DJGold

jbrown157 · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject: Relay For Life 2008

Hi everyone. It's getting to be Relay season again. We've had a lot of useful information shared here on DJ Gold over the last two years, so it is now time to get ready for '08! Below is the link to RFL 2007

http://start.djgold.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=1603

Whose doing relay events this year? Please tell us about them.

TheBartman47 · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

I've got 3 lined up this year so far. I haven't got the details on them yet as to what "theme" there will be (if any). One last year had a 70s theme. Played a lot of disco - BeeGees, ABBA, KC and the Sunshine Band, etc. They also had a projector and huge screen set up and played the movie "Saturday Night Fever".

CJ Greiner · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:41 am Post subject:

Wow... that sounds like a big one!

We don't have any movies at our Relays. It's just DJ music, Bands, Dance Groups, Aerobics, Tae Kwon Do demos and games!

jbrown157

Here is the link for the RFL music list we've been compiling here for the last couple of years. Many DJ's have found this to be helpful. If anyone has any suggestions to add to it, please list them here. I'll be happy to update and repost.

http://start.djgold.com/talk/attach_files/relay_song_list_0507_312.pdf

For anyone preparing to do their first Relay for Life event, this is a great place to learn all you'll need to know. I suggest you read over the 2007 and 2006 posts. If you have still any questions for our highly expereinced panel of experts, fire away! 8)

CJ Greiner · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:11 pm Post subject:

Wow - that list sure has grown!

I remember contributing a few songs a few years back...

THANK YOU to all who have added to it over the years. It's an indispensable tool for DJs performing at Relays across the country.

If we could combine that list with event descriptions and timelines, we'd have a tool that could really help DJs play a major part in the continuing growing success of the ACS Relay for Life.

BillESC · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

We signed up to do it today.

JR · Joined: March 11th, 2004 Posts: 408 Location: Phoenix, AZ

Fourth year comming up 26 & 27 Apr.

http://www.diehardkaraoke.com/inmemoryof.html

JR · Joined: March 11th, 2004 Posts: 408 Location: Phoenix, AZ

Question? Is anyone charging any kind of fee for their work with the RFL. Just curious as to how much any of us give before it becomes too much. Personally, I'm seriously rethinking 24-hours non-stop coverage 100% gratis. :?:

jbrown157 · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:11 am Post subject: Re: Relay For Life 2008

Hi J.R., Hope all is going well...
We do two 24 hour RFLs and do not charge them. Like you, I have personal reasons for doing that. I recently spoke with a DJ friend in our general area who told me that he made arrangements to receive a $300 fee from the ACS for "equipment rental". As he said, it isn't much, but it should cover the wear and tear on his equipment. He still donates his time at no charge. This seems like a reasonable way to go. I may mention this to my ACS contacts for future consideration.

I have equipment that sits in storage most of the year which is only used for the Relays and every year, it seemd that something needs repair - usually I have needed to replace a driver in one of the mains. I'd like to have some way to at least recoup my expenses.

I know that there are others who receive some kind of payment for their services.

JR · Joined: March 11th, 2004 Posts: 408 Location: Phoenix, AZ

Hey.., I'm doing well JB. Still not doing much with the business, but I did get married last December and she's one wonderful woman who helps to keep things in order when I do run a show. Thanks for asking.

jbrown157 wrote: ...told me that he made arrangements to receive a $300 fee from the ACS for "equipment rental". ...it should cover the wear and tear on his equipment. This seems like a reasonable way to go.

That does sound like a reasonable request; and definitely something to think about for next year.

Thanks JB

Anyone else?

CJ Greiner · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:39 pm Post subject:

We've been donating our services to the local ACS Relay For Life for the past few years.

We too have family members that have been affected in different ways by cancer, and we feel obligated to donate what we can in the way of services and $$$ -- within reason.

There's usually another group that does big soundboard stuff if we need it for bands, but if we ever need to go bigger ourselves with big production gear, staging, etc., then we'll definitely look at charging for the extra equipment and the extra time & personnel required to load in & run it.

