Beginner DJ, getting requests to DJ at house parties

I’m with Vintange, renting a PA system is pretty much the way to go!
The other benefit with doing that is you get to try out a bunch of different setups if you want before you decide what one you’d want to buy 😉

Because while the ZLX12 does have the needed wattage for 100 people, unless the room is acoustically really good, you will need at least 2 speakers.
Also for 100+ people you get so much bottom end sucked away by their clothes alone, that you need more than 12” bass hanging in the air. So a good sub is a must have.

one speaker was recommended in another post, for parties and practice instead of monitors… I would agree, that for somewhat large parties of 100+ people, one 12″ speaker isn’t enough, I was meaning more like getting his first speaker, playing a couple parties for friends and then adding to it to end up with something capable of doing 100-150 people or so. This would be something like a pair of tops and a sub, maybe two. My first paid gigs were on 4 12″ hi-fi cabinets, 2 Pioneer towers with my “booth” set up across the top of them, and 2 Sansui speakers in between, with a Sansui 6060 amp sitting on top of them. This was all prettied up with some hinges and OSB, and black spray paint, and there is a piece of black cloth hanging across the front to hide the Sansui speakers which aren’t black, and the amp and wiring. If we’re talking about parties you’re doing for friends, and for only a portion of what many DJ’s consider the minimum fee, then I’d say it’s OK to bring a single “professional” PA speaker, but not for over about 50-75 folks. I used a single ZLX12P recently for a benefit auction, and played music while people arrived and ate, then the auctioneer used my mic and speaker and was easily heard in all parts of the room(community center gym, small gym but a full BB court with low roof, about 75 folks I’d wager… After the auction I played music until most of the people had cleared out and during this time I got to turn it up a bit, and it wasn’t rockin’ or pounding bass, but plenty for a party unless it’s a rave/club vibe you’re going for… I would think one PA speaker that is quality professional gear, and puts out clean sound well over 100 decibels, is more professional than Hi-Fi speakers or something like that, or even rubbish bargain PA that isn’t any louder or that sounds harsh or distorted. For some houses and spaces, a single sub & top might actually be an ideal setup, as long as you can run MONO or have both Left/Right cables into just one top… my setup allows for this, and it actually sounds pretty decent in that configuration, I plan to use this sometimes when someone needs a DJ for a small gig, and on the cheap… The OP stated a budget, and that they are looking to get into doing a first few gigs, doing parties. I would wager that most DJs doing this start doing parties for their friends, and get more gigs from those parties. I would also wager that his first few parties aren’t going to all be 100+ guests, or be paying the kind of money that would keep some DJs from saying he’s “undercutting the real DJs”… Terry and Chuck, would you agree that he’d need at least a pair of speakers, and likely a sub, to be set up for 100+ people events? This, to get decent PA gear, you’re looking at a minimum of at least $1000 or more. I just thought it would be worth considering a single $400 PA speaker and building on that, rather than a pair that could be had for $300-400, which in my eyes are likely not worth buying if they want to take this seriously… Definitely recommend listening to some speakers at a store if at all possible, this step was very important in my process of choosing a starter PA setup, and I recently made 2 trips to a Guitar Center (about 100 miles from my home) to see them in person and have a listen. Well worth the time, fuel, and calorie intake(Mt.Dew and Burgers…LOL) Another option would be to keep saving for a while, have some friends help you throw a party to raise some funds for equipment, and either rent gear, or use your Lone Speaker and Tonto your way to the rest of a setup… LOL Loved the Tonto and the Lone Speaker bit so had to throw that in there… Just my $.02, but remember, I’m still new and it’s only worth $.01, that’s US currency so don’t plan on retiring off of my advice ….. LOL I’ll be following this thread, cheers! Moonshadow

I am not a big fan of those Eon’s either. So yeah, the QSC look like the better bet. Like I said, get a formal quote from the rental agency, present that to your customer so he knows how much he is paying for the gear and how much for your performance. Then make a deal with the rental company to get a kick-back. 15-25% should be possible. That way you make a little money on the gear rental too.

Greetinx.

Chuck, I will work on the way I make my posts, being more short and to the point when that works, and also being more well written when I decide to make a book of it… 🙂 Good input on how to deal with the rental company and client above, and on that list I would definitely take the QSC K12 speakers.
Make sure to get a quote from them and that it includes all of what you need, be that stands, cabling, microphone, etc… I would try to work out a deal with them on a DJ package you can rent for your gigs until you get your own PA, let them know that you plan to use their services until you get your own PA setup and they might set you up with a good deal and a kickback or discount as suggested previously. Get a quote, or 2, including delivery and setup if that’s an option, so the client will see what just renting the gear would cost in it’s own and what delivery of a setup like this is worth as well.
I’m currently working on pricing info and hope to post my ideas in the forum for feedback soon. I really liked the K12s when I listened to them, just couldn’t justify the price to buy them. Keep shining, and keep us posted! Moonshadow