Efficiency = a less-sore back and getting home to bed earlie

[pill]

Hey all,

Thought I'd start a thread with tips ad tricks for newer DJs. Throw in any little things that you've come across that helped you to streamline your setup and pack down - so we can all get home and to sleep as soon as possible!

Some things that I've found very useful are:

- Using 4U road case for my amplifier/eq/microphone reciever to 1) save carrying in 3 things and 2) allow me to leave some cables plugged in, speeding setup and pack down.

- trolley trolley trolley! save your back and take five boxes at once! I got my platform cart from Super Cheap for about $50.

- Subwoofers with wheels! Or chuck on castor wheels from bunnings which you can get for about $30 for 4.

Another couple of ideas; not necessarily to do with efficiency...

-Plastic speaker corners to save the MDF on the box getting destroyed (especially on subs)

-Speaker covers to protect your investments

-Tablecloth with removable velcro panels (perhaps get the mrs to do it) to tidy up the cables

-Black extention cords look so much better than white ones!

[CBG]

if ur tall, tilt up the back of the mixer so its angled downwards, towards you. saves ur lower back, and looks cool

[Jaz]

i do something similar with packing my car and leads bag

pack things on top that are needed 1st eg table n decks 1 for car, power boards n extension leads for bag

alot quicker rather then pulling all my leads out to get to a powerboard or something n the same with the car

[DjDennis]

Pill you havent even covered 1/4 of whats to come for you

this is early days yet!

come back in 20x years and then tell us how you feel then

[FabDJ]

Still thinking about Sources wheelie bin setup.

Considering modifying a shopping trolley from Bunnings to literally plug and play for daytime pool parties.

A quick exit would be a bonus also.

[DjDennis]

Fab thats why I pay guys to setup for me

I do nothing , I charge more and still make a profit

I stop setting my gear up 12x years ago

love it

[CBG]

pussy

[Buck_Choi]

Pill you havent even covered 1/4 of whats to come for you

this is early days yet!

come back in 20x years and then tell us how you feel then

if this isnt even 1/4 of it.. please fill us in. stop saying you know so much and not contribute. if your not going to contribute then dont bother posting.

[pill]

Pill you havent even covered 1/4 of whats to come for you

this is early days yet!

come back in 20x years and then tell us how you feel then

if this isnt even 1/4 of it.. please fill us in. stop saying you know so much and not contribute. if your not going to contribute then dont bother posting.

+rep buck

[SourceRaver]

Alright...

I have two extra roadcases that I no longer use for turntables. One has cords and the other is my 'kit':

(NOTE: all this is addition to my home setup so I can just grab them and go)

Cords:

Black extension cords or various lengths

XLR cords of various lengths

IEC (aka kettle cords) most with two sockets/plugs to reduce the total number

3 or more power boards

One remote controlled power board with remote

Black (from E-bay) double adaptors

Kit:

Gaffa and insulation tape

Tackle box with a huge range of connectors and spare batteries

Blue tack

Panadol

Torch

Pot plant hangers for hanging lights if truss not required

RCA's of various lengths

RCA to 3.5mm jack and other cord adaptor types

Battery powered mirror ball motor

Promo Material

Multi Tool

Allen Keys

[SourceRaver]

Oh yeah...

Invest in some business cards. Every time I was setting up for a wedding reception, other couples would come through for a look at the venue. If you and your gear present well, they'll jump all over you (doesnt work so good if someone else is setting up your gear).

[FabDJ]

Panadol?

Please explain.

[DjDennis]

COMMENTS DELETED

[pill]

I completely agree. Panadol is a necessity in case of bass caused headaches!

[Jaz]

well i just found out my road case has wheels so that will be easier

[Buck_Choi]

well i just found out my road case has wheels so that will be easier

just found out haha how long have you had it for?

[Funky_Steve]

Alright...

Cords:

Black extension cords or various lengths

XLR cords of various lengths

IEC (aka kettle cords) most with two sockets/plugs to reduce the total number

3 or more power boards

One remote controlled power board with remote

Black (from E-bay) double adaptors

Source, what do you use the remote power board for?

[Funky_Steve]

Other items to include in your kit:

Pen and paper

CD cleaning cloth

Small desk lamp

Ear plugs

I keep all my cables and kit in one of those carry cubes (about the size of a milk crate) that you can buy from Big W etc. Then when I set up I put the cube under my console and rest my amp on it (keeps it off the floor).

Also, when buying extension cords or get cords fitted to your equipment, make sure you get them with piggy-back plugs. That way you need fewer double adapters or smaller power boards.

[legunner]

lol dennis

[dim]

a tip for lifting i learnt from roadies, it's a bit weird but it worx:

stick a bit of duct or gaffa tape from the top of your arse to the small of your back

if you try and bend you're gonna feel it start to pull out hair long before you get to straining your back in a bad lift

once you've learnt how to lift properly you can stop again...

i know it's odd but it's a good way of teaching yourself out of a bad habit.

[Jaz]

I think those roadies just like some kinky shit...

[dim]

I think those roadies just like some kinky shit...

that too, yes.

while we're here a roadie joke:

why is duct tape and "the force" the same?

they both have a light side, a dark side, and they hold the fabric of the universe together.

[andythemusician]

Nah, but gaffer tape is.

[dim]

Nah, but gaffer tape is.

haha, wasnt sure what you'd know it by but should have guessed the source of so many drummer jokes would call a spade a spade.

propz andy

[andythemusician]

Spade = shovel?

haha just being a dick