Synergetic Sounds and Lighting

Please visit our new blog on our new site

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Our blog has been moved to our new website! Please go there for up to date information and pictures from our latest events. Also, be sure to subscribe to our new RSS feed.

Thanks!

Our blog has been moved

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Our blog has been moved to our new website! Please go there for up to date information and pictures from our latest events. Also, be sure to subscribe to our new RSS feed.

Thanks!

New blog/site

2012-01-09T13:14:00.001-05:00

Our blog has been moved to our new website! Please go there for up to date information and pictures from our latest events. Also, be sure to subscribe to our new RSS feed.

Thanks!

Pamela and Mark

2012-01-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

Back in September I had the pleasure of working at The Merion. We work there a lot and Cliff and the crew always do a fabulous job. The food is great, the attention to detail is always spot on and the little touches they add to eachevent always make it memorable.

This wedding was for Pam and Mark and I met them last year at our new office, which if you haven’t seen you have to come stop by, and we clicked right away.

In our office you are not only able to relax and get a chance to meet us, but you are able to see all of our lighting options, as well as see how we mix. Our new DreamSpace is even bigger now, over 1000 square feet! During the meeting I was really able to get to know them and they were able to get to know me, which is the most important. Feeling comfortable with your DJ is key!

It was good that they were able to see the lighting too because Pam had always wanted to have pin spotting. We were able to show her that, as well as the up lighting. She had been to a few other places that offered up lighting, but was very impressed by the way we brought more fixtures and were able to make it look more like a wash and not a column like effect.

The day of the event was busy. We had four guys there to get the show up and with the tight turn around time we had, it took all of us the whole time to get it up and set. The result was awesomeness! The room looked great.

Our dance floor was full too! Like most of the couples that hire Synergetic, Pam and Mark allowed me to program most of the night myself. I was able to mix in older songs like "Run Around Sue," and "I Want You Back," as well as new songs like "Give Me Everything" and "Raise Your Glass." I was shocked on one song though, they loved ""Shake Shake Senora! There is always one song that just does it at a wedding.

We worked with Jennifer Childress on this wedding and she got some great shots. Working with her is so much fun and makes for a great night. When we work with friends and people we know well the end result is always that much better.

If you are looking for a DJ, I would love the chance to sit down and talk to you. Just call Kelly in the office and she'll get the process started.

-Kurt

Synergetic Sound and Lighting, Inc. Launches New Website

2012-01-06T16:39:00.008-05:00

Synergetic Sound and Lighting, Inc. has just launched a brand new website, adding a number of new features including an interactive portfolio.

“It has been a long time coming,” President/CEO, Jason Weldon said on Thursday afternoon. “We have been in need of a site that represents our style and is, at the same time, much more informative to our clients and potential clients. We are really excited about it!”

On the new site, visitors will be able to learn about both the Entertainment and Production sides of the company as well as get a thorough idea of what Synergetic is all about. This modern site is an accurate depiction of Synergetic as a company and will be a great way for potential clients and professionals to get to know the company.

The new portfolio will give visitors a solid idea of what their event can look like. If a client wants to get an idea of what their event could look like, all they have to do is push a few buttons and all of the images meeting the criteria they input will come up. The portfolio can also be searched by venue.

Visit www.synergeticsounds.com to see the site.
Synergetic Sound and Lighting, Inc. is based in Bensalem and located at 776 Haunted Lane. If you have any questions or would like more information on the company, call 215-633-1200.

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Digital Signage

2012-01-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

For many of the corporate events we do, digital signage is becoming a bigger add-on. It used to be more of a lower line item, but now, we are seeing it more and more including multiple monitors throughout the venue.

For those of you that don’t know, digital signage is, in its simplest form, a plasma or LCD screen that displays specific content created by our client. This content is usually pretty important to the event and many people are going to need to see it. So having the screens set up in key areas is crucial, that way everyone at the event will know what is going on. For example, it could be a screen in the hallway of a trade show telling you where the seminars are.

We have invested in some great technology that allows our customers to get creative and bring an interesting “style” to their next event or convention. While the simple screen on a stand is typical, our clients are always looking to add that next level of design, something that makes their event look different, without killing the budget.

There are also some big benefits to digital signage that are usually overlooked. It is a great way to generate revenue because the same screen can be used as advertising for the convention. This could in turn keep the cost of the ticket lower. It is also a great way to stay green. Imagine having to create all those signs for a one time purpose and then throw them out after!

The next time you need to get multiple points of information to guests or attendees give us a call and let us help you with creative digital signage!

-Jason

Construction

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

There is currently construction happening on Haunted Lane between Bristol Pike and our office daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. To get to us, take State Road instead of Bristol Pike - you can go past the signs and make a left into our complex. If you have any questions, give us a call, 215-633-1200.

{Testimonial} Lynnmarie and Ken

2012-01-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

We absolutely love getting emails and reviews like this!

"I cannot say enough about how wonderful it was to work with Matt! Ken and I could not have asked for a better DJ. He helped us plan out the timeline so we could enjoy our wedding. Also, he kept everyone dancing all night and our guests still comment on how great our DJ was! I would highly recommend Matt to anyone and thank him from the bottom of my heart for making our wedding such a memorable night for everyone! -Lynnmarie"

Thanks so much Lynnmarie and Ken! We truly appreciate your feedback and are so thrilled that you were happy with our services. We wish you all the best!

Awesome Mendenhall Inn Event

2012-01-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

I love it when we get clients that want to drape out the dance floor! I love it even more when they want to use the drape for a reveal later on in the night. And that is exactly what we did at Stacie’s wedding.

In September, Stacie needed a way to block off the ballroom section of Mendenhall Inn for her ceremony so the guests wouldn’t see the rest of the room. She wanted them to come into a room that looked like a ceremony space, as well as have a nice backdrop for the photographer, Jennifer Childress.

We accomplished just that and more. In talking to Stacie, we told her that she should just leave the drape up around the dance floor. We can pull it back and create a cabana style effect to surround the dance floor in.

It was a great idea. You can see from the pictures that it looked really different! The guests loved it, the staff had never seen anything like it and even the DJ was snapping pictures of it left and right.

Let us help you in creating something a little different that can add a unique design to the wedding. All it takes is a simple phone call, 215.633.122, and some brainstorming. We are waiting to listen to your ideas!

What is a Lumen? Why does a lens matter?

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

When companies call us for a corporate event and need a video, slide show or power point presentation shown at their event, they usually just ask for a projector and a screen. Some of our customers know the difference, but others haven’t the slightest idea of what goes into the type of system they could get. So the next series of blogs is going to go into detail about the common nomenclature of the A/V world, specifically, screens and projectors.

We are going to start with projectors. Projectors are always rated first on how bright they are. So, when you see the term “lumen,” that is telling you how bright the projector is. The higher the lumen output, the brighter the image will be. And, as you can imagine, the higher the lumen output, the higher the price. Most professional projectors range from 2500 lumens to 10,000 lumens. The projectors you see at concerts can be upwards of 100,000 lumens. The most common lumen output you will see would be in the range of 4500-6500.

The higher the lumen output the better the picture will be. The blacks will look better, the contrast ratio is typically higher and the image, most importantly, will be easier to see. It really comes into play with the general lighting in the room. If you are having an event where you expect the lights on, or it may be in the afternoon in a venue with a lot of windows, a high lumen projector will be necessary. When I say high, I mean at least 5000 lumens. You don’t want your client to be complaining that it isn’t bright enough. Ultimately that will be what happens.

The next thing you need to know is the projection distance, or how far you have to “throw” the image. In most cases you will project the image onto a screen, and that screen is relatively close to the projector. But in our world, we need exact measurements to make sure we fill up the whole screen. That’s where the lens comes in. Lenses are sometimes called “glass.”

The lens, or glass, will allow you to “throw” the image very wide if you are extremely close to the screen or keep it very tight if you are far away from the screen. Both wide angle and short angle lens's can get expensive to rent. And those lenses tend to need a higher lumen projector. So knowing where the screens will go, in relation to where the projector will be are very important to us. All lenses are numbered. The number is what tells you the distance you can be from the screen to fill it completely. For example, a 1:1 lens means you have to be 12 feet away to fill up a 9x12 screen. Pretty simple.

So now you know a little more about projectors. Next up will be the screen! As always, any additional questions you have, don’t hesitate to call Matt or Michael and they will help you through the process.

-Jason

{Wedding Wire Review} Christine and Yordan

2011-12-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

Christine and Yordan had a fun wedding at the Washington Crossing Inn.

"We had a very positive experience with Synergetic. We ended up going with Mike as our DJ. Mike was young, easy-going, and a very friendly and easy person to work with. We requested him because he had worked on other intercultural weddings before. He was outstanding, considering the few twists we had to make his life more complicated.

The week of the wedding, Mike spoke with us in a lengthy conversation about the order and flow of how the reception would be. Because we both have families from Europe, we had a variety of people (and many non-Americans) in our bridal party. Mike practiced over and over again how to pronounce peoples' names correctly. In the end, he did not mess up at all when he announced everyone as they entered the reception.

At our wedding, we had professional Bulgarian dancers perform and lead the guests in dancing. Mike worked with us and the dancers very well to coordinate the music and the flow of the entire evening. Mike was very sensitive to our needs ... we had quite a bit of European techno and pop hits that we wanted played. He played most of them throughout the evening; he also included a nice balance of classic songs that everyone could enjoy - our dance floor was NEVER empty the entire evening (no joke).

He started out the night with the pass-a-dollar game ... we had never heard of that before, but it turned out to be a real hit with the guests and set the mood for a fun night. Mike always talked to either my husband or I during the reception to see how the timing was going and if there was anything else we needed. We did other activities during the evening, such as the Anniversary Dance, bouquet toss, garter, and cutting the cake.

Many guests commented to us how fun our DJ was at our reception. My husband and I agree that Mike was one of our top vendors ... Synergetic was professional (always communicated with us in a timely fashion through e-mail or phone). One thing to be aware of is that it is kind of difficult to get ahold of your DJ directly ... it always has to be taken care of through the people working in the office. Though we did talk with Mike months before our wedding, we were a little nervous that we didn't get to talk to him again until the week of the wedding.

I highly recommend Synergetic, and specifically, Mike. He has a great attitude, is extremely flexible, and was not over the top like many other DJ's at weddings can be." -Christine and Yordan

Thank you so much Christine and Yordan! We truly appreciate your kind words and I know they mean a lot to Mike. We wish you all the best!

{Video} Lighting at the Merion Tribute House

2011-12-26T10:52:00.002-05:00

The color of 2012

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

The color of 2012
In 2010 it was turquoise, 2011 was honeysuckle and what will next year be? The Pantone Color Institute has named “Tangerine Tango,” a blend of red and orange, as the “it” color for 2012.

I am a huge fan! The orange tone makes this such a fun, bright color that can easily bring out all the energy of an event, yet keep it feeling warm and cozy with the red like tones. It is a color that you can easily see in the longer, sun filled days of the summer, but still make a room feel comfortable through the shorter days of winter. Many people have to opt out of the darker colors in the summer because the sun’s rays last longer, but this hue will definitely allow guests to see it more easily, earlier in the event.

I am hoping to see a lot of this color in the floral! Lighting beautiful centerpieces just makes for an incredible room and shows the time and attention to detail that the client wants to portray to their guests. I am also interested to see what the florist’s pair with this color to make it pop even more.

Our friend Leigh at La Petite Fluer says that she is encouraged by this color selection. “We love it because it’s a color that can be interpreted for many styles and seasons. For Spring- tangerine, yellow and gray would be amazing. For Summer, we like a citrus blend- tangerine, yellow and lime. And for Fall, grape, tangerine and mocha is rich and sophisticated.”

When it comes to lighting, this would be a great color for up lighting, break up patterns for walls or ceilings, but not so much for a dance floor wash. While this color is in the skin tone family, I think this would most likely end up being too orange and make people look a bit strange, especially in photographs and video. Sticking to a lighter amber or lighter pink is still best for the dance floor.

The ladies over at Proud to Plan also like this selection. Owner Erin Proud said, “It is time for this vibrant and fun color to take center stage! The reddish-orange shade makes it a great choice for bridesmaid attire because it beautifully compliments most skin tones. Try combining textured tangerine linens, with lush ivory floral, lots of gold candles, all washed in gorgeous amber lighting and you'll create a warm and inviting setting your guests won’t soon forget!”

