For those that carry back up.......

[DeckstarDeluxe]

How often do you "test" it?

My main PO is a laptop running Numark cue and denon dns3500 with a 1500x mixer. I also carry a gemini 3 channel mixer. Now because the denon is so fantastic Ive never had to use the backup one and it only struck me last week that I had better check that it still works. You wouldnt wanna find out it doesnt when the denon has an issue.

I got it out last night to play with as I got a new toy also (Korg effects pad) and noticed that it has a jack mic input and not the normal xlr one. Now I dont have a suitable lead for this so lucky I found that out now rather than in a gig situlation being left with no mic!


Just wondering how often you guys check your back ups. I need to test my backup amp but the other stuff gets used on and off fairly reguarly such as power cables and the such like.

[simonp]

Good post - I have to admit, very rarely :o :o :o

At least I now have a plan of action for tomorrow :lol:

[JTRS]

Quite often I will swap my back-up for the main system for an evening (depending on the actual function).

This serves two purposes for me, it tests the gear and keeps me familiar with the kit.

JTRS

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Quite often I will swap my back-up for the main system for an evening (depending on the actual function).

This serves two purposes for me, it tests the gear and keeps me familiar with the kit.

JTRS

Just the PO?

what about spare amps/speakers etc...?

[rob1963]

Good post - I have to admit, very rarely :o :o :o


Same here.

However, I don't think it matters that much, as I have several back ups (a console, a CD player & 3 ipods), and the chance of them all failing at the same time is about the same as my chance of winning the lottery (which I don't even play!).

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Same here.

However, I don't think it matters that much, as I have several back ups (a console, a CD player & 3 ipods), and the chance of them all failing at the same time is about the same as my chance of winning the lottery (which I don't even play!).

Ipods contain all of your database? What about if this happeans before the first dance?

While I understand your point about many different back ups whens the last time you used each of them?

[rob1963]

Ipods contain all of your database?

My entire music collection is held in five places: on 3 ipods, on my home PC & on an external hard drive which is stored elsewhere.


What about if this happens before the first dance?

I'd either change the ipod, plug an additional ipod into my D2 & use that or plug one of the spare ipods straight into the mixer & play it from there.

If you're asking whether I have a second source plugged in & ready to go instantly if required, the answer is no.

I'm a couple of weeks away from my second anniversary of being digital, and have never had a problem yet, so the chances of anything going wrong at the exact time I start the first dance are remote, to say the least.


While I understand your point about many different back ups whens the last time you used each of them?

I alternate the three main ipods, so they all get used at gigs on a regular basis. I have a small ipod containing my most played songs which I charge & test each week. I haven't tested my CD player for about a year, but it was fine the last time I tried it. The same goes for my IDJ2.

[JTRS]

Just the PO?

what about spare amps/speakers etc...?

No Not just the PO system, the whole kit and kerboodle.

JTRS

[ppentertainments]

I am quite lucky as my backup for disco is my main kit for race nights. However I will say that if it was not the case I doubt I would check it much.

[CRAZY K]

How often do you "test" it?

My main PO is a laptop running Numark cue and denon dns3500 with a 1500x mixer. I also carry a gemini 3 channel mixer. Now because the denon is so fantastic Ive never had to use the backup one and it only struck me last week that I had better check that it still works. You wouldnt wanna find out it doesnt when the denon has an issue.

I got it out last night to play with as I got a new toy also (Korg effects pad) and noticed that it has a jack mic input and not the normal xlr one. Now I dont have a suitable lead for this so lucky I found that out now rather than in a gig situlation being left with no mic!


Just wondering how often you guys check your back ups. I need to test my backup amp but the other stuff gets used on and off fairly reguarly such as power cables and the such like.

Alternate use of Powered Mixers, Mixers, Cortex (s) Hard Drives, Mini Disc Players throughout the weeks and months.

Check spare mike from time to time.

Modern lights and equipment are remarkably reliable;)

[Penfold42]

Try it every time like a good little boy I am........or what's the point in taking it?
:confused:

[Excalibur]

Try it every time like a good little boy I am........or what's the point in taking it?
:confused:

Or use your backup gear for other purposes, and it gets a regular run out. Also, mix n match your PA, if you've got a variety of it, and tailor it to the venue.

[Penfold42]

Or use your backup gear for other purposes, and it gets a regular run out. Also, mix n match your PA, if you've got a variety of it, and tailor it to the venue.

True....but is that what the OP asked? :p :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

True....but is that what the OP asked? :p :D


In a way that is testing it regularly and as long as you take the backup.

[SC Events]

I use my back-up gear at most gigs!

My main playout systems are a Laptop running Virtual DJ and a Denon HD2500 and for back-up I have the Denon BU4500 CD Drawers.

For Sound, my main amp is a Behringer EP2500 and my back-up is a (don't laugh) ProSound 1600. The 'Main' jacks are plugged into the Behringer and the 'booth' jacks are plugged in to the ProSound.

Both amps are connected to the speakers, so if my Behringer dies, I just turn the booth channel up and I have sound again...magic! :D

My spare leads get used occasionally just to make sure they are still working.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

The spare laptop gets ran every week.

The backup mixer gets tested every gig just after setting up :)

[dj keevers]

I try to ensure i rotate my equipment usage through all events i do. So i use different laptops mixers amps speakers etc to check everything is operational. However i dont have replicated lights or starcloth. I have a selection of 18 lights of which i normally use a selection 7-9 of them for each booking but didnt think a backup starcloth would be needed.
I use an ultimax stand, does anyone carry spares with them to gigs just in case?
The main things ive got in multiples are cables and connectors

[rob1963]

I must admit, I can't remember the last time I checked my back up amp, but we're talking years.