_____

As a reminder for everyone just joining us:

jbrown157 wrote: Hi everyone. It's getting to be Relay season again. We've had a lot of useful information shared here on DJ Gold over the last two years, so it is now time to get ready for '08! Below is the link to RFL 2007

http://start.djgold.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=1603

Whose doing relay events this year? Please tell us about them.

and...

jbrown157 wrote: Here is the link for the RFL music list we've been compiling here for the last couple of years. Many DJs have found this to be helpful. If anyone has any suggestions to add to it, please list them here. I'll be happy to update and repost.

http://start.djgold.com/talk/attach_files/relay_song_list_0507_312.pdf

For anyone preparing to do their first Relay for Life event, this is a great place to learn all you'll need to know. I suggest you read over the 2007 and 2006 posts. If you have still any questions for our highly experienced panel of experts, fire away! 8)

Thanks,

Dan Zynda, Mobile Music · Joined: August 31st, 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Darien, GA

I don't know how I got notified about this thread, but thanks!

Just doing one this year, DJing and stage lighting only.

We've been hit up to do so many freebies and most were wanting more than just a DJ/MC that we had to charge a nominal fee to limit the amount of gigs and to afford to buy any additional equipment that some non-profits were needing.

kevincolangelo · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:21 pm Post subject: Re: Relay For Life 2008

Anything for charity is good - I applaud people that do things for charity

hyperon · Joined: December 1st, 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Croton, OH

This is my 13th season of doing RFL's. I have 5 this year, and have done as many as 10 for a season. They are fun, and help a lot of great people. Everything from Movies, to Bounce Houses, Live Bands, Canned Music. We also have $1.00 per request and annoying song fundraisers as well as selling our glow and LED items to the teams at cost so they can raise money.
Keep up the great work, it's wonderful to see so many companies involved. Most of our events run 18 hours with a few 24's thrown in for good measure.
Roger B.
Owner
HyperSounds DJ & Vocal Service.
P.S.
Love the electron abuse:)

TheBartman47 · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Relay For Life 2008

I give a 50% discount for all charities. I couldn't afford to keep DJing if I didn't charge something. Pulling a 6,000 lbs. trailer sucks a LOT of gas.

jbrown157 wrote: ...I have equipment that sits in storage most of the year which is only used for the Relays and every year, it seemd that something needs repair - usually I have needed to replace a driver in one of the mains. I'd like to have some way to at least recoup my expenses.

How are you blowing drivers? I run my system balls-to-the-walls all out rock-n-roll and never blow a driver. Do you inspect the blown driver to determine cause of failure? (burnt coils all around is long-term overpowering, one small burnt spot is short-term overpowering, such as from a clipped signal, and deformed or cracked coil form or cone is overexcursion due to being fed frequencies below the speaker's low-frequency cut-off point)

jbrown157 · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:32 am Post subject: Re: Relay For Life 2008

TheBartman47 wrote: How are you blowing drivers? I run my system balls-to-the-walls all out rock-n-roll and never blow a driver. Do you inspect the blown driver to determine cause of failure? (burnt coils all around is long-term overpowering, one small burnt spot is short-term overpowering, such as from a clipped signal, and deformed or cracked coil form or cone is over-excursion due to being fed frequencies below the speaker's low-frequency cut-off point)

Boy, I wish I knew... My assumption oddly enough, is that my amps are underpowered and I need to run them full out to cover such a large area. I can't be there for the full 24 hours to watch the clip lights so that's my suspicion. I may be completely off base here, but I do know that I need to get some higher powered amps for these kinds of applications. Any ideas would be appreciated!