And our friend Tanya Gersh, of Tanya Gersh Wedding Design, based in Montana, said, "Tangerine is the new pink. It is bold, edgy and sexy. The perfect description of today's modern, confident bride!" I think Tanya is spot on!

I am really excited about seeing this color and hope our designer friends come up with creative ways to show it off!

For information on this color and the Pantone Color Institute, go here.

The color of 2010

The color of 2011

-Jason

{Wedding Wire Review} Jill

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

Another great Wedding Wire review - this time of Chris :).

"Synergetic was one of the best vendors to work with! They listened to everything we wanted and made sure everything went smoothly! I have heard nothing but compliments from all of our guests! I cannot recommend Chris and Kirk enough! They kept the reception running smoothly and kept everyone dancing all night long!" - Jill

To see more of our reviews, go here.

Thought You Might Be Curious

2011-12-19T10:00:00.001-05:00

Since we are an A/V company, we get asked by our friends, family or just the average person what the “two pieces of clear plastic” next to the president are when he speaks. Well, the answer is his… teleprompter.

The “contraption” resembles a mic stand with a piece of glass attached to the top of it. From the audience's perspective, the high quality prompter glass is transparent, giving the impression that the presenter is speaking fluently and professionally without any assistance. From the presenter perspective, the glass displays a mirror image of the pre-prepared speech from the LCD monitor at the base of the stand. Whenever you have a behind the shot view of the president, you can usually see wording on the glass.

So now you know what it looks like and what it is.

-Jason

WOW My Wedding - One More Day to Enter!

2011-12-17T18:55:00.000-05:00

Do you want to make your reception one to remember? Want to "WOW" your guests? Want your pictures to stand out? Share the story of your proposal with us and you could win a lighting package worth over $1000!

If you are a current DJ (Wedding I package) or Lighting client, or book us before December 18, 2011, and your wedding is happening between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2012 you are eligible. If you have already booked lighting with your DJ package, or multiple lighting options, we will refund you the difference. DJ clients will be able to WOW their guests with reception up lighting, a dance floor wash and monogram. Lighting clients will have their current package upgraded, so if you booked up lighting, we'll give you a dance floor wash and monogram, if you booked a monogram, we'll give you up lighting and a dance floor wash and if you booked a dance floor wash, we'll give you up lighting and a monogram!

To enter, share the story of your proposal. How did it happen? Was it unique? Were you surprised? WOW us with your proposal story and we'll WOW your guests. Send your proposal story with the subject "Wow my wedding," to beckyd@synergeticsounds.com by Sunday, December 18, 2011. Please keep stories to 600 words or less, and include at least one picture of you and your fiance/the proposal.

We will pick our three favorite stories and post them on our Facebook page on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. It will then be up to our fans to vote for their favorite story. You can place a vote by "liking" the Synergetic Sound and Lighting page and then "liking" your favorite story. While comments are nice, they do not count as votes. Voting will end at midnight on December 24, 2011 and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

So if you want to WOW your guests, send in your story today!

Lighthing Before & After

2011-12-16T10:00:00.002-05:00

We thought we would take some time and show you, as well as explain to you, how and why lighting can make a difference. Most people can easily “see” how lighting changes a room, but they don’t necessarily know why. So let me help you with that.

We will start with up lighting. The most popular option and the basic foundation of most lighting designs for weddings/event. I want to show you how just adding something as simple as up lighting, can make not only your eye, but the camera see a totally different room. For example, in the picture below, there is no up lighting behind the pin spotted centerpiece.

In looking at this picture, it is hard to tell the depth of the room. The background looks flat, the picture is very black and white and the room just doesn’t jump out at you. While many may think the up lighting's only purpose is to simply put color on a wall, its other purpose is to create the depth and add light to dark areas. While your guests notice the color and “oooh and ah”, the photographer and videographer will love the light in the background for better pictures and video, as well as that field depth.

As you can see in the above picture, adding a simple amber up lighting package makes a big difference.

Camera lenses aren’t built like our eyes. They need as much light as they can get. So the more light they can use in the background, the better your pictures will look, as in the picture above.

The above picture shows you how no lighting at all just makes for a typical room. It is hard to see or tell any of the features of the room,the floral’s, or each other.

When we add the up lighting, the room gets that first layer of depth. You can clearly see the depth of the room, what the walls look like, the simple details become more visible.

The only hard part to see are the flower arrangements, the dance floor, the tablescapes or anything inside the room. Up lighting shuts down our iris to take in the extra lighting in the room. So anything in front of the up lighting tends to look dark or hard to see. So now we have to bring the pin spotting in to get some more direct light in the areas we need. For this instance, it would be the flowers.

As you can see, the light for the flowers doesn’t just brighten up the flower arrangements, but it also lights up the table and some of the area around it. This adds the next level of depth, allows our eyes to focus on different parts of the room and most importantly really makes your guests go “wow.”

Lighting is important. Whether it is the natural room lighting or professional lighting, the need for lighting can be for much more than just to see. If you can’t afford to hire a professional lighting company like ours, just make sure you keep control over the natural room lighting. Simple fades throughout the night can evoke emotion and give the other professionals the perfect light they need.

And if you do hire a professional lighting company, remember that we are looking at the room, taking into consideration the other professionals, the physics of the lighting, etc., our number one goal is to evoke emotion and make the room come alive! We hope these pictures helped to show you what a difference lighting makes.

-Jason

{Wedding Wire Review} Mr. and Mrs. Awesome

2011-12-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Another amazing Wedding Wire review - thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Awesome for the awesome review of Resident DJ Matt Bowyer.

"Matt Bowyer put on a great show and was able to make everything we wanted to happen, HAPPEN when it was suppose to. GREAT DANCE music played, and all the other music in between. Our wedding was unique and they were able to make it all turn out AWESOME!" -Mr & Mrs. Awesome, 11/11/11.

Blossom Productions - guest post

2011-12-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

My love of working with couples on TLC’s A Wedding Story is how Blossom Productions came to be. Allowing a couple to share their story with me as their producer, truly allowed me to see that every couple is unique. Preserving their story for generations was and still is, truly an honor.

What I think truly sets us apart from other wedding filmmakers is our ability to get to know our couples, understand their story, the details of their wedding, while seamlessly incorporating our artistry, style and high production standards into a highly personalized wedding film.

Since every couple is unique, every one of our films is unlike any other that we produce.

The best compliment we can receive at the end of the wedding day is, “We didn’t even know you were here.” It’s true-we can document everything from the first dance to the sweetest of nuances in an unobtrusive, “stealth-like” manner.

When we hear we are working with a company like Synergetic, we absolutely know two things: 1) the venue is going to look beautiful 2) Our film will look even better because we are able to capture the lighting, the ambience and overall feel that the couple had wanted for their event having incorporated lighting into the day.

As a result, we’re able to film the wedding without having to use on-camera lights. It’s one more reason we’re able to blend in and get the job done well while incognito!

-Gabe and Alicia Nathanson, Owners of Blossom Productions

DJ Classes - The Perfect Stocking Stuffer or Holiday Gift

2011-12-11T17:00:00.000-05:00

Did you ever want to learn to DJ? Now you can! Well, at least the basics of it!

This is meant to be a fun, laid back, learning atmosphere for you to learn how to mix some music. Bring your partner, a friend or come by yourself - we promise to teach you as much as we can. One DJ will teach classes of no more than 20 people.

We've changed it up a bit this time around and are offering one night classes at an extremely affordable rate. These would make great stocking stuffers or holiday gifts!

Classes will be held Monday, January 9th and Monday, January 16th, at our warehouse in Bensalem. During the night we will teach you the following:

DJ overview
Basic equipment overview
Very basic music theory
Simple cueing
Beat mixing
Programming
Simple scratching techniques
Microphone techniques
Mixing songs

Each class will be $50 per person/$90 per group of 2 and will include a class of no more than 20 people. You must be 13 years of age or older (youth classes can be added if there is an interest). Full payment is due at the time of registration - check or cash is accepted, all credit cards will be billed a 3% convenience fee.

We will have two sessions in January - one on the 9th and one on the 16th. Let us know which one you want to attend. More nights will be added in February!

Call (215) 633-1200 or email info@synergeticsounds.com to sign up or get more information!

{Lighting} Maria and Steve

2011-12-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

With New Years Eve fast approaching, I thought I would share some images from one of our events last NYE.

Maria and Steve had a beautiful Wedding at the Loews Hotel complete with a midnight balloon drop :).

Thanks so much to Craig of Single Exposure for the images!

{Wedding Wire Review} Meredith and Dan

2011-12-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much to Meredith and Dan for this wonderful review of Kyle!

"Synergetic Sounds was a wonderful business to work with - they did DJ and lighting for my event and it truly made all the difference for my reception. The room looked warm and the pictures people took are much brighter because of the uplighting and our DJ, Kyle, played awesome music that kept the guests dancing from start to finish! Kyle even played piano during our cocktail hour - what a bonus! I would highly recommend Synergetic for your event needs!"

Meredith and Dan, we wish you all the best!

To see more of our reviews, go here.

{Video}

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

WOW My Wedding - We're at it again!

2011-12-05T08:48:00.004-05:00

We're doing it again! We were amazed by how many wonderful stories we received the last time and are looking forward to reading many more this time!

So if you want to WOW your guests, send in your story today!

Adding Violins to Your Event - From A DJs Persepctive

2011-12-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of DJing with our violinists at a wedding reception. It was a really unique experience for me as a DJ since I rely on pre-recorded music. For the first dance and parent dances the violins played along adding to the feel of the room with live music. I was impressed with the skill they possess and the ability to play along with just about any song. In addition, I enjoyed mixing them in with the music. The end result was a truly one of a kind experience for the Bride, Groom and their guests.

When we kicked off the dance floor the violins were involved with the crowd and played along with the music. We would cue off of each other throughout the evening seamlessly from the mixed music I was playing. Featuring the violin from time to time throughout the night was a fun time for both the guests and for me. The violins and I shared the crowd’s enthusiasm for all of the styles of music I played.

The violins are a great addition to the atmosphere that a DJ provides. It was exciting and fun to hear how good they sound and involve them in the reception. While I believe a DJ is the best option for your entertainment at a wedding adding the violinists is a creative option that enhances it.

-Patrick

{Wedding Wire Review} Melissa and Greg

2011-11-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

Melissa and Greg had a beautiful wedding at Glen Foerd Mansion earlier this month.

"Our DJ Kurt was incredible. The music was perfect. I wasn't expecting the DJ to be so attentive to my husband and me but he kept checking to make sure we were happy which we really appreciated. They were a pleasure to work with."

Thanks so much Melissa and Greg! We're so glad you were pleased and we wish you all the best!

To see more of our Wedding Wire reviews, go here.

New Years Eve at the Crystal Tea Room

2011-11-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

This year we are helping with the production of a HUGE New Years Eve event at the Crystal Tea Room and we are really excited about it.

12Midnight is Philadelphia's hottest New Year's Eve Party for those looking for the best way to ring in 2012 in the Philly/South Jersey area. The Grand Ballroom is the backdrop for this amazing evening - add in special lighting, over fifteen hundred new people, a balloon drop while you watch the ball drop and a VIP area in the 50-foot glass ceiling atrium, and you'll be in awe the second you walk in. There are multiple rooms, tons of easy access bars, delicious food and carving stations and a great crowd - what more could you want?

This will be a great way to ring in the new year, so go to the website for more information and to buy your tickets.

{Testimonial} Kate and Drew

2011-11-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

We recieved this wonderful email from Kate and Drew after their beautiful Glen Foerd wedding.

"Hey Matt,
I apologize I'm just emailing you now, but we wanted to thank you so very much for all your hard work that you and your team put into making our wedding so great. The lighting was awesome and the music was fantastic!!! You did such an amazing job with the music we couldn't have asked for anything better. Everything turned out perfectly !!! We would highly recommend you to anyone. Thanks again for everything!!!

Sincerely,
Drew and Kate McKenna"

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so glad you were pleased and we could be a part of your special day! We wish you all the best!

