DJ altering the tempo of music
 

I don't know how often this happens - 1st time I've come across it - it was a pain in the arse!

I spent hours trying to match up the 1st dance to the song they'd supplied - turns out the DJ started the song slower and then sped it up. Once I realised what was going on I had to use the audio from one of the cameras.

Re: DJ altering the tempo of music
 

You're not alone - I've met this a few times now - with DJs that play CDs as well as MP3s.

Re: DJ altering the tempo of music
 

When this happens, just use the video sound track together with the ambient noise. Otherwise use your CD track drop out all the video sound track and point the finger at the DJ if the couple complain.

The best solution is to have a word with the DJ beforehand and tell him this track is the couple request and you need to sync the video. Often talking helps in most situations.

Re: DJ altering the tempo of music
 

For the DJ to speed up the first dance song in the middle of it is ridiculous and amateurish. Other times for mixing I understand they need to do this, but for the first dance, give me a break.

Re: DJ altering the tempo of music
 

Interesting Jeff, I am glad you edited out your first reply

Re: DJ altering the tempo of music
 

Vincent, I'm glad your happy. My first post was fine, except it didnt' apply because I hadn't realized he was talking about first dance. Otherwise, who cares what speed the DJ plays any song? I just matched up three songs in a wedding video and all were speeded up. It took time, but I got it. It is a pain, but the DJ needs to do what he needs to do, and so do we.

The first dance song however is another matter. I'm sure the bride does not expect it to be played speeded up, especially in the middle of the dance.

Re: DJ altering the tempo of music
 

I have experienced the dj's having their own "special" cut or mix, as well as live bands doing the same thing. It became real apparent to me early on the best way to be doing this audio is to be recording it directly from them as it happens.

Re: DJ altering the tempo of music
 

I had this same problem before and couldn't get it to sync. I only found out after pluraleyes support had told me about the difference in speed which is barely noticeable. I agree with Chip I just use the song recorded off the DJ's sound board. It works out great too since sometimes the DJ would announce an intro to the 1st dance and I can add that as part of the intro leading to the dance.

Re: DJ altering the tempo of music
 

As a former wedding DJ (for more than 500 wedding dances) I can tell you it's probably not a matter of the DJ purposly starting the song at a slower tempo, then speeding it up...

If the DJ was beatmatching earlier in the evening (slowing/raising the tempo of one song to match the tempo of another - fairly common among pro DJs) then it's possible the tempo of that particular source was left down a few percent. When the DJ noticed, he probably brought it up slowly so it was at the correct tempo. The average guest would not have noticed. Only the videographer would notice when trying to sync.