Archive for May, 2008

Pioneer CDJ 1000’s

skyhighatrist Put together this little demo of some of the tips and tricks that he does on the CDJ’s. I’m planning on doing one up which is more appropriate for the course i teach but for now have a gander at this one and check him out on youtube – Which btw is a great resource to pick up the basics of DJing.

Eircom loose customer focus

One thing that never fails to shock me is bad customer service from large pubic companies. There’s no faster way to loose customers than to cause problems for them and then do every thing you can to annoy them instead of resolving them.

This morning a collegue was “over quota” on his e-mails, so i rang the person responsible for my account in Eircom only to be told by an answering machine he’s on holidays for two weeks. No call someone else who’s looking after his clients, just he’s on holiday for two weeks so leave a message. The blood warms.

I ring customer support. After two minutes of automated talk which is clearly a technology not yet fit for use in business as it takes three times longer than touch tone call direction, the machine tells me to turn off and then turn on my computer – Then HANGS UP. (The fault is with their system) The blood starts to simmer.

I try again, this time i get through to someone – who gives me a different number for “that” kind of support – no i’ll direct your call, just go ring someone else. Bubbles start to appear in the blood stream.

So i ring someone else, more annoying super slow voice direction – which needs to clarify every answer i give. “Thanks for calling Eircom… Oh for “that kind of support” you’ll need to ring 1530…. Blood Boils. Look there is no way i’m ringing a premium rate number to fix a problem you have caused, can you please give me the direct line. “What do you mean sir?” Look i’m already paying for a service and your not delivering so you wont be profiting (75c a min) from your mistakes.

So the guy decides maybe he will try to help. Well Sir your “over quota” so thats why your mails wont deliver – he says in an informative way as if he had dignosed the problem rather than just regurgitated word for word my complaint and hope the problem would also suffice as the solution. The blood starts overflowing, my PA silently leaves the room, don’t get me wrong i’m not shouting or outwardly angry at the person on the phone (she just knows when i’m inwardly mad) – the blood boils at the fact Eircom is a somewhat successful company. They hire consultants etc and no one told them – hey why not offer a good reliable service?

So i try to figure it out for the guy – “well is there a package upgrade so we can still get e-mails” – “there could be one in a few months time. In the mean time just don’t go over quota again.” I think – you mean just try not to opt for Eircom again. Honestly they could put ads for Digiweb/Irish Broadband on their hold music and it wouldn’t increase the number of people that leave Eircom due to Customer Focus Issues.

DJ Course Lecturers

A quick update on the Dj Course Starting this Sat in the Digital Media Centre. Tim Harrington AKA Tiny Tim has agreed to guest lecturer for this course 10th of May. Which make the full line up for the teaching staff – Garv Rigby (Vibe Records CEO and Star DJs founder – day 2 only), Tim Harrington (one of Irelands biggest name DJs), Kevin (DMC – Day 1 onlly) and Myself (Ronan O’Brien) as the host.

Only one place left but i believe Star DJs are organising the next course already – [email protected] – for more next available dates.

No Cartridge Printers

Every now and then you come across a million dollar idea and (in a ‘Satori’ kinda way) wonder why no one else has ever bothered cashing in on such a simplistic concept. So if there’s any of you techies in the printing / computing field this one is for you, do us all a favour and make yourself rich.

In the same way that DYSON revolutionised the Vacum cleaner (over taking a brand that had such a strong choke hold that vacuming is still known as Hoovering in many homes because Hoover at one stage were so market dominant). I propose that in less than two years printer cartridges will go the way of the “hoover bag”.

Seriously why do we as consumers need printer cartridges??? I get why they want to sell them to us – few companies even breakeven on the printer itself but do so to get cash cows in the form of printer cartridges. But when you see these little refill printer cartridge shops all over the place all offering to re-inject ink into a cartridge surely some one should just bit the bullet and come up with a printer that you just poor the ink into – its a million dollar idea with severe market changing implications.

The mechanics would be fairly simplistic so don’t tell me it cant be done, the only reason it hasnt been done is the same reason you couldn’t legally download movies untill recently. Industrial laziness. You can be sure that a market disruptor will lauch the product in the not too distant future and everyone will scramble to get one. Major first mover advantage to be had in terms of the market positioning if branded and marketed correctly. Certainly i find myself changing cartridges once a week and its actually unnecessary.

Hed Kandi – World Series Sanfrancisco

Hed Kandi - World Series Sanfrancisco

In the next installment of Hed Kandi’s mix CD releases comes the Hed Kandi – World Series Sanfrancisco Summer release for 2008.

It’s a good realease, i’d probably rate it a 7/10 but considering the way hed kandi has been going lately its a step in the right direction. One thing that really got to me about this release is that they’ve turned into indian givers. The Promo CD was RUINED with a VO roughly TWICE per track letting you know it was a “promotional Hed Kandi Release” – whats the point in distributing a CD to Industry influencers and then purposely making them enjoy it less. The repetitive VO sounds like a jingle from my days as a kid doing pirate radio, i don’t know what they were thinking, possibly that they could send out promo’s and tease DJ’s into buying it! Well thats not gonna work.

Over all a well mix CD, nothing amazing or over exciting about it, but nice to listen to near a pool.

Hed Kandi do get a little kudos though with the a Savage release from Ricki-Lee – Wanna little of this getting its general release later this month. 16th of May for the digital release and 23rd for the full release. Sundrenched Vocal house in its top form, guaranteed summer anthem. 9/10

DJ Course – CD Player Hints and Tips CDJ800’s

As Part of the course we’ll be primarily focusing on the CDJ 1000 mk111 series – this is because 95% of the clubs use these and i’m a big believer in teaching on industry standard equipment. However i’m sure some of you (students / readers) will be using the more affordable option – the pioneer CD800’s. So here’s a few tips and tricks, again thanks to DJ Resource.

DJ Course – Dublin

I’ve been invited to team up with the Digital Media Centre and Star DJs to Launch a revamped, brand new DJ course.

The first course will start on the 10th of May and runs every Saturday (11.30 – 6pm) for three weeks. The course is strictly limited numbers wise (only four places left for the May course). Along with myself you’ll have guest speakers such as Garv Rigby who will talk through what agents are looking for in DJs and how to get signed to record labels.

Part of the course includes familiarisation with of every aspect of various equipment which DJ’s need to use. For example:


Pioneer CDJ400’s – Video courtesy of DJ Resource

If your serious about wanting to learn how the Pro’s DJ and move from your bedroom into Bar’s and Club’s this course is for you. Course costs Euro 320. For bookings contact [email protected] or 1800 782 735.

Course will include the facilities & equipment to put together your own demo after you’ve completed the tuition so at the end of the day you’ll have a Demo (DJ CV) for attracting work.