When To Use an iPod Instead of a DJ
In such a competitive market, it’s tempting to think “I bet I can find someone cheaper.” While I’d council not paying through the nose, be sure you’re not finding a bargain basement DJ. Essentially, you can always find someone cheaper. $200 DJ too expensive? Someone out there will do it for $100, but that’s surely going to come with a further decrease in quality.
But let’s talk one step cheaper…what about when you don’t want to pay anything for a DJ? When is it OK to do a DIY event and load up an iPod and let it fly? Here are three guidelines to test if your event is good to go with just an iPod.
- Liveliness
If you’re hosting a dance party, having a DJ is going to make the party much more lively than a set playlist running off your iPod. A DJ is going to keep the energy going, and keep the dancefloor from getting stale. If your event doesn’t need a pro at the helm keeping a continuous mix for your guests, your shindig is a good candidate for a self-running playlist.
- Spontaneity
What was that song from that thing, that goes “something like this?” A DJ should have a wide breadth of musical knowledge and be able to help you figure out that track. Having a DJ is going to allow you to throw in tracks as you want them; that preloaded gadget with tunes you picked last week might not be enough to satisfy your guests. If you don’t need a wide selection with ability to change up the tunes as your night is going, then an iPod could be in your event’s future.
- Sound requirements
One major advantage of a DJ is leveraging their sound equipment. DJs know how to fill a room with high quality full-spectrum sound. Your DJ should be ready to accommodate any size venue with all the appropriate speakers. Just tell your DJ the area of your room and they’ll instantly know if they need two speakers or six, etc.
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, so if you hire a pro, you’re bound to have a much higher quality experience than a DIY party. Then again, not every experience requires you go all out. Hopefully these tips help you when planning the music for your next party.