{Video} Creative Mixing

2011-11-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

A great little video from Matt about the way we can mix different songs together to keep your dance floor full. No matter the style or genre of music, you can be sure our resident DJs know how to mix it up!

{Video} Synergetic Violins

2011-11-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

{Testimonial} Wedding Wire Review

2011-11-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

JoAnne and Bobby were married in September at the Flanders Hotel in Ocean City.

"Jason and Victor were outstanding DJs at our wedding! Our guests did not stop dancing from the moment that the dance floor opened! Our experience with them prior to the wedding was excellent...everyone responded right away to answer our questions. We'd recommend Synergetic Sound & Lighting to anyone looking to have fun at their wedding and rock the dance floor!"

Thanks JoAnne and Bobby! We're so glad you had such a wonderful time and are thrilled would could be a part of that!

To see more of our Wedding Wire reviews, go here.

The Prep Work

2011-11-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

For every event that involves some sort of production (by production we mean an event that has lighting, A/V, staging, draping, etc.) there are meetings - and these meetings are what ensure that your event goes off the way it is supposed to.

Most of our prospective clients call us with the end result in mind. It is our job to fill in the blanks and let them know what it will take to get to that end result. Because most of the meetings that happen, happen before the contract is even signed, these meetings tend to be the most important ones, the ones that let us and you know what it will take finically to get the event done they way you want it. And the last couple of years have made this process pretty tough with the economy being the way that it is.

This process takes time. We want to make sure that all of the necessary steps have been taken to deliver what you expect on time and on budget. You don’t want to hear that, "we didn’t consider that" or "I was unaware this was going to be this way."

Rest assured, everybody at Synergetic is thinking for you. We are thinking of every possible thing that your event will need and asking these questions BEFORE we step foot on any site. We know what to anticipate. So if we seem to ask more questions than you might be used to, or we take a little longer putting together an estimate, it is simply because we want to make sure we get it right!

So make sure to give us a call during the bidding process of your next event. Let us see if there is something we can think of for you!

Gretchen and Michael

2011-11-11T10:00:00.001-05:00

It's always an honor when a fellow industry professional hires us for their personal event. We've known Gretchen for a long time and had the pleasure of DJing and lighting her wedding this past Spring. Here's more about the big day straight from Gretchen!

"My husband and I are both really creative and love music, and wanted to have a lot of personal touches throughout our wedding celebration. It was a great collaboration, and we each got to show off our style to create a day that was truly unique and truly us. Being in the wedding industry myself, I was fortunate enough to be able to get to work with vendors I’d worked with multiple times for other people’s events to create my own special day. There was no stress involved with the vendor portion of things. I knew I could rely on them to execute the vision the husband and I had created for our wedding day. My husband designed the print work … save the date, invites programs, menus, and our wedding logo. I designed jewelry for myself, 7 bridesmaids, 2 flower girls, and mother of the bride and mother of the groom. Music is hugely important to us. My husband is also a DJ, and he designed playlists for the pre-ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner hour. Together we curated the ceremony music (and surprised our DJ Jason Weldon with a full set of ceremony songs he’d never seen used before in a ceremony!) and our guest take home gift, which was a mix cd. Seeing everything come together, the beautiful lighting, flowers, our logo in lights, and all of our friends and family was what made the day truly special for us!

Vendors: Invites/Print-the groom http://www.argodesign.net/
Jewelry-the bride http://www.studio320jewelry.com/
Floral décor-Campbell Studios http://www.campbellstudios.us/
Photography- http://www.chriskendigphotography.com/
DJ/Lighting http://www.synergeticsounds.com/"

Congratulations Gretchen and Michael! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your special day!

{Testimonial} Recent Wedding Wire Review

2011-11-09T10:00:00.002-05:00

Lisa and Josh left this awesome review for us on Wedding Wire after their August wedding at Belle Voir.

"Synergetic was AMAZING!!!!!! They responded to me right away, they were flexible around my schedule, and they were so professional I didn't even need to check other DJs. They played the songs we requested while still making sure that everyone was dancing and having a great time. They ensured that the music fit with people's tastes and still adhered to our requests as well. Fabulous fabulous time! The Monogram was awesome and we had such a good time. Special thank you to Mike K for an amazing job as our DJ! He was fantastic. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend them!"

Talk about a review that makes us smile! Thanks so much Lisa and Josh! We wish you all the best!

To see more of our Wedding Wire Reviews, go here.

The Truth Behind the Photo Montage

2011-11-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

Photo montages aren’t our most popular offering, but we do get a decent amount of requests for them each month. Although it seems many people don’t know how to do them/show them properly. Let me give you the run down on what you can expect when you want to show pictures or a DVD at your event.

You have two options to play back your media (DVD, pictures or powerpoint), a plasma screen and a projection screen. Most of the time, the projection screen is what comes to mind first. And that is, 90% of the time, the wrong option*. Here’s why.

Projection screens offer a big viewing area and that’s about the best thing they offer. The screen itself takes up a huge footprint, so it disrupts the visual layout of the room. With a projection screen, you need a projector, which means you need, on average, about 10-12 feet in front of or behind the screen. Usually people use a pull down screen, which means when you are ready to show your media, someone is going to have to pull the screen down, set up the projector and run all of the cables. All this while guests are enjoying their dinner and wondering what’s going on. Not what most people want to have happen at their event. When the presentation is done, it all has to be moved, or worse, come down!

Instead, we suggest plasma screens. Two screens is perfect for about 225-250 people. They take up a very small footprint, look visually appealing and allow for instant viewing and no setup time. It is the best option for any type of playback.

Here are the different options we have done at events:
-2 plasma screens, one on either side of the ballroom for playback of picture slide show, DVD or ambient DVD’s.
-Screen set up during cocktail hour for video playback on loop.
-Photographers using the screens to show the pictures they shot throughout the day.
-Instead of projecting your monogram on the floor in lighting, use the screens to display it.
-The plasma bar! Use this as a specialty drink bar and your guests will rave for a long time!

*For many corporate events, projection screens are the best option. We are simply talking about social events in a typical venue that holds 200-300 people. Please speak with Matt or Kelly for more information.

-Jason

{Video} A Carinwood Wedding with Lighting

2011-11-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

{Testimonial} Recent Wedding Wire review

2011-11-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

Janine and Mark left this wonderful review for us on Wedding Wire. Their beautiful wedding took place in September at Bear Creek Mountain Resort.

"We were in the unfortunate circumstance of having to find a new DJ just 9 days before our wedding. Our photographer recommended Synergetic and when we contacted them, they happened to have a DJ free due to a cancellation. Mark was our DJ, and we couldn’t have been happier with him throughout the entire process. Given the short timeframe we were working with, Mark was very flexible with scheduling a phone discussion right away, and then meeting in-person a few days later to go over the details. He was sympathetic to our situation and eager to jump in and make our day exactly what we had imagined. The day of our wedding was seamless. The music was perfect – everything we requested was played (with one exception – for good reason because he couldn't find a good recording of the song – which Mark promptly emailed us about right after our wedding). Mark and his assistant looked professional, brought a lot of energy and played great music. We were so pleased with Synergetic and Mark during our planning that we also added some lighting to our package. The atmosphere was the perfect rocking party that we wanted, and the music was a key part of that. The lighting options added a great atmosphere to the reception. We’d definitely recommend Synergetic."

Thank you so much Janine and Mark! We're so glad you were pleased with our services and that we could be a part of your special day!

To see more of our Wedding Wire reviews, go here.

What We're Up To

2011-10-31T10:39:00.003-04:00

We have a lot going on over the next month - on top of awesome weddings, corporate events, school dances and large production shows - and we're so excited about all of it!

-We have a huge Carnival themed Homecoming dance coming up. The dance floor and entrances are going to look like a big top carnival tent!
-We're starting on plans to expand our demo room/lighting show room and getting it ready for our Open Houses in January

-We're getting the ball rolling on plans for our company Holiday Party

-We'll all be out and about at a ton of networking events, so make sure to say hi!

-We're putting together a large proposal for a Baltimore Wedding on the Inner Harbor.

-Working with Rebecca from The Queen of Hearts on a unique lighting design at the Franklin Institute.

-Working with the very creative Leigh Karsch from La Petite Fleur on a few events.

-Finalizing the details for Synergetic's annual Thanksgiving football game.

-Attending LDI, one of the largest national trade shows for lighting, staging and production events.

What big things do you have coming up?

{Testimonial} From a fellow professional

2011-10-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

We got this email from Evan of Pebble Hill Media. It's always nice to get positive feedback, but when it comes from a professional who has worked hundreds of weddings, it is pretty awesome.

"Jason,

I was the videographer for this wedding that your DJ’s Dave & Jenn were working on Oct 22^nd at Bensalem Country Club. I have been shooting weddings since I was in High School (early 1990’s). Lately most DJ’s just play the pre-recorded mixes. The same crap each party, very predictable. I was blown away by your DJ’s Saturday night. They made their own mixes and kept the guests up most of the night. It makes it fun and more productive for us when there is actually something to shoot, and listen to. We (my company) do a mix of work and event video is only a portion of what we do. Having a great DJ working the party makes it fun to shoot weddings again.

I just wanted to send my compliments to your company and I was truly impressed with Dave and Jenn’s work. If I ever need a DJ I will call you first."

Thanks so much Evan! We truly appreciate you taking the time to email us and let us know how they did.

{Video} Lighting at Celebrations

2011-10-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

Michelle and Sam

2011-10-25T10:00:00.002-04:00

It took six workers and almost six hours of labor, but when our team was done setting up for Michelle and Sam’s wedding, we knew we had created something extraordinary.

They had their ceremony and reception at the Loews Hotel at 12^th and Market Street. The Loews is quite an impressive venue and it’s perfect for weddings of 300+ guests like Michelle and Sam’s. Located in the oldest skyscraper in Philadelphia (the PSFS building), the Loews links history and modern elegance as its immaculate renovations deliver a very sleek and contemporary feel. Michelle and Sam came to Synergetic to enhance this beautiful venue with added lighting, draping, A/V upgrades, and of course, good music.

The production crew and I arrived at the Loews at 11:30am. We had a lot of work to do before the ceremony at 6:00pm. We first got to work on the lighting in the Millennium Ballroom where the reception was held. Michelle and Sam added up-lighting in amber, a dance floor wash, and pin-spotting to highlight their 27 centerpieces. We also set up a projector screen directly over the DJ booth that allowed guests to view slideshows of Michelle and Sam throughout the night. Their guests really got a kick out of that!

We also contributed to the ceremony by setting up 40 feet of drape with amber up-lighting.This created a beautiful backdrop that made for some wonderful pictures of Michelle and Sam exchanging their vows.

During the cocktail hour in the Millennium Foyer, I brought Sam into the ballroom to make sure he was satisfied with all the work we had done. He was speechless! The room itself accompanied by the city-scape that surrounds the ballroom made for an amazing sight. After all that work, the party was just getting started.

Michelle and Sam had a lot they wanted to do throughout the reception. They had parent dances, bouquet and garter toss, a traditional tea ceremony, and several slide shows that we projected on our screen. It was important that I kept strong communication between myself and the staff at the Loews to make sure we stayed on schedule. When there is a lack of organization among vendors, a wedding will tend to drag, usually resulting in less dance time at the end of the evening. Dance time is my favorite part of the night! So, before every wedding, I always review the timeline with photographers, videographers, day of coordinators, maître Ds, and any other professional involved in the reception.

On this night, I was able to get a solid two and a half hours of dance time. This is the point where the DJ can make or break your reception. I was recently at a wedding where the DJ was very professional: well-dressed, well-spoken, and handled formalities well. But at the end of the night when he had to show his true DJ skills, he was exposed. If you have guests at your wedding, like Michelle and Sam’s, who are expecting to dance, you need a DJ who can deliver in this spot. It’s these last two to three hours that separates me from your average wedding DJ. So what do I do to keep your guests on the floor?

Before anything, I come to the wedding prepared. Michelle, Sam, and I talked about songs and genres that they thought would work really well with their guests. We also discussed other factors that would contribute to my song selection: the length of the reception, demographic breakdown of guests, and their overall vision of what they wanted from me as a DJ. This information allows me to make a mental blueprint for where I should take the night weeks before the event.