:eek:

[DJMaxG]

My main PO is a laptop running Numark cue and denon dns3500 with a 1500x mixer

Only the one DNS3500?

[Larry B Entertainment]

Only the one DNS3500?

Maybe hes using it as a controller or something ?

[Excalibur]

Only the one DNS3500?


Maybe hes using it as a controller or something ?

Do they get lonely on their own? :confused:

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Only the one DNS3500?


Two of course would hardly be a back up using one and saying sorry folks Im just changing the cd you'll have to stay in those positions until I find that black lace megamix.....:bang:

[DJMaxG]

Maybe hes using it as a controller or something ?

or the mouse pad :eek:

[simon1969]

Glad you lot can afford back up !!!
So no I just hope for the best apart from having back up cd player and mp3 player....

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Glad you lot can afford back up !!!
So no I just hope for the best apart from having back up cd player and mp3 player....

Whats your rigf consist of?

Backup doesnt have to mean the same quality of stuff that your main rig consists off.

When i had seperate amps, i had the more "expensive" (well at the time to me it was) amp for my main one, and a very cheap and nasty soundlab as backup, which would have limped through the night if needed.

[CRAZY K]

Glad you lot can afford back up !!!
So no I just hope for the best apart from having back up cd player and mp3 player....

Is that what you tell the customers---your hoping for the best:confused:

Fizz bang the amps gone 11.30pm New years eve----uh oh:eek:

[simon1969]

No I dont tell them that, carry spares though and thanks Dynamic will look into that, my amp is quite new though kam amp 300w and 150 kams aswell nothing fancy.
Thanks again Simon:)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

yeah Simon if your using brands such as Kam and dont carry back ups your asking for trouble IMHO

[CRAZY K]

yeah Simon if your using brands such as Kam and dont carry back ups your asking for trouble IMHO

Quite frankly even if you have top "brands" I would carry a spare amp.

Unless your sixty quid Sid in which case you dont care what happens obviously.:eek: :eek: :eek:

[simon1969]

Excuse my ignorance here are kam not good then?
And no im not £60 sid iam very good dj and im passionate about what I do and learnt the hard way through working under cowboys in the past.
Its all good though nice learning curve /slope/hill/mountain!!!
What brand is decent and reasonably priced?
I charge a resonable price and I do mates rates for friends.
I will definatly be looking for back up amps/ speakers got plenty spare leads
bulbs fuses when ive saved enough money.:) :beer1:

[rob1963]

Excuse my ignorance here are kam not good then?
And no im not £60 sid iam very good dj and im passionate about what I do and learnt the hard way through working under cowboys in the past.
Its all good though nice learning curve /slope/hill/mountain!!!
What brand is decent and reasonably priced?
I charge a resonable price and I do mates rates for friends.
I will definatly be looking for back up amps/ speakers got plenty spare leads
bulbs fuses when ive saved enough money.:) :beer1:

Livewire,

There's nothing wrong with KAM gear. I used it for many years until quite recently. However, some people won't use gear unless it has Denon or Pioneer written on it.

The point is that you need back up, regardless of what gear you use.

:)

[Larry B Entertainment]

Livewire,

There's nothing wrong with KAM gear. I used it for many years until quite recently. However, some people won't use gear unless it has Denon or Pioneer written on it.

The point is that you need back up, regardless of what gear you use.

:)

True. I have used Kam quite a bit and used a Soundlab amp for 5 years before moving to active cabs. Never had any problems and carried a smaller Kam amp for backup just in case.

[Excalibur]

yeah Simon if your using brands such as Kam and dont carry back ups your asking for trouble IMHO
Disagree to a point. I've got a big KAM amp I'm happy to use as a main amp when it's needed.it's not flashy, but it does the job. Some of the mixers however.............................:( :(

Quite frankly even if you have top "brands" I would carry a spare amp.

Unless your sixty quid Sid in which case you dont care what happens obviously.:eek: :eek: :eek:

Agreed totally completely and utterly. ;)

[DJMaxG]

Haha - Rob has hit the nail on the head there ;)

Something that is worth noting though, those who critisise £60 Sids and refer to them as Cowboys, they are not over charging, and providing a fair service for the given price. Although breaking the law with ilegal music etc is a different scenario.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Excuse my ignorance here are kam not good then?
And no im not £60 sid iam very good dj and im passionate about what I do and learnt the hard way through working under cowboys in the past.
Its all good though nice learning curve /slope/hill/mountain!!!
What brand is decent and reasonably priced?
I charge a resonable price and I do mates rates for friends.
I will definatly be looking for back up amps/ speakers got plenty spare leads
bulbs fuses when ive saved enough money.:) :beer1:

In my experience no but as you can see not everyone argees.

As Alan has said it doesnt matter what brand you have you still need backup.

[CRAZY K]

Haha - Rob has hit the nail on the head there ;)

Something that is worth noting though, those who critisise £60 Sids and refer to them as Cowboys, they are not over charging, and providing a fair service for the given price. Although breaking the law with ilegal music etc is a different scenario.

Unsafe equipment, no PLI, no PAT, copied music no Pro Dub, no back up

You need certifying Max as





















MAD MAX:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Give me strength dont you understand any of this safety stuff:bang: :bang:

[simon1969]

Thanks for the advice I have PLI insurance just coming up to, being pat tested.
I buy all my music and sometimes given music I know how damaging copying is from the goth indust scene where there are few big record companies to give them some protection.
And I will purchase some back up gear.
Thanks again :) :)

[DJMaxG]

Those that I know who use ilegal files have insurance, backup etc, they just dont have produb/PRS etc. Yes, its ilegal but safety isnt put at risk. I am not excusing it still though.