Back up gear?

Do you DJ's ever bring a backup mixer/Cd players/speakers in case something doesn't turn on or whatever?

I would hate to show up to a big gig and discover that my main console wont go on. :sqeek:

Any reconmendations on what to buy as back up? Mabe something like an ION mini dual CD player or something? And a pair of SM350's as back up speakers?

The thing is, I have limited space in my car for transport. I know I need a van or SUV...haha

Let me know what you guys think. THANKS

I have a great little mixer that I carry for back up just in case I haven't needed it but there is one in the glove box of every vehicle I own!

Do you DJ's ever bring a backup mixer/Cd players/speakers in case something doesn't turn on or whatever?

I would hate to show up to a big gig and discover that my main console wont go on. :sqeek:



I would say that ALMOST all of us do...

so would your clients.

I always have 4 powered speakers connected to my mixer. If one of them goes bad no one will notice.
3 laptops and 2 Indigo Dj sound cards. (1 for backup or slide show with 2 emergency onboard sound chips)
2 mixers.
2 wireless sets of dual microphones.

I never worry about my equipment!

I can easy fit this set in any wagon.
No backup for lights.

Always have extra exernal hard drive, extra laptop, extra mixer, extra CD Player, extra microphones, and usually an powered speaker.

Simple. If Equipment dies, find the main breaker switch, all power goes and everyone leaves. Voila! You get to go home early ! :sqlaugh::rofl::sqlaugh::rofl::sqlaugh:

I carry 2 computers and 2 copies of my hard drive. The sound system itself is pretty redundant.

Right now for my weddings I'm carrying a Bose L1 in my truck incase something would go wrong.

Do you DJ's ever bring a backup mixer/Cd players/speakers in case something doesn't turn on or whatever?

I would hate to show up to a big gig and discover that my main console wont go on. :sqeek:

Any reconmendations on what to buy as back up? Mabe something like an ION mini dual CD player or something? And a pair of SM350's as back up speakers?

The thing is, I have limited space in my car for transport. I know I need a van or SUV...haha

Let me know what you guys think. THANKS

back up or not i wouldnt touch an ion with my worst enemy's hand, maybe go with a Gemsound dual piece or a cdmix.

I carry 2 computers and 2 copies of my hard drive. The sound system itself is pretty redundant.

Right now for my weddings I'm carrying a Bose L1 in my truck incase something would go wrong.

I do the same for my equipment. But my 2 Bose are there own back up.

Not in the business but I always have backup gear for even the most useless little part.

Backup PA is inherent in the system. We can swap a few patch cables around and bypass pretty much anything to get our sound. Thankfully, we haven't had to do that.

Im so anal about multiple backup I likely have three systems within my one gig system. Wow actually four.

I didn't carry a backup system in my trailer with me to "local" gigs because I am so close to my house anywhere in this small town if I needed to run home and get the backup monsters. I never had to in 7 years with my Mackies. I recently snatched 2 more 450s on sale and now I will retire the passive monsters.
Always carry these items(as backup) to every gig:
mixer
laptop
hard drive
cds(and players)
business cards/contracts
clothes
fire extingisher
basic lighting
cords/cables/mic
batteries
water/chocolate
mints
I am sure that am leaving something out...:sqcool:

Backup? Who needs it? Heck, I don't even own backup equipment. I don't even bring a mic. I don't even bring a speaker. I don't even bring an amp. I don't even bring a CD player, CDs, a computer, a hard disk, mixer, EQ, or anything. Heck, I don't even show up most of the time.

(Where the hell did THAT come from?)

Hey, if Rick can do it, why can't I? Feeling a little punchy this morning, I guess.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

I carry full backup. I have a backup MIxer/Double CD in a separate rack. My Main set has two amplifiers, primary and back up. I also carry a smaller set of speakers. I carry multiple cables and 3 different cabled mic in addition to a vhf wireless.

I have full redunduncy in my setup. Laptop fails, I have CD's. Have enough speakers and amps to finish a gig all the time.

I have a back up system under my table at all times (Never Had To Use IT) and always have at least 2 speakers in the truck just in case

As I said, I have backup.... hope to never have to use it, though, as it is a huge dropoff in quality...

