What sets Sounds PLUS apart from other DJ Services?

Sounds PLUS goes outside of what you might think as your typical DJ service. We turn your wedding into an Experience Beyond the Music! Believe it or not, the DJ is not just there to play songs. In fact, our DJs are constantly working to keep your celebration moving from the first song to the last. This includes coordination of your grand entrance, speeches, special dances and so much more.

We know choosing a DJ service can be confusing and often overwhelming leaving you with even more questions like – How do I know which DJ company I should hire? Should I make a decision solely based on price? Is the sound quality that important? How do I decide which company will truly provide the service they are claiming?

Here is something that will help with your decision – ALL wedding DJs fall into one of these categories:

DJ Company 1 – The Low Baller – They offer the lowest price in an attempt to “win you over”. They are typically just starting out in the wedding industry and their experience as a DJ is still lacking confidence. They will likely have sub-standard sound and lighting equipment which is reflected in their price.

DJ Company 2 – The Entertainer – The DJ is there mostly to perform as entertainment. Sure they play music but this type of DJs perform best when they are the center of attention. They might bring some extras along like props, games, line dances and lots of interaction on the microphone. They focus on themselves, not you and your guests.

DJ Company 3 – The Big Shot – This DJ company is all about the show (and money). They often will try to sell you on their biggest package even though it is beyond your budget suggesting more sound and lighting equipment that you will ever need. They likely will only want to play what they want to play. This company does NOT focus on your needs or wants.

DJ Company 4 – The Beyond DJ – These companies view their DJs as caring, giving and creators of your wedding soundtrack. They make professional and clear announcements and coordinate your event as if it were their own. The DJ has all of their attention focused on YOU, your guests and playing the right music at the right time. The DJ’s interaction on the microphone is most often reserved for coordinating events and making formal announcements. They believe in making sure YOUR wedding goes YOUR way.

Sounds PLUS is definitely in category 4 and is The Beyond DJ. We take pride in what we do, in every single one of our weddings, and go out of our way to make sure you get the party of your dreams. We are an Experience Beyond the Music!

What other key difference should I be on the lookout for?

Now that you know what type of DJ company you want, it now moves towards these 2 things: Resources and Value.

Resources: We mean it when we say we provide an “Experience Beyond the Music“. Our customer service in the wedding industry is second to none. We not only bring an extensive library of music to every wedding, but we bring a knowledge of what songs work and when best to play them. This is done by reading the crowd and is something we are VERY proud of. A packed dance floor is definitely our goal yet we determine our success by watching the entire party unfold before us. To deliver a quality experience we observe what’s happening everywhere – the sing-along crew at the bar; the toe-tappers in their seats; the eager to slow dance couples; and the exact moment when to play a “banger” (that one song that gets everybody moving)!

Our online PLUS Planner tool is designed to make sure your event is just the way YOU want it, with no unpleasant surprises. It is designed with you in mind. After years of experience we have included, in our online form, nearly every element related to music and timeline consideration.

Value: It is an important question to the ask question “What sort of value can the DJ company provide to my wedding?” At Sounds PLUS, our value is determined by a mix of professionalism, ease of communication, response times, online resources, flexibility, equipment, time at event and price.

Every Sounds PLUS all-inclusive flat rate package has everything you want and need at an unbeatable price. Our value is unparalleled, which is one of the many reasons we have been and continue to be a leader in the industry. However, if you find the same quality of service for less than we offer, we will be happy to price match any competitors’ package. 

“Music

Makes the people

Come together”

Madonna

Do you own your music or do you play through an online streaming service?

We are proud to tell you that at Sounds PLUS we own ALL of our music. We store some of our most popular songs on our DJ laptops and have additional music on an external hard drive. We are fully licensed through CONNECT, an agency that permits downloaded music to be played for public. With over 45,000 songs in our database we continually add the latest hits across all genres.

With the advancement of online streaming there are a number of ways to play music from sites like Soundcloud or apps such as Spotify. These both have a great variety of music often with established and newly emerging artists. Sounds PLUS is very hesitant to use online services due to the uncertainty of WIFI connection. I’m sure the last thing you want at your wedding, especially during your fist dance as newlyweds, is for a song to cut out or be interrupted by a sudden ad or commercial. That’s why we will always own every song we play!

Our favorite record pool is ZipDJ. They are one of the world’s most advanced promo music pools for DJs by DJs with a variety of songs including original, radio, and remix recordings.

How many songs would you typically play at our reception?

