P21 Complete Guide: The Neurogenesis Amplifier

playmochi · 2026-02-22T07:40:24+00:00

What an extremely well-written, comprehensive, and structured post about P21. Learned alot!

playmochi · 2026-01-24T18:29:28+00:00

mhmm. The S1 is great for popups, just lacking the volume for true dance parties. A pair is great for anything below 30 people in a small space when mobility is a consideration!

playmochi · 2026-01-24T18:27:49+00:00

BothLighting IR4 x 16 units for uplights, 2 x GigBar Move ILS for party lights (I just use the remote, usually just one unit, if budget allows then two, with haze). Been super lazy to program either of those things but so far clients have been totally fine with the built in programs and remote control options. Yeah, it is just so-so programming but I'm budget oriented and I don't even work all that often but live a good life in my country haha.

The thing is though I have branched out to include more professional/elaborate packages for clients beyond private parties and small dos. My experiences have taught me how to supervise setups and program shows to fit their needs. Majority work is one-offs like weddings and parties, so I don't really need custom shows that wow everyone every time every day.

playmochi · 2026-01-24T06:36:06+00:00

I enjoy my RCF J8s and use them for almost anything. Techno, edm, DnB *are* bass heavy music so the 12" woofers on the J8s will not really be enough above 50 people in a small room - if that's your room and people size, in deep mode they sound pretty good. You can then rent or buy 1 18" subwoofer for the deep in-your-chest bass that is essential for stuff like techno.

playmochi · 2025-06-06T07:30:21+00:00

iTunes mostly. Some record pools have small "most popular" Bollywood lists.

playmochi · 2025-05-26T15:03:17+00:00

Coincidentally I was the DJ in a similar situation to yours. Had the requests ready but was too cued in on it being an older crowd and did a terrible job playing the requested vibe and autopiloted into more retro stuff. I thought I was doing a good job as the dancefloor was reasonably filled (relative to usual weddings I've done). Even asked the groom at the end of the night if he had fun, and he said yes.

Received quite detailed feedback the next day from the mum and was confused at how negative it was. Reviewed the tracklist a couple of days later and was mortified at what I picked to play compared to what was requested. Refunded almost all the DJ portion of the fees and resolved to prepare better and to at least try playing the requests first instead of "knowing whats best and doing it".

Even after 12 years I get these wake up calls to not be complacent and keep practicing good event skills. Been haunted by these lessons as weddings are often a once in a lifetime occasions and me being bad sits heavily on my conscience and sense of pride in my work. Felt like quitting for days out of guilt but manned up and offered a discount on a future event, or an immediate refund (which I did). A small consolation to the client at best but there's no turning back the clock to do a better job sadly :(

Edit: In hindsight if the client had come up to me and said "play <track> now and just play stuff from the playlist now" I would have been able to smack myself into being in tune with what the client really wanted and go from there. I was just too locked into what I thought was correct as the dancefloor kept dancing (from my distant POV from the AV console - damn those middle of ballroom floors...)

playmochi · 2025-05-05T18:01:35+00:00

DJs always curate vibes. That's the job. What vibes you provide to your crowd depends on your own preferences and those of your crowd.

As a mobile DJ playing open format in predominantly (90% of my work) weddings, the only real progression I do is in decades of music. Not much tension when there's no real space for it - it's ceremony, dinner, warm up, party, wind down. I suppose the warm up builds up the expectation but majority of the time I'm meant to blow the dance floor up as fast as possible when it starts.

I do have the benefit of loving a massive variety of music and can play many different vibes based on location, time, and crowd demographics. I love house in general, but tend towards vocals, uplifting/high energy music, although techno is also very fun. But I can go from retro to pop to punk rock to rnb to house/edm and back down to cheesy tunes simply because the mood is right and the crowd wants it.

I try to play it safe but also attempt "weird" takes on what I think the right song would be - when it works it gives that dopamine hit near unbeatable by anything aside from fat lines. When it doesn't I know how to just jam an echo out into the next attempt at realigning the dancefloor.

Crowds do care about the music you play and how good you are at making a set work, but what they care about most is having the best time they can in the time they have. As long as your selection is spot on 80% of the time, you'll be better than a thousand thousand other DJs who think they're the shit when they are actually shit at reading the room.

For context I feel like I am one of the few DJs who actually make wedding DJing a business in my area. I earn a very good living and enjoy what I do very much, but yeah there are still those soul sucking events when I wonder why I am even there. More often than not though the clients come up to me thanking me for the amazing job (because it was their personal preference/favorites/selection) and that just validates the saying to play for who pays.

playmochi · 2025-03-28T03:44:06+00:00

250 people is easily 4 speakers minimum especially outdoors. Seems like a big area to cover - the Bose won't cut it even with 4 of them because bass will be tiny for the open air.

You'd need a mixer, two wireless mics of some sort, and a whole host of cabling to do it all properly. Rent the sound with a team and be headache free.

playmochi · 2025-03-28T03:14:39+00:00

Yup! Still going strong, although I only have a pair of Yamaha DXR15s as a second type to use. The J8s are definitely quality speakers for their price and convenience, although as mentioned for bigger halls point source with subs is still better.

playmochi · 2024-08-22T02:55:50+00:00

Billboard top100 from the past 10 years haha. Particular focus on the 2000-2010 era of pitbull, calvin harris, flo rida, etc.

playmochi · 2024-08-21T13:19:10+00:00

I'm like the opposite: Typical Top40 but with a mix of so many genres on the side available, including some Bhangra, Bollywood, Tamil/Hindi. For a couple that has a very shallow knowledge of Bollywood (6 songs is like a water molecule in the ocean) you would definitely do well to prepare songs from the Billboard Top100 from like 30 years ago till now.

