iPod DJ service

iPod DJ Systems!

Light Shows:  We have two options here, one is The Basic Light Show with two dancing light fixtures on a stand, this rents out for $50.  Or The Deluxe Light Show, two dancing light fixtures, a strobe and a fog machine on one stand, this rents out for $100.  The Deluxe Light Show is only available with the MC Service package.  

Musicians:  If you are having musicians playing for your ceremony, cocktail hour, or even during the reception, we can provide amplification for them as well.  We can provide a separate PA, microphones, microphone stand, music stands, mixer with reverb, direct inputs etc.  You can have the musicians call us and we can take care of all their needs.  This will save you $100 or more off of their price in many cases.

Traditional DJ Service:  If you are not sold on the iPod DJ Service and would like a traditional DJ service with a DJ who spins the tunes and takes requests and that sort of thing we can do that too and prices range between $700 and $1200, based on the size of the venue and the duration of your reception and or ceremony.  And, as with all of our services, we use the Bose L1 sound systems for the best quality sound experience.

iPod DJ Tips for Success

The Just Press Play "iPod DJ service" is an affordable way to have music for your reception.  You provide the music and/or player and we provide the sound system so everyone can hear it clearly.  If you would prefer we can MC, control the sound for you, provide the music playlists and the player as well.  Here are some tips you might find helpful to make each of our different services work for you.

First some general tips: 

Placement.  When planning your seating arrangements make sure people who will be most disturbed by loud music or not the closest to where you want the systems set up. 

Electricity.  Make sure there is an electric outlet close to where you want the PA system setup.  We have long extension cables but if they have to go across doors or long distances they can be dangerous and unsightly. 

Setup.  Be sure that access to the room is available at least an hour before people are going to show up. 

Pickup.  Be sure that there is at least 45 minutes of time for the equipment to be packed up at the conclusion of your event.     

1. If you choose to not use our MC services and just rent out the Bose PA systems and use our iPod and Music service:

• Make sure you have the designated person(s) responsible for operating the player is there no later than 30 minutes after arranged setup time.  If you want us to set up at 10am be sure that designated person is there shortly after 10am, if they are going to arrive more than 30 minutes later than the setup time please let us know. It only takes about 15 minutes and if we are not hired to MC or run the sound it is important that we meet with this designated person(s) preferably before guests start arriving.
  
• Make sure the designated person(s) will be available during the event to turn on and stop the music and turn on the microphone when needed.
  
• More than one person can be designated to do duties described above but both need to be there at the time of setup.
  
• Appoint someone to make general announcements so your guests are aware of what is happening.  Would be nice if it is a seperate person from the designated person who is controlling everything.

2. If you are providing the music and players:

• Make sure you have someone responsible for getting the music and/or player to the place of the reception when the arranged setup is taking place.  If you want us to set up at 10am be sure that designated person is there shortly after 10am, if they are going to arrive more than 30 minutes later than the setup time please let us know.
  
• Make playlists, lots of playlists, a playlist for every event during your event. For example: a playlist for entry music, a playlist for dinner music, a playlist for early dancing, a playlist for late dancing, a playlist with fast songs, a playlist with slow songs, a playlist for the last three songs you want to end your event on, etc.
  
• For individual songs to be played for a single event, leave the songs out of the playlists.  For example at weddings, the song you want to play while doing the garter toss or the bouquet toss.  A birthday party, the song you are going to play to wish them a happy birthday with, etc.  If you are going to have several of these events, like at a wedding, you can put all of these special songs in one playlist if you like.  The first dance however should be in its own playlist as you might want to have two or three songs for your first dance set.
  
• Start each playlist with same wording.  For example: Bob’s Party 1, Bob’s Party 2 etc. or Wedding 1, Wedding 2, Wedding 3 etc.  That way they are all grouped together on your player.
  
• Make sure to have documentation of what each playlist is.  Provide a list of all the playlists and when they should be played, if you want them shuffled or played in the exact order they are in.
  
• If you are concerned about the space between songs and you are using iTunes you can shorten that space by playing the song on your computer and noting the exact end time or when you would like the song to end.  Then while that song is highlighted on your screen, right click and select “Get Info” and then go to the “Options” tab.  There you will see a start time and a stop time.  Enter the stop time you noted and then hit “ok” and then check and make sure it ends where you want it to end.  You can also change the start time if there is some applause or misc. audio at the beginning of the song you do not want.
  
• For most players, the software on your computer has a lot more bells and whistles and most of them have the ability to fade in and out of songs and even cross-fade from one song to the next.  If you have this on a laptop I highly recommend you bring the laptop as the main player and the portable player as a backup.  If you do this make sure you have a fairly new power supply to power the laptop with.  Old power supply's make a hum which can be picked up in the audio going to the PA systems. 
  
• If possible, make sure you have a backup.  A backup player or burn your playlists to CD or bring the computer the playlists were created on.  The easiest is to burn your playlists to CD’s and bring a portable CD player.
  
• If you are using CD’s and not a digital music player, all the same tips apply, just make different CD’s for each playlist and a single CD with all the individual requests on it.  Again make sure all are labeled clearly and that you provide documentation as to what is on each CD.  And of course have backup CD’s.  Having a second CD player in this case would also be preferable. 

3. If you want us to do everything; provide the player and music, MC, and control the PA system:

• Tell us what music you want, where you want it and we will do everything for you.  This is our most expensive iPod DJ service and still is usually under $500.  Will need all requests at least a week ahead of time in order to insure we get all songs requested.

Come and see for yourself!  

If you would like to see the iPod DJ system in use you can visit the system in use at Shooting Stars Records & Collectibles, an actual Record store selling vinyl at 50 E. Main St. in "Old Town" Carpentersville IL.  The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 12-7pm and Saturdays from 12-6pm.  Please call ahead to schedule a demonstration.