Songs typically last anywhere from 3-4 minutes so it takes roughly 20 songs to fill one hour. Most wedding receptions (in Southwestern Ontario) last approximately 7-8 hours. This includes 1 hour for cocktails/mingling = 20 songs, 2-3 hours for dinner (including speeches) = 40-60 songs, and 4-5 hours of dancing – 80-100 songs. Our DJs mix songs seamlessly resulting in overlapping two songs (also known as beat mixing). This brings your total number of songs to somewhere around 140-180 for the entire reception. On average, wedding guests make between 10-15 requests that will be added into the mix.

 What if there are songs you do not have in your library?

Sounds PLUS is constantly adding new music to our library. With 45,000+ songs and constantly growing, our music library is quite extensive.  However, if we don’t have a song(s) you would like, just add the song name and artist to the Plus Planner and we will get it for you. 

Can we bring our own music?

While we discourage plugging in devices such as cell phones and tablets we are equipped to do so. We do have a few guidelines we follow in this regard: we will only play clean, radio-edited versions of songs; we will only play from legal online streaming services (ie. no YouTube, etc); and we certainly welcome any specific cultural music you would like played for you and your guests. For non-traditional North American music you are welcome to provide us with songs on a flash drive.

Note – The PLUS Planner is a great tool for you to let us know the songs you want played in advance so we can be sure to have them in time for the ceremony and/or reception.

As part of the PLUS Planner we separate your music into 5 categories – cocktail, dinner, special dances (for example your first dance), songs you WANT to hear, and songs you DO NOT want to hear. For cocktail and dinner music we play songs that are mood setting according to your interests such as a particular genre or artist. For the special dances we need the specific songs you want to hear. And for late-night dancing we ask for 20-30 songs that get you moving (these are part of the PLUS Planner which will DEFINITELY get played) and we fill in the rest with guest requests (unless they are on the do not play list).

How can we make sure our DJ plays the songs we want?

As part of all Sounds PLUS wedding packages you will have access to our online PLUS Planner tool. Your personal play lists, special dance songs, speeches and other details can be added into the appropriate sections of the online form. Access to the PLUS Planner is given at the time of deposit receipt along with an email containing your username and password..

 Does Sounds PLUS provide ceremony music?

Definitely! All of our packages can be customized to include ceremony coverage for an additional charge. Our ceremony system includes a portable sound system, wireless microphone and music for guest arrival, ceremony songs (selected by YOU), and a DJ. Contact us for pricing.

About the Sounds PLUS DJs

Have your DJs done weddings at our venue?

The answer is very likely to be…YES! We have performed at virtually every venue in the Windsor/Essex County region, as well as some venues in Chatham, Sarnia and London. Feel free to contact us to find out the last time we performed at your ceremony and/or reception site.

How much experience do your DJs have?

Our DJs vary in their years with Sounds PLUS, but all have one important thing in common: they produce great events! Sounds PLUS currently has 2 personable, professional, and hard-working individuals with a love of music on its team – Chris Tuer, Founder & CEO) and Colin Tuer (Chris’ son). Chris has been entertaining wedding guests since 1998 and Colin joined the team as a technician in 2014 and started DJing weddings in 2019. We believe that many of the skills required to be a good DJ can be taught, but integrity, personality, and character are paramount to provide our Experience Beyond the Music.

How do you decided who will be our DJ?

We take pride in our ability to DJ to your event. When potential couples seek out Sounds PLUS we will always ask if they have been to one our weddings before. If they have, then the next question is who was the DJ at that wedding. We will do our best to pair up that DJ to your wedding. If you are contacting Sounds PLUS for the first time you will likely have Chris as your DJ unless he is already committed to another event.

We would like to see your DJs in action. Can we stop by another wedding where you are performing?

Out of complete respect and the privacy of all our clients, we do not allow potential clients to attend weddings to view our services. After all, would you want a complete stranger at your wedding distracting your DJ with questions? We believe that our focus should be on the wedding couple and their guests, not on selling our services to other brides and grooms. We do, however, spin in public at various charity events, bars/restaurants and open to the public dances. Contact us to find out where we might be next.

What do you do in the event of an emergency and our DJ can’t make it?

As with all of our services, we have a reserve DJ on call in case an emergency arises, giving you peace of mind. And in addition to reserve DJs, we also work with some trusted colleagues who we use to provide services. In the event an alternate DJ is needed you will be provided with the same level of service and equipment as per your contract.

When can we expect to meet our DJ?

During our initial contact we will already know who is available for your wedding. Should you request a particular DJ, we will ensure you get your first choice (if available). Chris conducts all consultations and will bring Colin when he is to be the DJ. Click here to find out more about our DJs.

