Mobile disco start up

1gaz1

For many years i have really fancied the thought of setting up my own mobile music dj business. This isn't something i've just plucked out the air and thought "yeah, i wouldn't mind doing that". It's something i've always been interested in from a younger age. I've always loved music, i'm always listening to music and i have a very wide range of musical tastes - basically i'll listen to anything!!!

One of the main reasons why i haven't taken this any further is because i imagine the costs to start up something like this could be a small fortune. Recently i have started to make a nice little profit from Matched Betting thanks to a few members on here who have helped point me in the right direction. It's only a small amount at the minute (approx £600) but for 2/3 months steady work, isn't too bad at all.

I know £600 isn't going to get me started but how much do you reckon it would cost roughly to get up and running in something like this?? I'm guessing a few thousand and even then there is no guarantee it will be a success (like any new business i suppose!)

What exactly do you need to get up and running and how much will this probably cost?? I've got no DJ equipment (or experience) whatsoever, so i'd be starting totally from scratch really although i do have a good collection of music and plenty of cd's!!!

Hopefully there might be one or two people on here that might have done something like this in the past or even do this at the moment that could perhaps give me some hints, tips and prices for starting something like this up. Perhaps you might know where the best places to gather information about this might be??

I'm 26 (hopefully not too old to start!!) and would love to start something like this up in the next year or two depending on how expensive it is to start/run.

Thanks in advance

jonrockb

HEy - work as a mobile DJ myself so thought I might be able to help.

Working on the basis that most of the venues you could be doing will be around 200 capacity, I'd suggest you'll need about 2k for a decent sturdy rig. That's including decks, lights, stands - even bits like a decent microphone help.

The other thing to remember is you can never have enough music. Grab every compilation you can - scour bargain bins for forgotten classics. Theres nothing worse than not having a really popular track.

I usually take about 10,000 tracks with me to a night. Just in case... It really depends what you want to specialise in. More music you have - and the more open you can be with the audiences you can play to - the more work you get.

I started at 26 - do the odd party now - but I'm mainly a club/pub DJ now... I'll keep an eye on this thread if you want any advice.

1gaz1

jonrockb wrote: »

HEy - work as a mobile DJ myself so thought I might be able to help.

Working on the basis that most of the venues you could be doing will be around 200 capacity, I'd suggest you'll need about 2k for a decent sturdy rig. That's including decks, lights, stands - even bits like a decent microphone help.

The other thing to remember is you can never have enough music. Grab every compilation you can - scour bargain bins for forgotten classics. Theres nothing worse than not having a really popular track.

I usually take about 10,000 tracks with me to a night. Just in case... It really depends what you want to specialise in. More music you have - and the more open you can be with the audiences you can play to - the more work you get.

I started at 26 - do the odd party now - but I'm mainly a club/pub DJ now... I'll keep an eye on this thread if you want any advice.

I was losing all hope that anyone would actually reply!!!!! :T

Since i posted this topic i have done nothing but scour the internet for information on my idea. I thought the 2k figure you quoted would be about what i would need. Like i said, i don't have that figure yet but hopefully over the next few months i will be able to accumulate something near that amount. I'm not in a massive massive rush to get this done asap but i would really like to venture in this field at some point in the not too distant future.

Main problem i'm having is trying to get my head round what sorts of things i would need!!!!! mixer, amp, speakers, lights etc. I get the jist of what i would need to start up but wouldn't know one mixer from the next!!!! :eek: Would be mainly CD's i'd use (got a big collection, no vinyl) with the possibility of venturing in to using a laptop.

Another thing that worries me slightly is that if i was to start this up how would you go about paying tax after you've done gigs???

Mips

1gaz1 wrote: »

Another thing that worries me slightly is that if i was to start this up how would you go about paying tax after you've done gigs???

You would declare self-employment. Pay the NI every week which is a few pounds payable by direct debit, and save a percentage of the profit (after you have deducted what it has cost you. Such as petrol to get there, anything you have bought, accommodation if it isn't close etc).

Then at the end of the year when you fill in the return, you only pay Tax on what you have earnt.

Dave80s

Hi there, try www.dj-forum.co.uk which will answer most of your questions.

Your best bet would be to find a DJ in your area who would be willing to take you out to a gig, you could 'roadie' for them. You wil then be able to see what it is like.

You could spend about a grand, have a look on ebay - you could get a twin CD player and mixer for £200. I would look for a Denon DN1800 or similar and whatever mixer comes with it, as long as it has eq (bass, mid, treble knobs) it will do for a beginner.

800w rig will be fine for most gigs, pay about £400. You may want to get these new so check out thomann.de - a huge German electronics retailer with free shipping to the UK.

Lights - go for NJD datamoon (£100) or chaos (£50), or check out impossibled which are the latest led lights with long lasting bulbs. 3 lights will do. You could also get a UV light which is a nice cheap effect.

Budget £50-100 for a mic and headphones, and money for wires, stands, spares etc.

You may want to consider insurance for your gear and for public liability, which will cost less than £200 a year.

Or you could find a place with all the gear installed (pub/club) and you are away! If you are a total begineer it may be better if you have your own gear to practice on first.