digitalwiz
For years all I have ever done is mix videos I market myself as a VJ/Visual Turntablist... It actually started my first outside gig as a guest at one of my brother's party..... only one i knew mixing videos in my country.. of course i could not mix even if my life depended on it.. suffice to say..... I survived the longest 5 mins in history.. nothing went right...absolutely nothing. Of course the crowd did not pick up.. and my brother was able to scratch his way in and take over... The next week i was upstairs in the same club... where just background music played.. lobby type of thing, and did my video thing. Of course i kept on practicing at home.... asking djs.. watching what they played... their style.. watching the crowd.. analyzing their high points and low points.... after a while.... i could say... i could help myself...having contacts..does have its advantage too.
Of course playing video helped.. because... I was being requested elsewhere... travelling to the other side of the country.. being paid.. sometimes even more than professional djs.. So video mixing became my thing.. of course.. video editing etc.. took a lot of my time and two other jobs. plus creating videos for songs that don't have any etc, removing skits.. doing remixes. did not allow me much time to get into audio (I know that this may sound strange), . I have all the audio though.. in fact.. I have so much music.. that it hurts....
Of course I found a way of allowing my patrons to incorporate dancing.. instead of standing dumbstruck looking at the screen.... and used this to my advantage to hype the crowd... set the stage for a great party... (helps to keep the early crowd from wandering off too)
Normally however... I was never alone... in terms of djing.. .some other dj was always on spot.. whether it was the dj with accompanying the sound.....
Then it happened....I went to a party... in fact.. Margaritaville Montego Bay, Jamaica... while setting up found out that the connections to my projector and the other screens in the building... was missing.. not sure how... so i played videos without a screen.... funny enough.. the crowd was into all night... Figured all along it was the videos that made the crowd... go nutz.... I know my brother had mentioned that he liked my style of playing...
Nowadays I am at gigs where I play all night and have to go to audio from time to time. Where video mixing is concerned I have also kept my charges at a point that I do not belittle what I am doing...so patrons.. djs know this type of service has a certain type of expense that comes along with it.
I realize that not everyone can afford what i do....and yet they still want me to play.. at their parties.. In the past few weeks.. .I have been going through my audio .... analyzing in VDJ.. etc... shuffling around etc.. This is going to be quite a task... nearly 300GB of mp3s to go through.
I market myself now as a DJ/VJ....meaning that I am a Dj.... want me at your party here is my price... If want Video mixing service here is my other price..... going audio has taken me out of the box if you should say.. .yet... i am still able to do my video thing..
So whichever way I go then.. I am all good...
Video mixers.. how do you cope...what do you think??? Video over Audio? Audio over video??... Video/Audio???
Because of this video thing.. I have been looked at by two TV stations.. (cable) did not work out - got side stepped, however I am currently with another TV station..where I have a 1 hour video mixng programme each week with repeats... throughout.
Of course playing video helped.. because... I was being requested elsewhere... travelling to the other side of the country.. being paid.. sometimes even more than professional djs.. So video mixing became my thing.. of course.. video editing etc.. took a lot of my time and two other jobs. plus creating videos for songs that don't have any etc, removing skits.. doing remixes. did not allow me much time to get into audio (I know that this may sound strange), . I have all the audio though.. in fact.. I have so much music.. that it hurts....
Of course I found a way of allowing my patrons to incorporate dancing.. instead of standing dumbstruck looking at the screen.... and used this to my advantage to hype the crowd... set the stage for a great party... (helps to keep the early crowd from wandering off too)
Normally however... I was never alone... in terms of djing.. .some other dj was always on spot.. whether it was the dj with accompanying the sound.....
Then it happened....I went to a party... in fact.. Margaritaville Montego Bay, Jamaica... while setting up found out that the connections to my projector and the other screens in the building... was missing.. not sure how... so i played videos without a screen.... funny enough.. the crowd was into all night... Figured all along it was the videos that made the crowd... go nutz.... I know my brother had mentioned that he liked my style of playing...
Nowadays I am at gigs where I play all night and have to go to audio from time to time. Where video mixing is concerned I have also kept my charges at a point that I do not belittle what I am doing...so patrons.. djs know this type of service has a certain type of expense that comes along with it.
I realize that not everyone can afford what i do....and yet they still want me to play.. at their parties.. In the past few weeks.. .I have been going through my audio .... analyzing in VDJ.. etc... shuffling around etc.. This is going to be quite a task... nearly 300GB of mp3s to go through.
I market myself now as a DJ/VJ....meaning that I am a Dj.... want me at your party here is my price... If want Video mixing service here is my other price..... going audio has taken me out of the box if you should say.. .yet... i am still able to do my video thing..