To new readers of this post... this is what I meant by "panel of experts!". Bartman is definitely one of them, as is Dan Z., who incidental is the person most responsible for the formation of our music list a couple of years ago. We have a group of high quality people around here!

hyperon · Joined: December 1st, 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Croton, OH

I do charge for services yes. I have also had personal ties with cancer deaths in my family. However the cost of insurance, equipment, and manpower have all gone up not to mention gasoline.
We do help them to get money back though with our non music services. With our Bounce Houses we do a 50/50 split on the proceeds same thing with our outdoor movie nights. My first RFL's paid $900.00 per event back in 1995. We are now up to $1,400.00 per event, but their total out of pocket is greatly reduced by our on site fundraising programs.
Remember, all ACS staff gets paid and with any business or group you must spend money to make money.
Also, you cannot write off time and services from your taxes, only monetary donations. So if you want a write off, have ACS cut you a check, then donate that money back. At least that is how things work in OH-IO

kevincolangelo · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: Relay For Life 2008

Blowing base drivers used to occur with me but I solved it and in 4 years have not blown one:

If you are running 2 600watt subs - ALWAYS look at program power NOT peak or continuous power rating: - you need a amp that only has a max of 800watt per channel regardless of what people say about 1 1/2 times:

Here is my configuaration:

2 subs each channel(4 ohm load) rated 600watts program each in = 1200 watts potential peak:

Run by a v5000 amp in parralel mode this giving each sub about 550 max watts:

Its not the higher power of amp you need - that blows low rated speakers:

You have to get your config just right and always CUT the frequencies below 40 hertz using a crossover and equalizer before the signal reaches the amp

TheBartman47 · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: Relay For Life 2008

jbrown157 wrote: ...Boy, I wish I knew... My assumption oddly enough, is that my amps are underpowered and I need to run them full out to cover such a large area. I can't be there for the full 24 hours to watch the clip lights so that's my suspicion. I may be completely off base here, but I do know that I need to get some higher powered amps for these kinds of applications. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Ah, so someone else is probably blowing your drivers after you leave. That's why I stay the whole time and never let anyone else in the driver's seat on my system. But, there are a few safeguards you can do to protect your system when away, but it is also a compromise in system performance to use drastic safety measures.

What speakers and amplifiers do you have (are you just blowing subs, or mids, or horns, or any/all)? I'll look it up if you don't know right off hand, but what are your speaker's continuous ratings (may be printed as RMS rating) and what is your amplifier's ratings at 8 and 4 ohms (and bridged if applicable). Are you running bi-amped or tri-amped? If so, what crossover or system management device do you use?

As kevincolangelo said, going by the program rating is a good rule of thumb to match an amplifier to a sub or low/mid driver. If your speaker doesn't say "program" rating, it is 2x the continuous or 1/2 the peak. If your speakers show a peak that is NOT exactly 4x the continuous (or RMS), then marketing is lying.

kevincolangelo · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: Relay For Life 2008

TheBartman47 wrote: jbrown157 wrote: ...Boy, I wish I knew... My assumption oddly enough, is that my amps are underpowered and I need to run them full out to cover such a large area. I can't be there for the full 24 hours to watch the clip lights so that's my suspicion. I may be completely off base here, but I do know that I need to get some higher powered amps for these kinds of applications. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Ah, so someone else is probably blowing your drivers after you leave. That's why I stay the whole time and never let anyone else in the driver's seat on my system. But, there are a few safeguards you can do to protect your system when away, but it is also a compromise in system performance to use drastic safety measures.

What speakers and amplifiers do you have (are you just blowing subs, or mids, or horns, or any/all)? I'll look it up if you don't know right off hand, but what are your speaker's continuous ratings (may be printed as RMS rating) and what is your amplifier's ratings at 8 and 4 ohms (and bridged if applicable). Are you running bi-amped or tri-amped? If so, what crossover or system management device do you use?

As kevincolangelo said, going by the program rating is a good rule of thumb to match an amplifier to a sub or low/mid driver. If your speaker doesn't say "program" rating, it is 2x the continuous or 1/2 the peak. If your speakers show a peak that is NOT exactly 4x the continuous (or RMS), then marketing is lying.

good advice lets help this Dj to get his system right - list the components and amps you are using with anything else - crossovers etc