www.prodj4u.com
(909) 280-9120
(714) 272-0285
Frequently Asked Questions
Is setup time included in your price?
You never have to pay for setup or takedown time. I typically arrive at least an hour prior to your scheduled start time and will be set up long before your first guest arrives. But it's on our own time! The same applies for takedown time after your event.
My services are truly uninterrupted and non-stop. From my scheduled start time to my scheduled end time, I will never pause to take a break. Much unlike bands that need to stop and rest, I can just keep playing straight through your event!
Can we choose the music to be played at our event?
You'll be unbelievably amazed at how flexible I am when it comes to music selection! That's because in the past 12 years I've learned that keeping the dance floor packed is influenced by many factors, including the order and style in which the songs are played, the way songs are mixed together, and DJ interaction...not just which songs are played.
I've had clients that have chosen every song for the entire event and others that have left the music selection completely up to me. My recommendation is to provide me with a list of "must play" songs and list of "play if possible" songs. This will leave plenty of room for requests from your guests and DJ selections. You may also stipulate that I not take requests from you guests. But have fun and select music you want to hear and dance to. After all, it's your event!
Can we have a "do not play" list?
Sometimes the do not play list is equally important or more important than the request list itself! I understand that you don't want to hear the song you and your "ex" danced to. Or maybe you've been to one too many weddings lately and are sick of the typical wedding songs. Any specific songs or general types of music you absolutely hate should go on your "do not play" list. So don't feel as though I have to play the chicken dance and hokey pokey...I don't! Rest assured that if a guest requests a song that is on your "do not play" list, it will not be played.
What if we want a song that you don't have?
While my 7,000 song music library encompasses the widest variety of hits from the 1940s to today, it's likely you may have a few obscure requests that are not in my repertoire. In this case, I would be more than happy to play your CD. As you're making your request list, simply indicate which songs you'll be providing. You can bring your CDs to me at the start of the event and I'll promptly return them to you at the end.
How loud do you play the music?
One of the greatest complaints of bands and DJs alike is that they play the music too loud. It doesn't have to be that way! During cocktail and dinner hours (if applicable) the speakers will be strategically positioned for even sound coverage throughout the banquet room at a comfortable level. When it's time to dance, the speakers will be repositioned for maximum sound coverage on the dance floor and minimum sound exposure throughout the rest of the banquet room. This means that on the dance floor the music will be at a very comfortable, yet powerful enough level for dancing. Throughout the rest of the room the music will be less predominant and your guests will actually be able to carry on a normal conversation without screaming!
Do you carry backup equipment?
Your special event could very well be one of the most memorable days of your life. So I must offer you the highest level of dependability. I keep a complement of essential backup equipment on-site at all times for all events. If a component were to fail, it could easily be switched, seamless and unknowing to your guests.
Do you hang any banners or other advertisements?
Absolutely not. I pride myself on being elegant. While I appreciate referral business, I feel my services speak for themselves. I will not hang any banners, logos, or signs on our equipment. Nor will I put any advertisements on the dinner tables. The extent of my "advertising" is an unobtrusive stack of business cards next to my equipment so guests can easily take a card.
A very familiar question! Often times when a prospective client is looking for the perfect DJ they search for one who fits the level of interaction they're looking for, whether it be conservative or outgoing. I actually let you decide how much interaction you would like. I can be conservative, outgoing, or anywhere in between. By default, I'm only as interactive as necessary to keep your guests having a good time on the dance floor. In any case, you'll never hear yelling, screaming, or even singing over the microphone. Even at my most outgoing level, I still remain totally professional and never steal the spotlight!
This is a very understandable concern. I, too, have heard horror stories from people who went to see a particular DJ and then got a completely different and absolutely horrible DJ at their event. Rest assured, I will be the person with whom you plan your event with from start to finish. Have peace of mind because never will a complete stranger show up at your event!
Do you have a video or can we come view a live event?
Studio-edited video demos can make anything look appealing! For this reason, I've decided the only way a prospective client can make an informed decision is to see the DJ firsthand. So come on out and see me in action! Often times once dancing starts the banquet room doors are propped open. You can very easily sneak a quick peek without crashing the party or intruding. It's an excellent way to see how I, the DJ, interacts, hear the quality of sound, and view the complete DJ system set up...all things you can't effectively observe from a video.
Please keep in mind when you come out that the hosts of the event have selected the music they would like to hear and the amount of interaction they would like to have. So if you hear the hokey pokey, it doesn't mean I have to play it at your event! Since I would never take time away from a current event to book a future event, please feel free to contact me the following day with any questions. I will always gladly honor a client's request to have their event remain private. If you can't make it out to a live event, I can set up a phone conference to discuss all the details.
I travel to anywhere in Southern California. This includes the Greater Los Angeles area, the Inland Empire, San Bernardino County, Orange County, and San Diego County. If you think your event may be too far away, please contact me and I'll let you know if I serve that area.
Do you offer a contract or written agreement?
Absolutely. The contract is straightforward and written in plain English so that you can understand the terms before signing. It is signed by both parties and offers you a high level of protection and dependability. With the contract you can be assured that there will be no hidden extra charges or surprises at your event. The signed contract and deposit officially reserves your date and of course an executed copy will be sent to you for your records. If you have any questions or concerns about the terms, just ask!
Is tipping/gratuity expected from the DJ?
By no means is tipping/gratuity mandatory or expected. I charge a professional rate for a professional service. This means you won't see a tip jar on my table. If at the end of the night you feel that I have surpassed your expectations and you want to provide a tip, I would accept it as the utmost compliment. But you're under no obligation to do so.
One of my most popular questions! The answer is that it is completely up to you. With setup and takedown time, I'll often be at your event for nearly 8 hours. My only request is that you let me know either way ahead of time. If you choose to provide a meal for the DJ, I suggest not including the DJ in your count since usually at least one guest doesn't show. But don't worry if you're working on a tight budget because there is no meal clause of any kind in the contract!
What is the deposit and when is the final payment due?
I require a $50 deposit and signed contract to reserve your date. The final payment of the remaining balance is due on the date of your event prior to the scheduled start time. However, paying the balance before the event date works best since it will give you the freedom to relax and enjoy your event! I will gladly accept your personal check, certified check, cashier's check, or money order.
Simply put...the sooner the better! Some of the most popular dates can and do book as early as one year in advance. My suggestion is to be prepared to sign a contract as early as 8-12 months before. Depending on availability, some dates remain open until the month before. So if you're planning an event for next month, it's worth it to check my availability. If you're just starting your planning, try to make your final decision as soon as possible to ensure availability.