So whichever way I go then.. I am all good...
Video mixers.. how do you cope...what do you think??? Video over Audio? Audio over video??... Video/Audio???
Because of this video thing.. I have been looked at by two TV stations.. (cable) did not work out - got side stepped, however I am currently with another TV station..where I have a 1 hour video mixng programme each week with repeats... throughout.
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 9:01 am
djrenee
Simple answer for me, If I had to go back to "audio only" I would probably find something else to do. I would not be interested booking anything with no video.
This statement is in no way to or demean "audio only" DJ's considering that's where we all came and the bottom line Is the music is the MOST important aspect not the video. But for me personally I need the creativity of video to prevent me from being bored to tears.
This statement is in no way to or demean "audio only" DJ's considering that's where we all came and the bottom line Is the music is the MOST important aspect not the video. But for me personally I need the creativity of video to prevent me from being bored to tears.
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 10:49 am
djlex
video, video... I too was enthusiastic about video, but video mixing requires more effort, more time and more investment and doesn't pay more, they like it, but they don't want to pay more for it and finally they settle just with audio.
There are places where video is suitable and appreciated but very few.
I went ahead and even bought the svm 1000 but as of today the dj-video quality is at composite level interlaced => poor
Now anybody can watch videos in hd on tv, so the expectations are out there.
Also implementing the vdj with the pioneer svm 1000( which is a standard in video clubs and you should know how to use it if you want to name yourself a VJ) is difficult, because vdj doesn’t output two video signals(one per each deck) at the same time, so you need to use two computers to get the best out of it.
Video needs promoted as a show, for an hour or two.
Video doesn't make people dance - the music does.
In fact video kills the energy and club owners or party patrons /promoters /organizers hate that.
High energy Alternative for visual is a good laser show.
Yes you can argue that you can use it as a tool to control the crowds but you’d have a better result with couple of cameras two wireless mics two go-go girls and an interactive sms service broadcasted on the establishment’s screens and displays.
So I think that video is cool and goes well as an added flavor but is not profitable and not the best solution for dancing, but is great for corporate parties and other promoting and non dancing events. Video also works well for lounges, cafes, older crowds or non dancing weddings.
There are places where video is suitable and appreciated but very few.
I went ahead and even bought the svm 1000 but as of today the dj-video quality is at composite level interlaced => poor
Now anybody can watch videos in hd on tv, so the expectations are out there.
Also implementing the vdj with the pioneer svm 1000( which is a standard in video clubs and you should know how to use it if you want to name yourself a VJ) is difficult, because vdj doesn’t output two video signals(one per each deck) at the same time, so you need to use two computers to get the best out of it.
Video needs promoted as a show, for an hour or two.
Video doesn't make people dance - the music does.
In fact video kills the energy and club owners or party patrons /promoters /organizers hate that.
High energy Alternative for visual is a good laser show.
Yes you can argue that you can use it as a tool to control the crowds but you’d have a better result with couple of cameras two wireless mics two go-go girls and an interactive sms service broadcasted on the establishment’s screens and displays.
So I think that video is cool and goes well as an added flavor but is not profitable and not the best solution for dancing, but is great for corporate parties and other promoting and non dancing events. Video also works well for lounges, cafes, older crowds or non dancing weddings.
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 12:22 pm
digitalwiz
djlex wrote :
video, video... I too was enthusiastic about video, but video mixing requires more effort, more time and more investment and doesn't pay more, they like it, but they don't want to pay more for it
I disagree with you here... video mixing yes is different but they will pay for it.... not everybody.. but they will pay the extra for it.. and having this separates what their parties from others and bring it up a few notch... the clubs... too.. and they know...
My price for video is way different from an audio dj. .and rightly so... equipment cost etc... plus sourcing videos are costly...
In my country... local videos are very difficult to get.... like blood diamonds... plus a great many songs do not have videos.... Just saying that i ignored audio.. too much.... and should have capitalized on that market too
djrenee wrote :
Simple answer for me, If I had to go back to "audio only" I would probably find something else to do. I would not be interested booking anything with no video.
I agree with you.... Audio works no where video...... i am getting booking all over the island... for video mixing... true.. the price is high.. but so be it....but i am opening to audio.... bookings.... too.. every penny counts.
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 12:44 pm
djkapitalkev
I started out in Audio and have to say I dont prefer one over the other. I will have to agree that being able to mix music videos has really got me back interested in DJing. I am into hip hop and to be honest the music just isnt the same so i kinda lost the love for DJing was just not impressed where hip hop is/has been headed. I have been motivated to learn more and get back into it since I learned about VIrtual DJ.
