Tips and Tricks: Makeing life easier with your mobile setup.

Well I said I would give some tips, so here's the easiest one that I could figure out for mobile DJ's out there.

Ever have issues of not having enough outlets?  Some of you may figure daisy chaining power strips will help that.  You can never have enough outlets (or extension cords for that matter, especially if you are running lights as well).  I figure, why not make setting everything up easier. . . .It seems retarded at first, but wouldn't you have the peace of mind knowing that your $$$ in equipment be safe while you are on the decks?  I've been and seen what happens when equipment get spikes, or power surges.  It's not pretty!  But I've always been on the safe side.  You can also go into buying the Furman Power conditioners, but you can save some of that for pro gear. If you already have pro gear, then you shouldn't be reading this. . .you already know what to do, and probably have more money than I do. . .(donations please?)


A 12 outlet power strip answers most of my issues, especially if I have another Dj on my equipment, and they're running on SSL as well.  The cost depends on the type your buying, but should cost between $25-$50.  12 is overkill, but think of the amount of time that this can save.  My set-up that needs power consists of 2 powered monitors, Behringer B215A, 2 Technic 1200 MK2 turntables, a Vestax PMC07-Pro Mixer, a Behringer XENYX 1202 portable mixer, my laptop, an external power supply for SSL, and a Western Digital 320GB External HD (older brick type).  That's already 10 outlets I need.  I usually keep the monitors nearby, as I hook up my turntables up to the XENYX 1202, but that's already 2 more than what most standard power strips allow.  Or even worse, 5 available if you daisy chain the power strip to another to get at least an additional 6 more.  That's just too crazy, and in the long run, a waste, as I know Dj's who don't even use all the outlets, and just use extension cords.  But alas, this is my set-up, and not yours.  You can set it up however you like.  By my point is, I now have 4 available outlets that are available to me, or my fellow Dj's.  Extra speakers, probably a powered bass sub.

I haven't even gone into the applications for the lights yet.  But the pic above shows you the amount of gear you can place onto a truss.  Think about it. . . .zip-tying this strip right onto the truss itself, and then just mounting everything else. Then just setting everything up and connecting it all, and just plugging in 1 plug for ALL the lights.  Or if you run DMX-controlled lights, or have the set-up for Slave and Master for power, you can easily do the same with a 6 outlet power strip and run everything through one outlet.

I myself have 2 of these.  One stays in my studio, and the other as I travel.

I do, however, offer that anyone that is a mobile Dj, invest in one of these things. . .


Or rather a multiple one, so if you have to, connect one so it doesn't overload the power on the single power strip, and cuase your equipment to go "bye-bye".  This particular one costs about $10.  You may want to look into the multiple one, as it may server you better in the long run.


I could go into more detail, but most of you may not care. . .I'm just "throwing it out there. . . .hoping it takes root!"


Vicious Li!