The Difference Between a DJ and MC

Comparing a DJ and MC to some may seem confusing. To most, they probably seem like the same title. Many use these terms interchangeably since they do seem to have plenty of overlap. However, comparing a DJ to an MC is like comparing apples to oranges. While they work towards the same goal of entertaining an audience, they have different duties and roles to play.

The DJ’s Job

A DJ’s primary focus is on music. The letters of their title stand for Disc Jockey. This dates back to when their job was literally to rotate discs to play music. Their purpose was to transition songs so they could keep the party alive. DJ’s have a knowledge of BPMs and genres of music so they can better serve their audience. They tend to only speak to hype up the crowd. DJ’s do not really lead an event as a whole. Their sole responsibility is to the music. 

In the modern age, they do not have to swap out vinyl or make custom transitions as they used to. With the introduction of streaming music, their job has gotten easier and harder. While it is a less physically demanding job, there is an expectation of expertise. DJ’s need to have their finger on the pulse to serve their audience better.

The MC’s Job

An MC is moderating the event as a whole. They are responsible for transitioning from one part of the event to another. This tradition dates back to variety shows and vaudeville. MC’s would be the “Master of Ceremonies” making sure every act was introduced accordingly. This tradition carried over into caberets, comedy acts, and weddings. The MC will sometimes introduce games or activities to their audience to keep them engaged. They have witty remarks and bits to help pass the time. 

In the modern age, MC’s are being used for personal events more than the performing arts. You would be more likely to see an MC at a wedding or corporate event than at the latest Broadway musical. The job has become necessary to keep events running smoothly. In our fast paced society, structure and efficiency is key at events. No one wants to have their time wasted. An MC keep the ball rolling without letting things go off the rails.

The Hybrid Job

Many will combine the jobs of a DJ and MC depending on the event. A club may not need an MC and a corporate event may not need a DJ. But a wedding often requires both. It can be more costly and time consuming to hire a DJ AND an MC. By combining the roles, you can get the best of both worlds. It is important to check in beforehand with a DJ and MC to see what their comfort level is. Most are capable of doing both, but it is always best to make sure.

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What do you do when your parents want “cheesy” songs at your wedding?

 

Photos by: Mark Davidson

You’re meeting with your wedding DJ for the first time, and it’s going great. He knows how much you love Pink Floyd, so he found a cool instrumental version of “Pigs on the Wing.” One of your bridesmaids is a songwriter, and wrote an original love song about the two of you that you want her to play at the reception. The DJ can hook up her guitar to his system for a live performance, and she’s sent over a full studio version of the song that you can dance to later in the evening. You give him a list of all your favorite songs, tell him requests are allowed as long as they’re clean, and choose song group dance songs that aren’t too corny. But then, you get a call. It’s your mom, and she’s begging you to walk down the aisle to a song by an 80s hair band that you just can’t stand. You want to say no, but you also know she’s been dreaming of this moment and that it would make her very happy. But shouldn’t it be about what you want? 

Planning the music for your wedding can be tricky, especially if your parents have certain expectations. Odds are good that you and your parents don’t have the same taste in music. But there is a way for both you and your parents to be satisfied with the song selections for the evening. First, decide what musical decisions belong only to you and your partner. No matter how much pressure your mom puts on you to walk down the aisle to Bon Jovi, you won’t be doing it. This is your wedding, and it should ultimately be about what you want. But maybe you can compromise with her. Offer to use that song for the mother-daughter dance. 

The reception is usually the most musical moment of the wedding ceremony. After a picture-perfect ceremony and a wonderful meal, it’s time to cut loose and fill the dance floor. Perhaps you’ve told your DJ no requests, but your uncle keeps insisting on hearing the Electric Slide, which you know your new husband just hates. It’s a good idea to tell your DJ to hold off on requests until the last hour, when most people have already gone home. You may still be compromising, but at least now most people won’t bear witness. 

Satisfying your parent’s strange but well-meaning requests can be tricky waters to navigate. The thing to remember is, you’re not being selfish by saying no. After all, these are your everlasting memories that you’re building. When you dream of saying “I do” and dancing the night away with your soulmate, the soundtrack is yours to pick and no one else’s. So tell your parents to lose their old style and jam with your generation for a night. 

