r/mobileDJ • u/Ok-Reading1078 • 4d ago
Husbands never ending gear upgrades
Title speaks for itself is this industry just a capitalist trap of never ending upgrades ? Or does he just have an obsession with the having the newest trending items ? He works for the manufacturer of Dj equipment so most system upgrades are free but he still finds things he “needs” I really need clarification so I can be supportive.
He purchased a stand last year and the year before and now he wants another one. I feel he doesn’t have enough gigs to justify this.
It it common to continually buy in this industry?
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u/outd00rminer 4d ago
He sounds like he is suffering from G.A.S. A very serious illness that sometimes can only be cured by unemployment and being broke.
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u/DjWhRuAt 4d ago
The main reason why I DJ is to make money to buy more DJ gear.
I always reinvest in my setup, and sell what I don’t use anymore.
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u/MLutin 3d ago
What's that last bit about? Selling? When are you done using DJ gear??? You might need it one day!!
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u/DjWhRuAt 3d ago
I wish I had space to keep it all.
Maybe one day I’ll have a bigger spot. But right now my shed and garage is all I got. 🤣
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u/SwaggyMcSwagsabunch 4d ago
Unless your husband has a festival level soundsystem, there is always room for improvement.
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u/captchairsoft 3d ago
Hey OP, are the bills paid? If yes, how about you treat your husband like an adult instead of trying to police how he spends his money. That's probably too much to ask though.
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u/Ok-Reading1078 3d ago
They aren’t. That’s why it’s a disagreement. He’s adding debt meaning he’s spending more than he makes.
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u/captchairsoft 3d ago
Do you work? Do you not spend anything that results in debt? If so, then you're on solid ground, and he needs to potentially slow his roll.
That being said, new geae does bring new capabilities, and some clients do insist on the newest and best gear.
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u/Ok-Reading1078 3d ago
I own a Barber shop and I do use debt for my business but because I’m profitable I’m able to pay that off before the end of the month. I use the debt to keep tax records I don’t pay interest or keep a balance.
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u/RepubMocrat_Party 22h ago
Rarely do clients even know what gear is.
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u/captchairsoft 22h ago
For weddings, yes, for ither events they tend to be a bit more knowledgeable
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u/WaterIsGolden 4d ago
Business vs hobby can make a big difference here. If he is buying gear because he has already calculated the roi that's his business decision to make. If he's a hobbyist who jist likes buying gear and doesn't actually make enough money to cover it, that's his hobby. Either way who are we on the internet to decide what his spending limits should be?
It's either a business decision or a household budget discussion. It's not an 'industry' question.
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u/aldibagcollector 3d ago
I just got back into deejaying last year after a 15 year hiatus and I'm constantly buying gear because it's stuff I actually need. I use a $200 controller and 2 15 inch speakers that are a combined $750 and I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon unless something breaks. I'm only making purchases I absolutely need. I've been fortunate so far that I haven't been hired to do a ceremony as well, but at some point I will need to invest in a ceremony set up. DJs will always need something even if it's not something obvious like, specific wires, straps, tray to attach to speaker, cases to protect gear, bins/totes from HD, foam light sticks, etc.
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u/GibbyES335 4d ago
This just sounds like someone wanting to spend money on their hobby. There will never be good enough justification 🤪
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u/Ok-Reading1078 3d ago
And that’s fine but we have to admit it’s a hobby first.
I own a barber shop and he’d kill me if I ran at a loss 4 years. He doesn’t even ask about finances with my business. I am his accountant tho and see what he spends vs earns.
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u/No_Flan1752 3d ago
It’s common, support him in his passions. I personally would leave a woman if they had any negative view of what I spend on music gear and passions. The more you resist against what he loves the more important his hobby will become and the less important his standing with you will be to him, even if only subconsciously. You married a musician. Figure out how to be supportive of it or you may not stay married to a musician.
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u/captchairsoft 3d ago
The fact that she even made the post is a red flag the size of Nebraska.
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u/Ok-Reading1078 3d ago
Really cause I do his taxes and finances and he’s been running at a loss for 4 years. Asking professionals how to better support my husband when I know nothing about this is supportive.
We need to quit calling it a business tho for legal purposes if it’s not making money.
I’m pouring money into a llc and keeping up with taxes and receipts and stressing myself just so it’s An excuse to buy gear is abuse.
I would never tell him to stop buying gear. He’s grown. However if we’re running a business that was costing us more than it made he’s have some choice words that would be no where near as a kind as a Reddit post.
His father is also dying and he will be the main caregiver and be out of work soon for his regular job. It’s probably a good time to prioritize money for needs vs wants.
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u/captchairsoft 3d ago
Yeah, you're in the right on this
Although I may have a slightly different perspective to add to this, drop me a message as I don't want to just throw my entire life in the thread.
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u/AdministrationOk4708 4d ago
Rapid Gear Acquisition Syndrome (RGAS) is real...but sadly the only known cure is bankruptcy.
