Pros. Image. Technology. The ultimate mix.
The idea
Mactrax is a state of the art Mobile DJ service. Its idea originally came to me when I attended a wedding and met a DJ with a very poor setup. As I conversed with this gentleman I learned that he had been in business for over 8 years. I requested a certain song and he said, “I have it but I didn’t bring it because the customer said they probably wouldn’t need it.” However, in my head I thought, “doesn’t this also mean that they probably could need it?” I explained my computer idea to this DJ but he said, “I don’t even own a computer.” So, I set out on a mission to make my desire a success.
The founders
My first step was to find someone to help me learn this business. The person I chose is Rick Garcia. We have been friends and co-workers since 1996. Rick concentrated on researching the lights, while I concentrated on the software, sound and the marketing. My wife, Katrina Alvarado, concentrated on the music and has been our primary spokeswoman. Infact, she has become such a big part of Mactrax that she is now my partner in the business. Rick has since moved and only helps out when he is in town. Our obsession with music enabled us to start out with over 700 CD’s and 200 cassettes. Since then we have been on a shopping spree making sure we have the latest to oldest in English and Spanish.
Why Mac?
My obsession and knowledge for Mac’s was the reason we chose the Macintosh. I have studied graphics and multimedia at the Art Institute and HCC. My primary choice of computer quickly became the Mac. Currently, we are using the 13" Macbooks. These computers have the speed, hard drive space and reliability to perform for hours without a glitch. Not to mention they are probably the best looking computers on the market today. Our white and platinum computers compliment most events with a touch of class. There have been quite a few people interested in our services but a little confused on how we can DJ using only a computer. For this reason I will now explain the overall concept.
The computer setup
How does the computer work?
Mactrax has really only one real similarity to traditional DJ's. That similiarity is that we use speakers and amps. Our light system way exceeds what is the norm for most DJ's. However, I will go over that in a minute. For now I will explain the computer. By us choosing to use the computer instead of turntables and CD players we've eliminated a lot of boxes full of CD’s, albums, and cassettes. A great deal of time has been invested in converting our music into digital files (MP3’s). These mp3’s are then saved in our computers. We use an advanced DJ software specifically designed for the Mac. It does everything an expensive set of CD players and mixer can do, but better and faster. When a client requests a song, we can find it in about 5 seconds not 5 minutes. We simply type in the name of the song or artist and it appears before we even finish typing. We don’t have to dig through boxes with flashlights to find that CD or album. Our software supports multiple outputs so there is no need to use a mixer. It also matches beats automatically. This enables us to play club music back to back without skipping a beat. Currently we have over 33,000 songs on our computers. That number is always increasing because we are always purchasing new music.
We use the lights pictured below
What are intelligent lights?
One thing I did not like about traditional DJ's was their lights. These may have been great in the 70's-80's and maybe even the early 90's. However, times have changed and cheap lights have their place... but not the places we go. The photo to the left is an example of some of the cheap lights we are talking about. I understand why DJ's would prefer them; they are very light, very inexpensive and can be setup very quickly.
Intelligent lights are heavier, very expensive and take about an hour to set up. However, we don't charge you for the extra time it takes us to set up and the end result is awesome. These intelligent lights are the same type of lights you will find at the most popular clubs or upscale events and venues. With intelligent lights we can set moods not just illuminate the room. The colors and patterns we choose can be displayed on walls hundreds of feet away or used on the 16" mirrorball. Speaking of which, the mirrorball has seemed to disappear from other's light set ups. Mactrax DJ uses the mirrorball to set the mood for slow dances and help accentuate the room when playing fast songs. There are other DJ's who have intelligent lights but they will charge hundreds and even thousands more than Mactrax DJ to bring them. It is hard to see the real difference with a photo or even a video. The real difference can only be experienced. To see a sample video click here.
What is an iPod?
We realize that some people fear the unknown. There are a lot of “what if’s” when trying something different from the norm. People are afraid something may go wrong. Things could go wrong with other common DJ’s as well. A fuse could burn out. A CD or album could skip, which reminds me, our music does not skip! However, to put our customers at ease we bring a backup. We bring a mixer and an iPod. An iPod is the best MP3 player on the market today. That is not just my opinion, it is also the opinion of well known technology sites and electronic magazines. It currently outsells every other MP3 player on the market. The iPod is designed and manufactured by Apple. It is like having a miniature jukebox about the size of a deck of cards. We simply plug it into the amplifier and have it ready just in case. We could actually DJ an entire party using 2 iPods but then we would need to use the mixer. Remember, the computer eliminates the need for a mixer because the software automatically mixes the songs for us. However, as a backup we do bring a mixer as well.
The Video iPod
Bose
After years of research we have finally made the decision to switch from traditional speakers to Bose. The sound quality is truely remarkable and it's design is beautiful. The only true way to appreciate these speakers is to experience them.
- Here
are the main benefits:
** Projects clean, detailed sound evenly across the stage and throughout an audience of up to several hundred, with little change in tone or volume
** Produces smooth, consistent tone, whether you're in front of the speaker or off to the side
** Reduces much unwanted room reverberation
** Eliminates conventional monitors, mixers and PA
** Sets up and breaks down quickly
** Fits easily into a car trunk
We have only been in the DJ business officially since January 2002. However, we had been building and perfecting the system, sound and lights since 2000 so that when we present ourselves, we would leave our competitors and our clients in awe. At every event we usually have several people hanging around the DJ table trying to understand our system. We get many compliments on our professionalism and the appearance of our setup and ourselves. We take pride in our service and love the fact that we are a unique business. Everyone seems to know what a Mobile DJ is. Our goal is to show the world what a Computerized Mobile DJ is. Please visit our entire website to learn more about us. If you still have any questions feel free to call or e-mail any one of us. Apple Computer had a slogan that sums up our vision in two words. That slogan is, “Think Different”. We look forward to seeing you at your next special event.DJ
Sal
Alvarado
Kat Alvarado
“The next generation of mobile DJ's"
