Music Box Productions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are you full or part time?
Is my DJ employed, or a sub-contractor?
Do I get to select my DJ and meet and plan with that person?
How much experience does my DJ have?
What kind of equipment do you use?
Do you have back up equipment?
Do you have back up disc jockeys and where are they?
What’s included in my package?
Why two DJs for my party?
Will you take my requests and that of my guests?
Is my DJ allowed to drink alcohol or make advances toward my guests at the reception?
Are you insured?

Are you full or part time?
We are here Monday through Thursday 10am to 9pm; and Friday 10am to 4pm. Our fifty hour work- week is consumed with meeting our customers’ special music requests, regular maintenance of our sound and lighting equipment, continuous training and development of our team of djs, and most importantly, being ready to speak with our clients to assist in any of their planning needs. Rest assured, when you call our office, you will be speaking to a Wedding Professional, not an answering machine or service. No matter the reason, we are here to assist. It requires much hard work and attention to detail to insure a memorable and flawless night; and a talented pool of disc jockeys are only as fabulous as their supporting staff. The attentiveness doesn’t stop in our office once your wedding day is over, we hope to have become your friends by that time, and are here when you need us. We’ve serviced hundreds of families celebrating various life events, we are here to care for you today, tomorrow and a decade from now.

<<back to top>

Is my DJ employed, or a sub-contractor?
This topic is often left un-questioned by most customers--yet it could be one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a great dj company. All of the entertainers at Music Box are employed by Music Box. There are many DJ companies that claim to be “full-time, full-service” yet they are agencies who sub-contract their disc jockeys. There are many advantages of an employed team rather than a sub-contracted staff. Simply stated, a company that employees their team of talent has greater contact, control and consistency of those employed.

Our team is governed by a written policy and procedures handbook that outlines what is accepted as appropriate behavior for all to adhere. It means consistency and unity amongst our staff when it comes to our level of professionalism--things like no drinking on the job, how we are expected to treat “your” guests and the specifics of what it means to be professional in every sense of the word. Our policies handbook assures Music Box--and our clients--that our employees are operating within the same code of standards.

By employing our staff, it also means that all of our disc jockeys use the same sound & lighting equipment and are all provided the same in-house back ups. Our dj’s music library and special music requests are provided by Music Box, guaranteeing that all of our customers unique and special music needs are meet. Our djs meet at our office to load up their equipment, music and any other items they need for a particular event and return to the same office after all events are fulfilled. This assures us as a company, that all djs are prompt and timely upon departure. It also means that all gear is returned to Music Box so that it can be maintained and cared for throughout the week in preparation for upcoming events.

Additionally, our entertainers feel a sense of pride in knowing that they belong to a company that delivers exceptional personal service both in the planning stage and at the event. There is comraderie at Music Box that exists nowhere else.

Do I get to select my DJ and meet and plan with that person?
At Music Box, you select your DJ at no additional charge upon booking, and that person’s name is printed on your contract. Can’t get a good enough idea of a particular DJ’s personality from the video? We can send you to see that DJ perform live at an event, or set up a personal meeting here in our offices, to give you the comfort level you need. Moreover, references can be provided to you of past brides and grooms that have used our services. After you’ve booked our services, you will meet with your chosen DJ about four weeks prior to plan and go over all of the details of your reception. Every critical detail will be discussed in your reception planning session, including what music you do and do not want to hear, bridal party name pronunciations, and who your other vendors are (to insure that nothing is missed). The disc jockey you choose to fill this position is responsible for the coordination of every minute at your event, so you don’t have to concern yourself with anything but having fun! Your wedding night is a night to enjoy; our goal is to help you enjoy that night to the fullest.

How much experience does my DJ have?
All of our entertainers have a minimum of five years experience djing & emceeing WEDDINGS. Perhaps more important than a company’s longevity is the individual djs experience. Additionally, we think an individual’s longevity with a company is also an important factor to consider. All of the djs at Music Box have been employed here for at least four years. These elements of personal and company experience enable our DJs to involve people of all ages, coordinate effectively with all of your other services, be fun and exciting yet detail oriented enough to not miss a single detail. However, experience alone will not keep you fresh, new and different within your craft. Music Box requires their DJs to attend monthly DJ school. The continuous development of our team drives our creativity and originality. Our development classes cover everything from the use, maintenance and troubleshooting of all of our audio and lighting equipment, new dances, guest relations and improvisation classes just to name a few topics. In addition, our DJs are evaluated one on one to improve and inspire their future performances. It is this practice of continuous formal education that separates our entertainers from every other DJ company here in Metro Detroit. It has been this way since we opened in 1994.

What kind of equipment do you use?
Of course, we at Music Box Productions only use the best in professional mobile DJ audio and lighting. That being said, we are aware that every DJ Company around will tell you the exact same thing. They will use phrases like “State of the art” or “Top notch” when describing their equipment, and then proceed to rattle off the makes and models of their components. Unless you are familiar with professional mobile DJ equipment and lighting, you may not recognize many of the names you hear. To list all of the equipment here would take a very long time, and probably bore you to tears, so for your convenience, we’ve added a link to our equipment page. Click here if you would like to see the type and brand of professional gear that we use for audio and lighting.