When I’m spinning my music, I try to put myself in the position of the guests on the dance floor. If I was out there with them, what would I want the DJ to do? When mixing song to song, I am constantly aware of tempo, dynamics, and rhythm. By managing these factors, I make seamless transitions and can continuously build the energy in the room without any awkward breaks in the music. This the part of the night your guests will remember the most, so make sure you have a DJ that can keep the dance floor alive.

Michelle and Sam’s wedding was one that I will always remember. It was certainly quite a production! I was very pleased that the Synergetic team and I were able to meet and exceed their expectations with our lighting design and my service as a DJ. Best of luck to them in the future!

For more information on Synergetic, or to set up an appointment, contact Kelly at our office: 215-633-1200.

-Kyle

Thanks so much to Jea Lee Photography for the images.

Fall Music Trends

2011-10-20T10:00:00.007-04:00

The wedding world tends to be a little behind when it comes to new music, so you will still be hearing many of the top Summer songs this Fall/Winter. "Give Me Everything," "Yeah 3X," "Forget You," and "Dynamite," should all still be packing dance floors.

Dance music (120 beats per minute, BPMs, or more) will definitely still be going strong. With the success that Pitbull has had on other artist’s songs, it is likely that more and more great dance songs will emerge. Hip hop (105 BPMs or slower) really has been left out - dance music has a strong hold right now. Look for some strong dance tracks from Black Eyed Peas, Rhiannon and dare I say, Madonna.

As each year goes by, we really become more and more distant to those songs we heard 10 years ago. There is just so much more music to choose from. Playing those typical wedding songs just don’t apply anymore. Current music is at least 50% of the music that we play. And I think it is going to remain this way for a while and become more and more prominent.

Probably the biggest trend you will see is the advent of dinner music going away from being slow. Mixing good, creative songs will be something we try and keep up. Guests are expecting the DJ to use dinner to show them what is in store for the night. Now, we don’t mean have everyone dancing, but the typical 40 minutes of jazz, chill type of music is quickly becoming extinct.

As with any blog, this is simply my opinion and the good thing with music is that there is something for everyone. But we are no doubt in a great dance music part of the pendulum and I love it.

-Jason

New DJ Recruitment Night

2011-10-18T17:00:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wanted to be a DJ? Now is your chance & we want to meet you!

Come out to our “New DJ” recruitment night on Monday, November 21st, 2011 to see what Synergetic Sound and Lighting is all about! Meet our current DJs, talk to our managementteam and try to mix a few songs. It will be a great chance for you to learn about us.

Recruitment night is at our offices, 776 Haunted Lane, Bensalem, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come out anytime during those hours - but give us a call so we know you're coming, 215-633-1200. Make sure to bring your resume and a head shot.

Light the Outside

2011-10-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

As the days start to get shorter and the sun sets earlier, don’t be afraid to light the outside of your venue. You can set the tone for your guests from the minute they pull up.

We can light the walls of the building, columns, the trees or even the grass. Be creative! Have some fun and let’s see how many times we can make them say “wow!” Let us help you come up with some cool ideas and unique designs.

David Zaveloff Photography

-Jason

Vinyl

2011-10-13T10:00:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don’t know, I am a vinyl junky. I own thousands of records - 45s, 33s, 78s, I have them all.

We did a project recently that required me to hand over some records to be repurposed in order to make something unique for our studio. While this was extremely hard to do, it was quite interesting to go back through all of my records. I had to try and find ones that I wouldn’t mind parting with - but I didn’t want to part with any of them! So, I thought I would just share a few of my favorite with you:

Thriller

Billy Joel Greatest Hits

Needless to say, I needed to find 50 records I could give up and I found 51. So you may be wondering what the project was. We created our logo out of real vinyl! The whole sign is made out of records. This was a really cool project and we think it came out great. You can see this in our reception area when you walk into our office. Here's a peek - but the picture doesn't do it justice - you'll have to come in and see it for yourself.

-Jason

{Video} Lighting at Cescaphe

2011-10-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Whose Table Is It Anyway?

2011-10-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I attended the Society of Wedding Planners, Whose Table Is It Anyway event at the Phoenixville Foundry. The Foundry is a beautiful space for an event - the architecture is amazing and I just love the light fixtures :). Definitely check it out if you need a venue for your next event.

At this event, some of the industry's hottest designers and florists create table designs in four different categories - Weddings under $10,000, Weddings over $10,000, Theme and Rising Star.

J. Scott Catering provided the food for the night. There was a sushi station and a delicious mini sliders (beef, portabella and crabcake), french fry and milkshake station. I may have had two milkshakes ...

Entertainment for the night was provided by Brandywine Valley Talent. Also contributing to the wonderful evening was Frank's Wine Mart, Sound Choice DJs, Shutterbooth, Blossom Productions, Wegmans Collegeville and Party Rental, LTD.

The tables were absolutely beautiful. I had a hard time deciding who to vote for - there are a lot of talented people in the Philadelphia area.

Winner in the Rising Star category was Laurie Sasko Designs.

Winner of the Theme category was Passion for Petals.

Winner of the Weddings under $10,000 category was Blue Moon Florist.

Winner of the Weddings over $10,000 category was Christofer + Janesson/Ilonka Floral Decorators.

It was a great night - SWP raised over $800 for the Gift of Life Family House.

Thanks so much to the talented Lindsay Docherty of Lindsay Docherty Photography for the images!

-Becky

{Video} Lighting at Holly Hedge Estate

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

What We're Up To

2011-10-02T11:33:00.003-04:00

On top of rooting for the Phillies, we have a lot going on :)

-We're working on a bid for a homecoming dance with a circus theme. The concept involves a "big top" design.

-We're putting the finishing touches on a great design for an upcoming wedding at a Montgomery County country club.

-We're designing a huge ceremony drape concept for a Las Vegas client - there will be over 600 people at this event.

-Thinking about throwing a Halloween party at our office - we are on "Haunted Lane" after all.

What are you up to this week?

{Video} Lighting at The Inn at Penn

2011-09-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

Ever Wanted to Learn How to DJ?

2011-09-28T10:00:00.001-04:00

Well, at least the basics of DJ’ing! This is meant to be a fun, laid back, learning atmosphere for you to finally learn how to mix some music. Bring your partner, bring a friend or just come by yourself, we promise to teach you as much as we can. Three DJs will teach classes of no more than 10 people.

Our second session will start on October 23rd. We're having a GREAT time in our first session, so definitely sign up for the next one - you don't want to miss out! Classes will be held weekly on Sunday afternoons from 12pm to 2pm or Monday nights from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at our warehouse in Bensalem. The course will include 4 sessions and will teach you the following:

1st Session-

DJ overview
Basic equipment overview
Very basic music theory
Simple cueing

2nd Session-

Cueing of music
Mixing songs
Beat mixing

3rd Session-

Beat mixing
Programming
Simple scratching techniques

4th Session-

Microphone techniques
Record mixes

The 4 class session is $299 per person/$500 per couple (if married) and will include a class of no more than 10 people. You must be at least 13 or older (youth classes can be added if there is an interest). A 50% deposit due when registering. Check or cash is accepted. All credit cards will be billed a 3% convenience fee.

Call (215) 633-1200 or email info@synergeticsounds.com now to sign up or get more details!

*If you sign up for Sundays, your class will be the following four Sundays. If you sign up for Mondays, your class will be the following four Mondays.

Photo credit to Lightyear Studio

Lauren and Martin

2011-09-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

Every wedding is different. They each seem to have a life of their own. They unfold before us, sometimes just as you expect, and other times unexpected situations pop up. It is the unexpected situations that I love the most as a DJ. At Lauren and Martin's wedding at the Mendenhall Inn an unexpected situation popped up, but it was a good one.

Lauren and Martin were the quintessential bride and groom. They wanted to dance! And so did their friends. From the second the last meal was served, until the end of the night, their close friends were glued to the dance floor.

Now, Lauren and Martin knew what they wanted. First, they wanted a wow effect in the room. So as you can see from the pictures, up lighting in blue, dance floor wash in amber and a monogram to top it off, gave them the wow factor they were going for. The room really looked elegant. But, there were some things that needed to be addressed to get the room to look this way. Thanks to our Project Manager, Michael, we got all of the calculations we needed, lined up with the right fixtures in the right places to get the room looking the right way. All of our clients work with a project manager when they contract with us.

The Mendenhall Inn is a great place to get to married. The staff is so easy to work with and they serve dinner in a way that allows you and your guests the most amount of time for dancing. I love that.

We also were able to work with Marc from Marc Anthony Photography. Marc took some great pictures and was just so much fun to work with. I have worked with him quite a few times and we always have a good time. Thanks for the pictures Marc!

From there, Lauren really wanted to get people to dance. And she was trusting enough to leave most of the programming up to me. And boy did I get creative. Songs such as “Regulators,”
“Good vibrations,” and “Call On Me,” were played. In fact, as the night went on, the R&B of the late 90’s started to be the music of choice for Martin and his group of friends. It was amazing to see the groomsmen dance to “Billie Jean!”So you might ask what was so unexpected about this wedding. Well, it was the bride and groom. Very rarely do I ever see my bride AND groom on the dance floor at the same time for the WHOLE night. Lauren and Martin did just that. They danced to almost every song and that was so great to see!

Thanks for letting me spin for your family and friends Lauren and Martin. I had a great time.

-Jason

Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun

2011-09-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

One of the questions we get asked on a daily basis is why we suggest two DJs for each event. It may seem like a bit much to you. You might wonder, can't one person do it? And that’s a great question. So whether it’s our competition saying that you don’t need two DJs or it is your own instinct, we want to show you why having two DJs at your event can be a huge advantage.

I would imagine that many of you have only been to a handful of weddings, and since most of the people that we talk to have had poor experiences with DJs, I would be willing to bet that most of those weddings were just OK in the entertainment department. But the ones that were really good, I'd be willing to bet there were two DJs. So, why does that matter?

We have done a little shy of 2000 weddings as a company. And with all of that experience, we have learned how to make your event the best it can be. And the easiest way to do that is to have two DJs there.

Let’s take the wedding that I did on July 3rd as an example.This wedding would have been tough to do on my own if I didn’t have another person with me to:
-Gather the missing bridal party members to be lined up
-Control the music while I was lining up the 15 person bridal party for introductions

-Adjust the volume for introductions, toasts, the blessing, and the music, since our system was set up in another room
-Monitor the volume so guests weren’t blown away
-Handle the extraordinary amount of song requests that came in while I was mixing (we do beatmix almost every single song)
-Coordinate with the maitre d, photographer, videographer, fireworks company, parents of the bride and groom, the bride and groom and appropriate guests to make sure everything happened when it was supposed to

Now, this might not seem like a lot, but you have to trust me on this. One of the main reasons we have two DJs on your event, is for every reason I can’t tell you right now, but will be able to tell you 10 seconds after your wedding is over. Not only does that second DJ help with coordinating the evening and making sure everything runs smoothly, but their presence and help on everything mentioned above buys you and your gusts more dancing time.

You see, my job is to manage about 15 different things at once. Number one, I have to pack your dance floor. I have to think of the perfect song to play next to keep everyone out there. That by itself takes concentration. Then I actually have to mix it. That requires talent and skill, as well as focus. I only have about 1-2 minutes to do all that, and that happens about 50 times in two hours. Now add into the mix the guests wanting to make a request, the itinerary that needs to be adhered to, the maitre d who needs us to make an announcement and the bride and groom who need you to do something right away. Then all of a sudden dad wants to talk to you about a song he really wants to hear. Wow! All that in as little as 5-10 minutes. Ask any DJ that has done 100 weddings and he or she will tell you that this happens all of the time.

Imagine one person doing all of that, it's a lot of pressure. Now, we are certainly not saying that it cannot be done - it certainly can - we do it, but we much prefer to have two DJs on each event. A two person team allows things to run much more smoothly. It allows us to do more then just DJ. It allows us to make the event better by doing the little things -something as small as taking 5 minutes to talk to dad about this special song and how important it is. Having another DJ there means I can talk to him without worrying about the music and losing people on the dance floor because the other DJ has that under control. Or maybe something as small as making sure the grooms mom is ready to go by the dance floor when we announce the mother son dance, so we aren’t all waiting and wondering were she is. Or having the time to hunt down the toss bouquet - you know, the one that was left upstairs in the bridal suite that was specifically made to be tossed. I could go on and on, but you get the point.

