial advertisements. I will always be impressed with DJs who bring joy to others Concert DJs became a new phenomenon in the past decade. with music and entertainment and the current generation of Las Vegas casinos gambled and won by swapping rock stars for brilliant and talented DJs will surely take us to new heights during DJs. A drive down Las Vegas Blvd. features giant marquee signs the next decade. Welcome to the future.

MOBILEBEAT.COM ▷ JANUARY 2020 27

Frankenstand www.frankenstand.com Mobile Beat Las Vegas www.mobilebeatlasvegas.com