Services:
Established:	1993
Employees:	10
Accepts:

Timothy Whaley Photographic Artists

It is always a pleasure working with this company. The DJs are professional, polite and really know how to help people have a great time! The dance floor is always packed and their sound system is amazing. They also make sure that all the right vendors are ready for the events (such as the garter toss etc.) before they happen.

WHEN CHOOSING YOUR DJ COMPANY, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: 

When asked, 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the music.

72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their DJ.

Looking back, 98% of brides say they would have spent more of their budget on a DJ. 

sources: Simmons, USA Today, National Bride Survey, The Knot, Brides Magazine.            

MEET YOUR DJ (NOT A SALESPERSON) AT YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION
A professional DJ company should allow you to meet your DJ at your initial consultation. With other companies, you will meet a salesperson and are required to book your event prior to meeting your DJ. In some cases, you will have to pay extra to meet your DJ. At best, you will see a picture or video of your DJ. It is important to know exactly what you are getting prior to booking your event. At Music By Design, you will meet your DJ/MC at your initial consultation.

KNOW YOUR PRICE BEFORE YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION.
A professional DJ company should encourage openness and honesty in all areas. A large number of DJs in the Chicagoland area practice high-pressure and nondisclosure with regard to sales. In most instances, you will drive to your consultation without knowing your price. In addition, you will be offered a substantial discount if you book your event "today". Please do not be fooled...it only appears to be a discount. You will be getting the same price that is always charged, however, because you are never told the real price, it appears to be an amazing offer. In addition, you will be pressured into thinking your event date must be held immediately. You be asked for cash upfront just to hold the date. Often times, you will walk away feeling uneasy and in some cases scammed. At Music By Design, we offer an open and honest policy with a refreshing level of customer service. Please click pricing to view our prices or call and speak with a representative.

SERVICE VS. THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION
A professional DJ company will focus on service and customer satisfaction, not the latest equipment. Hundreds of DJs in the Chicagoland area have recently switched from CD's to Digital music. In doing so, these companies spend a large percentage of their time selling you their newly purchased "digital sound" and "the latest technology"...explaining how CDs are inferior to MP3s. If you find a company focusing on their digital platform and the "cool factor", beware! That company is lacking in several areas including customer satisfaction. Music By Design switched from CD's to laptop computers in February of 1999. It is 2008, digital music is no longer note worthy...it is the standard.

DIGITAL SOFTWARE AND STABILITY ISSUES
A professional DJ company should be using reliable digital music software. It is important to ask about the software used and investigate that software's stability via online forums/reviews. It is also important to mention PCDJ VRM. VRM is extremely unstable and usually shuts down in the middle of events requiring a reboot. VRM's instability is well known throughout the PC world and is still used by many Chicago area DJs. A large part of providing outstanding customer service involves choosing reliable software and equipment. Music By Design uses PCDJ v5.3. Version 5.3 is the most reliable DJ software available and has been the standard since 2003. It is so reliable that we have refused to upgrade to a newer platform. We have tested VRM...the program shut down 2 out of 3 times. Be sure to ask about the software being used at your event.

BE SURE YOUR DJ COMPANY TAKES REQUESTS AND HONORS "DO NOT PLAY" LISTS.
A professional DJ company should encourage communication and be receptive to all of your input. Music By Design encourages communication and honors all requests.

BACKUP SYSTEMS AND DJS.
If the situation arises, it is important to have backup procedures to ensure the highest quality service. Music By Design has both backup equipment and DJs.

COMPREHENSIVE LIABILITY INSURANCE.
Many banquet halls require proof of liability insurance before the DJ can unload equipment. Music By Design is a corporation with two million dollars in aggregate comprehensive liability insurance.

PROFESSIONAL-GRADE AUDIO EQUIPMENT.
It is important to understand that high quality equipment does not guarantee the level of service provided. High quality equipment is simply a tool your DJ can provide to elevate the quality of sound and help ensure quality service. Music By Design provides peace-of-mind by utilizing professional-grade audio equipment specifically designed for commercial operation.

BE SURE YOUR DJ COMPANY HIRES EMPLOYEES, NOT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.
Outsourcing is common place in the DJ industry. Independent contractors do not actually work for the company, therefore, they are not accountable for the quality of service provided. By law, a company that uses an independent contractor does not have the right to direct and control work performance -- including the details of when, where, and how the job is accomplished. In other words, Independent contractors cannot be supervised or directed in any way. If you hire a DJ company that employs independent contractors, it is illegal for that company to direct and control the actions of the DJ performing at your event. It is difficult for a DJ company using independent contractors to honestly guarantee the quality of service and equipment that will be used at your event. In addition, independent contractors are not covered under most company's liability insurance. Beware! Many DJ companies in the Chicagoland area outsource independent contractors. Music By Design employs legal employees only, not independent contractors.

BE SURE YOUR DJ COMPANY USES "LEGAL MUSIC."
With the development of the digital revolution, many DJ companies are making illegal copies of songs. Playing this type of music for commercial purposes is illegal under regulations set by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Music By Design purchases legal music.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS.
These affiliations create standards and inform DJ companies on the latest developments regarding technology, service, and regulation. Music By Design is a member of The BBB,  The WPN (Wedding Professionals Network), The Hinsdale Wedding Resource, The ADJA (American Disc Jockey Association) and N.A.M.E. (National Association of Mobile Entertainers).