The most important thing to us is that everything is perfect for you. When there are 47 things being thrown at us and we are being pulled in 5 different directions at once, it is up to us to manage it all. And we will. And you can bet that with two people at your reception, we will get it done and get it done with a packed dance floor.

-Jason

*We originally ran this in July of 2010, but we get this question a lot, so we figured we'd explain again.

{Video} Lighting at Deerfield Country Club

2011-09-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

Melissa and Matt

2011-09-16T07:45:00.000-04:00

Melissa and Matt's wedding was a blast! They had their July reception at the Double Tree Hotel on Broad Street, a beautiful venue for an unforgettable wedding in the city. Everything went great: the flower arrangements from Grove Floral Shop were tremendous, the food and service from the Double Tree were top-notch, and the music and lighting we provided took Matt and Melissa's big day to the next level!

When I met with Melissa and Matt at the Synergetic office prior to their wedding, I knew I would be a great fit for them. They needed a DJ that could handle all formalities with eloquent professionalism, and also someone who could give their guests a night of non-stop dancing. I ensured them that I was their man! Matt and Melissa were also interested in our lighting which made the already-beautiful Symphony Ballroom even more picturesque.

They selected uplighting in soft pink, dance floor wash in amber, and a custom monogram on the wall that really brought the room together. Marc Matteo from Marc Anthony Photography took some great shots throughout the night that highlight the added lighting.

My 2nd DJ for the night was Jim Gosser. We knew from early on in the night that Melissa and Matt's guests were a fun bunch, as they were on the dance floor even during dinner. I even had to make an announcement to remind them that their meals were being served! Here are some fun dinner songs that worked really well at the beginning of the night: "Give It Up," by Marvin Gaye, "Rock With You," by Michael Jackson, "Start Me Up," by the Rolling Stones, and "Roadhouse Blues," by The Doors. Jim and I were also able to incorporate all of Melissa and Matt's dinner selections.

Once the guests were finished eating, I kicked the music up a notch and got everyone on the dance floor. With my ability to read a crowd mixed with a great list of Melissa and Matt's selections, the floor was raging all night. During some songs, like House of Pain's "Jump Around", it was borderline-dangereous! I played a little bit of everything, from oldies to modern hits, to ensure that everyone heard something they liked.

Like many guests, when I played the last song, I couldn't believe the night was already over. It was a pleasure being a part of Melissa and Matt's wedding day, and giving them and their guests a night to remember!

If you're planning a wedding and need a DJ, contact Kelly at the Synergetic office (215-633-1200) to set up a meeting. Find out how we can "wow" your wedding!

-Kyle

Hamels Foundation Event

2011-09-14T11:29:00.001-04:00

We had the pleasure of doing the lighting, staging and sound for an event for the Hamels Foundation at the Crystal Tea Room last month.

The Hamels Foundation is a wonderful cause with a dual mission to provide support for quality education in the United States and establish a school in Malawi, Africa. The Hamels Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and giving them the tools to achieve their goals.
At the event, we had the chance to work with Country superstar Martina McBride for a 30 minute set towards the end of the evening.

We put together a really good design and addressed the needs of having over 800 people in one room. We hope we are asked to be a part of it again next year.

-Jason

{Video} Lighting at Talamore Country Club

2011-09-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

2011 and 2012 Specials!

2011-09-08T10:31:00.005-04:00

We're running a few specials that we wanted to share with you.

2011 Weddings

If you have not yet booked a DJ, give us a call - we will give you a *FREE monogram when you book our Wedding I package.

January, February, March 2012 Weddings

Option 1: Book our Wedding I package at $995 (regularly $1450) and *get 50% off a monogram or ceremony.
Option 2: Book our Wedding I package at $995 (regularly $1450) AND our up lighting package at $850 and get a *FREE dance floor wash!

*Subject to date and equipment availability. No substitutions. Not valid on previously booked events.

If you have any questions about these specials or our services give Kelly a call today at 215-633-1200!

{Video} Lighting at Glen Foerd

2011-09-06T10:00:00.002-04:00

We are lucky enough to work at Glen Foerd fairly regularly. It's a great place and the Conroy Catering staff is amazing. Here's a video of some lighting we did there not too long ago.

Ever want to learn how to DJ?

2011-09-02T15:21:00.004-04:00

Well, at least the basics of DJ’ing! This is meant to be a fun, laid back and learning atmosphere for you to finally learn how to mix some music. Bring your partner, bring a friend or just come by yourself, we promise to teach you as much as we can. 3 DJs will teach classes of no more than 10 people.

Starting September 18th you can learn how to be a DJ! Classes will be held weekly on Sunday afternoons from 12pm to 2pm or Monday nights from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at our warehouse in Bensalem. Each course will include 4 sessions and will teach you the following:

1st Session DJ overview
Basic equipment overview
Very basic music theory
Simple cueing

2nd Session Cueing of music
Mixing songs
Beat mixing

3rd Session Beat mixing
Programming
Simple scratching techniques

4th Session Microphone techniques
Record mixes

The 4 session class will be $299 per person/$500 per couple (if married) and will include a class of no more than 10 people. You must be at least 13 or older (youth classes can be added if there is an interest). 50% deposit due when registering. Check or cash is accepted. All credit cards will be billed a 3% convenience fee.

Call (215) 633-1200 or email info@synergeticsounds.com now and sign up or get more details!
Sign up before 9/10/11 and get $50 off!

The next sessions will be Sundays and Mondays starting on October 23rd, 2011. You may also sign up for those sessions as well.

*If you sign up for Sundays, your class will be the following four Sundays. If you sign up for Mondays, your class will be the following four Mondays.

Photo credit to Lightyear Studio

{Video} A Corporate Event at Trust

2011-09-01T10:00:00.001-04:00

Hillary and Steve

2011-08-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

I met with Hillary and Steve back in 2010, and as with every client that books with Synergetic, we did this BEFORE they signed a contract. We really hit it off and our meeting lasted over 2 hours!

This wedding was a really good, solid, dancing event. As with the other DJs at Synergetic, I tend to be very creative with my mixing, which is what Hillary and Steve wanted. Most of my set list was top 40, with a few older, classic tracks thrown in. I know it's going to be a great night when the crowd screams out when the next song comes on - they must have hated me at this wedding since they never had a chance to sit down.

Many of the couples I spin for don't give me a very big “playlist.” Hillary and Steve let me pick most of the music based on how the night was going. These are always the best weddings, as I was able to dial into exactly what the crowd wanted and keep them dancing. But don’t worry, I can make anything work, if you have a good set list yourself, shoot it over to me and I will find a way to incorporate EVERY song on that list! I promise.

If you're searching for a venue for your wedding or next event, be sure to check into theWilliam Penn Inn. I have worked here many times and the food is always excellent, the staff is always fun to work with and the room is just the right size for a good dancing crowd. I always like the trees outside during the holiday season as well. We also had the pleasure of working with Dell Barnell of Photography by Dell. We owe him a big thanks for the images in this post!

If you're still looking for a DJ, give Kelly a call. She would be more than happy to set up a meeting with me if you are interested.

-Mark

What We're Up To

2011-08-28T17:00:00.000-04:00

We hope you're all staying safe and dry! Here's what's coming up for us this week.

-We're going through the leads from our first Las Vegas bridal show

-We're putting the final touches on the events for a very busy Labor Day Weekend

-We're coming up with some new A/V concepts for the fall season

-We're excited about our first office open house coming up next month

-We're prepping for a new educational course that anyone and everyone can enjoy. This will be a ton of fun so stay tuned for more information.

What are you up to this week?

{Testimonial} Barbara and Travis

2011-08-25T16:02:00.008-04:00

Mark received this thank you email yesterday in regards to Barbara and Travis's August 19th wedding at the Tyler Arboretum and we just had to share it!

"Hey Mark-

You certainly listened to us when we said, "It is ALL about the music.".........
And you DELIVERED!!!!!!!!

So many of our guests said that you were the BEST they'd ever heard. I said ... "I'm not surprised how good he is."

As you could see we had a group who loves to have fun... How about my brother-in-law who bought that black shirt from the wait staff because his was so wet!!!! We enjoyed Thunder Road... our family song... We sing it at all important events and some that aren't so important. You know how to keep everyone up and having fun!!!!

All of this to say..... if you want a good party invite the right guests and have Mark!!!!!!!!!

Thank you........ thank you....... thank you.... We'd recommend you to anyone!!!!

All the best,
Joan and Steve [Parents of the Bride]
BJ and Travis Johnson"

Thank you SO much for your kind words, Mr. and Mrs. Lucey and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson! We're so glad you were pleased and that we could be a part of such a special day!

{Video} Sweet 16 at The Buck Hotel

2011-08-23T10:00:00.001-04:00

What We're Up To

2011-08-21T17:00:00.001-04:00

It has been an awesome weekend for us at Synergetic - an extremely busy one, but awesome nonetheless.

-We had our first Las Vegas Bridal Show this weekend

-We're really excited about our first full violin show - they went out with Dave this weekend

-We're working on a bid for a big city event with local restaurants for 1000 people

What's on your schedule for this week?

Meghan and Joe

2011-08-19T10:00:00.000-04:00

Back in May I spun a wedding at Old York Road Country Club. I personally do a lot of work there - Joe and his staff do a great job and we always seem to have a blast when we're there. It was also neat to see Meghan and Joe ride up to their cocktail hour on a golf cart. Something that they always do at OYRCC.

Meghan and Joe chose to add up lighting to the DJ package and this is one of the venues where it really stands out. If you haven’t talked to us about how we do up lighting differently from our competition, give Kelly or Matt a call to learn more.

As much as I love the lighting, ultimately, the success of the night for me comes down to my mixing and programing . And to tell you the truth, I never have any idea of what I am going to play. I just let the crowd take me where they want to go. I think any good DJ has a number of song combinations that he can play, but waits till he/she gets to a wedding to put it together. And that’s what I did at Meghan and Joe’s wedding.

I managed to mix in some “Bruce,” with some “Jay Sean,” and even some “James,” all while keeping the dance floor flowing. My playlist from this wedding really is nice! I mean how many times do I get the chance to play “Man in the mirror,” and have everybody dance to it. Such a great night.

Victor was my second DJ that night and I really had to work him. It was such a nice night, that people did wander outside, so he was busy when it came time for the formalities. Our second DJs are always taking care of the little things and for me that is important. It gives me the most time to be creative and keep people dancing. I couldn’t imagine having to mix, then go find someone, then run back to mix, then go take two requests, then mix real quick, then go talk to the photographer ... ugh. Thank goodness Synergetic goes out with two people! Makes a world of a difference.

If you are still looking for a DJ, give Kelly call. I would be more the happy to sit down and talk about your wedding and tell you more about myself and my approach to DJing weddings.

Also, I wanted to give a shout out to Maggie of Maggie Wallace Cullen Photography. She was a lot of fun to work with and got some great shots.

-Chris

(Thanks to Jennifer Childress Photography for the image of Chris)

{Video} Lighting at the Merion Tribute House

2011-08-17T10:00:00.001-04:00

Here is a video of some lighting we did at the Merion Tribute House. If you're interested in learning more about our lighting options, give Matt a call at 215-633-1200 - he's happy to answer any questions you have!

What We're Up To This Week

2011-08-14T17:00:00.000-04:00

We hope you're all keeping dry!
We have another busy week lined up-

-We're unloading the big fundraiser show we did last week with the Phillies
-We're working on a big New Years Eve bid for an event in the city
-Planning a company kick ball game (courtesy of a team members wife!)
-And we're getting the final details together for a weekend packed with great weddings to DJ in locations that all recommend us!

What's on your schedule this week?

Rose and Ben

2011-08-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

It's always an honor when a fellow industry professional hires us for their personal event. Kyle had the pleasure of DJing Rose and Ben's wedding last year and it was quite the wedding as you'll see from the images.

Thanks so much to Rose and Ben for trusting us with the music for their wedding! Congratulations to you both! And if you're looking for a wedding photographer, check out their company, Weldon Weddings.