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 1:17 pm
djlex
@ digitalwiz Maybe your market is different, it helps to be one of kind, the first etc, if you found your niche all is good but in big metro US is tough, competition is fierce - proffit is king - money talks, b.s. walks. and so far audio brings the chedar!
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 1:21 pm
digitalwiz
djlex wrote :
@ digitalwiz Maybe your market is different, it helps to be one of kind, the first etc, if you found your niche all is good but in big metro US is tough, competition is fierce - proffit is king - money talks, b.s. walks. and so far audio brings the chedar!
probably things are different where I am ..... but gig vs gig... video does pay more.....I agree with you though..... about the cheddar.... more bookings are possible for audio only..... but cheaper .... so a greater market....just saying i am not ignoring a audio only booking....persons dont want me only because I play video...but because they like how i play. So i offer another service... Audio only.. along with Audio/Video option... separate "chingy"... more "chingy"
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 1:35 pm
djlex
I'm doing the same offering audio and video, but the proffit /investment ratio is not looking good, especially when you add up the extra effort to set up for a mobile event, for us working djs time is money, is a job that you have to optimize.
let me try to exemplify
doing an audio set in a club$200/hour @ twice a week - tried to do the same set with video, well advertised and it didn't bring more people, the bar didn't sale more, energy was down, so why a club manager or owner would want to pay me more - he did once then said will stick with audio
doing a video set of minimum 2 hour $1000 and up @ once in a blue moon
doing a video promo party for nike 5k/ night once a year
doing a wedding audio only S1000 @once a week ( adding video $500 for slide show or adding $1500 for videos - requests - twice a year)
Anyway I'm glad that works for you and it looks like your success made you a VIP Member so Kudos to you!
let me try to exemplify
doing an audio set in a club$200/hour @ twice a week - tried to do the same set with video, well advertised and it didn't bring more people, the bar didn't sale more, energy was down, so why a club manager or owner would want to pay me more - he did once then said will stick with audio
doing a video set of minimum 2 hour $1000 and up @ once in a blue moon
doing a video promo party for nike 5k/ night once a year
doing a wedding audio only S1000 @once a week ( adding video $500 for slide show or adding $1500 for videos - requests - twice a year)
Anyway I'm glad that works for you and it looks like your success made you a VIP Member so Kudos to you!
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 2:10 pm
Caliente123
I book gigs based on what is more profitable and that is Audio only. Video dj is not profitable because you are bringing more equipment. Audio dj ying i can charge anywhere from 400 to 1200 and its less work. Less work, smaller vehicle to use, less time to setup, maybe 1 person helping you so more money for your pocket
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 5:43 pm
steelwill
i am an audio only dj that's been playing 80% videos the last 2 years. i don't charge any more
for video. i consider it to be part of the ''show''. it's a new look for me. i run (2) 52'' flat screens
crank em up on the pole and you're done.it's not much more work. i think everybody should
''upgrade'' to video. i also run slide shows of me and other places i play with my phone number all over them.
self promotion:) $$$$$$$$
for video. i consider it to be part of the ''show''. it's a new look for me. i run (2) 52'' flat screens
crank em up on the pole and you're done.it's not much more work. i think everybody should
''upgrade'' to video. i also run slide shows of me and other places i play with my phone number all over them.
self promotion:) $$$$$$$$
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 10:15 pm
DJ Marcel_1
I do as much video as possible.
I usually can expect to be paid more than the other audio only DJ's in the same club. Although there is now one other Serato Video DJ working in my area that does clubs as well (it was only a matter of time)
Unfortunately he uses fileshareing video sources; and he undercuts me. Such is the business.
BTW he is using serato Video with a Pinoneer DJM800. I thought it was locked to the Rane mixer?
I usually can expect to be paid more than the other audio only DJ's in the same club. Although there is now one other Serato Video DJ working in my area that does clubs as well (it was only a matter of time)
Unfortunately he uses fileshareing video sources; and he undercuts me. Such is the business.
BTW he is using serato Video with a Pinoneer DJM800. I thought it was locked to the Rane mixer?
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 10:16 pm
djlex
You should be able to use serato video with sl box then you assign midi to djm800 unless he has a VDJ with a serato like skin
Inviato Mon 22 Jun 09 @ 11:18 pm
dj-e-lectric
Anybody that has read any of my posts knows I am usually 100% video and truly believ in 3-5 years clubs wanting video djs will far out number clubs wanting audio only (it is the natural progression of the art and technology in sociaty and not just the club industry....people by nature and more visually stimulated to auditorily).
