As DJs we are taught how to connect and move people through music. DJing is a style of art that usually doesn’t require a direct conversation and can be totally interpreted in the club or in the car to a radio listener. However, some DJs are compelled to go further and get on the mic to connect with their audience. Some club owners will even want you to get on the mic regularly beyond saying “Last Call”. The microphone is like any other superpower for DJs and with great power comes great responsibility. In this article I am going to break down some of the most helpful tips scattered across the interwebs to hopefully give you, the DJ, some knowledge on how to vocally approach the crowd.
How to Talk on the Mic (Literally)
The sound of mic feedback is one of the worst sounds that can be made and it sits right up there next to nails scraping across a chalkboard. Microphone feedback not only sounds absolutely horrible but it also conveys the message that the DJ is inexperienced when it comes to talking on the mic. Luckily there are a few things a DJ can do to avoid microphone feedback in the booth.
- Get Away from the Booth Monitors
It's obvious to say that if the microphone is in front of a speaker that there will be mic feedback. However, the DJ booth is (usually) outfitted with monitors. How is a DJ supposed to escape that sound? It is elementary! Sound travels in waves and those waves will travel in a specific path. That path can be avoided in the DJ booth and, in my experience, that is usually done by stepping back into the booth as the monitors are usually pointed towards the mixer in the front. Another alternative is using in-ear monitors which also can end up helping your hearing in the long run.
*Privileged DJs can also control the output of their monitors in the booth, so if the microphone is about to be used, turn the monitors down.
- EQ the Mic Input
A DJ’s voice can be interpreted as a sound source just like any other track and most modern mixers will give the DJ an option to EQ the sound coming through the microphone. Seize the opportunity to EQ! Typically, cutting the lows is a good place to start because that will get rid of the overwhelming "boominess" of the human voice. From there adjust the highs and mids according to the frequency output of your voice. If given the opportunity to EQ the mic before a set, EQ as if you are talking to the audience. For example, I am excited (higher pitch in my voice) and louder when I talk on the mic during a live set so I EQ according to that.
- Get Close and Personal with the Mic
The most common mistake people make when talking on the mic is the distance they keep between themselves and the mic. The best place to be is a few inches away. If a DJ is further away she won’t have as much presence and if she is too close then she will sound very congested.
- Control the Volume
Simply put, if the mic is not being used then don’t have it on. Some mics will have an actual ON/OFF switch, but if not then just turn down the volume on the mixer for the mic channel.
Practice Makes Perfect
There are some DJs who can talk on the mic better than the local morning radio DJ, but for some it is a similar experience as coming over stage fright. The thing is that both DJs could use practice talking on the mic and by practicing a DJ will have a much easier time finding the words to say.
First, understand what a DJ’s job is on the mic. The DJ is not a comedian or a lead singer (usually). A DJ’s job is to make the dancefloor have a good time and freeing the vocal chords can help with that. Traditionally, the mic can be used for shoutouts and props. Give the bartender a shoutout for making awesome drinks (the promoter will like this) and then give props to the club owner for having the best club in the city (the promoter will really love this). Other ways to interact is to have a singer or MC come into the booth to spice up the night. I have had fun inviting local rappers to come into my Hip-Hop sets and lay down a few bars.
Now that there is a rough outline of what to say, a DJ can practice how that will sound like in the club by practicing at home. The thought of sitting at home with a mic (or maybe a wooden spoon) and practicing can sound stupid, but many DJs have used this technique to become more confident on the mic. By doing exercises, especially when practicing sets, a DJ will begin to find his voice and he will also pick-up on any mannerisms he can address before going live. Reddit DJ djoneway says:
It seems stupid but that can mean literally sitting in your room with a mic in your hand and saying these things to no one. The best thing for me was I started doing open mics in the area to get used to talking to people. But you really just need to practice like you practice djing. Good luck man, let us all know how it goes.
Bonus Tip: If you are worried that your voice sounds flat or dry then watch out for some mic effects that are typically present on Denon and Pioneer mixers.
Always Remember, Less is More
This goes back to our superpower analogy. It is really easy for DJs to overuse the mic and become obnoxious, which is not fun for any party involved. Most people on the dancefloor won’t mind (sometimes won’t notice) a bit of “real talk” or minimal pumping, but remember that the microphone is used to communicate to the audience in ways the music is not. The track might shout out the go-go dancer on the roof, but it will tell people to “Go crazy!” or “Put your hands up!”
Now, if a DJ continues to go on about “getting buck wild” or “make the dancefloor shake” people will really start to notice and they will leave. No one wants to hear mindless antics or the sound of a DJ stroking his ego. Saying, “I’m excited to play for all of you tonight! Let’s go!” is cool. Saying, “Are ya’ll sleeping out there?! Get wild!” is not.
At the end of the night the DJ’s job is to play music in an invigorating way and to rock the house. The mic is like adding icing on the cake and too much icing may leave people with a bad taste in their mouths.
Dean William can be found gallivanting about the clubs of San Francisco. He's on Twitter: @deanithon.