Do you have back up equipment?
“State of the Art” and “Top notch” equipment is useless unless the DJ using it has the education and experience to maximize its performance. Remember, a DJ is his/her own sound engineer at an event, so if something stops performing, that DJ needs to possess the know-how to do any repair at the drop of a hat. All of our back-up equipment is on site with our technically trained and educated DJs. In the off-hand case that something does happen, the matter can be remedied instantly. Music Box also employs an Equipment Technician whose job is to maintain all of the DJ equipment that we possess. In summary, don’ t forget to ask some of the bigger questions that often go unanswered: “Do all of your DJs know how to use and troubleshoot the equipment you use?” and “Is your equipment regularly maintained by a qualified professional?”

Do you have back up disc jockeys and where are they?
Our back up djs are on-call here in our office on event days. (They’re not on a date at TGI Fridays enjoying their third beer or at a Tigers doing the Seventh Inning Stretch). They are ready to go at a moment’s notice in the case of an unexpected emergency.

What’s included in my package?
Our standard package is basically all-inclusive. It is based upon a traditional six-hour reception length meaning six hours of music play-time, with no breaks whatsoever. Your DJs will arrive at least one hour prior to your reception start time to set up their equipment, balance the room for ideal sound, and change into their attire for the evening. We send 2 DJs to every wedding reception to ensure a smooth flow of events throughout the night. As previously stated, you choose your main disc jockey whose name is printed on your contract upon booking. And of course, all of the sound and lighting equipment they need that night to make your event a success is also included. From your initial meeting with one of our office members, to the planning session with your DJ to go over all of the details of your reception--and beyond-- the personal service will never stop.

Why two DJs for my party?
We know that having two DJs at a wedding reception is vital to the success of the evening. As you know, it takes a lot of planning to make a reception work. Once the guests start arriving, your DJs will mingle with them, find out who they are and even start taking their requests at that time to create a warmer, more comfortable atmosphere for them. As you and your bridal party arrive, your Lead DJ will gather up the key players in the specialty elements of the night, ie: introductions upon arrival, cake cutting, etc. Your photographer and your videographer will always be kept well informed of what’s happening. While all of this is happening, your second DJ is making sure that the appropriate music is being played, your guests’ requests are being gathered, and their questions are being answered. Later on in the night as the party enters full swing, your Lead DJ will be on the microphone attending to your interactive needs, doing the Garter and Bouquet toss, an anniversary dance, etc. During that time, it is again imperative to have that second DJ balancing the music and the microphone. It is this teamwork approach that ensures the smooth flow of events on your wedding night.

Will you take my requests and that of my guests?
In your reception planning session, you and your DJ will go over what music you do and do not want played at your event. This is our outline of how requests will be addressed at your event. Additionally, if there is anything special that you would like to hear on your wedding day that we don’t currently have, we’ll get it for you. Our office employs a Music Director whose job is to make sure your DJ is supplied with all of your music on your event day at no extra cost. Whether your needs be Greek, Hindi, Italian, Polish, or your mom and dad’s anniversary song—we’ll get it for you.
Once at your reception, we put request cards out on all of your tables (unless instructed not to). We ask your guests to write down and bring us the songs that they would like to dance to, and we play as many of them as possible. No reasonable request is ever dismissed, and as long as the song is appropriate, and fits into the parameters set by you, chances are that song will get played.

Is my DJ allowed to drink alcohol or make advances toward my guests at the reception?
At Music Box Productions, Inc., all of our DJs have strict Policies and Procedures by which they have to live. These Policies and Procedures cover everything from dress code upon set-up to our zero tolerance on drinking (policed with a breathalyzer) or inappropriate fraternizing with the guests. Our goal at any of our events is to follow the parameters and instructions set down by the bride and groom (or guest of honor, as the case may be) to the letter. The degree of coordination that it takes for one of our DJs to achieve the goal of a flawless event leaves no room for a clouded mind. Rest assured, a Music Box DJ represents the company with the utmost of responsibility and decorum.

Are you insured?
At Music Box, we carry comprehensive insurance coverage to protect you, your guests, and our DJs in the event of injury. Our insurance also protects our equipment in the case of damage. Some reception venues have made it their policy to require that your DJ be insured before performing in their building.

In summary, to ensure yourself a flawless evening, make sure that none of these questions go unanswered. It is imperative for all of the elements discussed above to be in place in order for your night to be 110% successful, and to create a unique atmosphere on the most important night of your lives. Any DJ you consider should be able to give you comfort that you deserve that your party will be an event remembered by all for years and years.

Please feel free to call our office at: 586-790-1519 or email us at sales@mbproductionsinc.com