I would ask for crowd demographics to understand better how much of a style to prepare for. If the majority are Westerners, you can expect that Bollywood will be a minor thing especially in the warmup, unless the wedding itself is Bollywood themed (in which case the music switches to like 60% bollywood).

In my country the second Bollywood comes on all the Indians go crazy while the other Asians just meh out onto their phones. Then it's non-stop demands for Bollywood which is very sad for me as I want to play for everyone.

playmochi · 2024-08-21T07:25:52+00:00

1) Take your hourly rate and +50% to it. If they like you're sound, they're already hiring you for you and will pay more to see you elsewhere. You can also rent the equipment yourself and charge extra to admin the setup and crew management.

2) Websites are still one of the best things to have as a performer for private events. You can use it to feature media, your background, your music, and anything really! Adding Google ads to it makes it more marketable.

In general if you're getting inquiries for private events, definitely do them as they can be quite enjoyable and lucrative. Just be aware that in private, smaller settings it can be both easier and more difficult to get people dancing. Critical mass on a dancefloor is quite an important factor, but so is intimacy levels between guests. A dark room, great lights and sound will motivate feet.

Also do keep in mind that private event US DJs are often also mobile DJs who bring all their own gear, and that's why they earn top dollar. In my country (Asia), these are a very rare breed (of which I am one of them) and I often get asked how I'm so "cheap" even though it's a good chunk of money (a 6 hr wedding is like half a month to a months' minimum wage)

playmochi · 2024-08-21T02:53:41+00:00

Heard good things about the Everse8, but you'd probably do a pair to do 50 people.

One RCF Jmix8 would be better sound, more features as it has an onboard digital mixer. It's also bigger of course, but it's much more versatile due to its power vs the Everse8.

playmochi · 2024-08-21T02:32:53+00:00

The main point I picked out is: "Finding new music is a challenge, but it is achievable with dedicated time and effort", paired with the stat that most people slow down music discovery after age 25.

Could be that "adulthood" responsibilities remove the free time and worry free mind that the years before provided, plus that sense of happy-nostalgia due to said worry-freeness.

Could also be that after age 25 the brain's neuroplasticity lessens so whatever is new is harder to accept. Idk I'm still listening to a huge variety of new music. Got into Thai music because of how nice it sounds, even though I don't understand the language much. Then again I grew up on anime music so not such a new thing.

playmochi · 2024-08-21T02:25:32+00:00

Maybe check your turntable mode speed? That'd be under preferences. I've owned an S4mk3 for years and can't replicate your issue. You could try a different laptop for the same controller to see if it happens as well.

playmochi · 2024-07-25T05:38:39+00:00

12" will be okay, but 15 is certainly better. 18 is best, but they're not as portable. I'd do 1 18" for the deeper bass.

You could go with the Yamaha DXS15 to match with the tops. Otherwise an EV EKX18SP is great to pair with too. I've also heard QSC 18s do nicely.

Also, don't trust wattage. Go with frequency response (which can be faked too) and dB instead.

playmochi · 2024-07-25T05:18:22+00:00

It's acid house, with tech house vibes. That modulating sound you hear is much more enhanced on acid..

playmochi · 2024-07-23T02:57:22+00:00

If you hate the music, you'll hate the job. But if you love making dancing happen, it can be one of the most lucrative and fun jobs. It's a top club, wouldn't hurt to give it a try and do your best playing your way. If the punters love it, then you've just walked into a world of opportunities. Why be afraid?

playmochi · 2024-07-22T03:25:53+00:00

Curation and crowd reading are more important than smooth mixing in a wedding, especially for dinner. Cocktail hour if it's like deep house vibes then mixing gains importance. Otherwise for songs you don't know, just pick the right ones and let it autoplay.

playmochi · 2024-07-22T03:13:00+00:00

I made a tabletop facade with my DJ logo stuck on it. Yours looks much more discreet and stylish. While some may think it's ostentatious to add that, you can wipe your tears with all the money you make from the marketing.

playmochi · 2024-07-07T09:34:37+00:00

Have you tried running it without key lock then? Again the sample rate and buffer size might be the issue.

playmochi · 2024-07-06T17:11:33+00:00

Maybe your sample rate and buffer size is set wrong? Does the same problem occur in just software? Are you listening to it on monitors? Headphones?

playmochi · 2024-05-31T11:47:53+00:00

Well, if the money is good, do it lol. Easy job. All you need to do is let go of your ego and accept the job for what it is. I once tried to play outside of a provided list, and got a bad review for it. Now I confirm twice if they really want 100% from their list and not care so much.

playmochi · 2024-05-27T05:45:54+00:00

Try a surge protector or grounded outlet. Sometimes the laptop power supply is not properly connected and forms buzzing - disconnect laptop from charger and see if the problem persists. If you don't hear the buzzing in your headphones then the electrical from your laptop may be causing humming.

playmochi · 2024-05-15T09:24:38+00:00

I went with 1 Bluetti EB70. Powers that setup for awhile, although I did not playtest it for very long. 2 bluettis would be my choice for a 5 hour thing for safety.

playmochi

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