My main is Mix2, Lappy with Rockit, and the Bose.

My backup is a Fender Passport PD 250 ( which actually does have Bose speakers in it :sqwink: )

I also carry 2 portable CD players, several mics, and lots of otehr goodies.

Any recommendations on what to buy as back up? Mabe something like an ION mini dual CD player or something? And a pair of SM350's as back up speakers?


Let me know what you guys think. THANKS

How about Non Performance Insurance!

If you consider yourself PRO back up is no brainer.
Now...Do you have back up if something goes wrong with you...?
I'm always 2 man show.

Backup PA is inherent in the system. We can swap a few patch cables around and bypass pretty much anything to get our sound. Thankfully, we haven't had to do that.

Exactly the same, with video included for karaoke.

I do carry a backup player and mini-mixer. The amp in my middle (standard) setup is a double, and self-redundant.

If you consider yourself PRO back up is no brainer.
Now...Do you have back up if something goes wrong with you...?
I'm always 2 man show.

I can't afford a clone, so I would just give a refund.

I always have 3 L-1's and 2 rolling racks, but I also carry a little 3 channel behringer mixer, Ipod loaded with about 2000 of the meatiest songs across all genres, and that would get me through pretty much any event if worst came to worst.

I also always have a backup laptop which i never use, but it's also loaded and ready should something funky happen.

You could go as cheap as my backup system I send out with my guys. 2 $12.00 wal mart durabrand cd walkmans, and a small 3 channel behringer. ($29.00)

I have 10 CD's I made with the top crowd pleaser country, rock, dance, oldies, megamix, slow song, urban, classic rock, etc...

It all is velcroed to a little board and can fit under your seat.

that's pretty much what i dj'd with for my first 2 years before I decided to spend some money.

I'd feel comfortable doing most events where beatmixing was not a make or break necessity to this day with that system.

I'll post a pic of one of my other backup systems I have here in the house.

http://www.steve-lynch.com/backup.jpg

it takes 2 ipods, it's got a $50 wireless mic, and the spot to the left is where a $12.00 cd player goes.


for under $160 this is all the backup I'd ever need for any event. (well, plus the cost of 2 ipods, but I have those already.)

I've used this rig for wedding ceremonies, smaller house parties, and even one huge corporate gig where I couldn't get my rolling rack up the spiral staircase.

Call me crazy, but redundancy is a BIG thing with me. I carry two full systems in the trailer at all times - used to carry three and four, but have recently combined two into one, and sold my third to a club in Charlotte, which I am attaching a pic of below - it's the Numark mixer board and dual CD player you see the DJ in the pic using.

As for cables, lamps, tools, etc., I carry tons in case something fails.

I bring a complete 2nd system to each gig.
Both systems have a Denon HD2500.

As I said, I have backup.... hope to never have to use it, though, as it is a huge dropoff in quality...

My main is Mix2, Lappy with Rockit, and the Bose.

My backup is a Fender Passport PD 250 ( which actually does have Bose speakers in it :sqwink: )

I also carry 2 portable CD players, several mics, and lots of otehr goodies.

Hey bro you forgot that 2 L-1's are a backup to themselves. I bring two L-1 and two B-1 systems to each event. Back up mixer and laptops and hard drives with mirrored files. On my main unit I have a starting playlist of our clients songs on a CD in the player cued and ready to go with in 5 seconds. Also the same with the dinner music in the other player.

On my main laptop I have OTS if at anytime the program might take a dump (Never has). I have J Rivers media player loaded with all the songs for each part of the event on each computers hard drive so that I could remove the external and switch them out.

If you consider yourself PRO back up is no brainer.
Now...Do you have back up if something goes wrong with you...?
I'm always 2 man show.


I once did a show running over 103 degree fever and pneumonia. No one knew, and I pulled it off.. ( keeled over the hood of my transportation after loading up though..but no one saw)

Your answer is that if ever needed I have friends in the biz to cover events.

