I'm Being Replaced By Technology!

Namely an i-pod. We often worry about cowboys bringing down the industry but I think we have a greater threat from being replaced by an i pod. I'm on other forums, mainly bridal and it grieves me when people think that an MP3 playlist can do the same job as an experienced professional DJ. What's your thoughts?

Switching this around, an iPod;
-Will turn up
-Will be cheap
-Will only play what its told
-Won't crack bad taste jokes

Now - consider the low-end DJ;
-May turn up
-Will be cheap
-May play their own choice
-May not have the right presentation for the occasion

Many peoples opinion of DJ's is from other parties. If they're used to going to parties where the DJ was not a professional, then why would they want one on their wedding?

I've only ever run into iPod as competition for low-end parties, and wasn't really that bothered.


If people simply want music, and they have a keen friend, then (devils advocate here!) they could have a really good night. Their friend wont - he'll be DJ'ing with an iPod and getting the grief.
If they don't have a friend, well - then whoever is biggest, will be controlling the music - with no professional experience to guide them and ensure most people enjoy the evening.


For this - playing on the idea of a structured/managed evening rather than the music side. A DJ can manage the night, an iPod can only play music.

On a plus note- if this becomes serious competition - why not dry hire PA+Lighting specifically for iPod parties?

Personally I don't like it but must agree with Jason. As far as I am aware I have never been in competition with an IPod. I think its true that its 2 very different ends of the spectrum.

When I undertake a Wedding and am getting a few hundred quid for it I see it as a responsable role a bit like the lynchpin holding it all together and making it all flow smoothly, the music is just one part of it, I will accept play lists up to a point and in the past I have allowed people to plug in IPods for during the Wedding Breakfast and the first part of an evening reception but not for the main part when people are dancing and letting their hair down. I have to keep the floor full but at the same time making as sure as it is possable to do so that all age groups and all tastes are catered for. I have to accept requests from people and work them in as quickly as I can without alienating the folk already on the floor.

I must admit I have considered an IPod hire service but I don't think it fits well with the main service that I provide and I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it. Folk that want IPod Weddings aren't my clients.

I saw something very two faced about IPod Weddings today and can't decide if I should post it or not as it might cause offense, but do I look bothered I'll sleep on it.

i actually hire disco rigs for people to play through there own Ipod, i always try to persuade them of the benifits of a DJ but sometimes they already know exactley what music they want, and others just dont have the budget for it. When people get a quote and turn round and say they cant afford it or only have a £150 budget then i will offer them a hire package.

One of my Hotels has a small room which they hire for smaller parties' They now have a sound system built in with an ipod twin docking station and 2 effect lights in the ceiling to which they charge £150+vat a night for' Sounds good for the Hotel but the staff have already lost [knicked] 3 ipods' They asked me if they could borrow my Sony Laptop' I'm not daft they're not getting hold of it it's got every origional 1 of my cd's on it' Took me months to put that together'
I think it will be just a phase and after they have ruined a few and spilled on a few they won't bother anymore.

Well I slept on it and what the f**k, I've posted on the DJ Associations section...you knew I would anyway

Hi Andy,
if this area of the forum is not visible to the public (ie you need a log on) - throw it up - I need a giggle :-)

At a recent 40th, the clients sister was trying to manage things (we'd already planned the night via a meeting), but luckily the clients husband said "Leave this to Jason- he is the professional".

Anyway - without a central person managing this, it would have been a disaster. - stop/start/stop/start... We broke for food, and 45mins later (after speeches/cake/photos), I started the night as required.

As Andy says - we're often the lynchpin that holds the party together. iPods may look slick (and are overpriced!), but can only play music.

Would clients consider hiring in a few microwaves and ovens, letting the guests sort out the meals?

In fact - I have taken oven an iPod wedding!
The client wanted some lighting for a band and dancefloor, and also uplighting.
Chatting about music in between the band's sets - he said "oh, I think we're using an iPod". For the price, and times of music required (2hrs of "iPod"), I offered to DJ for a small additional cost- we'll be there anywhere!

So now, he'll be formally announced to the floor for their 1st dance. I have his playlist (all good party stuff, and its not a "must play list").
I can take requests on the night without a rugby scum around me!, and introduce the band etc.

We were recently invited to a wedding reception where the band used an iPOD/CD, but they really didn't want to use it. The 1st dance was from CD, and they used the wrong track.
The band were good musicians, but simply the wrong people to be running the recorded music side of the night.

As the couple were friends, if I had known, I would have helped out-at least for the 1st dance.

Anyway-iPod: right tool .... right job!


If I do see this as competition, I would certainly invest in a iPod friendly mixer (ie with a Dock), and offer a dry hire service with some basic lights, amp, 300W speakers and mixer.

Exactly. I started the thread, not because I was losing out to an i-pod, but because I was bemused by some of the comments from brides on my wedding forum that thought an i-pod could do equally as good a job as a DJ, hence underestimating the role the DJ plays in the success of the evening. Jason just put it in a nutshell there!

It should be viewable to you Jason, on the main index page...2 forums below General Chat called Associations.