"For my me and my wife, the music at our wedding was a huge priority. We knew we were going to have a mostly under-thirty crowd and that those folks were going to want to dance all night. Fortunately, being a wedding photographer, I had worked with a few of the DJs from Synergetic at various venues in the area and I was always impressed at how professional they were as well as how they were able to keep the crowd on the dance floor. Really, they were our first and only choice. We worked with Kyle, who like all the DJs from Synergetic did a fantastic job of MC-ing the night as well as catering the music he was playing to fit our crowd. To his credit, it's been almost a year and we still have guests telling us how much fun they had dancing at the reception. Being in the wedding business, I will only recommend vendors who I feel very strongly will do an excellent job, as it reflects on me if the couple is unsatisfied. I've have yet to hear anything but glowing reviews about Synergetic. Jason and his team has put together an awesome crew and a strong business that will ensure that everything will go smoothly on your wedding day. -Ben Weldon"

Thanks to Shea Roggio of Roggio Weddings for the images.

{Planners} Wendy's Affairs of Heart

2011-08-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

We've said before how important we think it is to have a wedding planner or day of coordinator and we will continue to say it. Not only are they there to ensure that everything goes smoothly for you, but they make our lives easier too :). And on that note, we'd like to introduce you to our friend Wendy of Wendy's Affairs of Heart.

Here's a little something she said about us-

"Jason is amazing to work with. His crazy sense of humor and his meticulous professionalism make it a breeze for everyone involved. Everything goes well when Jason and his team are there and I never have a problem switching the timeline around, getting them to play something in an instant or worrying that the guests are having a good time. The party rocks with the Synergetic team and the party is flawless. When I have the opportunity to recommend a DJ or lighting company, I always suggest Synergetic. If I book a client that has already booked Synergetic, I am super pleased to know that I won't have to struggle with communication or doing the perfect job. I just LOVE working with Synergetic Sounds!"

Thanks Wendy! We like working with you too!!!
And, now, everyone, meet Wendy :).

"Let me just say that I take a very personal approach to my business and I will do whatever it takes to make your wedding the most magical day of your life! My background is unique and I bring many things to the job that others just don't. My commitment to you, the bride, is foremost in my mind at all times. After all, this is about you, not me! If your wedding is a success, then so am I. Visit my web site, Wendy's Affairs of Heart and then let me know how I can help!

I have done all kinds of weddings, from elegant black tie affairs in New York for TV producers to small and darling garden weddings for DIY brides to many weddings in between. I have done Indian weddings, Chinese weddings, Thai and Korean and Vietnamese weddings. I have even done a wedding where the bride won her wedding on a radio station. My background and my passion have prepared me to find whatever it is you need to make your day a perfect one. There isn’t a challenge I won’t take. From Hawaiian music for a ceremony, to a Chinese wedding banquet NOT in a Chinese restaurant, to meeting with 7 florists just to find the right flowers for a bride, I have always been able to make the magic happen.

I will come with you to all the final meetings. I will accompany you to your fittings to make sure that perfect dress fits. I will help you finalize all those details, make detailed timelines of the day, confirm all of the vendors the week of the wedding- contact numbers, time and directions. You can call me as much as you need to, email me as much as you need to and fall apart- if that happens I can get you through it. When you day comes, I will facilitate the rehearsal. I will come to YOU about an hour before the photographer on the day of. I will be there for YOU the entire day. I will do a walk through of the venue right before you get there- usually while you are taking pictures. I will oversee the day without getting in the way. All of your vendors will get paid. All of your vendors will have a “go to” person for any issue that arises. Your guests will have a seamlessly good time. I will pack everything up at the end of the evening and see to it that all of your belongings get where they need to go. I will collect anything left behind- tux jackets, ties, purses, etc. And, if something happens after the wedding or you need to have an issue resolved, you can call me and I will help if I can. Every bride should have a perfect day. You have dreamed about it. You have worked hard for it. You have invested a great deal of money for it. Now, you should enjoy every minute of it! If you want to talk to me, ask me a question, get some information or just pick my brain, you can do that, here, on my blog. Don’t shortchange yourself. Having an advocate, a personal assistant, a friendly and non- judgmental sounding board- that’s me ! I promise. Just see what some of my past clients have said.

I love what I do and I love all the beautiful brides that I have worked with. Some are too hard to let go of and so we keep in touch. I have been to baby showers and christenings, networked with and corresponded with so many of my lovelies. I am pleased to have worked in some of the most elegant and interesting venues around, with the best people in the industry. And, I am proud of my work and of my reputation. Thank you to all that have crossed my path in a most uplifting way and to all the stunning brides that have allowed me to be a part of this momentous time in their lives. I look forward to more weddings and to more of you to connect with me and tell me about you.

With my assistance and caring, understanding magic, you will not be remembered as a fire-breathing bridezilla, but a storybook bride with a happy ending."

-Becky

What We're Up To This Week

2011-08-07T18:40:00.003-04:00

-The annual DJ convention is being held in Atlantic City this week and some of the guys will be down there helping out at a booth and attending events.
-Finalizing things for the Philadelphia Philles fundraiser in the city
-We have a video shoot at a wedding with our violins this weekend

-We're developing a new concept for events using LCD screens
-And, thinking about a game of kickball for our crew

What do you have planned for this week?

{Synergetic Gives Back} Camp Xperience

2011-08-04T13:04:00.008-04:00

Recently, Mike, one of our DJs, volunteered for the second summer in a row at Camp Xperience.

"This was my second summer volunteering at Camp Xperience (a non profit organization designed to build confidence & strong bonds between children struggling with childhood obesity). Last summer as a camp counselor I was there on a daily basis to encourage and reinforce each camper to keep a positive outlook throughout the week. This summer, with Synergetics support, I volunteered to provide sound and entertainment for the final two nights of camp. Due to the blistering heat and inevitable home sickness the camp morale was at an all time low when I arrived. At that time I knew exactly how to turn the night around. I set up a music system and within minutes every camper was either singing, dancing, or just standing there in awe. The two nights at camp went by so fast because the staff and campers make it such a fun atmosphere to be a part of. I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to make a difference in these children's lives." -Mike

We also received this wonderful letter from George Datto, the Executive Director at Camp Xperience.

July 28, 2011
Dear Synergistic Sounds,
We would like to thank you for having Mike Keleher DJ our dance party and campfire at our
summer camp this year. The kids loved it! What an experience! Mike was very professional and
had all the music that made both nights special for the kids. We are most grateful to Synergetic
Sounds in making this possible for our campers. You help us reach our mission of providing this
experience to all kids regardless of their family’s ability to pay. If there is anything we can do in
return, please let us know. We hope that you will continue to make this an important part of the
week at Camp Xperience.
Sincerely,
George Datto
Executive Director, Camp Xperience

We're so glad we were able to add to the campers experience! We have always said how important we feel it is to give back and we will continue to do so at every opportunity we can.

-Becky

Candice and Daniel

2011-08-02T08:45:00.000-04:00

We had the pleasure of providing the lighting for Candice and Daniel's special day at the beautiful Crystal Tea Room. We up lit the ballroom, did a dance floor wash with the couples monogram on top, and we also pin spotted their beautiful centerpieces.

Thanks so much to Matthew Andrews of The Artist Group for the images!

-Becky

{Testimonial} Megan and Patrick

2011-07-31T19:04:00.005-04:00

We just got this very nice email from Megan about her wedding on July 22 at Warrington Country Club and wanted to share it.

"[We] just wanted to say a big thank you for all of your help throughout the process. Our biggest concern was would we have a good DJ because we knew that could make or break our wedding. Chris was unbelievable. Honestly. We continue to hear from friends and family, young and old about the DJ. We had an amazing time, and the dance floor was packed the entire time. A great mix of new and old stuff, and all appropriate for our guests. We couldn't have asked for better. We have had so many people say how much fun they have had and that is was the most fun wedding they have ever been to. I can not thank you and Chris enough. We will forever remember this day, and so too will our guests.

Thanks again, and if we ever need a DJ in the future we will definitely be using Synergetic!!" -Megan and Patrick

Congratulations Megan and Patrick! We're so glad you had such a wonderful day!

If you are still looking for a DJ for your wedding or event, give Kelly a call, 215-633-1200, she'd be happy to set up an appointment for you with Chris, or any of our other DJ's!

Thanks to Jennifer Childress Photography for this picture of Chris in action.

-Becky

Beverly and Charles

2011-07-25T19:25:00.017-04:00

May is a busy time of year for me. Wedding season is in full swing and I am back in the groove of getting people to dance every weekend. On May 7, 2011, I had the chance to work a wedding at the Radisson-Plaza Warwick Hotel. What a great venue it is - with an intimate, yet spacious floor plan, great food, a big dance floor and it's in a great location with plenty of places for pictures nearby.

When I originally met with Beverly and Charles, I wanted them to really get to know me so they felt comfortable with me and what I do. I like to get creative with mixing and make sure that the music is perfect. Beverly and Charles were on board from the moment they left our office and they gave me a great set list to work with. I managed to work in songs like “Give Me Everything,” “Pump Up The Jam,” and “On the Floor.” The DJs at Synergetic always try to incorporate 2-3 songs at weddings that will make people go, “Wow! These guys are good!”

Charles and Beverly also added on up lighting. As you can see in the pictures it adds a little something extra to the room as well as the images. Plus, your photographer will thank you.

With a team of professionals like the one at Beverly and Charles wedding - it was bound to be a great wedding. Lindsay Docherty was the photographer, and I don’t think Lindsay ever stops smiling! And the pictures she took, yeah, they're really good.

And I know we always say how much we like working with wedding planners, but let me tell you how much easier it makes my job! We had the pleasure of working with Lisa from Proud to Plan and she allowed me to do what I do best, spin a great wedding. Please consider hiring a wedding planner or at least go meet with a few, you won't be disappointed.

If you are still looking for a DJ, make sure to call Kelly and see if I am available. I would love to come in and meet with you - and if I'm not available, the other Synergetic DJ's aren't too bad either :).

Congratulations Beverly and Charles! Thanks for including us in your special day!

Also, a big thanks to Lindsay Docherty for the beautiful images!

-Matt Bowyer

{Repost} "... you were on our recommended vendor list ...

2011-07-16T10:00:00.002-04:00

This post was originally posted back on July 29, 2009. It was important then, and we still feel it is important now - that is why we're sharing it with you again.

There are many different factors that come in to play while planning an event. Some vendors will make the cut, and others will fall short for one reason or another. As a bride-to-be, it is important to have the utmost confidence in every decision you make. The feeling of being absolutely convinced that a vendor will do everything possible to make your wedding day a success should be a key factor in making your decisions.

Since most brides have no experience planning an event, or dealing with vendors specific to the wedding industry, it can be difficult to decipher who really is good and who isn’t. How you search for potential vendors can play a part in the type of vendors you find. A search through the phonebook may produce different results than searches of the internet, magazines or recommendations from friends and other vendors.

Most clients and potential clients I speak with go off of the “Recommended Vendor” list they receive from their reception facility. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking at these lists.
-Ask your contact if they have ever worked with the "recommended vendor" personally, that way they can give you their personal opinion of them and their work.
-Be sure to inquire how long that vendor has been on the list for. This is important because a vendor that has been working at a facility for years may have more insight into the best ways to set up the equipment, the layout of the room, the typical flow of a reception there, etc.
-Most importantly, make sure you find out how the recommended vendor list was put together. Did the facility do it themselves or did a publication company compile it for them. This will tell you if the vendor made it to the list because of their consistent good work, or if they paid to be a part of it.

Remember, just because a vendor is on a recommended list does not mean they are the best fit for you. Some vendors will pay to be in a book in order to acquire as many leads as possible. Most of these vendors do a great job, but there are a few who do not. Each facility/vendor has their own methodology when it comes to creating a list or getting on one. These very intentions will tell you a lot about the vendor you are looking into. The only way to feel completely confident in your decision is to meet the vendor and speak with them in person.

The wedding industry is filled with great people who will do everything possible to make sure you have the best wedding day imaginable. These are the people that will work hard day in and day out to be a part of the list based upon their good work, as opposed to their advertising budget.

-Matt

Gobo Projections

2011-07-13T10:41:00.005-04:00

For many events, our customers want to display their logo, names or monogram on the wall or floor. This is done through projecting light through a fixture with a piece of metal (or glass) called a “gobo.” For more information on gobo options go here.

If you are planning to have a gobo at your event, here are a few things to consider:

Where will you project it? The dance floor is a great spot, but when people start dancing, you won’t see it. You could project it on a wall, but you need a large enough section of blank wall to project it on.
The distance from the light to the projection surface. If the light is too far away, the image may be too big. If the light is too close, the image could be too small. Most professional lighting companies will be able to handle something like this, but it is something to pay attention to.
The amount of keystone or skew. If the light fixture is not straight in front of the surface, the image won’t look right. It will look angled and possibly distorted.
The amount of wording on the projection. Some gobos will look better as glass, others as metal. A professional lighting company will be able to tell you what your best option is.

Projecting gobos isn’t as easy as just setting up a light. The right process is necessary to ensure that you are happy. Make sure the company that you hire does its due diligence to make sure your gobo projections look the best they can!

-Jason

{Video} Violinists and DJs

2011-07-11T10:00:00.002-04:00

So you may have heard that we have started to incorporate violins into our repertoire. For years now, live musicians have been working themselves into the DJ mix. First it was with bongos, then a more sophisticated drum section … so we had to push it even further.

Having a violin or violins at your event is much more intense then someone playing the bongos or drums. Well, at least they way we are doing it. You know us, we can’t just do things the easy way.

The way we are doing it is very, very creative. We went and found the BEST live, electric violin players. Then we had the best classical musicians help write songs specifically for us, as well as fine tune some things to go along with the songs the DJs will play. When you put those two things together with our DJs, you get a very cool vibe for both dinner and dancing. Imagine the possibilities! Imagine the look on your guests faces. They will talk about your reception for months.

We are going to be shooting more videos in the upcoming months to show you even more of what we are talking about, but for now, this video will give you a good idea of what we are doing.

For more information, please call Kelly. She can get you all of the information you need including packages and pricing.

-Jason

Gobos - the difference between glass and metal

2011-07-07T10:00:00.002-04:00

When you hire us to project your monogram on the dance floor, wall, etc., you have two choices - you can do a glass gobo, which is a little bit more expensive, or you could go with the standard, less expensive, metal gobo.

Most of the time, a metal gobo will work. However, if your monogram has any of the following characteristics, a glass gobo may be necessary:
-It has color in it
-It is very detailed
-It has a lot of design to it
-Or it has a lot of wording or letters

When you submit your monogram to us, our project manager Michael will be able to tell you what the best option is for you.

And just as an FYI, “gobo,” is short for go between. The “gobo” is the piece of metal or glass that goes between the bulb and the lens.

-Jason

Feeding the Professionals at Your Wedding

2011-07-05T11:46:00.003-04:00

One of the questions we get a lot from our wedding clients is what we would like to eat. And as a professional, we can’t thank you enough for thinking of us when it comes to eating. We certainly appreciate it and we understand that it may actually cost you a good amount of money to feed us, so thank you!

But I just want all of you (both clients and prospective clients) to know that we do NOT need to be fed as DJs. We are very busy working for you and concentrating on spinning a great event. So getting something to eat for us is a perk. We don’t expect it and never will! And we will never eat at the DJ table!

However, please consider making sure that you make arrangements for your photographer and/or videographer and planner. They need it the most. In some cases, it may be in their contract, but if it isn’t, it really should be something that you want to consider.

They have been with you ALL day. And they probably haven’t had a chance to stop and get something to eat, mostly because they have been working like crazy to get the most incredible shots and video of the day and making sure everything goes smoothly. It is just nice to make sure they have a hot meal to fill them up.

I write this post because we have worked some events where the client has only made arrangements for us, the DJs, to be fed. And you can imagine how that feels when they bring out the two meals right in front of the photographer and videographer. In all the instances that that has happened, we simply split the meals up so everybody has something to eat. We try really hard to work with all the professionals, in more ways than you can imagine! So when you are giving your final headcount to your caterer, make sure to include the photographer and videographer.

-Jason

Day of reception ritual

2011-07-01T10:57:00.004-04:00

Friday, July 1, 2011
DJ – Patrick O’Brien
7:00 a.m.

Day of reception ritual.

Yawn, Stretch, get out of bed! Coffee brewing and my son Danny is eating his breakfast. I sit in my chair, turn on my computer and begin to review the packet for my wedding this evening. I have reviewed it before but I always like to look at it several times, especially the day of the reception. I go over the details and start to think about the time I have to arrive at the venue, how long it will take me to set up and about the music I will be playing. I check out the playlists of the other DJ’s at Synergetic. A playlist is a list of music the DJ’s played at their wedding. It is a good way to share “sets” and song mix ideas. It keeps me on my toes with what music I play at each reception. I don’t get stagnant and I am always impressed with what I see each week.

The packet for this evening’s reception has a request for a certain style of music. I start to think about when I am going to play it. In addition, it has a “no play” list. The packet allows the couple to outline the introductions, music and flow to the evening. They have gone to great lengths working with us, the venue, wedding planners, and photographers to prepare for the day’s events. The Synergetic office team (Matt, Kelly, Mike, Jenna & Nikki) have communicated this information to me and it is my job to review it thoroughly and ask questions if I have them.

Well for now I am digesting all the information and formulating an awesome music set list in my head. I am actually very excited and now just can’t wait to get there and start mixing the music. I love my job because I get to party….at your party every weekend!

Patrick

Lighting Trends

2011-06-30T10:00:00.001-04:00

Almost everybody is doing uplighting, so I can’t exactly call it a trend - it is almost a standard. But, one of the things we have been seeing more of for weddings is intelligent lighting. While this trend is a more expensive one, it's gaining popularity.

Intelligent lighting gives you the best of both worlds. You have a very elegant, sophisticated look for the traditional parts of the wedding and then when the dancing starts, you can switch to an energized, lounge type look and feel.

Intelligent lighting comes in all shapes, sizes, options and looks. But I think one of the main reasons people like it, is because of its programmability. Having a Lighting Designer at your wedding, running the lights is different - and brides and grooms tend to want something different. And if you do get intelligent lighting, make sure there is a programmer!

If you are not sure exactly what intelligent lighting is, check out the following videos, or give us a call.

-Becky

What we're up to

2011-06-28T17:41:00.004-04:00

This week is a busy one. We have a number of corporate events taking place over the next couple of days and 18 events to prep for this weekend.

- We're working on a project that includes providing audio for the 18th hole for a golf outing so the audience can hear the play by play.
-We have two huge weddings this weekend. One involves a nice drape design for the ceremony, and the other, a funky lighting design.
-We're prepping for the very busy weekend we have for the DJs - holiday weekends always seem to be some of the busiest days of the year.
-We're planning our first annual Synergetic Summer Picnic for July!

What are you up to this week? Do you have a busy holiday weekend planned?

{Testimonial} Rebecca and Dan

2011-06-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

It is always nice to receive a kind letter from a client about the services we provided for their event. But when you receive a kind letter from a fellow industry professional about the services you provided for their personal event, it is amazing. We've had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Rebecca, from The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants, over the past few years, and we were thrilled when she hired us to do the lighting for her wedding this past March. Getting a referral from a fellow professional is one thing, but having them hire you for their personal events is quite another. We're so thankful for the friendships we've made in this industry and the trust our colleagues have in us.

“Jason and Synergetic Team

We really can’t thank you enough for all of the work you did at our wedding. When we began to discuss décor for our March wedding at the Knowlton Mansion I knew as a wedding planner that lighting was absolutely essential to creating the perfect ambience in my venue. As a bride I of course was conscious about cost throughout the planning process but I knew the money that I would spend on lighting would be some of the best money spent at our wedding. I wanted to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for my guests; I wanted guests to feel as though they were coming into our home and joining us for dinner and lighting was key to creating that atmosphere. The amber lighting you chose really warmed up the room and by dimming the house lights the color really popped in the room and created just the atmosphere I had been dreaming about. It all looked like it was candlelit which was just what I was going for. I also think the draping for the ceremony space was just perfect. I didn’t want our guests to get a sneak peek of the reception area and I wanted to try and create a separate space for ceremony and the draping did just the job.

I’ve known and worked with Synergetic for some time now so I know how easy you all are to work with. It’s always a smooth process, never any bumps in the road but as a bride I was able to see it from another perspective. You treated me as you would any other bride, with care, professionalism and always with our best interests in mind. Thank you so much for all the work you did for us! -Rebecca”

Rebecca and Dan hired a number of outstanding professionals, among them, The Queen of Hearts (wedding planning) and Laura Eaton of Laura Eaton Photography.

-Becky

Music Trends

2011-06-23T10:58:00.006-04:00

The funny thing about DJing events is that no two events have the same set list, but they can both be equally as great! We change up what we play, we can be creative and we can have fun with music all the time. There is no formula that works for every event, that is what makes our job so much fun.

The last few months have been interesting in the music world. We had a strong winter season with good, solid songs that worked for the dance floor. Songs like “Dirty Bit,” “Hey Baby,” “Party Rock,” and “Only Girl.” The spring season really wasn’t that good in terms of music, even though there were some good radio songs, playing them at weddings didn’t get a great reaction. Songs like “On the floor,” and “Hit the lights,” just didn’t keep the crowds dancing as much as I thought they would have.

Personally, I am seeing a nice trend of more upbeat, dance music at weddings. Our clients are looking for a more top 40 based wedding, with quick mixing from song to song. I am also seeing a little swing to hip hop. Both classic R&B and late 90’s/early 2000 hip hip.

I must admit, I am fan of the “slow song, sing along.” It is something I have been doing for the last 2-3 months. Instead of the classic, typical slow songs, try something like, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” by Foreigner or, “Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now,” by Starship. Songs like that are really a hit and they engage the couples. Plus, it makes for great people watching as the guys sing to the girls!

Overall, I see top 40 dance music really holding strong. We will continue to see solid tracks released towards the end of summer and these will all be songs that will work at weddings/private events.

-Jason

Christi and TJ

2011-06-21T11:45:00.009-04:00

Christi and TJ had their wedding at the beautiful Chestnut Club. We provided the white drape and were on hand through cocktail hour to tie it back for the reception.

Congratulations to Christi and TJ! We wish you all the best!

Thanks to Philadelphia wedding photographers Josh Finsel and Amber Breiner Photography, www.JFABphotography.com for the images.

-Becky

Visualization and The Event

2011-06-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

A while back we did a post about a visualization we did for a bride. She was planning a tented reception and wanted lanterns, but didn't have a large budget. We told her that she needed about 70 lanterns to give her the look she wanted, but she didn't understand why - 70 sounds like an awful lot. So, we did a rendering to show her.

And here is what the tent ended up looking like.

Images courtesy of Zlatko Batistich Photography.

-Becky

{Video} This is Synergetic

2011-06-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

2011-06-14T08:51:00.001-04:00

Some fun we had at our recent photo shoot for the next big project!

{Big News} New West Coast Office

2011-06-08T21:33:00.008-04:00

For Immediate Release

Contact: Becky Dissinger

215-633-1200

beckyd@synergeticsounds.com

PHILADELPHIA DJ AND PRODUCTION COMPANY EXPANDS

Synergetic Sound and Lighting Opens Up A Las Vegas Office

Bensalem, Pennsylvania – Synergetic Sound and Lighting, Inc. is now offering its DJ and Production services to the Las Vegas area. According to Synergetic President and CEO, Jason Weldon, they have purchased office and residential space in the luxurious Signature/MGM Grand, located directly on the strip.

“With the amount of work we have been contracting there for the upcoming year, this was the best move for us,” Weldon said. “I have always wanted to expand to this market, given that it is the world’s entertainment Mecca. And now we have!”

Finding the perfect space was the most important part of the expansion. “Location was key for us,” Weldon said. “We wanted to be able to attract new clients, attend all of the major industry events and be right in the heart of it all.”

Synergetic expects to produce close to 50 events in the Las Vegas area in 2012.

Synergetic Sound and Lighting, Inc. has been providing DJ's and lighting to the Philadelphia area since 1999. For more information on Synergetic, their services or the Las Vegas Expansion call 215-633-1200, visit www.sslproductions.com, or email info@synergeticsounds.com.

###

Lauren and Rob

2011-06-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

This blog is long overdue. Every year there are a few couples that I do not forget. Sometimes they have great personalities, while other times their wedding goes way above anyones expectations. Lauren and Rob were both. I initially met Lauren at one of our Lighting Demonstrations and she fell in love with our intelligent lighting. Her theme was winter wonderland and we immediately clicked on how to design her ballroom with lighting.

Lauren and Rob's wedding was to be held at the Emerald Room in Northeast Philadelphia. The room was great on its own, but when design lighting was brought into the mix it really popped out. Lauren had booked uplighting around the entire ballroom and intelligent lighting set on the corners of the dance floor supported with trussing. She had went with the “house” DJ initially as it was built into her package with the Emerald Room. As Lauren and I continued to correspond about her lighting design, music was brought up. The best part of intelligent lighting isn’t its ability to change color, or have specific movements; its about the lighting designer who is controlling the lights. You could drive the fastest car in the world, but if you don't know how to shift properly, you will not get the full performance out of the car. The same goes for intelligent lighting, music, and the lighting designer. Music was a very important part of Lauren’s wedding as she was a huge MJ fan.

When I met Rob, he explained to me that he really wanted the lighting to accent the room and also energize the dance floor. After that initial meeting I had a feeling that our package was going to change. Lauren called me the next day to tell me they wanted to go with me as their DJ. I was very excited as I knew I could now personally ensure that their wedding was a success on all levels.

Our design was to have snowflakes rotating around the room in a light blue accenting the darker blue down lighting (that actually was provided by the Emerald room). During cocktail hour I could tell right away that the crowd was going to be a good one. They say it’s a DJ’s dream to be able to play anything you want and the dance floor energy rises with every new song. This was the case for Lauren and Rob’s wedding. During dinner we played a great mix of old and new music to get everyone to dance. Once dinner was over Lauren and Rob wanted the reception to take on a “club” atmosphere. Jessica (our expert lighting designer) was on point with her cues as it seemed as though everytime I was ready to mix a new song she had the lights strobing or was changing movements and colors.

The Dance music had such a Vegas vibe to it because I was able to mix out of each song after 30-45 seconds while hitting the best part of each. Once set that shook the room (with guests jumping and fist pumping) was Firework (Jump Smokers RMX), by Katy Perry into Party Rock Anthem, by LMFAO.

There are weddings where you go home after and are satisfied with the job you did, and there are others that you can’t go straight home after because you are way too strung up with energy. Lauren and Rob had one of those weddings. I’ll never forget the good time I had DJing their wedding, and I’ll certainly remember how cool of a couple they are.

On a side note, weeks after her wedding we became friends on Facebook, and realize that she is related to me (by marriage). I guess me DJing her wedding was meant to be.

-Matt

Thanks so much to Barnyard Photography for the images!

Crystal and Tommy

2011-06-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

Crystal and Tommy were married at the Regal Ballroom back in January. We uplit the room and projected their monogram for the ceremony and reception. We received this very sweet email from Crystal.

"The lighting was FABULOUS. The color of the room was perfect. I loved my monogram. When I walked in that day, I was amazed how much lighting transforms a room. Please thank Matt for me as well. If it wasn’t for him I never would have even known your company existed. Matt and I went to grade school together and hung out all the time. We found each other on FB of course and he noticed that I was planning. There was no question in my mind that whoever he was affiliated with was now my lighting company. It was just an added plus that the company was PERFECT in every way! The pricing was extremely affordable, the set up as quick and painless, and the outcome was BEAUTIFUL! Your company illuminated my ballroom, as well as my whole day! It was the exact color I wanted, and the position of the monogram was perfect for both the ceremony & reception. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

<3 – Crystal Schwartz-Wallace"

Crystal, we're so glad you had such an amazing day, and that we could be a part of it. Thank you so much for the kind words! Congratulations to you and Tommy!

Thanks to Michael's Photography for the images.

-Becky

{Video} Katelyn and Devon's Video Testimonial

2011-06-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

Katelyn and Devon were nice enough to sit down with us and share about their wedding and the services we provided them. Thanks so much Katelyn and Devon! Congratulations again!

Our Team Has Grown Again

2011-06-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

As we mentioned in yesterdays post, we're committed to you and your event and in order to provide you with the best service possible, we've added to our team again. As with every company, there comes a time to grow. And that’s what is happening at Synergetic! Back in March we hired a new project manager, a new warehouse manager and promoted one of our other employees and we owe all of that growth to you, our customers and partners!

Michael Kirch is our new Project Manager. Michael will be handling all of the details on our production jobs once they have been booked. Many of you will be hearing from him now that he is completely up to speed on our processes. He comes from an extensive background in production - both touring and stage, so he is the perfect fit and will help us grow even more.

Zackery Ritter is now managing our warehouse and handling all of the gear for every event. Zack also comes from a solid production background and has all of the skills needed to make each event perfect.

Nikki Kennedy is now our administrative assistant. Many of you are used to Joan, but in February, she decided to do something a little different with her career. Nikki stepped right in and has been a huge asset! Almost everyone of our clients, partners and prospective clients will get a chance to talk to her.

Make sure you introduce yourself to each of them, ask some questions and get to know them. We want all of you to know who is on our team and what their roles are.

Thank you for your continued trust in us. It is because of that trust that we can hire new people, when others seem to be letting go. It is because of you that we can do what we love everyday! Thank you, from all of us at Synergetic!

We're Committed To You

2011-05-31T12:08:00.003-04:00

We just wanted to take a minute and reiterate that we are here everyday to help you with your event. While it seems that many companies are down sizing, we are not. We feel that investing in our team is the best decision that we can make and it will keep us prepared for the future.

We have 7 people working in our office everyday to help ensure that everything you need from us gets handled. We have 3 part time people that are also here helping to make sure that the little things get done. So many times people forget about the little things, but we know they are important. Ultimately, the more people we have in our office, the more help/services we can offer you. We will continue to earn your business and appreciate all of you who recommend our services.

We are looking forward to a great (and busy as heck) spring/summer season!

Why We Suggest Lighting

2011-05-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Every single concert I have ever been to has had lighting. Every play I have ever been to has had lighting. In fact, every dramatic event I have attended, with the exception of one, has had lighting. The exception being when U2 did their opening set with the “house lights,” some 10 years ago.

So, why should your event be any different?

Let’s take a wedding for example. Lighting has always been a part of weddings. For some, it is just natural room lighting on a dimmer and for others it means having a professional get involved. Professional lighting companies have been around for a while; maybe you didn't know about them, didn't think about having lighting or, maybe you didn't think you could afford it.

Over the last few years, more and more companies have started offering lighting to their clients. Generally, this lowers prices and allows more people the opportunity to have lighting at their event. When that happens, it creates more of a demand. So I ask you, have you thought about having lighting at your event?

Lets say you spent years looking at bridal gowns (probably your whole life!), months looking over particular facilities, spent weeks with your florist coming up with the perfect centerpieces, hired one of the best photographers in the city and got a cinematographer to capture it all. But you didn't get any additional lighting, so your guests had a hard time seeing you dance your first dance as husband and wife. Unless of course you had the house lighting up. Do you really want to have the “house” lights on for your first dance? Your guests might not even see all of the intricacies of the venue, the personalized details you spent months on or even all of the flowers in your centerpieces without up lighting or pin spotting. Your photographer might not have the perfect backdrop of a color wash on the walls and your cinematographer might have to use extra an light to shoot the dance floor.

You see, we only suggest lighting because we want you to be able to show off all of the things you have spent so much time on. Why? Because we have been there 1000 times. And each one of those times we say to ourselves, “If they only would have brought in some up lighting, or a simple dance floor wash.” And it’s not just us who suggest it, but almost every planner and designer we work with. It is something that you have to think about. And that’s all we ask, just think about it.

Now, we realize that for most people, lighting is a “want.”But let’s face it, the whole wedding is a “want.” You could go down the list and decide what you want and what you need, and there really isn’t anything you need except you, your better half and the officiant. This is a once in a lifetime moment that you get to share with your friends, family and the person you love. So, when you are ready to see how we can not only properly light your wedding, but also pack the dance floor, give us a call. We promise not to “upsell” you anything!

-Jason

Lost power

2011-05-25T14:07:00.002-04:00

Unfortunately, we just lost power at the office so we aren't able to answer phone calls, emails, etc. We're so sorry for the inconvenience and we'll let you know when everything is back up and running. Thanks!

{Wow My Wedding} Take 3

2011-05-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

We're doing it again! We were amazed by how many wonderful stories we received the last time and are looking forward to reading many more this time!

Do you want to make your reception one to remember? Want to "wow" your guests? Want your pictures to stand out? Share the story of your proposal with us and you could win a lighting package worth over $1000!

If you are a current DJ (Wedding I package) or Lighting client, or book us before May 27, 2011, and your wedding is happening between June 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 you are eligible. If you have already booked lighting with your DJ package, or multiple lighting options, we will refund you the difference. DJ clients will be able to WOW their guests with reception up lighting, a dance floor wash and monogram. Lighting clients will have their current package upgraded, so if you booked up lighting, we'll give you a dance floor wash and monogram, if you booked a monogram, we'll give you up lighting and a dance floor wash and if you booked a dance floor wash, we'll give you up lighting and a monogram!

To enter, share the story of your proposal. How did it happen? Was it unique? Were you surprised? WOW us with your proposal story and we'll WOW your guests. Send your proposal story with the subject "Wow my wedding," to beckyd@synergeticsounds.com by May 27, 2011. Please keep stories to 600 words or less, and include at least one picture of you and your fiance/the proposal.

We will pick our three favorite stories and post them on our Facebook page on Monday, May 30, 2011. It will then be up to our fans to vote for their favorite story. You can place a vote by "liking" the Synergetic Sound and Lighting page and then "liking" your favorite story. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 10:00 p.m.

So if you want to WOW your guests, send in your story today!

Jasmine and Aidan

2011-05-19T20:19:00.012-04:00

Located in Blue Bell, part of Montgomery County, is a great historical hotel and conference center called Normandy Farm. I'm sure a number of you have driven by Normandy Farm without knowing it, as it is surrounded by white, stucco-covered stone walls. Once you enter through these great walls you'll see just how much character it has. Jasmine and Aidan, like many other couples, loved the charm and history of Normandy Farm.

Jasmine and Aidan are a very laid back couple. At our meeting, they stressed that they just wanted to have a great time. They told me to do whatever I had to do to get everyone dancing, while staying away from worn out "corny" music. They selected a couple of must play songs and left the rest up to me.

Unfortunately, as their wedding day approached, we had one of the first rain storms we had, had in awhile, but Jasmine and Aidan did not let it affect them. With the help of their amazing photographer Jennifer Childress they were able to get some great pictures before the ceremony even though they could not go outside. Due to the rain, the ceremony was also forced inside. It was held in the Silo Ballroom, the same place the reception was to be held.

Jasmine and Aidan chose our conventional lighting and DJ package with purple up lighting and a wash on the dance floor. We arrived earlier than normal due to the move of the ceremony. We wanted to put the up lighting around the room to add to the ambience and make it more special for them, (just something we try to do a Synergetic). We did amber gels instead of purple so it would have a different feel when guests came back into the room after cocktail hour.

Once the ceremony ended and the guests moved to another area for cocktail hour, we set up our DJ system, replaced the amber gels with purple and projected the wash onto the dance floor. The rest of the night went on without a hitch, thanks to the staff at Normandy Farm and of course Jennifer Childress and Joe Bleiler (her second shooter for the night). This was one amazing reception! The crowd danced to everything from "Ain’t Too Proud To Beg," to "Dirty Bit" and "Sandstorm." I felt like I could play any kind of music at this wedding and they would dance, it was just that great of a crowd. Come to think of it they may have just kept dancing even if I shut the music off for a couple of seconds.

All in all it was an amazing wedding even with the weather. Jasmine and Aidan are two genuine people who were just happy to marry each other and wanted their family and friends to share in their happiness. They threw one ROCKIN’ WEDDING!

-Kurt

Thanks to Jennifer Childress Photography for the amazing images.