Active Speakers Backup/Failure

[Megamix]

(Apologies if this has been discussed but I can't find anything.)

If Active speakers are used (currently considering SRM450s) what options does one have regarding failure - I was told by a DJ store jokingly? 'buy 3' but is there a workaround like a spare amp bypassing the inbuilt failed amp?

TIA

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

(Apologies if this has been discussed but I can't find anything.)

If Active speakers are used (currently considering SRM450s) what options does one have regarding failure - I was told by a DJ store jokingly? 'buy 3' but is there a workaround like a spare amp bypassing the inbuilt failed amp?

TIA

I have a spare, but most actives have 2 amps in anyway and if you are using a pair, it is very unlikely that 2 will go in the same evening, so you'll always be left with one speaker.

A bit like carrying 2 amps I suppose.

[Penfold42]

I have a spare, but most actives have 2 amps in anyway and if you are using a pair, it is very unlikely that 2 will go in the same evening, so you'll always be left with one speaker.

A bit like carrying 2 amps I suppose.

Beat me to it. :)
Never had a problem yet although I do have a spare 450 in case one went down but never take this to a gig as it's only back up and never come to that yet.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Actually, I did see a speaker recently in a shop or at a show, where there was a facility to bypass the amps and use them as passive cabs.

Where the heck was I?

[Vectis]

Chances of losing both amps in both active tops at the same gig are pretty slim, especially when they're equipped with overload and thermal protection circuitry.

However, I do carry a pair of 10" full range passives and a 300W-per-side no-brand power amp just in case.

And sitting in the garage at home a selection of alternative decent gear which can be called upon very quickly thanks to my limited geographical coverage :)

[simply simon]

If I take a trailer, there's usually at least a couple of spare speakers and an amp.. if it's the van, there's often a complete spare rig!

[pagan_flame]

I carry a pair of Tapco Thump speakers as backup;

- if BOTH the tops (SRM 450 v1) go, I can use them to replace those
- if the sub (dB Tech Sub 15) goes, I can use them to replace that
- or I can use them to boost the sound overall if the venue turns out to be bigger than anticipated.

[Steve the DJ]

Actually, I did see a speaker recently in a shop or at a show, where there was a facility to bypass the amps and use them as passive cabs.

Where the heck was I?

The 12" Active DragonSpirits have that switch on them.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Actually, I did see a speaker recently in a shop or at a show, where there was a facility to bypass the amps and use them as passive cabs.

Where the heck was I?


The 12" Active DragonSpirits have that switch on them.

Yes, I was in my garage....DOH! :o :o :o

[Corabar Entertainment]

:lol: memory starting to go a bit now you're over 40 Darren? :p

[rob1963]

most actives have 2 amps in anyway and if you are using a pair, it is very unlikely that 2 will go in the same evening, so you'll always be left with one speaker.


Chances of losing both amps in both active tops at the same gig are pretty slim, especially when they're equipped with overload and thermal protection circuitry.

Funnily enough, this happened to a friend of mine a few months back.

I believe he was using a pair of active JBLs (although I don't know which model) which were less than a year old.

A couple of hours into the gig, the amp blew on one of the speakers, so he had to continue with just one speaker...until about 15 minutes later when that one blew as well!

He didn't carry any spares with him, so the gig finished at about 10pm & everyone was given most of their money back.

Fortunately, it was a singles disco & not a wedding!

[Corabar Entertainment]

But surely the same thing could happen if you were using an external amp and carried a spare? ie: it's extremely unlikely that both would go at the same time, but not impossible, and I doubt that many DJs carry 3 amps around with them as standard :confused:

[rob1963]

But surely the same thing could happen if you were using an external amp and carried a spare? ie: it's extremely unlikely that both would go at the same time, but not impossible, and I doubt that many DJs carry 3 amps around with them as standard :confused:

I don't think it's quite the same, because in the case of MY spare amp, I bought it purely as a spare & it's never been used, so it's possibly less likely to pack up than a couple of speakers which are BOTH being used at every gig.

[CRAZY K]

I don't think it's quite the same, because in the case of MY spare amp, I bought it purely as a spare & it's never been used, so it's possibly less likely to pack up than a couple of speakers which are BOTH being used at every gig.

:shrug:

Drat beat me to it;)

Less likely with passive because the spare amp ( such as I carry ) wouldnt have been working that night at all and got all hot and bothered;)

I must say its quite extraordinary that both active amps would fail although I suppose there is a risk that the remaining amp would have to work very much harder to make up for the loss of the failed one and the DJ has driven it too hard and blown it up:bang: or maybe taken the speaker with it:bang:

With passive the replacement amp works no harder than normal.

