Sounds of DjSummit Khan

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About

I started my music career when I was 16 as a club DJ, then became a DJ / producer / guitarist and now author. The decision to become a DJ has led me to experience places that most people will never see or can afford to visit in two lifetimes. I've toured ...

me................

I started out by doing the weekly dances at Night camp when I was 16, using a Pioneer 2000 mixer, and mixing between a home CD player and a Sony Discman. I had a couple Pioneer home stereo speakers and amp for my sound reinforcement, and a couple cheap little effects lights from a local toy store. These dances were for 30-60 kids each week.

In Grade 11, I convinced the students council to hire me to do our school dances (I lied and said I had DJ'd dances before at other schools). I rented a couple bigger speakers & subs, and a whole light show on a truss. The total rental cost was probably around 300 but the school paid me 800. More money for gear!

This experience helped me to get gigs at other high schools and rec centers in the area, and was the start of my career as it is now.

Currently, I have been DJing professionally for 15 years. It's a side job, as my main job is teaching elementary school music, but I get scores of weddings each summer, corporate gigs at Christmas, and various other random parties throughout the year.

I have played a bit in bars and clubs but have always preferred the mobile DJ route for how many people I get to meet and interact with on a more personal level, that you just can't do as easily when you're on a stage in a club. I love doing weddings. Yes, the music often gets "old" after doing two gigs every weekend for a summer... but the pay is awesome and I meet a lot of really cool people.

My advice to someone young who is just starting out:

Once you know what you're doing - if you get offers to do bigger gigs and you don't have the proper equipment, RENT IT. Get your friends to help you, and borrow your mom's van! If you're doing a bigger gig you will get PAID more which means you can BUY MORE equipment faster. Renting lights and speakers is quite cheap compared to how much you'll be able to take in, but I don't think a lot of people consider this.

me................

This experience helped me to get gigs at other high schools and rec centers in the area, and was the start of my career as it is now.

My advice to someone young who is just starting out:

Member since: 10 years