When I first started DJing, I always wanted to acquire the latest DJ controller or the newest flashy pair of headphones. As necessary as those things are, they’re not the essential items every professional must-have. No matter who you choose to work with, a DJ, a Band, or a combination of the two, you can totally feel free to ask your vendors if they possess these 5 items. Making sure to invest heavily in the first 4 was something that I felt we needed to do as we look ahead into the post-pandemic world of events.

A Multi-Purpose Antenna (Diversity Fin)

I honestly cannot stress this enough. If you work in a high-density wireless area such as New York or New Jersey, having an external multi-purpose antenna for your wireless microphone system is absolutely essential. If you’re having an outdoor wedding ceremony overlooking a beautiful view of Manhattan, chances are your microphones will encounter a ton of interference causing the microphone to drop out. Basically ruining the moment of the ceremony, and possibly jeopardizing a good capture of your officiant for the video.

A Set of Sturdy and Reliable Power Extensions

One of the most overlooked things to keep in mind is power management. Every venue is different and has a varying degree of power outlets, transformers, and other things we normally take for granted. Having a good set of power extensions will ensure your band’s performance will go uninterrupted. In the 15+ years, I have been doing this, having a proper set of power extensions allowed us to take better care of our speakers, as well as having a fail-safe performance for our clients.

High-Quality Wireless Microphones

Any time you have a set of singers or an MC leading your night you want to make sure they’re singing or speaking into a professional high-quality microphone. Anything made by Shure is usually a great place to start, however, after some experience in the field, I can assure you get what you pay for. Just trust me on that. When consulting fellow entertainment professionals, I always recommend opt-out for a more expensive system, as it will be able to offer you the performance you can rely on every single time. An SLX-D or a QLX-D system by Shure is a great place to start. It will make a world of difference!

A Professional Mic Stand For Speeches

Speaking of microphones, if you have any toasts planned for your wedding (and most do), it definitely makes sense to have a professional mic stand in your inventory. Most people are not professional public speakers, so holding a wireless microphone in hand is not the most natural thing to do. Putting a microphone on a sturdy, adjustable mic stand will allow the speaker to feel more relaxed, as well as allowing the microphone to do its job of amplifying the speaker properly. Your videographer will totally love you for this, trust me!

A Clean & Presentable Set-Up (Gaffers Tape)

Aside from having a clean and presentable DJ Booth or Production Facade, there is something to be said about having the type of set-up that no one notices. Plainly speaking no wires or extension chords should be showing. It’s the first thing that the client will see as most of these cables stick out like a sore thumb. Having a set of Black, White, or Multi-Color Gaffers Tape is incredibly important. Professional gaffe tape does not leave marks on the surface and also ensures it’s the ability to keep the wires down. It’s an often overlooked part of the arsenal as it technically does not emit any sound, but having an extra roll of tape will make sure you look like a total pro.

Next time you contact your wedding entertainment vendor be sure to ask about the above 5 items. You will know immediately if they’re consummate professional or not.