View Full Version : Do you test your equipment before you take it out?
As above or does the notion that it worked last night/or my last party means you don't test your equipment before it goes out?
Yes, all equipment and every lead I plan (as well as spares) to use gets tested before I go out. That's why it can take me up to 24 hours to get ready for a gig as I like to make sure everything is work correctly. lol
rob1963
11-09-2009, 12:06 AM
No, I never test my equipment before using it each time.
Why?
Partly because I can't be bothered and partly because I don't think it's necessary as I carry back up gear & leads.
Solitaire Events Ltd
11-09-2009, 12:06 AM
I don't, but then I have very reliable gear and fairly comprehensive back up.
rob1963
11-09-2009, 12:10 AM
The thing is, just because you test everything at home and find it all works fine, that doesn't necessarily mean it will also work when you've set it up at a gig.
:shrug:
I don't, but then I have very reliable gear and fairly comprehensive back up.
May ask how comprehensive? as in literally a spare for each item?
The thing is, just because you test everything at home and find it all works fine, that doesn't necessarily mean it will also work when you've set it up at a gig.
:shrug:
Yes that's true but what if the equipment was broken before? Better you test to find out before you leave?
Solitaire Events Ltd
11-09-2009, 12:17 AM
May ask how comprehensive? as in literally a spare for each item?
Near enough.
Spare mixer and DAC-2 in a case. Spare active cabs if working more than about 10 miles away, spare mic, spare laptop and a flightcase full of cables, lamps etc etc
Excalibur
11-09-2009, 06:13 AM
The thing is, just because you test everything at home and find it all works fine, that doesn't necessarily mean it will also work when you've set it up at a gig.
:shrug:
May ask how comprehensive? as in literally a spare for each item?
Having a big van helps, if you're using a smal car, your spare capacity is limited, and I know you tend to cut it down to essentials.
Some of us are on record as carrying spare/backup/extra kit. Sometimes lots of it. ;) For instance Rob, as I'm fully aware of the need to keep my punters informed and entertained, I regularly carry seven microphones. ;) :p :D ( And cos we were in Hull last week, I took eight. Mind you, we were doing Karaoke. :D :D :D )
Paul S
11-09-2009, 11:24 AM
Yes that's true but what if the equipment was broken before? Better you test to find out before you leave?
If any equipment breaks down at a previous gig then I'd make sure it's repaired before the next show, and also clearly label it as faulty. It's very unlikely that equipment will go faulty between the time you pack it away and the time you use it again. Enough spares/backup should see you through any gig.
Vectis
11-09-2009, 11:30 AM
I don't, but then I have very reliable gear and fairly comprehensive back up.
:agree:
Ditto
The only things I will test are items that I use only occasionally, and if I have any photo slideshows or customer videos to playout I'll make sure these are pukka before I leave.
DeckstarDeluxe
11-09-2009, 11:54 AM
I don't, but then I have very reliable gear and fairly comprehensive back up.
I'd second that apart from current dont take backup speaker but wanting to buy the deckstand booth first before paying out for that
Penfold42
11-09-2009, 11:58 AM
Yep - Tested before each gig and I always take back up in case.
Dynamic Entertainment
11-09-2009, 12:16 PM
Testes weekly...at each gig :D - Seriously though, if its out week after week (give or take) then no extra testing as i carry back-up.
If its not been used for a while (month or more) then it gets the once over at home. Testings harder for me now as i now have secure storage away from the house. Im sure they would put a socket in if i asked, but its never came up yet. :)
I don't, but then I have very reliable gear and fairly comprehensive back up.
Same here.
Carry spare active cab, mixer, cd player and far too many leads!:)
DJ Davy
11-09-2009, 06:53 PM
I only test items that are rarely used, extra lights for a big show, or things that have been stored in the garage. The reason is that I have a large back up also - spare amps, lighting, playout system and spare pa with me all the time!
BeerFunk
12-09-2009, 11:56 AM
I also have backup for the essential parts of the setup, so there isn't a great need.
The other thing to consider is that a lot of electrical items (and particularly lighting) are most likely to fail when you switch them on from cold, rather than during use, so theoretically you are shortening the lifespan by switching them on and off twice as much.
I also have backup for the essential parts of the setup, so there isn't a great need.
The other thing to consider is that a lot of electrical items (and particularly lighting) are most likely to fail when you switch them on from cold, rather than during use, so theoretically you are shortening the lifespan by switching them on and off twice as much.
Interesting.
Is that the cable itself or the terminations? Never heard of that before.
Interesting.
Is that the cable itself or the terminations? Never heard of that before.
Tom
I think Callum is referring to lamp strike
Tony
Tom
I think Callum is referring to lamp strike
Tony
Ohh I see. :o:D
Well as I'm 100% led now, I don't have to worry as much. lol
Tony Scott
13-09-2009, 07:54 AM
I never test gear before a gig, like others I carry enough spare kit to get by if anything goes down. The only time I would test is if something was playing up or had been dropped loading out of the gig before. :)
Charlie Brown
13-09-2009, 04:11 PM
I'm a no pretty much for all the reasons given!
DJMaxG
13-09-2009, 04:59 PM
I would never test my equipment, unless I hadn't used it for a while, and it gets used enough at home anyway.
If Something fails, then you should carry spares anyway, and I'd imagen that the majority of major faults would occur during setup or when everything is up and running, rather than half way through the evening.
I have seen many DJs before that do not have backup speakers, certainly not visable anyway, so the party either stops or they ring someone to request backup.
Solitaire Events Ltd
13-09-2009, 06:39 PM
I'd imagen that the majority of major faults would occur during setup or when everything is up and running, rather than half way through the evening.
Why would you imagine that? :confused:
DJMaxG
13-09-2009, 06:58 PM
Why would you imagine that? :confused:
When Setting up, if there's hissing etc, and you manage to resolve the problem, it is sorted then.
That's what the initial soundcheck is for
Solitaire Events Ltd
13-09-2009, 07:02 PM
When Setting up, if there's hissing etc, and you manage to resolve the problem, it is sorted then.
That's what the initial soundcheck is for
Hissing is hardly a major fault is it?
Things can go wrong at any point during the evening Max.
DJWilson
13-09-2009, 07:03 PM
I have seen many DJs before that do not have backup speakers, certainly not visable anyway.
Wouldnt you being able to see spare gear lieing about look un professional to the general public? Yes.
DeckstarDeluxe
13-09-2009, 07:08 PM
Hahaha
Has Max just told Darren what the point of a sound check is.
Excalibur
13-09-2009, 07:09 PM
Hissing is hardly a major fault is it?
Things can go wrong at any point during the evening Max.
Yeah, like a brand new mixer which died twenty minutes into the first outing! :eek: :eek: :eek: Luckily, the old one was with me at the time.
Wouldnt you being able to see spare gear lieing about look un professional to the general public? Yes.
Absolutely. That's why you leave it in the van. ;)
I don't test anything before I leave.
Reasons. Its packed into the trailer tighter than a tight thing thats had an extra shove to wedge it in. Plus its bloody heavy.
Secondly I have spare everything that I need, although only have half a set of speakers. Spare one of the same type as there is no reason why two should drop at the same time thats just bad luck.
Been there with the new kit failing. 1 song on new CD player and it died. Mostly unimpressed and returned to the old one in the second box alongside.
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