FAQs
Q. How many Weddings do you perform at per year?
A. I play at around 70 events each year. Over 90% of them are Weddings. The others are a mix of Birthday Parties, Corporate Events and Christmas Parties.
Q. How soon before my event will you need my Play-List?
A. A Play-List in-advance is not essential as I give everyone cards and pens for requests on the night. It is useful to know what sort of music you don't want playing. I will need to know your First Dances around two weeks prior to the event. But if you have a play-list of around dozen songs, please send it to me a couple of weeks before the event.
Q. Can you call a few Ceilidh Dances?
A. Yes, I can call up to 30mins of the Ceilidh dances including all main dances: Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant and Orcadian Strip The Willow included in the price. Extra sessions available for an additional charge.
Q. Do you download your music?
A. Yes, I purchase high-quality 16bit wav audio files from the ilikemusic Commercial Music database.
Q. Our friends are professional singers. Can they sing at the event?
A. Yes. Provided they supply the backing tracks. I have radio mics and vocal effects on my mixing desks. I can also connect guitarist to my mixing desk. I have done this a few times for the lead singer of Skipinnish.
Q. Do you have any special requirements at our venue?
A. Yes, I will need at least 2 walled power sockets and a minimum of 8ft x 4ft of space to set-up in. (12ft x 4ft for the larger system)
Q. How much time do you require to set up?
A. Based on all my gear being ready in an anteroom I will need between 45 and 90 minutes to set-up; depending on the size of the system.
Q. Can you set-up during the day-time?
A. Yes, for a small fee. Please mention this in your enquiry.
Q. Do you have a Portable Appliance Testing certificate?
A. Yes. It is available upon request. All my equipment has been electrically tested by a qualified engineer.
Q. Do you have a Public Liability Insurance?
A. Yes. I have a £10m policy as part of my membership with NADJ.
Q. Do you have a ProDub Licence?
A. Yes and No. I purchased licences from 2008 - 2019 so that I could make copies of the tracks that I dubbed from my CD collection (all 53,000 tracks). But as of the 1st July 2019, I decided that I would no longer buy any more CDs. I now only buy digital tracks online.
Q. How far can you travel to perform at an event?
A. I don't charge any mileage fee within 20miles of Edinburgh. A small charge per mile is added to the quote after that.
Q. When do you require payment?
A. A non-refundable and non-transferable Booking Fee of £200 is required to secure a booking. The balance is required either 7 days prior to the event as a cheque or BACS transfer.
Q: Will our guests still be able to hear themselves talk while you DJ?
A: Yes. I am aware of the need to keep volume levels within comfortable limits, especially when everyone is in the same room. I take decibel readings through-out the night and aim to keep my music within the H&SE Noise at Work guidelines which is usually below 85db at the area where staff in the venue are working.
Q: Do you have Back-up Equipment?
A: Yes, I always carry spares of the essential items. Music Collection, Microphones, Laptop, Soundcard, Cables, etc... Plus, I have back-up Mixing Desks and Speakers which I can send a taxi for if anything ever fails (touch wood).
Q: Can you play World Music?
A: Yes, I own loads of German; Greek, French; Italian; Spanish; Asian; Indian (Bhangra, Punjabi and Bollywood); Australian; Sri Lankan; Trinidad & Tobago; Cuban; Jewish-Israeli; Mexican; Nigerian; Polish; Finnish, Algerian; South African; Arabian; Canadian; Mexican; Scottish and Irish music. I am also happy to buy music upon request for your event.
Q: What styles of music do you have?
A: All styles: Dance, Pop, Motown, Disco, Indie, Rock, Metal, Trance, Salsa, Country, Swing, Punk, RnB, Funk, Rave, Rap, SKA, Northern Soul, Calypso, Drum and Bass, Dubstep, Soca, Carnival, Bhangra, Punjabi, Bollywood, Jazz, Indie, Reggae, Ballroom, Jive etc. etc.
Q: What is the difference between the Large system and the Regular one?
A: The Large system has more lights and an 18" subwoofer.
Q. Will we need to provide food for you if booked all day?
A: No. I generally fast from 2pm on the days that I work. Plus, I am vegan and wouldn't wish you to have to go to any trouble catering just for me.
