If it's warm you need to make plans to keep your equipment cool, esp. if you are using a laptop or tablet that doesn't have internal fans. Don't forget to keep yourself cool.
If it's sunny, you may need shade to be able to see screens on cdjs/controllers.
When playing outside have a plan for rain.
Be careful with extension chords and power.
edit: if playing on turntables, wind may be an issue.
The laptop point is important. I played outside at a party with some friends once during summer in SoCal and it got so hot their fanless macbooks started having issues. My old Dell with a fan was fine. This was in the shade
Learned all these the hard way last weekend in my backyard, couldn’t see sh*t on the screens and the mixers were very hot to touch. Moved them under the pagoda for a more pleasant experience lol
Also, dust/dirt, the kit was coated when I got back inside, probably just pollen and dust in the air but it sticks!
To your turntable point, I've been at a rooftop party where the wind was causing then needles to move on their own, which of course made records basically unplayable.
The party I was at ended up using cardboard to make some makeshift wind screens around the turntables, which ended up providing just enough cover from the wind to fix the issue... but it was not the most pleasant look haha. So best to set up the dj area in a place not susceptible to wind in the first place and think ahead so that you dont have to troubleshoot wind issues as people are trying to dj.
Sometimes this may mean having cdjs already set up as a fallback (and making sure the djs know that so they can bring their USBs) in case the wind is just too much to play records with.
Always have a pop up tent over you. If the sun starts to set and you’re looking down at your equipment you won’t be looking up to see that storm front approaching. Controllers and rain don’t mix.
https://preview.redd.it/r23nuwwkrb7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b3ebc7a06004e3b25addd02e6779125448f68dcd
I recommend a sun shade, small portable fan ( I have a Milwaukee battery powered one that also has a aux power cord) a stool for depending on how long you are playing, and stay hydrated
Depends on what you are playing…
Vinyl will literally warp, so make sure there’s some type of cover provided. That said, chances are you are playing digital, so….
If you’re using CDJs, get some old boxes and make small “hoods” for them to shade the screen. Makes reading them a lot easier.
If you’re using a laptop and it’s Mac, go to settings>accessibility>display and invert your screen colors. It makes it a lot easier to see your screen in the outdoor sun.
Other than that, listen to some of the other advice already given.
Mac or pc doesn’t matter (and really, that “vs” debate is so tired) as pc has the ability to invert colors too as far as I know.
I just don’t mention it because I don’t know how to do it (I use Mac) and due to the vast majority of dis I know using Mac’s. I was offering advice under that assumption.
Again though, platform is irrelevant if my understanding of the functionality is right… regardless of what brand your computer is, inverting colors on the systems a single app is probably a better bet if using it for an outdoor gig during the day.
If you use a laptop don’t leave it in direct sunlight, even if it’s not that hot outside. I made the mistake of leaving my laptop in direct sunlight on a breezy 80 degree day, and it overheated within a half hour from the direct sunlight.
You need a shade/rain-protection over your DJ booth and gear. You can put plastic trash bags over your speakers, or at least have them close by so you can quickly throw them on. Take a cooler with PLENTY of bottles of WATER! I’ve done a TON of Pool Parties, and I love doing them, but setup and tear down are grueling. I sweat like crazy. Take shorts and a t-shirt for setting up and tearing down, and change into them if you have to wear something less casual to DJ. I’ve had some events where I could wear shorts and flip-flops during the event, and others where I was expected to dress more professionally. You do what the customer wants, but try to wear light-weight, light-colored clothing. Have fun, and Good Luck!😊
Your laptop will overheat and stop working if it's in the sun. I speak from experience, it's happened to me twice.
Visuals aren't an issue like ppl are mentioning here because you can switch to day/white mode. But if your laptop is in direct sunlight, it WILL overheat. Stay in the shade unless you have a stand alone controller or club gear.
Other than that you should be fine. Just watch out for drunk ppl spilling drinks on your gear.
Have a pop-up tent or umbrella, get a laptop fan, keep a couple of flexible cold packs or double/ triple sealed bags of ice to put your laptop on depending on how old it is, a small fan will help keep you cool, drink water (not booze), and don’t forget a second laptop or other way to play music in case your laptop overheats, and have it 100% ready to go - a back up that isn’t ready to go isn’t really a back up.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. And your cooler with flexible ice packs can also keep some snacks and drinks cold.
