I’m new to being a mobile DJ. Just wondering what you would consider essential equipment to keep a spare on hand when doing an event.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Backup equipment
- Thread starter Ajdjmusic
- Start date
Honestly I keep enough spare gear in the trailer so that no matter what may fail the show can still go on
Currently we have backup subs and speakers, cords and smaller stuff like that.
My main concern is something like an amp going out? We currently have 2 amps running at each event. But wasn’t sure if something like that would need a backup
I would assume if one amp went down the other could finish the event before repairing the other. Just new to this and unsure
I would be more concerned about a mixer going down than an amp. With 2 amps you could likely finish the event possibly with no subs depends on the amps.
I run powered speakers so the odds of losing both are slim. I always have a backup mixer and laptop. I also have a phone/Ipad if something were to happen to my music library
I run powered speakers so the odds of losing both are slim. I always have a backup mixer and laptop. I also have a phone/Ipad if something were to happen to my music library
You should have enough to make sure you can finish the event. I find what I consider a risk is the laptop. So I always have 2 running and a backup. Laptops can have 2 sources of issues, software & hardware. That being said issues usually don’t happen at events but I have hard drives fail and software do some funky stuff. And during an event is not where you want to troubleshoot. Depending on the quality of your speakers & amps I find them very reliable lasting 30+ years or more.
What do you use to play the music? CD players, controller? I say you should have a backup if any of those fail at an event. Backup laptop as suggested. Not sure what else because you didn't tell us what gear you have.
Currently use my MacBook and a mixing board. Also use a separate computer to control the DMX lights.
Not so much worried about the computer and the music files I have spares for that. Just wasn’t sure if I need to carry a spare mixing board and amplifiers. Or just like speakers, subs, and other miscellaneous cords
Sorry I’m relatively new to all this so idk all the exact terminology for everything
Don't apologize. We all were new to this at one time.
For me, it's music source, mic, and powered speaker. Extra cables as well. If you have back ups of those, you can get by.
Today, I also have a back up mixer/controller.
For me, all of my back up equipment is identical to my front line stuff. If a power cord goes out on my wireless mic receiver, I can just swap out the cord. If my computer goes out, the back up computer has all the buttons in the exact same place, etc.
Making things easy for me.....so I can focus on the crowd and the music... is important to me.
Today, I also have a back up mixer/controller.
For me, all of my back up equipment is identical to my front line stuff. If a power cord goes out on my wireless mic receiver, I can just swap out the cord. If my computer goes out, the back up computer has all the buttons in the exact same place, etc.
Making things easy for me.....so I can focus on the crowd and the music... is important to me.
The thing I find is to buy quality gear that will work well and not fail on you. Anything can fail at anytime. It's just that it's less likely things will go wrong with proper use. That's the reason for backup gear.
It sounds like you have some good gear to use. I hope you stick around and don't hesitate to show us a gig report of an event you've done. Keep your head up and look at ways to improve. Have a wonderful day.
It sounds like you have some good gear to use. I hope you stick around and don't hesitate to show us a gig report of an event you've done. Keep your head up and look at ways to improve. Have a wonderful day.
It's 2024. I feel bad for anyone still using CD players.
A second laptop with the software and all the music you need for the event is a good start.
Oh, I forgot, invest in some quality powered speakers.
Oh, I forgot, invest in some quality powered speakers.
I don't. It's about what works best for a DJ. It's about doing a good job that people are happy with the results.
A statement that is of no help or useful, just talking to be heard
Critical gear needing a backup is ANY piece that would prevent the output of sound if it failed. That makes amplifiers the highest priority. If you use stand alone amps then you need at least one extra amp as backup at all times, or a rack that can be re-configured to compensate for the lost amplifier.
If you use active speakers - then you'll need at least an extra speaker for each type being deployed. (Full range versus high/mid/low separates)
Is a DJ controller critical? No, because you can bypass it in numerous ways to get sound running. Is a PC critical? It will be if it's the sole source of your music content.
Think of your worst nightmare - and then devise two levels of how to get past it. That might mean for level 1 (sound output) you carry a full range powered speaker, and for level 2 (source) you carry an iPod or a duplicate laptop. If your amps failed AND your PC was destroyed at the same show - you could still get music playing from the iPod and powered speaker.
Not ideal or enjoyable - but it will allow you to meet the basic minimum to keep the event going.A final note about backup:
Backup includes both the piece of gear in question AND the cables or power supplies they require. If you have devices that depend on a proprietary connector or power supply you need to have either a spare for that too, or the ability to repair it onsite. It's one thing to have an expensive piece of gear fail - and quite another to have it working but inaccessible for want of a $5 connector or $30 proprietary power adapter.
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No not at all. I personally know someone who uses CD'S to DJ with. My buddy for many years used CD'S. I finally convinced him to become a computer DJ and he's doing a great job.
I don't need a mixer to play music - but, no one will hear it without amplification.
Most DJ software already has a built in mixer, so while we might lose the high order DJ features of the controller - we could simply default to a radio-style show.
Imagine casualty or theft as the issue - leaving you on site with just an iPod or PC with iTunes and now the redundancy of a mixer/controller becomes more obvious. I could do a show using just an iPod and powered speaker because I can plug a mic and the iPod in simultaneously. It would not be fun - but I could make it work despite the stressful conditions and get through whatever part of the event necessary until help arrives (if at all.)
There is a point where age precludes an upgrade. Had I been of a certain age when digital DJing displaced the value of CDs then I would have just stayed with my CD rig and marketed myself on that vintage basis.
I have a friend who DJs with turntables and 45 rpm records, but he does shows that are almost exclsuvely vintage rock and rockabilly of the 1950s / 60s. It's far more authentic in the live setting than a DJ using CDs or a computer for the same content.
Totally agree my point is it's more likely that a mixer will fail than an amplifier and a lot more likely that it will fail that 2 powered speakers kicking out at once. I carry 2 Polar 12s to every event I like the look of two speakers being presented but it also serves as a backup. Most of the places I play can be easily done with one and have power to spare