Sounds PLUS Equipment

Sounds PLUS equipment meets or exceeds industry standards and ALL items have the CSA approved rating. We carry products from Mackie, Electro Voice, ADJ, Chauvet, BOSE, Sennheiser and Elation.

Does Sounds PLUS bring their own equipment or do we need to supply it?

We bring all the sound and light equipment needed for your event with our setup complete and tested at least 30 minutes prior to your guest arrival. On occasion we may utilize an in-house sound system if it meets our standards of performance. This decision is often the result of where the DJ is set up in relation to your head table. Our preference is to be as close to the dance floor as possible so we can be part of the action!

We have a slideshow, is it possible to use your sound system?

Absolutely! We are always looking for ways to make your day free from hassles and we are happy to discuss your specific needs in detail during your consultation. In fact, we also have projectors and screens you can rent as an add-on to your chosen wedding DJ package.

I only want to rent equipment for my ceremony and/or reception. Is that something I can get from Sounds PLUS?

We do our best to accommodate all requests and YES we do have limited equipment that can be rented. Should you have A/V needs, we do recommend contacting a company that specializes in rentals. Please feel free to contact Sounds PLUS for more information.

What do you do in the event of equipment failure?

Glad you asked! At Sounds PLUS we test are equipment regularly to ensure we are ready for our next event. And should we encounter a “hiccup” at your wedding we are ready with our back up plans. Our DJs are trained to handle equipment issues on site and can engage in short term alternative solutions if needed. We always carry a secondary music source (such as another laptop or tablet); spare bulbs and cords for lights; and we use powered speakers so if one unit shuts down we still have the second unit running while we troubleshoot the out of commission unit. These are all extremely rare occurrences but we believe in being prepared.

How much room is needed for the DJ? And do we provide a table for the DJ?

Your DJ will need at a minimum a 6’ to 8’ banquet table (usually covered in the same linen as your reception tables) and minimal room for the speakers and lights. Most event sites will provide a skirted table for the DJ at no charge. Should you need your DJ to bring a table, simply let us know during one of our consultation and we’d be glad to supply one free of charge.

Not all Equipment is the Same!

No two DJs are the same and neither is their equipment. When you compare DJ services side by side it seems as though each one will try to convince you that they have THE BEST sound and light equipment. Some will even go to great lengths to tell you why their equipment is better. But what role does equipment play at your reception? And is it important to YOU?

Obviously your DJ needs equipment or they would not have the means to play the music or set the mood. For some couples, the equipment by itself is of little value if the DJ is unable to use it properly. That is why the equipment a DJ uses is only one piece of the puzzle.

Each DJ company purchases their equipment for a variety of reasons including budget, portability, ease of setup/tear down, sound and lighting quality, reliability and overall appearance. But what influences their decisions to buy certain items? At Sounds PLUS we place value on the quality of the product AND how much space will be used once set up.

The Quality: We only use professional, top-grade equipment from leading manufacturers. Our equipment is tested regularly to ensure everything works properly before your guests walk in the door.

The Space (and Location too): Our equipment is designed to be compact and take up the least amount of space so as to not be invasive to your wedding venue. This is a factor in the decision about which DJ package to choose. Smaller venues command compact setups whereas larger venue need more lights and sound to fill the space. The location of the DJ table is also important as the proximity of the dance floor to the DJ affects the flow of energy between the DJ and the crowd. The equipment we use is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye so it will not detract from your room’s ambiance.

Professional and up-to-date equipment MUST be a necessity to be in the DJ business, not a key point of differentiation. Sounds PLUS has a professional sound and light system that is right for you and your site.

How do we get started?

How can we secure a booking with Sounds PLUS?

Nearly all booking begin with a simple, no obligation consultation where we discuss details such as availability, ceremony and reception location, number of guests, and get acquainted with one another. If you are interested in moving forward a call, text or email is required along with a non-refundable deposit of $100. Upon receipt of your deposit, a contract will be sent to you for electronic approval AND access will be granted to your exclusive PLUS Planner online tool. 

When is our PLUS Planner information needed?

At your final consultation (approx. 7-10 days prior to the wedding) we will bring our laptop and go through the online planning form in full detail. This way we can discuss any questions you might have regarding music, timelines and special requests. Your PLUS Planner we be ‘locked out’ 48 hours prior to your wedding to allow us time to obtain any additional music you may have requested. Any changes within 48 hours will require direct contact with Sounds PLUS via call or text at 519-819-0254 or emailing contact@soundsplus.ca  

When is our balance due?

Your final amount owing is due approximately 7-10 days prior to your wedding date and is taken care of at our final consultation. The balance is collected in advance of the wedding thus allowing you to relax and enjoy your wedding day without worry of payment.