Blog - Doing It Right at your Reception

The Importance of Sound… Before the Dance!

 When I first started as a mobile disc jockey, I researched the type of equipment I would require. Included of course were two speakers to pump out the dance music. In my mind’s eye I saw two speakers on either side of the DJ table.
 
And so it was that I, as do many, followed the “two speakers beside the dj table” configuration. This worked for a while... until I recognized with a large room and a 100+ guests, two speakers on either side of the dj table was falling short on a few fronts…. I could offer better, thus ensuring my clients got what they really needed.

​Two speakers placed on either side of the DJ table is what many take for granted today, only because that’s the way it all started once upon a time? So what’s wrong with this? Nothing if the room layout has the DJ placed center and in front of the dance floor, and you’re only thinking dance party. Plenty on the other hand if you’ve invited a 100+ chatty and excited guests, have booked a large room with the dance floor at one end and you and your guests at the opposite end. And the dj’s table is not center to the dance floor but in the corner and removed (10+ ft) from the dance floor. Here in the Canadian Rockies it’s rare to be placed center to the dance floor.
 
A Viable and Affordable Solution
How about a second pair of wireless or hardwired speakers at the opposite end of the room.
 
To Zone or Not to Zone
What if you had the two speakers on either corner of the dance floor, (optimizing stereo separation) verses beside the DJ table and a 2nd pair of  wireless speakers placed at the opposite end, now you have what I term zone sound coverage… an even distribution of sound across the whole of the room, certainly better than two at the far end, even Spock would agree with this logic. 

Two speakers at the far end of a large room with 100+ guests does not provide for a balance sound presentation. When a soft spoken or shy person comes up to the mic, things get worse.
 
Sidebar:
We’re not talking a presentation where everyone has paid admission and are quietly and attentively listening to the speaker. Quite the opposite! You and your guests are excited to be present, feeling jovial, having a drink or two or more, couple of restless kids present…. There’s going to be ambient noise.
 
A Half Baked Pie
A reputable dj company should be offering competent audio, and possibly visual management of your event, not just music programming… let me say it again, not just music programming.  And further to this, manage sound levels throughout the evening, not too loud, not inaudible, just right or as best as the room and layout will allow.  When the dance starts then he/she should be turning these additional speakers down to allow non-dancing guests to converse comfortably.
 
Does a wedding planner only dress half the chairs? Does the wedding photographer only take some pictures of the wedding party, should a DJ company only bring two speakers when four would optimize your audio requirements? If it’s a little loud you or a guest should feel at ease in asking the DJ to turn the volume down.
 
“Wow Great Party, When You Going to Throw Another One Like it?”
You’re paying good money to host your biggest party for quite some time. If you’ve booked a large room and expect a 100+ guests, a second pair of speakers further down the room is a valid consideration with dividends that will only make your reception and celebration all the more successful. A small expense to add for a premium result.