Here are the questions to ask a dj

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Questions you should ask your DJ before booking them for your event

At A&M Sounds Disc Jockey Service we wish to stress the importance of the DJ decision making process. We recognize that most of our clients don't hire music entertainment very often. In fact, many people don't even know what to ask when hiring a DJ service. We've assembled this list of most frequently asked questions to help you learn more about our service and to help you make a more informed decision about the music entertainment at your event.

Remember: Not all DJs are created equal and your name is on the line if you are the one booking entertainment for your event!!! Some are experienced, some are not. Some dress formal, some don't. Some have great equipment and song selection, some don't. Some are flexible, polite, accommodating and professional, some don't have a clue!

Keep in mind: Most D.J.s charge what they feel they are worth, which sometimes can be a direct reflection on confidence and ability! Choosing a professional mobile entertainer for your event should be similar to hiring a new employee. Any potential employee must sell themselves and so should a quality professional entertainer. You should receive candid answers to your questions and feel comfortable with your decision.

Today's professional mobile DJ entertainers bear very little resemblance to the "record spinners" of the past. The new millennium DJ entertainer has advanced to a degree where it would not be uncommon for them to utilize in excess of $20,000 in equipment with 18,000 songs in a music library for a single event!

If you ask the right questions, you'll feel confident that when you choose your DJ service, it's the right one for your wedding. We've posted questions that we feel are important, and then given our own answers to them, to get you started.

First and foremost (very important) This industry has many marketing companies that don't even dj they just know how to talk on the phone and book clients then they outsource the work.

1. Are you available for my event? (Date/Availability).

Please tell us the date, city, venue, capacity of venue, time frame needed from us. If you're not yet sure of your time frame, we can discuss the plans you have in place for the day to get a better understanding of what you might need.

2. How much experience do you have? What is the name of the disc-jockey that will perform at my event?
How long has the Disc Jockey Service been in business? If you are hiring for a wedding reception, you might want to ask how much of their experience and their business is wedding-related. Are they knowledgeable about wedding etiquette? Are they flexible enough to accommodate your special requests?

Requests are what make your day special.

The name of the disc-jockey is 1 step you can take to eliminate companies that sub-contract or some call them associates to outsource your booking to another smaller independent company which will drop the professionalism you are to expect

Most companies that do not charge mileage I can guarantee they are outsourcing the work which takes the responsibility off of the booking agent and onto the company that may not show up at your event.

Ask if every system they have has all the same library if not they are more than likely outsourcing.

This is the most difficult part of booking a professional because if you do not get these questions answered you may end up with a rookie behind the booth.

Why is this so bad for the industry? I will tell you.

When you book a dj from a so-called "company" but they in turn outsource the work this is what can happen

the business they book is only getting a "cut" from the total bill which is generally 50% which means if they can get a better paying event they will not show up to your event and you will be left with no entertainment.

This disc-jockey has no ties to you and does not care so when you call the "company" they will put the blame on their outsourced business which they did not tell you about and wash their hands of it.

3. Do you use a contract?
You should get a written contract from all of your event services. No professional service operates without written contracts, and if a potential service tells you that you don't need one, turn and run! Make sure the contract includes the date, times and location of your event. We always send a written contract, guaranteeing your event details.

3b Can they produce a business license? This is important to you because this will prove if they are serious about what they do. Without a license they can not legally play music and or charge tax.

4. What are your rates?
Our rates vary depending upon the date, time needed, location, package chosen, your specific needs and other variables that can impact the final rate. Rather than just creating a generic menu of prices, we prefer to work with each individual client to create a package that best suits their needs. Please see A&M's pricing for details. Our service has been referred to as priceless.

4b. Is there a discount for off-season or Friday /Sunday events and if so what are they?

We give up to 1.5 hours free to add to any 4 hour package during off-season or Friday events and up to 2 hours off for Sunday through Thursday.

Off season for our business is January to March

Stag and does and fund-raisers are already discounted so these discounts do not apply.

Remember supply and demand does play a part in pricing in this industry.

5. I've looked at several DJ web-sites. How do I know the difference between various DJ's prices and packages? Why are the prices so different?

Experience is the number one factor.

