What do promoters provide on their behalf at their own shows?

[Dave Science]

Just spawned from a post I saw in the "Freeze" upcoming thread from heavyweight's show announcing that he will not be providing needles for his event for djs to perform.

I have never in my 5 years have seen this type of action take place and am curious what do other promoters/djs think about this?

Most djs bring their own needles for the sake of not having to deal with using defective ones (usually provided by the promoter or whomever donated the equipment) at shows. For me I have never owned turntables or needles and do rely on a decent pair available to me when I arrive at a show. 98% of the time I have not had any problems with the cartridges provided to me.

I don't normally use contracts for local events, but in most djs contracts I have seen including mine, have a request for needles to be available for their use among turntables + mixer etc.

I will provide everything a dj will use except for his records at my shows.

What about you other promoters?

[Cethe]

'bout sums it up for me dave.
and every dj contract i've read so far has required that I/"the promoter" provide all neccessary equipment, and in good working order (except records & headphones)

I do understand that some dj's like to use as much of their own gear as possible, and will bring their own needles too, but that's their choice.

in the end, I like to provide, but if they want to use their own, dun matter to me. Just don't loose mine while yours are on :D

[kangaroo]

yep, i provide everything except for records. if a dj prefers to bring needles, i don't see a problem with that, but i definitely supply necessary equipment.

[Jizosh]

Originally posted by Genma
I will provide everything a dj will use except for his records at my shows.

What about you other promoters?

Yeah, that's about right. I don't make it a practice to supply headphones, but I keep an extra pair around (usually my own) if they don't have them.

[KidKaBoom]

The traditional phrase is "DJ's Don't share needles" I even have a shirt that says it. and I usually use my own.. But to go as far as to advertise that you (the promoter) will not be providing carts, is just asking for some problem to occur. I.E DJ not bringing carts. During a party, there are all sorts of "little things" that result in "little problems" not having carts is one of those litte problems, that could make a night quite ruff.

my http://deephousepage.com/smilies/twocents.gif

KABOOM

[Pipedream]

I'm guessing the response to this will be fairly mixed down the line- i know a lot of dj's have very different attitudes about this...

i currently do not own turntables nor do i own needles- so obviously i am at the mercy of the promoter in terms of gear. however, even when i *did* own a studio setup- i still counted on the fact that the promoter would have gear available on site. i was always super protective of my studio gear, i rarely let it leave the studio for any reason. so i wouldnt bring my own gear just on the principle that- i dont want my needles/hardware in a hostile enviornment such as a rave. hell, i hate the abuse that raves does to my vinyl... grime, dirt, heat, etc.

there is also the fact that- needles are not all created equal. different brands have different timbre (sound 'color'). if you have a soundman who just does an initial soundcheck, then the system will be tuned to whatever pair was first used... this could lead to certain needles sounding not-so-great/distorting the system.

**
If I could afford it, I would have two sets of needles- one set that stayed at home in the studio, and the other set would be backups for playing gigs.

but ultimately, i think it should be the promoters responsibility to supply decent equipment. if i brought my own, it would be for backup.

[edotdj]

i always expect djs to use their own needles. this does not mean i don't whore mine out all around the show if need be. i think that a dj would like to perform on equipment as close to what they play on all the time. it feels different when you're not using the your needles. i even bring my own slip mats for psychological reasons. ;) i've booked many djs who like to use their own but i don't think i'll ever make it a rule, just a preference. heh.

[anniemal]

I'd say that if a promoter is requiring that all djs bring their own needles, then they better be prepared to have a potentially unorganized night. Does the promoter really think that every single dj is going to bring their own needles? It's nearly inevitable that at least one person will forget or [as mentioned above] doesn't even own needles to bring. Then what happens when one dj gets off the decks, takes his needles with him, and the next dj gets up without any needles. Is the promoter just gonna let the music stop while everyone waits for the dj to find someone to borrow needles from?

To me, requiring djs to bring their own needles is almost a sign of distrust to them, as if they won't take proper care of the house needles while playing. And if this isn't the case, and it's just so the promoter will save wear-and-tear on his own needles, then that's pretty stingy.

I haven't been keeping up much with the Freeze thread, so I don't know Heavyweight's exact circumstances or reasonings, but this is just how I feel in regards to Dave's proposed question here.

[kangaroo]

personally, if i were playing i wouldn't *want* to bring my own needles. i would prefer to keep them in good condition at home instead of risking rave conditions. i've seen the kind of damage that happens in just one night, and even on the off chance that someone else would have to borrow my equipment i wouldn't be entirely comfortable.

that said, i'm sure there is a good reason in this specific case, etc. etc. i still don't think i would play. (which is okay, cause no one wants to book me to trainwreck happy hardcore anyway! ;))

[djowns]

It's THE STANDARD (if you will) to provide Turntables, needles a functional mixer and at least one monitor for the DJ booth. If any of the said equipment sucks and causes problems for the show, it's a reflection upon the promoter.

The DJ's generally are already doing you a favor and comming out for free or next to nothing... than you demand more from them? Some one doesn't know how to respect people who are doing them a favor.

[Tekno_Kid]

I agree.. providing needles is a good idea.


I asked my 2nd room DJ's at Down The Rabbit Hole 2 to bring their own, and it resulted in a lot of problems and miscommunication. Thank god someone was willing to let another DJ use theirs.


I just purchased a new set of Concorde Blue DJ's (along with the pair we have already) for use at Revival shows.


Jesse

[sentriK]

I think it's pretty imperative to provide needles at your events. Especially if they are organized and promoted events. I don't know of ANY events that i've attended or played that you had to provide your own needles.

The only exception to that I would guess would be house parties, but usually someone will bring them and allow everyone to use them if need be.

[Jizosh]

Nobody's really mentioned the fact that needles very in sound. Personally, I like to EQ a sound system based on a single pair of carts that will remain on the turntables throughout the night. It's not a huge deal, but it's important to some of us.

[djowns]

Originally posted by Jizosh
Nobody's really mentioned the fact that needles very in sound. Personally, I like to EQ a sound system based on a single pair of carts that will remain on the turntables throughout the night. It's not a huge deal, but it's important to some of us.

I mentioned that last time around that we had this discussion ;)

[HooverTechnician]

Originally posted by TheLiquid1
It's THE STANDARD (if you will) to provide Turntables, needles a functional mixer and at least one monitor for the DJ booth. If any of the said equipment sucks and causes problems for the show, it's a reflection upon the promoter.

The DJ's generally are already doing you a favor and comming out for free or next to nothing... than you demand more from them? Some one doesn't know how to respect people who are doing them a favor.

Word. Not that I'm in it for the money - nothing could be further from the truth - but I'm getting less for playing a high profile slot at a large party now than I used to get to play a side room slot 3 or 4 years ago - that is if I get paid at all - a lot of promoters are expecting buddy buddy pro-bono work these days. The least that you can do is provide me with what I need to play. It's like giving a surgeon everything but a scalpel to perform an operation. I mean what's next? "DJs have to bring their own decks and mixer"?


All that aside, granted needles are subject to wear and tear but even with heavy club play they can last namy many nights if the tonearms are set up properly. If a promoter is planning on throwing parties for the long haul, it should be considered a small and front-line investment for them to pick up at least 2 pairs of good needles to use exclusively at their shows. Having loaned out my gear for many a show in the past, I can appreciate not wanting to give out my own needles to be thrashed upon along with my hardware. If the loaner of hardware is kind enough to include needles, you never know what you're gonna get and what shape they're in which is why I always bring my own because nobody in the crowd cares whose fault it is when a needle goes tits up and ruins a mix or harshes the sound for a couple minutes. Any way you slice it though, I expect to see a pair on the decks when I step up there. Period.

[**BISCUIT**]

Originally posted by HooverTechnician


Word. Not that I'm in it for the money - nothing could be further from the truth - but I'm getting less for playing a high profile slot at a large party now than I used to get to play a side room slot 3 or 4 years ago - that is if I get paid at all - a lot of promoters are expecting buddy buddy pro-bono work these days. The least that you can do is provide me with what I need to play. It's like giving a surgeon everything but a scalpel to perform an operation. I mean what's next? "DJs have to bring their own decks and mixer"?


All that aside, granted needles are subject to wear and tear but even with heavy club play they can last namy many nights if the tonearms are set up properly. If a promoter is planning on throwing parties for the long haul, it should be considered a small and front-line investment for them to pick up at least 2 pairs of good needles to use exclusively at their shows. Having loaned out my gear for many a show in the past, I can appreciate not wanting to give out my own needles to be thrashed upon along with my hardware. If the loaner of hardware is kind enough to include needles, you never know what you're gonna get and what shape they're in which is why I always bring my own because nobody in the crowd cares whose fault it is when a needle goes tits up and ruins a mix or harshes the sound for a couple minutes. Any way you slice it though, I expect to see a pair on the decks when I step up there. Period.

Word.. Well Put!

I don't think anybody has put it better....

-Mike

[-=Ryan=-]

Originally posted by Genma
Just spawned from a post I saw in the "Freeze" upcoming thread from heavyweight's show announcing that he will not be providing needles for his event for djs to perform.





Thats freakin retarted.



Point Blank.

[theperfectcyn]

there should be so many goddamned needles @ every turntable related event a junkie would even shudder: a house pair should exist, if the promoter is providing turntables they should be complete with a pair, and last but not least the (reliable) djs should each have their own. just in case someone else flakes, you know? because if EVERYONE flakes it's a still art display sponsored by techniques.

NEEDLES ARE IMPORTANT. don't fight over brings them just make sure there are some there. and if you're a dj don't ever show up without any!

[Euro]

Originally posted by Jizosh
Nobody's really mentioned the fact that needles very in sound. Personally, I like to EQ a sound system based on a single pair of carts that will remain on the turntables throughout the night. It's not a huge deal, but it's important to some of us.

That's what we do for our shows. Less technical difficulties that way too IMO.

[liquid_Kaos]

i don't like to bring mine .....cause it is one more thing that could be stolen....158 down the toilet ! :p
..and I lost one of my cases so I have to hold one needle in my hand till I go home.
I baby-sit my records all night so it is no big deal and I can always put my shit in the car .....
-jimnicirkcet
as a promoter I always provide needles and by the end of the night(most of the time) one will be broken .... (cause allot of djs don't respect other people equipment). But that is my falt for working with lame djs .....so I still provide carts!
so I guess I see why people would not want to provide them .

[kangaroo]

Originally posted by liquid_Kaos
i don't like to bring mine .....cause it is one more thing that could be stolen....158 down the toilet ! :p
..and I lost one of my cases so I have to hold one needle in my hand till I go home.
I baby-sit my records all night so it is no big deal and I can always put my shit in the car .....
-jimnicirkcet
as a promoter I always provide needles and by the end of the night(most of the time) one will be broken .... (cause allot of djs don't respect other people equipment). But that is my falt for working with lame djs .....so I still provide carts!
so I guess I see why people would not want to provide them .

few things are more frustrating than djs who don't respect the promoters who have booked them. hrmph. but i will also add that as a promoter i would just chalk it up to another legitimate party cost. equipment is a necessary expense. and i wouldn't continue booking djs that trash my stuff.

[skilife]

I think that a djs should always bring their needles to the show, i have seen so many times when the house needles stop working, or they dissapeer or the dj before them take their needles home. Then the next dj up is running around looking for needles and the music stops. Needles are tools of the trade, you dont see a carpenter leaving home with out his tools. You can buy a cheap pair of needles for $50. I always bring my needles, but i dont always use them , if the house needles are good i will run with them, but i have mine just in case. Needles brake, so how many needles should the promoter bring? If all djs brought their needles then this wouldnt happen. Its not asking too much for a dj to bring needles, records, and headphones. I guess if you dont want to supply needles at your shows you should tell the djs this when you book them.
its realy not that big of a deal, its just a smart thing to carry back up needles incase the house needles brake while you are playing or before you get on.
if you are a promoter that is tired of buying new needles every show, then just buy $50 dollar needles for the show and if the dj doesnt like it he can play with his own.

[little terror]

more importantly, should the promoters provide hookers or should the djs bring their own? also this brings up the issue of sharing...

[angry_bob]

I'm used to having them provided at shows I play at, but from what I've heard in a lot of other cities, dj's are expected to bring their own needles and in some cases even bring their own mixers...

[liquid_Kaos]

Originally posted by little terror
more importantly, should the promoters provide hookers or should the djs bring their own? also this brings up the issue of sharing...
I bring my own ..... I can find them for low low prices
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[little terror]

Originally posted by liquid_Kaos

I bring my own ..... I can find them for low low prices
Hooker on eBay Find Hooker items at low prices. With over 5 million items for sale every day, you'll find all kinds of unique things on eBay - the World's Online Marketplace.
www.ebay.com

i love ebay.

[djsadiablo]

It's just polite to provide needles. Alot of us dj's have day jobs and do shows. Needles is not the first thing on my mind on the way to a show. One less thing for us to worry about. I've played clubs and raves. I usually try to bring my own needles to clubs just because most club owners don't replace their needles every 2 years, let alone every 4-6 months. For raves, I trust that the promoter knows enough to buy some new stylii for each party.

[djsadiablo]

Originally posted by angry_bob
I'm used to having them provided at shows I play at, but from what I've heard in a lot of other cities, dj's are expected to bring their own needles and in some cases even bring their own mixers...

Not only have I never heard of bringing your own mixer, but I've even offered and been turned down (not because I have a crappy mixer, I have a rather nice mixer, but because the promoter didn't want to be liable for replacing it if something happened ie water spilled, crossfader busted etc etc)

[angry_bob]

Originally posted by djsadiablo


Not only have I never heard of bringing your own mixer, but I've even offered and been turned down (not because I have a crappy mixer, I have a rather nice mixer, but because the promoter didn't want to be liable for replacing it if something happened ie water spilled, crossfader busted etc etc)


It was an old friend from NY who said it was common in the clubs. I always thought it would cause problems with the sound system... *shrug*