I will never miss a bar show. A couple of months ago I had a lung problem that hospitalized me ( but only on the 2 days off) and worked with hidden mini oxygen tanks, sneaking pulls through the night. The show MUST go on, and I have a rep for making sure it does.

I once did a show running over 103 degree fever and pneumonia. No one knew, and I pulled it off.. ( keeled over the hood of my transportation after loading up though..but no one saw)

Your answer is that if ever needed I have friends in the biz to cover events.

I will never miss a bar show. A couple of months ago I had a lung problem that hospitalized me ( but only on the 2 days off) and worked with hidden mini oxygen tanks, sneaking pulls through the night. The show MUST go on, and I have a rep for making sure it does.

ME too...we had an outdoor wedding, one of the coldest windiest days that we had in awhile. I started off with the flu that morning and ended up with Pneumonia that night. I got through all of the vitals of the reception and was sicker than a dog that night. Still got tipped $150. That paid for my X-ray and meds.

There's an 18 wheeler you bring filled with backup to the backups of the backups but...what if the area power goes out :sqeek:.
with 4 hours left in the event (let's say it's a wedding or private function as opposed to a public bar gig) of your contracted 5 hours to fulfill (assuming there is a contract)? :sqembarrassed:

How do you protect yourself?

How do you protect the client?

Do you even care?

(This oughta be good! :sqwink:)

Prayer and a stiff drink?

Prayer and a stiff drink?Now that thar is funnier 'n hell!

By the way, trafficgoo, ever consider that your avatar might need a fresh new modern message and look?

Here's one possibility:

http://www.capcapello.com/avatar/drivedrink.jpg

Of course this is tongue in cheek however thanks for playing along.

I like it Cap! It says so much in so little words. :sqlaugh:

..what if the area power goes out :sqeek:.
with 4 hours left in the event (let's say it's a wedding or private function as opposed to a public bar gig) of your contracted 5 hours to fulfill (assuming there is a contract)? :sqembarrassed:

How do you protect yourself?

How do you protect the client?

Do you even care?

(This oughta be good! :sqwink:)

Cap, you never read about my famous Moonlight Karaoke? We just had a power outage on Tuesday. I have a couple of solutions for the problem. If the venue is small ( and this one was ), I have a system that requires a total of 32 watts ( Only 180w total speaker output - but the place IS small), not including the monitor. I also have a mini-mixer than can run on batteries. I just pull a couple of fully charged Sears 1100 series power supplies out of my trunk and I'm good for the night.

If it's a bigger venue, and they wish to continue (candlelight?) I have another option. Honda make a VERY quiet little portable generator, and along with my power conditioner, I can run all but my largest system.

Believe it or not, the tiny system, in a small room ( in the dark) works just fine, and loads and unloads with 2 trips by hand.

Unless I am contracted to supply power ($150 charge) then power is the responsibility of the client and or venue. A power outage means just that the power is out the music will not be played.

Just as a followup and as fate would have it, this past Saturday afternoon, our area was hit by some significant and powerful rain, lightning and hail storms.

At my Saturday afternoon wedding, just as the dinner hour came to a close and the open dancing portion began, the power went out. Perhaps 10 seconds later, it came back on for another minute and then, went out again for about 5 seconds, then back on and did a minute or two of the flickering thing.

One look into the faces of the Bride & Groom said it all. Grave concern, semi-panic, and the total lack of any joy or happiness anywhere to be found. The guests were doing the mumbling as well.

I quickly announced," Should the power go completely out, I have a generator readily available and will be up and running 100% in a matter of minutes. Your beer may get warm, your food may get cold, but this party will stay hot till it's over."

The applause was fabulous but nowhere near as satisfying as the look in my client's faces. Priceless is the word.

Had the power gone completely out, it would've been the fourth event which was saved from disaster just by having that little bitty magical electricity making box on hand.

I quickly announced," Should the power go completely out, I have a generator readily available and will be up and running 100% in a matter of minutes. Your beer may get warm, your food may get cold, but this party will stay hot till it's over."

The applause was fabulous but nowhere near as satisfying as the look in my client's faces. Priceless is the word.
.


DAM, I love a pro. Atta way to go, Cap! :sqcool: