018 - USDJN Presents ADJ & Eliminator Lighting
Tuesday night (Sept. 23rd), we headed to Medinah, IL, for USDJN’s Chicago Disc Jockey Network with ADJ & Eliminator Lighting at 4 Points Whiskey Saloon & Grill. The United States Disc Jockey Network (USDJN) is dedicated to empowering DJs across the nation. They provide a platform that fosters professional growth and community support for disc jockeys at every stage of their careers. It was also very cool to meet Keith “K.C” KoKoruz, the Executive Director of USDJN, who learned to deejay from a Gramaphone Records alum from back in the day, Jungle Jorge Suarez. It is quite cool to realize how small the DJ world truly is. DJ Ray Jones had the turntable responsibilities for the night and the music was spot on!
Dean Faciana, Regional Sales Manager for ADJ showing us some of the lights he brought out.
ADJ WMX1 Mk2 Standalone DMX Lighting Controller
ADJ Products, LLC is a global manufacturer of entertainment lighting, LED video, and atmospheric effects equipment with an expansive portfolio of products with 40 years of experience in the industry. Dean told us there are hundreds of SKUs in the product catalog, and we were able to see about 12-14 of the lights that have made ADJ a household name in lighting. One of the coolest products we saw was the ADJ WMX1 Mk2 Standalone DMX Lighting Controller, which is a Standalone DMX Lighting Controller with up to 4 Universes, and with 37 Backlit Silicone Buttons, 4 Rotary Encoders, 4 Output Sockets, MIDI Triggering, and USB-A Socket. This improved version builds on the success of the previous model by adding larger encoder caps, MIDI triggering, and an upgraded USB-A socket that can accept MIDI controllers and memory sticks. This compact, road-ready chassis packs in a streamlined workflow, a powerful built-in effects engine, and intuitive control for powering an impressive DMX-run light show right from its interface. Powered by Wolfmix, the WMX1 Mk2 allows designers to craft intricate shows through this robust modern protocol. Dazzling light shows with comprehensive control over every fixture, and no computer required.
The upcoming USDJN events include an event with DJ Qbert and so much more. We had a great time networking with many DJs, many of whom we had met before, from many years in the Chicago Underground. I also wanted to provide some handy links that are mentioned in this article for easy reference (some are hyperlinked above as well). They include:
ADJ: https://www.adj.com
Gramaphone Records: https://gramaphonerecords.com
USDJN: https://usdjn.com
Sweetwater (where I purchase my gear): https://www.sweetwater.com
The next USDJN Meetup is in Milwaukee, WI, at Blizzard Pro with JBL, which I am stoked about. I look forward to tapping in with the USDJN and contributing to this growing organization.
Mani Miglani aka Mani Midi, pictured with Dean Faciana, Regional Sales Manager of ADJ
Thanks for taking the time to read this today, if you have. Events like this make me happy to have come up in the Chicago scene as a DJ. It was great to reminisce about old venues and parties. If you do consider joining the USDJN, consider visiting here: https://usdjn.com/membership, where they have a myriad of membership options. Limited Membership comes with:
Access to Discounted Insurance Plan
Permission to use the USDJN logo on marketing, sales, and promotional materials, website, social media, etc.
Membership certificate
Full membership also adds:
All that comes with a limited membership
Access to all educational content on the membership website, as well as all private webinars designed for members only
Discounts to multiple vendors, such as music pools, conferences, and DJ direct vendors, with exclusive discounts for USDJN full membership members.
Listing on the USDJN Website for potential clients to find.
Access to Discounted Insurance Plans
USDJN T-shirt
The professionalism seen here by many of the people I spoke to was refreshing. Mobile DJs spoke to me about having 150 dates locked for the year already upcoming and needing help, while others spoke to me about brilliant entrepreneurial efforts they have launched in the world of DJing, which was cool to see from a scene that sometimes, historically, may have rested on past laurels, or just being from Chicago. KC has started something cool here, and I was glad to have taken part.
KC, Executive Director, addressing the crowd at the event.
