for those pc based / hdd controler based users lets talk backup

[dj-jaym]

Probably going to be a can of worms but lets see,

So it got me thinking last night when a guest came up to me and said what if the pc crashes, I said if you look i have another pc and a laptop, So in the event of failuire im fully protected, This brings to mind what do you users have as backup, Know correct me if im wrong but the reason for pc / cortex / denon etc, Is to save carrying cd's etc, So why do people say for backup i have my cd collection, Wouldnt it be easier to carry a backup pc or laptop incase emergency, There are certain discos that i know of operate on the principle of 1 source laptop, 1 amplifier, 1 mixer etc, Put question to em what if it blows or crashes, Guess id have to go home ??????????.

Well over to you guys opinions ? If you fit into the above what do you use for backup

[Dragonfly]

i use cortex and as back up have 2 numark axis 9 cd players and take out 2 cd wallets 1 with mastermixs in the other with an assortment of 60s through to 80s cds so i can get through a night if need be still better than carrying 9 boxes of cds around with me. and i also have a spare hard drive.

[dj-jaym]

i use cortex and as back up have 2 numark axis 9 cd players and take out 2 cd wallets 1 with mastermixs in the other with an assortment of 60s through to 80s cds so i can get through a night if need be still better than carrying 9 boxes of cds around with me. and i also have a spare hard drive.

Thats the good stuff dave a spare harddrive as you use cortex, And you carry enough cd's to get you through, But would you ever think of going to a gig with just your cortex and no backup

[rob1963]

Back up is just as important whether your main playout system is a hard drive or CDs, although it's worth mentioning that if you take no back up and use a hard drive & it goes down, you have nothing...whereas if you use a twin CD player, its unlikely that BOTH players will pack up, so at least you still have something.

I'm still using CDs but I use 3 CD players (a twin player in my console and a desk top player). I use all 3 at gigs, as it's easier & more flexible than using just 2, so if one player packs up - I still have 2 more & can carry on as normal.

I also have a spare console, but I rarely take that out with me, as having 3 CD players should be enough.

:)

[Vibrant Sounds]

As I concentrate predominately on weddings I think backup for everything is paramount. It is their big day and the last thing you want is your gear to fall over completely and spoil their day.

I use a HD2500 as my main player, but also have both a laptop (with all music and Sam DJ) connected and also an MP3 player as well for backup. If the mixer goes down, I will plug all straight into my PS1/L1s as they have four channels each and also mixing facilities. If one L1 goes down I have the other. I carry spare lamps for all lighting effects (ELCs and HIDs) and spare leads. Also carry a spare microphone.

Only thing I don't carry is a generator, so if the power goes off, their stuffed.

[dj-jaym]

Sounds good like you all have good backups in place, What would say to these people who take one amp mixer playout system, And say if it breaks ill go home

[Dillmiester]

I use one laptop and no CD player!
In the event of a failure I have a 2 gig mp3 player loaded with mixes from 60's 70's 80's 90's and today including a dance mix, mowtown mix, ska mix, girlie mix (Kylie etc) and a cheese mix.
So far so good.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I use Virtual DJ and have a Denon HD2500 in the same case and an Ipod if all that fails!

[Vectis]

Dedicated laptop for playout / search with OTS

Numark d2 Director for backup

Second laptop for lighting, capable of running OTS

Third laptop for video, capable of running OTS

Numark has a 250GB HDD buried in the console loaded with my "archive" - ie stuff I rarely play, but is there anyway for those occasional odd requests. Also has the entire "Now!" collection 1-66 and the "1000 albums you must hear before you die" collection.

Also carry three ruggedised 160GB 2.5" USB-powered HDDs all exact mirrors of each other and updated each week. These have all the routine stuff loaded on them... probably 95%+ of your typical family disco covered.

In the van I keep a cheapo CD player and a handful of CDs full of floorfillers from the various eras, and a cheapo MP3 player loaded with a few mixes - enough for a couple of hours play. Oh, and a second 250GB HDD with a mirror of "the archive".

Spare amp, spare speakers, spare mixer all carried, along with fuses, bulbs, cables etc..

Only thing that isn't redundant is power! Totally dependent on the venue for that unfortunately.

[CRAZY K]

Back up is just as important whether your main playout system is a hard drive or CDs, although it's worth mentioning that if you take no back up and use a hard drive & it goes down, you have nothing...whereas if you use a twin CD player, its unlikely that BOTH players will pack up, so at least you still have something.

I'm still using CDs but I use 3 CD players (a twin player in my console and a desk top player). I use all 3 at gigs, as it's easier & more flexible than using just 2, so if one player packs up - I still have 2 more & can carry on as normal.