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DJing as a Side-Hustle

In the gig economy, creatives are looking for new opportunities in a variety of places. The nine to five grind is not for everyone. Free spirited individuals value self expression over a constant work flow. This is a liberating way to work and opens up people to all sorts of different kinds of artistic work. But the challenge is making enough money to get by and having enough work to fill your time. DJing is a great side-hustle for artists, musicians, and creatives. It provides financially without taking up too much of a time commitment. It is one of those jobs that is easier to pick up if you have a creative mind. Once you master it, it can even transition to more than a side-hustle.

Experience

There is no set amount of experience needed to DJ. Those who have a background in music and production would have a more one to one skill set. They will have the knowledge of the equipment needed and how to transition the songs more easily. But that is not a make or break rule for experience needed. The number one thing required for a DJ is confidence. If you let your natural charisma run free, you can be an incredible DJ. Guests need a DJ who can get them excited. Hosts want their guests to be happy and entertained. As long as you can bring a good attitude and willingness to learn, you can pick up DJing at the drop of a hat.

Time/Compensation Balance

The best thing about DJing from a financial standpoint is the low commitment, high reward. DJs are booked for a set amount of time that tends to stay less than an average work day. The events can vary in times and locations. This means you can work around other side-hustle schedules. This will ensure you are filling out your day with the most bang for your buck. The compensation starts at $500 per day with the potential for $100+ gratuity. As you gain more experience and network, you can up your price and will see an increase in opportunities. The wedding industry specifically is tight knit. Once you have a few good weddings under your belt, you can expect the word to get out. DJing is an industry that is one of those that has the expectation of “what you put into it is what you get out of it.” It is a side-hustle that has the potential to become more if that is something you may want.

Enjoy What You Do

There is the old adage that “if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” DJing above all else can be really fun. You are the entertainer. You are the hype person. You get the party started. DJing is a great opportunity for any creative mind to have fun and get paid doing it. Every DJ has their own gimmicks and things that make them standout. As a DJ, you can express yourself or take on a whole new persona. There are few side-hustles out there that will let you have that much freedom. Most side-hustles tend to be unfulfilling creatively. They are just a way to pay the rent while you pursue your passion. As an artist, you can DJ a few gigs to pay the bills while getting the opportunity to expand your craft.

DJing for Beat Train Productions

If all that sounds like a good match for you, consider joining the team at Beat Train Productions. Beat Train Productions is a boutique DJ Agency, dedicated to providing the freshest DJ services of exceptional quality for weddings and private events. We are looking for “out of the box” artists to have some fun DJing as a side-hustle. We exist to empower our DJs to grow, thrive, and blossom, to develop next level communication skills, along with a winning mindset.

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Making Your Civil Ceremony Stand Out

Civil Ceremony

A civil ceremony and a wedding both get the job done at the end of the day. A wedding ends up being the bigger event of the two. Weddings have roots in ceremony, religion, and cultural traditions. Weddings even have their own industry since they have become such grand productions. They are designed to have an emphasis on spectacle. When people attend a wedding they know the traditions and the order of events.

The grandiose nature of a wedding often overshadows a civil ceremony. They are less common and do not have the history the wedding has. They are not a religious ceremony. They do not have traditions tied to them. There is no industry surrounding them. But they are no less valid than a wedding. Civil ceremonies have the reputation of being the less exciting choice of these two. So how can you make your civil ceremony stand out? How do you make it more than just going down the courthouse?

You Did the Thing; Time to Party

A simple party is the most standout thing you can do after your civil ceremony. You can still have your ceremony that is only for you and your partner. You can get your ceremony notarized and be on your way. Then you can celebrate with whatever family and friends you want to hang out with. By doing this, you can have a touchstone to your special day. It does not have to be anything elaborate. You do not have to break the bank to do it. By having a get together, you still get the sense of community. You can still avoid the pressures of traditions and religion.

The Reception Is the Icing on the Cake

Let’s face it, the most fun part of any wedding is the reception anyway. The least interesting part of the wedding for the guest is the ceremony. Sure, you can have some touching tender moments and it is the whole reason for being there. But a ceremony is for the couple more than the guests. Your civil ceremony and a reception in a style that fits you is a winning combination. This combo will let everyone celebrate you while also respecting your privacy. You can think of all the money that did not have to go toward a wedding. You can instead funnel it into a huge, blowout night to remember. It will certainly make your civil ceremony memorable. 

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