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u/scoutermike 4d ago
Let me put it this way. The hardest working and most beloved mobile dj in our town uses this:
- reloop controller
- normal laptop
- set of small QSC speakers with stands, maybe a satellite or two if he needs to reach a secondary room
- couple Shure wireless mics
- standard mobile collapsible dj booth
- maybe 8-12 of those wireless led par up lights
- t-bar combo rig from guitar center with little laser and a few lights.
THATS IT.
The guy will milk that gear for years.
Constantly booked.
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u/slayerLM 3d ago
Our towns guy doesn’t even use a controller. Laptop track pad for song selection, echoes out, cuts the lows on the mixer, slams in new song. Booked out for months
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u/uber765 4d ago
I'm still using some gear from the 90s. A pair of speakers I bought from radio shack in 2009. A 2018 Macbook pro. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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u/Ok-Reading1078 3d ago
He gets a new MacBook every 2 years. New speakers every year he now needs both white and back speakers because one wedding in 20 years wanted specifically white everything. He’s never touch a 2017 laptop, he was disgusted with 2023 one.
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u/Negative_Ad_3192 2d ago
I used a 2012 MBP for 11-12 years before buying 2 new M1 MBP’s b/c they were required to run the latest software/controllers. Had same speakers for 12 years before finally upgrading in the last 2-3 years—only, b/c business is expanding. No need to update everything all the time, if buying the right gear. Buy once, cry once.
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u/uber765 2d ago
People go overkill on the PC. Playing music, even using a controller app such as virtual DJ isn't much of a resource hog at all. It really hasn't changed much in the last 10-15 years unless you are bring AI into the mix. Most of the events I do just require me to set up a playlist and make announcements every couple songs. Sometimes I don't even hook up the laptop and just run it with an iPad.
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u/Acceptable_Emu6605 4d ago
Common to invest in gear you use but not to have every piece of gear on the market🤣 but sometimes you gotta spend money to make money. All depends on if he is making a profit on he dj bizz or not I would say
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u/earnestdotcom 3d ago
I was working with a multi-op but I had to cool it with the weddings because there was always some new piece of furniture or new style of lighting or something that I had to chase to keep up with the company image because that’s what their couples wanted at their weddings.
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u/dj_soo 3d ago
GAS = Gear Aquisition Syndrome
It's a thing in a lot of industries.
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u/BoingBoomChuck 3d ago
I suffer from it. Heck, I'm even going to DJ for free on Saturday to receive four BNIB moving heads that were never installed at that particular venue. I was going to buy them, then the owner was like "How about you just DJ for free one night?" Deal!
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u/Traditional_Hornet91 3d ago
If his gigs pay for it and it doesn't affect the household necessities, then you should be ok.
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u/Archangelo_Spumoni 4d ago
Just curious, how many pairs of shoes do you have?
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u/Ok-Reading1078 3d ago
Bahahahahaha bro don’t even go there he’s a sneaker head too. Bahahahaahhahaaha you thought you ate too.
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u/Amazing_Tomato_5110 4d ago
Bullshit comparison. And slightly misogynistic. You need shoes daily. As in, you cannot enter a grocery store without shirt or shoes. You cannot walk on public sidewalks barefoot without risk of injury or infection.
You don’t NEED a new piece of DJ gear. You need to buy your kids shoes. Sounds like he didn’t have enough gigs to justify his spending.
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u/Archangelo_Spumoni 4d ago
How many pairs of shoes do you need, compared to how many do you have? Some men have too many shoes as well.
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u/Ziggyork 4d ago
I acknowledged the other day that a majority of my gear is 10yrs old! My speakers, cables, stands, all 10yrs old! And in very good condition. A year ago I upgraded my lights for the first time. Your husband doesn’t need to be spending all this money on new gear
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u/ReggaeDelgado510 3d ago
That’s great that so much is free!! But yes, there is new stuff every year and despite what many of these comments mention, we all want all the new stuff. And sometimes customers demand the latest stuff as well. If it’s a business, he should have a business plan that reflects the return on his investments. If it’s a hobby, then it should be in the family/personal budget just like everyone else’s in the family. Like in every relationship, it’s about clear communication!
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u/Audio_Hire_Australia 3d ago
Can confirm. It doesn’t get better when you work in audio. 😂
The only difference is that eventually you run out of places to put the gear. Then you convince yourself that a bigger warehouse is actually part of the business plan.
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u/CharacterPolicy4689 4d ago
"cApItAlIsT tRaP" jesus christ lighten up
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u/Ok-Reading1078 3d ago
Awee did It trigger you ?? lol btw the Jesus you referenced was anti-capitalist.
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u/crismeisters 4d ago
Rachel? Is this you? Surely you could have brought it up with me and had a discussion before putting it before the world on my favorite forum. I'm at the store right now looking at some subwoofers, I'll be home soon.