Did the JBLs end up at the rubbish dump Rob :eek:

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Drat beat me to it;)

Less likely with passive because the spare amp ( such as I carry ) wouldnt have been working that night at all and got all hot and bothered;)


Great minds think alike ;)


Did the JBLs end up at the rubbish dump Rob :eek:

To be honest, I'm not sure, Crazy...although I do know he replaced them with a new active speaker system (including a sub) which will hopefully be more reliable!

[yourdj]

Actually, I did see a speaker recently in a shop or at a show, where there was a facility to bypass the amps and use them as passive cabs.

Where the heck was I?

I have done that with my gemini's. my amp bloke has messed it up though as i think the impedence is wrong as my amp was all in the red the otherday :( and sounded awful mid gig.

The idea was to use it as a passive back up or link it as an extra active speaker. cost me £150 (to fix them too) which i could got a tapco thump for! Doh.

[Steve the DJ]

Yes, I was in my garage....DOH! :o :o :o

Well it is a bit like a shop... :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't think it's quite the same, because in the case of MY spare amp, I bought it purely as a spare & it's never been used, so it's possibly less likely to pack up than a couple of speakers which are BOTH being used at every gig.

I don't agree.

If both amps in active speakers went in the same evening, then the same thing could happen to stand alone amps regardless of use.

I had major problems with active subs and the amp module on several died on me several times after being used for a very short amount of time, so I don't think it makes any difference whether the amp has been used or not.

[rob1963]

I don't agree.

If both amps in active speakers went in the same evening, then the same thing could happen to stand alone amps regardless of use.


The point I'm making is that a "new" back up amp (which has never been used) is less likely to pack up than an amp in a vibrating box which is being used at least once or twice every week.

In my experience, the more something is used, the more likely it is that something will go wrong with it.

If you disagree with that, then fair enough.

[Corabar Entertainment]

You could argue that the 'new' one isn't road-tested regularly and so doesn't have a proven track record.

[rob1963]

You could argue that the 'new' one isn't road-tested regularly and so doesn't have a proven track record.

You could...but I wouldn't!

:D :D :D

[Excalibur]

You could argue that the 'new' one isn't road-tested regularly and so doesn't have a proven track record.

Dunno if it was Penmare telling me about a Law/Theory/Formula that if something didn't fail in the first short oart of its lifespan, it tended to run for ages. I had a new mixer fail after about ten minutes, and its replacement ran for years. I'd apply the same principle to amps in my humble opinion, which is why I'd rather have a S/H backup amp, not new and untested.

I'd also say that only having two active cabs, and no futher backup is not enough.

[A1DL]

You could argue that the 'new' one isn't road-tested regularly and so doesn't have a proven track record.

I'm in full agreement with chief technician Angela :p

A couple of years back I put a new class D 4 channel amp (Kryo) in a rack with three big macros that had worked hard for many years on various duties, mainly LF.

The Kryo died after just a few outings of running M/HF, the macros are all still going strong to this day and are used in a lot tougher conditions than the Kryo ever experienced.

[soundtracker]

I'd also say that only having two active cabs, and no futher backup is not enough.

Funnily enough I had this scenario on NYE, and it was enough, in fact no-one actually appeared to notice!:)

Normally I do have further back-up, but logistics got the better of me on this occasion!

[Excalibur]

Funnily enough I had this scenario on NYE, and it was enough, in fact no-one actually appeared to notice!:)

Normally I do have further back-up, but logistics got the better of me on this occasion!

Well alright, Mr Smartypants. :p As we all know, if you have no breakdowns, then no backup gear is needed. :D :D :D :D

[soundtracker]

Well alright, Mr Smartypants. :p As we all know, if you have no breakdowns, then no backup gear is needed. :D :D :D :D

Funny, I worry about things failing a lot more these days, than I did all those years when I had no back-up plan at all - not even a spare stylus on occasion!

[CRAZY K]

Funnily enough I had this scenario on NYE, and it was enough, in fact no-one actually appeared to notice!:)

Normally I do have further back-up, but logistics got the better of me on this occasion!

Same here doing my first booking with my Cortex, I was concentrating on getting things right and didnt notice I had panned all the power through the left hand channel.

It was after an hour the Bridegroom ( a club DJ apparently ) mentioned the right hand side was not working--easily fixed by turning a knob;)

Modern equipment is very powerful and unless theres a need for very large sound requirement it might be possible to complete the event without too much trouble--but if they both pack up:eek:

I have two Powered Mixers and alternate them between gigs.

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Funny, I worry about things failing a lot more these days, than I did all those years when I had no back-up plan at all - not even a spare stylus on occasion!

I know whereof you speak. ;)

[Corabar Entertainment]

I'm in full agreement with chief technician Angela :p :ner:

:rofl:

[yourdj]

I carry a pair of Tapco Thump speakers as backup;

These are great! I am borrowing some at the moment.
Doing a youtube comparison with the mackies tonight.

I have a pair of gemini actives which have been converted to run passive too as my main system is passive. :)