I have been mixing videos since the 1982 when they first came out on VHS tapes by RockAmerica and Wavelength (later sold and renamed "ETV Network" and then sold again in the mid 2000's to Promo Only). You old old farts like me know what I am talking about when I say "catchup mixes" when there was no pitch control available!
Sometimes they pay extra sometimes they don't. Sometimes even though the pay is the same it will get me the gig over an audio only Dj as the owner/manager sees it as "added value".
It does take more effort, only becasue the videos are not all "dance" appropriate so the pre show editing and remixing is almost a requirement in any club where you expect dancing, especially if you like to beat mix.
The downside is that the video releases to us Djs is usually several months behind when we need to start playing a song so audio only songs need to be played (thank the vdj god's for the clipbank, slideshow, etc. to keep visuals going). Even though I use about 90% video I always adhere to one rule and that is "the appropriate song at the appropriate time regardless of the media" so I will not sacrifice a song just becasue I don't have the video....I'm just glad when the video finally does come out.
I have been mixing videos since the 1982 when they first came out on VHS tapes by RockAmerica and Wavelength (later sold and renamed "ETV Network" and then sold again in the mid 2000's to Promo Only). You old old farts like me know what I am talking about when I say "catchup mixes" when there was no pitch control available!
Sometimes they pay extra sometimes they don't. Sometimes even though the pay is the same it will get me the gig over an audio only Dj as the owner/manager sees it as "added value".
It does take more effort, only becasue the videos are not all "dance" appropriate so the pre show editing and remixing is almost a requirement in any club where you expect dancing, especially if you like to beat mix.
The downside is that the video releases to us Djs is usually several months behind when we need to start playing a song so audio only songs need to be played (thank the vdj god's for the clipbank, slideshow, etc. to keep visuals going). Even though I use about 90% video I always adhere to one rule and that is "the appropriate song at the appropriate time regardless of the media" so I will not sacrifice a song just becasue I don't have the video....I'm just glad when the video finally does come out.
Inviato Tue 23 Jun 09 @ 12:26 am
djlex
Man I hope that you'll be right, but video was tried before in clubs and it didn't get any traction and so far they are called dancing clubs and dancing parties, anyway if you are right I'm ready.
I too was surprised by the reluctance with which the video was received in clubs, it never passed more then the ephemeral novelty stage and I tried to find an explanation and here it is:
We as humans we get about 60% of the sensorial input through visual stimulation, so what ever we watch is going to impress us more.
We will build a more permanent memory and a stronger connection between the video message and the specific song, so the adverse effects are:
if you watch a video three times you get bored by it;
or is going to look strange if is not passing the same message in case that a dj is messing with the video( it will look like watching al yankovich with the original michael jackson audio track, just doesn't feel right, it doesn't meet the expectations),
so the capacity to influence the crowd's mood is going to be limited, they'll be pre programed by the video not by the club atmosphere or by the musical message, ambiance, smells etc,
Video is primordial in creating mood impressions.
I agree with you, you are right, we need videos before they are released and they need to be edited to be suitable for club and party use.
Video editing is a lot of work time consuming and requires expensive equipment and that in standard def, not even talking about hd.
I don't know about you but I need to be paid for my work and time, so in my book doesn't add up so fa.
If you need to do all this work just to get the gig is not right, you will depreciate the value of video mixing, so no wonder they do not want to pay for it, but you do what you got to do
I too was surprised by the reluctance with which the video was received in clubs, it never passed more then the ephemeral novelty stage and I tried to find an explanation and here it is:
We as humans we get about 60% of the sensorial input through visual stimulation, so what ever we watch is going to impress us more.
We will build a more permanent memory and a stronger connection between the video message and the specific song, so the adverse effects are:
if you watch a video three times you get bored by it;
or is going to look strange if is not passing the same message in case that a dj is messing with the video( it will look like watching al yankovich with the original michael jackson audio track, just doesn't feel right, it doesn't meet the expectations),
so the capacity to influence the crowd's mood is going to be limited, they'll be pre programed by the video not by the club atmosphere or by the musical message, ambiance, smells etc,
Video is primordial in creating mood impressions.
I agree with you, you are right, we need videos before they are released and they need to be edited to be suitable for club and party use.
Video editing is a lot of work time consuming and requires expensive equipment and that in standard def, not even talking about hd.
I don't know about you but I need to be paid for my work and time, so in my book doesn't add up so fa.
If you need to do all this work just to get the gig is not right, you will depreciate the value of video mixing, so no wonder they do not want to pay for it, but you do what you got to do
Inviato Tue 23 Jun 09 @ 2:24 am
Bren F
There are lots of online video remix services, if you buy remixed/specially edited videos it can save you a lot of time, this way you don't need to be editing around the clock. Club ready videos are essential to this whole dilemma imo, a plain video with crappy audio and "skits" is more for daytime bar play, not rocking the dance floor.
