March 2019

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San Francisco Area Sound Equipment Rentals

San Francisco Area Sound Equipment Rentals

Diamond Sonic has a long-standing history of affordable, cutting-edge sound equipment rentals in San Francisco and the surrounding area. This experience backs up our tips in this article, which cover what you need from your equipment rental company.

We hope you’ll think of us for your rental needs. Even if you don’t call us, we hope this article helps you choose a reliable and skilled rental company for your next event.

San Francisco Area Sound Equipment Rentals: Why Rent Equipment?

It simply isn’t a good idea to rely on your venue to supply sound equipment to you. It can also be tricky to figure out what equipment you’ll need without the opinion of a skilled technician. That’s why meeting with a rental company and discussing your needs is the right way to do things.

Some rental companies have special packages that include both the rental and the services of sound technicians. These sound engineers know how to set up and run the equipment. They’re very handy to have around during your event!

San Francisco Area Sound Equipment Rentals: What To Look For From Your Rental Equipment

Don’t go blindly into your rental agreement. Here are some things to look out for. Feel free to ask questions to make sure all of these bases are covered.

Is your sound rental equipment well assembled? If any corners get cut you may have technical difficulties down the road.

What brand of equipment are you renting? Is the brand respected in the industry and trusted? It pays to do even a quick Google search to check this out. Feel free to talk to your rental company about this as well.

How old is the equipment and when was the last time it was serviced? Ask these questions, and find out if the rental company stands behind the equipment. They should perform a top to bottom check to make sure all components are in good working order before it leaves their place of business.

How does the equipment look? You want all of the sound components to look like they’re in good condition. This is important because it helps you rely on their performance. It’s also important to know that your rental will look good to your guests.

San Francisco Area Sound Equipment Rentals: Technical Specifications

These general guidelines will help you select your rental equipment.

Each speaker should feature 800 – 1500 watts of power capability. Speakers must have high sound clarity and the ability to project into your venue.

The mixer is the component that basically steers the ship. The number of channels a mixer has indicates how many components can be run through it. You should look for a mixer with no fewer than 4 channels. This is a basic, bare minimum, that allows iPods or mobile devices, turntables, CDs, and microphones to all run through this central point.

San Francisco Area Sound Equipment Rentals: Hiring Technicians

While many rental companies will let you run the equipment yourself, is that really the best option for you? If you understand how to run your own sound, this is an ok place to save money. However, if you have a complicated setup or many variables, a technician is really helpful. Furthermore, if you have never run event sound in your life, we highly recommend finding a little room in your budget for a professional to help.

If you need equipment rentals or professional sound technicians during your upcoming event in the San Francisco area, please give us a call! You can reach us by phone or through the website’s contact form.

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Does Your Special Event DJ Have These Essential Skills?

Does Your Special Event DJ Have These Essential Skills?

It’s hard to choose the right special event DJ. There are some obvious things you’re looking for, like a bonded, insured DJ. It’s also apparent that you need a DJ who has good reviews from clients. But choosing a really great DJ means considering a few things outside the obvious.

Many clients make assumptions about professional DJs that seem like essential qualities, but you can’t just assume your DJ will be professional, on time, and fun to engage with. In addition to these qualities, there are some other tips we want to share about finding the right special event DJ.

Hopefully, these will help you in your search!

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: A Keen Musicality

Your special event DJ doesn’t just need a great catalog of music to choose from, they need a keen sense of musicianship. That means they understand music, how to flow songs together, and even how to make their own mixes. You may think these things are ‘a given’ for all working DJs but that’s sadly not true.

You can find out if your DJ possesses these skills by talking to former clients or reading reviews. You can also tell your DJ what types of music you and your guests prefer, and ask if they have any suggestions that spring to mind.

They should be able to offer at least a few suggestions!

You can also ask for live footage of them working an event because that can tell you quite a lot!

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: Easy Communication

Good communication is truly the first ingredient for a successful relationship with your vendors. Is your DJ easy to talk to and engaging with you? Do they seem excited and as if they enjoy their work?

While it’s never a great idea to change the game plan as you go, how does your DJ react to this when it has to occur? Do they prompt you with questions to find out the information they need?

All of these things are good signs that your DJ has experience, enjoys their work, and isn’t an unpleasant control freak. Music is supposed to be fun, after all! Although events are stressful, a professional DJ with good experience can roll with some changes without coming off as rude or distant with clients.

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: Engaging Stage Presence

If your DJ is enthusiastic and positive when they speak to you, it’s a good sign that they’ll also be good on stage. Are they gregarious? Do they seem like a natural performer? These are qualities that are going to make a difference on the day of your event!

If you’re booking a DJ to play ambient music for your corporate event, this may be less important. If you’re looking for a wedding DJ, however, choose one who can get the crowd engaged and dancing!

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: Professional Appearance

Your DJ needs to be clean, presentable, and professional looking. That doesn’t mean they should be stuffy, but they have to make a good appearance for your guests. Thankfully, this is something you can tell right away. But don’t be afraid to ask some questions about their staff and techs.

You have a right to get to see anyone who may attend your event to help the person you’re making the arrangements with.

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: Flexibility

We like to stress to clients that the more we know, the better we can help them. This is always true and to accomplish it, you want to keep changes to a minimum. That said, they do happen and your DJ should understand this.

Flexibility isn’t just about changes, either. Sometimes it’s about the size of the venue or unique challenges to running sound in the location you’ve chosen.

Do yourself a favor and pick a DJ who can handle these issues with aplomb. It goes back to that communication issue!

Of course, we’re available to work your event in the San Francisco area and would love to help you. If you need a trustworthy, pleasant presentable DJ who knows how to have fun while being professional, contact us!

 

 

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