Years of experience will require you to pay more for their service because they are busier and will book up earlier than an inexperienced company

Quality of equipment and music library will also be a factor

6. Do you have any current music?
We update our music library every week, so we always have the most current music. Please let us know if you have specific songs or artists you want played at your event. You may go to www.multimusic.ca to see approximately 95% of our library online. Go to left side and download advanced download, scroll to bottom and select your needs.

7. Is there a charge for set-up.
Set-up time is included. If we are required to set up and come back there will be an additional charge for the time and gas needed to perform this task. You are usually better off to have us there for the dinner music and utilize our sound system for speeches. Only under extreme cases will you ever be charged extra for set-up. Usually, additional charges will apply if the venue is extremely difficult to load into, or your event requires extra equipment. We will typically arrive at the venue approximately sixty minutes prior to the start time. Regardless, we will never load equipment into the facility while guests are present.

8. How far ahead should we book your service?
It depends upon the date. Some clients choose to contract a year or more in advance, while some are comfortable waiting until several months prior. Saturdays are the busiest nights, so waiting too long to hire a DJ (or any service) for a Saturday night might lead to disappointment.

9. Face to face meeting.
Is your DJ willing to meet with you and discuss your likes and dislikes, both musically and otherwise? Can they be easily reached for last minute additions, changes and suggestions? Our initial meeting is the only one necessary for the regular wedding package and I encourage e-mail and phone calling for the rest. If you contact the office you will get personal service for all your last minute needs.

10. Are we required to feed the DJ?
Our DJs do expect a meal at your event if it runs through the dinner portion. In truth, caterers typically offer the DJ some food regardless of what our client does. It does not have to be the same meal as your guests but a substantial meal is required. Free water and pop is also a standard practice.

11. Do you do the sound for ceremonies and what is involved?

This is a very complex question but here is the answer in a nutshell, yes!

We can do everything from a simple ceremony on-site where we use the same equipment just before the reception which costs generally $200 up to an elaborate outdoor setting off-site with wireless microphones for singers, and instruments depending on what is required, prices vary for this. We can supply an extra sound system for off-site wedding so the flow of the evening is not interrupted from the ceremony to the cocktail music. We help you with your song choices as well as arm with you information to make these choices. The time allotted for a ceremony is 1.5 hours of music.

12. Do you charge HST depending on the date?

Do you know that a business that charges HST proves that they are busy enough all year. We do between 100-140 functions a year with 3 dj’s which means we keep busy. Ask for their H.S.T. number in advance

13. How much is your deposit requirement?
Our deposit fee is $150.00.Cancellation of the event with less than 60 days remaining to the event requires full payment of the outstanding balance

14. Do lights and effects cost extra?
Although we do not recommend lighting for many events we do charge for lighting if you wish for us to supply them.

Up-lighting is the newest accenting to a wedding. If you are interested in more information please give us a call.

15. Can we choose the music Absolutely! It's your party! While we are happy to make suggestions, you have total control over the music that is played at your event. We don’t recommend clients to choose every single song to be played; we have clients who leave it entirely up to us, and everything in between.

16.Our event is not located in the London area. Do you travel? If so, what is the charge? How far will you travel?
Again, travel charges depend upon the circumstances, which is why we customize packages for each client. We normally do not charge travel for events in the London area. Beyond that, it depends upon the distance involved, whether or not the trip will require an overnight stay or us having to set up early and return at a later time .At this time it is charged at 42 cents a km after the first 50 km of driving.

Our regular locations span from St. Thomas Ontario, London Ontario, Ingersoll Ontario, Woodstock Ontario, Tillsonburg Ontario, Simcoe Ontario, Aylmer Ontario, Port Stanley Ontario, Shedden Ontario, Dutton Ontario, West Lorne Ontario, Strathroy Ontario, Komoka Ontario, Glencoe Ontario, Exeter Ontario, Grand Bend, Goderich Ontario, Kincardine Ontario, Stratford Ontario, Kitchener Ontario, Waterloo Ontario, Hamilton Ontario, Dorchester Ontario and surrounding area . We have been known to go as far as New York City.

17. What happens if you don’t have a song we want--can we bring our own CDs?
Many of our clients bring their own CDs. At this time we recommend the format to be on wav. file and for us to get the copy of the music in advance to insure everything will go well

We alsoo do alot of ethnic combination weddings and for these we work closely with the couple to insure the music for both sides of the family are covered, we will attempt to locate that song for you. We cannot guarantee that a particular song is in print or is available, but we rarely come across a client request that we cannot accommodate.