Screen positioning is also important for the experience, the idea of dancing with a massive screen a few feet away from me would be cheesy, I think the main screens need to face the bars and seating areas, having smaller screens visible from the dance floor or a large screen to the side works fine.
Just don't put video in people’s faces or force it on them, give people the choice and only good can come from it.
Screen positioning is also important for the experience, the idea of dancing with a massive screen a few feet away from me would be cheesy, I think the main screens need to face the bars and seating areas, having smaller screens visible from the dance floor or a large screen to the side works fine.
Just don't put video in people’s faces or force it on them, give people the choice and only good can come from it.
Inviato Tue 23 Jun 09 @ 3:58 am
djrenee
djlex,
It's always interesting reading other opinions in the forum and this is one is no exception. That being said your perception regarding video and it's "effect" on patrons isn't what I find at all. There is no "reluctance" regarding video from the people in my area of the world, quite the opposite. Most will agree the toughest part of a gig is usually the first couple of hours. Video is a great icebreaker while one waits for the normal people bonding process to take effect along with the effects of alcohol. Featuring scantily clad ladies shaking their ass doesn't "kill the energy" in my opinion, just the opposite.
What I do find by using video it virtually eliminates any and all competition from "Trunk DJ's" which are those who arrive with ALL their equipment neatly stored in the trunk of their Ford Pinto, 10 terabytes of poorly coded music downloaded from LIMEWIRE and a mirror ball with two mini-spots.
I will also have to say I've been to a few weddings in my day but I've never been to a "Non Dancing Wedding".... (perhaps they should have hired the two go-go girls with the wireless mikes to get the party started. LMAO
Renee
It's always interesting reading other opinions in the forum and this is one is no exception. That being said your perception regarding video and it's "effect" on patrons isn't what I find at all. There is no "reluctance" regarding video from the people in my area of the world, quite the opposite. Most will agree the toughest part of a gig is usually the first couple of hours. Video is a great icebreaker while one waits for the normal people bonding process to take effect along with the effects of alcohol. Featuring scantily clad ladies shaking their ass doesn't "kill the energy" in my opinion, just the opposite.
What I do find by using video it virtually eliminates any and all competition from "Trunk DJ's" which are those who arrive with ALL their equipment neatly stored in the trunk of their Ford Pinto, 10 terabytes of poorly coded music downloaded from LIMEWIRE and a mirror ball with two mini-spots.
I will also have to say I've been to a few weddings in my day but I've never been to a "Non Dancing Wedding".... (perhaps they should have hired the two go-go girls with the wireless mikes to get the party started. LMAO
Renee
Inviato Tue 23 Jun 09 @ 4:23 am
digitalwiz
djrenee wrote :
Video is a great icebreaker while one waits for the normal people bonding process to take effect along with the effects of alcohol. Featuring scantily clad ladies shaking their ass doesn't "kill the energy" in my opinion, just the opposite.
Don't i know it. Seen it all the while...there are many that think that video will cause a stand still on the dance floor....this depends a lot on the DJ and his style..I have been guest dj to a great many parties and watch Dj's trying to get the crowd to move and no dice... Yet two songs into my set... the floor gets packed...(behold the power of good selection and video motivation).
At the club i often guest spin at... club starts @ 10pm.. many patrons arrive by 10:30.. but usually nothing starts until about 1pm people drift about to the lounge. .chat etc. However this is what I noticed over time... once i am in the house.. party starts rocking by 10:30.. no matter how small the crowd is....no exaggeration Patrons come in and are glued to the screen.... so they don't drift around.. so most remain in the club... of course.. a little electric boogie.. cha cha slide... step in the name of love... happy people... does help...to draw them on the dance floor...
This spin off is that once... it is known that I will be playing at the club..patrons.. arrive earlier.. sometimes they are there before I am even finished setting up.... and it is a guarantee that all will be in full action by 11pm instead of the normal 1pm.
dj-e-lectric wrote :
Even though I use about 90% video I always adhere to one rule and that is "the appropriate song at the appropriate time regardless of the media" so I will not sacrifice a song just becasue I don't have the video....I'm just glad when the video finally does come out.
Yes.... I agree... and of course.....the clipbank... allows sometimes to do this without even breaking a sweat.. of course.... a camera attached to vdj... does.... add to the impact.....watch the vid.. watch.. me.... on big screen.. watch the vid...damn... i am in the vid... godamn.. partyyyyyyyyyyy...
Inviato Tue 23 Jun 09 @ 7:15 am