The DJ Train plays music.  All kinds of music, and can play all the time.  The DJ Train is a public interface to the system that our DJ’s use to play songs. It keeps track of the songs played, to determine the most popular songs.  (This is done on a weekly, monthly and all-time basis.)  The concept of The DJ Train came from the combination of our DJ-in a BOX with our G-Scale trains.  As part of the Miami Valley Garden Railway Society, it just seems the right thing to do.  The idea of the DJ-in a BOX, is that the music only stops when there's something important to do (like talk about your dollar dance, if you're at a wedding.)  The train theme compliments this, since most trains only stop when they have to (like to get more cars, drop some off or let the passengers on and off.)  Pete & Edy have been doing DJ work for over 20 years [eeps!] and The DJ Train is a way to have fun with what is already a great way to entertain folks.

The DJ Train can be set for:

• Completely automatic operation.  This includes picking music if songs are not being selected fast enough to allow for continuous play. It plays songs the way a DJ does, in that the songs are blended together.  This avoids the problem of most jukeboxes that have a play, wait, play situation.  It prevents "dead air" (where there is no music at all.)  Most of the time, it is controlled by a format, (although it can be disabled if desired.)  The format limits what can be displayed as available, or informs the user that a song is not available now (if, for instance, too many slow songs are put in;) which prevents multiple plays within a pre-determined (for each song) time frame.  The DJ Train plays non-stop until it's told to stop (or it's unplugged.  If it's unplugged, it will  start back where it left off.)
  
• Semi-automatic operation. The DJ Train is active, but the Announcer/DJ can also adjust what is played, and when. The Announcer/DJ can also delete songs that are within format, but not right for a specific event; and add songs that are not within the current format, but do reside on the system, or can be made available (via our CD-ROM archive.)  (This way you still really have a "human" in control - not a machine.)  
  
• Suggestion based operation. The DJ Train is working, but the songs are not automatically played. The system is on manual, and songs can only be played by the Announcer/DJ.  The Announcer/DJ is in total control, although they can see the songs that have been requested.

The fee varies according to how The DJ Train is used.

The DJ Train with 1000 song capacity 25.00/hr

The DJ Train with 2000 song capacity 30.00/hr

The DJ Train with 3000 song capacity 35.00/hr

The DJ Train with Announcer, add $5.00/hr to above selection

The DJ Train and live DJ, add $10.00/hr to above selection

When using the DJ Train, the format is normally decided in advance, which limits what’s visible in the variety of musical genre’s (Top 40, Dance, Rock, Country, Big Band, etc.) This can be adapted to include background, Christmas or other holiday music, etc. The format also comes into play when the DJ Train runs out of songs to play that were put in by the public. In this case either the Announcer/DJ or the DJ Train will select songs based on the format. The format can also limit the number of slow (and/or almost slow) songs that can be played per hour, how many songs of a specific artist can be played (total and per hour,) and such things.

One of the suggestions we make, when having a multi-generation event (like a Wedding Reception, or office party or picnic) where the guests will be doing an RSVP, is to send out a "choose your favorite songs" ballot, with the invitation (or by snail mail/email later) This can result in a countdown at some time during the event of the group's favorite songs. It also should give an idea of how to set the format for the event, and allow for the procurement of some songs if needed. It doesn’t limit the Announcer, DJ or DJ Train to those songs requested in advance (within the bounds of the DJ Train capacity selected.)

Our online Favorite Songs form is available to you and your guests, so you can add a reference to it in your invitation, if desired.  (We can give you an event code to let us know they're going to your event, so we make sure and have what they ask for.)

Give us a call (937-219-5017,) send us email or drop us a line (snail mail - 32 N. Webster Street, Dayton Ohio  45402) for more information on how to get The DJ Train at your next event.

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