I also have a spare console, but I rarely take that out with me, as having 3 CD players should be enough.

:)

Easy answer to this Rob, as well as the Cortex and Hard drive I take a new music dedicated Laptop plus another Hard drive. No CDS.

If Cortex goes--transfer to laptop--if Hard drive goes --use spare.

Job done:D

CRAZY K

[pagan_flame]

I have a laptop... twin CD decks if that goes down... (and I DJ with the CD's during the gig, usually, to prevent boredom setting in!)... then a portable CD player for if that goes down... and a Mini-Disc Walkman in case that goes down!

Think I might be OK for music... :rolleyes: :beer1:

[Arnold_disco]

1 Laptop and twin cd player for backup.

[jamesh]

Well my main playout is a computer running VDJ and in one flightcase i have 2 identical computer systems running VDJ and a Keyboard / mouse / screen to select between them.... both are booted and running VDJ from the start of night so should one go down i flick a switch and i can then carry on.... and just incase i have any issues with the switch box i have a usb keyboard and mouse that can be plugged in at any time which bypasses the switch box and means i can continue the gig and sort any issues out at a later date.

At the moment i also have a Stanton Dual CD deck in the gigbox and a CD wallet with around 250 CD's (mainly Now collection, Platinum collection and DJ in a box sets but enought to get through a full gig without worrying) which is a perfect back up for the computers.

Mixer wise i have a Formula Sound shadow mixer wired into the signal chain (between the computers, cd players, mics and the main mixer) so should the main one play up or cause any issues i just switch that on and i then have full control over everything that was plugged into the main mixer - without me having to plug or unplug anything.

Speaker wise... If the bass bins screw up i can just run the 15" actives full range and I have a couple of W-Audio PSR8a's in the van so should the main 15" actives play up i can run them with the bass bins and get through the night...

SO hopefully i'm fully covered for most gigs in the form of backups... Luckily so far i've never had to put all of it to the test...

[Corabar Steve]

Put question to em what if it blows or crashes, Guess id have to go home ??????????.


How clever, transcendentally sending your id home for back up. Presumably the ego & super ego stay at the gig to look after the kit.
i use cortex and as back up have 2 numark axis 9 cd players and take out 2 cd wallets 1 with mastermixs in the other with an assortment of 60s through to 80s cds so i can get through a night if need be still better than carrying 9 boxes of cds around with me. and i also have a spare hard drive.The same as Dave, only with a HD2500 & DN4000

[Thames Valley Discos]

i carry two pcs with backup hdd in each. Also have cd players built in flight case so i could switch at a moments notice. MP3 cd players.

[Dragonfly]

transcendentally

Steve its 8am on monday morning and i've gigged the last 5 nights 3 of them until 2am ...... please could we not use grown up words for at least the next hour and a half :D :D :D :D :D :D thanks.

No jake would never go to a gig with no back up yesterdays was the closest i'd go was a 2 hour gig in a special needs residential home which turned into 3 and a half hours because they wouldnt stop dancing !!!

set up the cortex and as it was in there front room didnt set up the 2 axis 9s to save some space but had them both under my stand ready to go if anything happened.

[PropellerHeadCase]

How clever, transcendentally sending your id home for back up. Presumably the ego & super ego stay at the gig to look after the kit.

Dammit, Steve, I nearly split my stitches on that!:eek: THAT was hilarious!:D

I NEED to get a decent lap-top.

[Key2]

I haven't started yet, but my plan is to use two pc's, each fitted with two hard drives (mirror images of each other) plus two mp3 players. I also have two dvd players that play cd/cdr/cdrw/etc that I no longer use at home, and would make an 'if all else fails' back-up with a couple of the dj compilation box sets that are available. My 'technical' knowledge is computer-based, so that seems the way to go, for me.

John:)

[Dragonfly]

My 'technical' knowledge is computer-based, so that seems the way to go, for me.

John:)

sounds all well covered my technical knowledge is that of a leafy shrub so it all has to be a stupid proof as possible :D :D :D :D

[cara]

i use a duel core laptop running traktor 3 as my main source and i have twin stanton c501's as my back up

i'm thinking about getting another laptop to use as my back up and selling my cd decks though

[dj-jaym]

i use a duel core laptop running traktor 3 as my main source and i have twin stanton c501's as my back up

i'm thinking about getting another laptop to use as my back up and selling my cd decks though

Nice plan you wont regret it !

[djdarren]

i use a 40gig portable media player with loads of tracks and playlists setup just incase my laptop goes belly up!

fingers crossed its never happened yet but its always possible