18. What are the traditional ceremony songs?
Most of our clients ask us to play prelude music prior to the ceremony, along with a wedding processional for the bridal entrance and a wedding recessional for the exit from the ceremony. Occasionally, we are asked to play special songs for the seating of special family members or the entrance of the bridal party. Also, music can accompany any special moments that sometimes occur during the wedding ceremony (like a candle lighting, for instance). We are happy to make suggestions for these selections.

19. Can your DJ help with announcements?
Our D.J.s come equipped with a microphone and are happy to make announcements and to help coordinate activities at your event, if you want them to. We prefer to plan these activities and announcements with you ahead of time so there are no surprises or disappointments at your event.

20. Your DJ won’t be obnoxious, will they?
No, Our DJs are trained to be professional, friendly, courteous and helpful. Additionally, they are trained to handle your event to your specifications. If you prefer a more low-key approach, the DJ will gladly accommodate your wishes. At a wedding reception, our DJs are trained to enhance the enjoyment of the event, not to try to be the "star". A wedding day is about you, the bride and groom, not about our DJ.

21. What do your DJs wear?
Unless directed otherwise, our DJs wear semi-formal attire (shirt, tie, dress shoes & slacks). For casual outdoor events our DJs wear something like a Polo shirt and Khakis. We do not dress our DJ’s in a tuxedo, as the DJ ends up looking like they are in the wedding party.

22. What type of equipment do you use?
The A&M Sound industry standard sound equipment including powered speakers namely Mackie as well as Wharfedale and Elite Bass bins where needed and high end Shure microphones matched with our music library which is 100% CD for optimal sound quality.

Ask this simple question to other disc-jockeys. Where do you get your music from? If they say it is a subscription library made for disc-jockeys only. Then ask them what format do you use (compact disc players or computer).

We use subscription music called multi-music which you can access through their their web-site at www.multimusic.ca, we carry everything in the library including Phatt Trakks but only take them on the road in certain situations because they are long dance remixes of songs that are not popular in Southwestern Ontario.

23. What does your set-up look like?
Our sound gear is housed in professional road cases with wires hidden and taped down. . Our set up is designed to enhance the decor of any room. We require a dressed 8 foot table. We can send you a picture if you are interested.

24. What time will your DJ arrive?
Typically our DJs arrive at least an 1 hour before start time. Our sound systems are
pre-wired and usually take only 30 minutes or longer depending on the soudn required to set up, so we've allowed plenty of cushion time. Please let us know if you have special needs.

25. Is there a charge to have my DJ setup early, even if they won’t be playing music?
If we have to set up outside of the normal time frame Yes, this covers time, gas and wear and tear on our vehicles. In some cases the DJ is required to set up an hour or two before the start time. If we are within 20 minutes of the venue we have been known to set up the day before if this is easier, depending on our availability . If we must travel a long distance, we always play music for the whole event which allows us to get there before anyone arrives and have music ready for the first guest to arrive.

26. What do you need the facility to provide for you?
A standard 8 foot banquet table decorated in the events theme and access to one or two standard electrical outlets where the speakers will be placed. If outside , a guaranteed dry spot to work if rain is to be in the forecast.

27. Do you need to see the room before the day of my event?
Almost always. We've worked in every possible situation in our 2500+ events.
Over the years and can make virtually any room or area work. Again, please let us know if you have special needs. If you have a layout from the hall this is normally enough for us to go off of.

28. How much should I tip the DJ?
Tipping is not expected, but our DJs do work hard to provide you with the best possible event and appreciate any show of recognition that you might deem appropriate. Tips typically range from $20 to $100

29. Why should we choose The A&M Sounds Disc Jockey Service over any other service?
We believe that we provide the best service in the South Western Ontario. We pay attention to every detail and make every effort to make every event we do absolutely perfect. Finally, most wedding receptions, the DJ or band "makes-or-breaks" the party. A great DJ means a great party and an event you will never forget, practically regardless of any other circumstances. A bad DJ will send people home early and probably ruin the night. Truly, the DJ might be the most critical decision one can make when planning a party. We believe you cannot find a higher quality DJ service in the region, and our prices are fair. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you.

Thank you for taking the time to make sure your

event will the be the best it can be.

Good Luck!