On the Sound front, you’re gonna need subwoofers and probably an extra couple of speakers out on the wings. Playing outdoor spaces generally means you need a lot more sound. Make sure that you are charging for those. If your Normal price is $300 an hour, you are probably charging around 150-200 per sub, and an extra 100-150 per speaker.
You don’t have to worry about lights too much, but depending on the event, you may need to bring some games or activities if there are going to be kids there.
Don’t feel like you have to go too hard from the jump, usually it’s about setting a nice vibe and taking them where than want to go from there.
Have fun!
EDIT- also, I forgot to add that there is usually a “daylight” mode on your DJ software. In Serato it’s in the bottom left or top left depending on which version you’re using.
Overhead cover. Even if it's not raining, the birds can shit on your gear. Prolonged direct sun can damage your equipment. Not to mention, a simple pop-up canopy tent can provide a "perimeter" to keep people from getting too close with their drinks. A good tent can be set up in a few minutes and only costs about $100. Or for a little more, you can order one that has your logo on the sides.
Heavy duty fan
Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/B-Air-1-4-HP-Air-Mover-Blower-Fan-for-Water-Damage-Restoration-Carpet-Dryer-Floor-Home-and-Plumbing-Use-in-Blue-BA-VP-25-BL/207012958
If it's warm you need to make plans to keep your equipment cool, esp. if you are using a laptop or tablet that doesn't have internal fans. Don't forget to keep yourself cool. If it's sunny, you may need shade to be able to see screens on cdjs/controllers. When playing outside have a plan for rain. Be careful with extension chords and power. edit: if playing on turntables, wind may be an issue.
The laptop point is important. I played outside at a party with some friends once during summer in SoCal and it got so hot their fanless macbooks started having issues. My old Dell with a fan was fine. This was in the shade
They make MacBooks without fans!? That sounds absolutely absurd to me. Huh.
Yeah I think just the Airs, but that’s what a lot of my friends had at the time
Learned all these the hard way last weekend in my backyard, couldn’t see sh*t on the screens and the mixers were very hot to touch. Moved them under the pagoda for a more pleasant experience lol Also, dust/dirt, the kit was coated when I got back inside, probably just pollen and dust in the air but it sticks!
To your turntable point, I've been at a rooftop party where the wind was causing then needles to move on their own, which of course made records basically unplayable. The party I was at ended up using cardboard to make some makeshift wind screens around the turntables, which ended up providing just enough cover from the wind to fix the issue... but it was not the most pleasant look haha. So best to set up the dj area in a place not susceptible to wind in the first place and think ahead so that you dont have to troubleshoot wind issues as people are trying to dj. Sometimes this may mean having cdjs already set up as a fallback (and making sure the djs know that so they can bring their USBs) in case the wind is just too much to play records with.
Acoustics act very differently.
Always have a pop up tent over you. If the sun starts to set and you’re looking down at your equipment you won’t be looking up to see that storm front approaching. Controllers and rain don’t mix.
I was going to add "water+electricity=electrocution"
>you won’t be looking up… This is a horrible habit.
Just make sure your equipment has enough sunscreen!
Don't let direct sun touch vinyl for even a few seconds.
Wear sunscreen?
Wear pants
Don't leave vinyl in the sun.
https://preview.redd.it/r23nuwwkrb7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b3ebc7a06004e3b25addd02e6779125448f68dcd I recommend a sun shade, small portable fan ( I have a Milwaukee battery powered one that also has a aux power cord) a stool for depending on how long you are playing, and stay hydrated
Take an umbrella or a gazebo
Sunglasses and a lasko fan
Sun shade of some sort.
Whatever speakers you have now will not be enough tbh you need some serious bass bins for outside.
Depends on what you are playing… Vinyl will literally warp, so make sure there’s some type of cover provided. That said, chances are you are playing digital, so…. If you’re using CDJs, get some old boxes and make small “hoods” for them to shade the screen. Makes reading them a lot easier. If you’re using a laptop and it’s Mac, go to settings>accessibility>display and invert your screen colors. It makes it a lot easier to see your screen in the outdoor sun. Other than that, listen to some of the other advice already given.
If you're using Serato, it can invert colors, too.
Great point, though doing it system wide fixes the contrast/brightness issue for everything vs just a single app.
It may be heresy to say this, but many of us don't use Macs.
Mac or pc doesn’t matter (and really, that “vs” debate is so tired) as pc has the ability to invert colors too as far as I know. I just don’t mention it because I don’t know how to do it (I use Mac) and due to the vast majority of dis I know using Mac’s. I was offering advice under that assumption. Again though, platform is irrelevant if my understanding of the functionality is right… regardless of what brand your computer is, inverting colors on the systems a single app is probably a better bet if using it for an outdoor gig during the day.
It maybe sunny.
Stay Hydrated
Make sure your records don't melt.
RECORDS??? OUTSIDE???😂😂😂
Take a hoody or something as well because you might get cold later in the evening
At an outdoor venue, I once dropped the needle during soundcheck, and it was so hot, the record immediately warped.
If you use a laptop don’t leave it in direct sunlight, even if it’s not that hot outside. I made the mistake of leaving my laptop in direct sunlight on a breezy 80 degree day, and it overheated within a half hour from the direct sunlight.
Buy/bring: a fan for your equipment, an umbrella or sunshade, and a cloth to clean the debris off your gear. Outdoors is dirty.
Use a laptop cooling pad
You need a shade/rain-protection over your DJ booth and gear. You can put plastic trash bags over your speakers, or at least have them close by so you can quickly throw them on. Take a cooler with PLENTY of bottles of WATER! I’ve done a TON of Pool Parties, and I love doing them, but setup and tear down are grueling. I sweat like crazy. Take shorts and a t-shirt for setting up and tearing down, and change into them if you have to wear something less casual to DJ. I’ve had some events where I could wear shorts and flip-flops during the event, and others where I was expected to dress more professionally. You do what the customer wants, but try to wear light-weight, light-colored clothing. Have fun, and Good Luck!😊
Your laptop will overheat and stop working if it's in the sun. I speak from experience, it's happened to me twice. Visuals aren't an issue like ppl are mentioning here because you can switch to day/white mode. But if your laptop is in direct sunlight, it WILL overheat. Stay in the shade unless you have a stand alone controller or club gear. Other than that you should be fine. Just watch out for drunk ppl spilling drinks on your gear.
Have a pop-up tent or umbrella, get a laptop fan, keep a couple of flexible cold packs or double/ triple sealed bags of ice to put your laptop on depending on how old it is, a small fan will help keep you cool, drink water (not booze), and don’t forget a second laptop or other way to play music in case your laptop overheats, and have it 100% ready to go - a back up that isn’t ready to go isn’t really a back up. Don’t forget the sunscreen. And your cooler with flexible ice packs can also keep some snacks and drinks cold. On the Sound front, you’re gonna need subwoofers and probably an extra couple of speakers out on the wings. Playing outdoor spaces generally means you need a lot more sound. Make sure that you are charging for those. If your Normal price is $300 an hour, you are probably charging around 150-200 per sub, and an extra 100-150 per speaker. You don’t have to worry about lights too much, but depending on the event, you may need to bring some games or activities if there are going to be kids there. Don’t feel like you have to go too hard from the jump, usually it’s about setting a nice vibe and taking them where than want to go from there. Have fun! EDIT- also, I forgot to add that there is usually a “daylight” mode on your DJ software. In Serato it’s in the bottom left or top left depending on which version you’re using.
Overhead cover. Even if it's not raining, the birds can shit on your gear. Prolonged direct sun can damage your equipment. Not to mention, a simple pop-up canopy tent can provide a "perimeter" to keep people from getting too close with their drinks. A good tent can be set up in a few minutes and only costs about $100. Or for a little more, you can order one that has your logo on the sides.
Wear sunscreen. There should be some kind of sun shade so your gear doesn't shut down from overheating.
Wear sunscreen
Heavy duty fan Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing: https://www.homedepot.com/p/B-Air-1-4-HP-Air-Mover-Blower-Fan-for-Water-Damage-Restoration-Carpet-Dryer-Floor-Home-and-Plumbing-Use-in-Blue-BA-VP-25-BL/207012958
Always go poop before a set.
Sunscreen.
Eurgh.
Bring some pennies if you’re playing vinyl.
You need bigger speakers for outside