When Do You Renew / Upgrade Your Main Disco Kit?

[Dukesy 0]

When do you renew / upgrade your main disco kit? Every 5 years? Every year? Never? Don't forget, voting is anonymous.

[Slimboy Fat 0]

None of the above. I renew equipment either a) when it's worn out or b) if I see a new piece of "must have" kit.

 

The gear I have (and the back-up gear) does the job I need it to. I'm a firm believer of "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

[TonyB 0]

According to my business plan, :ads: every 3 years for maximum tax efficiency but most stuff seems to get "replaced" within a year (old stuff gets relegated to another rig) and I still have some some gear that is 10 years old (Fender Mixer Amp and speakers).

[disco4hire 1]

 

The new hire kit is replaced at 11 months, my own giging rig is replaced when it starts to look second hand, or I see something else I 'must have'

[McCardle 1]

I don't buy on impulse and I don't get led by what the crowd of Joneses may be buying. Anybody can throw there money away or get a loan these days, or dip into their savings, its getting it to earn its keep and paying it all back that is the clever bit.

 

Usually the only time I will buy new equipment is based on a replacement basis, when the piece of equipment has served out its useful life or is in danger of becoming unreliable. If I was certain that an outlay could provide a return then I would probably invest in it.

 

* I remember lots of people investing in a certain loudspeaker system after it was hyped and spun some years back. Whilst I appreciate and fully accept that some are 100% happy with their purchase and remain so, there was noted a sudden glut of people selling them on 6, 9 or 12 months later via the forums and Ebay, sometimes at quite a reduced price.

 

* Note that I am not naming the system in question, because we don't want yet another debate. I'm just highlighting the fact that rushing in and impulse buying any equipment on hearsay and following a trend is not always a wise decision or the most astute financially.

Edited February 4, 2009 by McCardle

[Welsh Audio Man 21 0]

usually replace when something breaks, even though ive currently too much, and still replace even though i have other equipment i never use!!

Am in the process of selling and sorting my equipment out.

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

i replace/buy if i feel its needed

 

certain things wear out faster than others

 

some things just get oooold

[digitaldistortion 0]

As and when!

 

Having said that, I'm seriously considering moving up and out of my current market (£2-300+ for parties).

 

I really want to 'go large' ????

 

Upwards of 7kw with everything to match!

 

Perhaps even eventually offer 3 differing types of set : Standard 1.5-2kw, 5kw and the biggy at around 10kw.

 

And before you all start.....the market is not only there...it's (relatively) unpopulated and...lucrative! (think double and more to the above figures)

Edited February 6, 2009 by digitaldistortion

[Andy Dunn 0]

As and when!

 

Having said that, I'm seriously considering moving up and out of my current market (£2-300+ for parties).

 

I really want to 'go large' ????

 

Upwards of 7kw with everything to match!

 

Perhaps even eventually offer 3 differing types of set : Standard 1.5-2kw, 5kw and the biggy at around 10kw.

 

And before you all start.....the market is not only there...it's (relatively) unpopulated and...lucrative! (think double and more to the above figures)

 

I would be very interested to know what kind of P.A./Lighting you would be using for that kind of show and who you would be aiming it at.

[Kingy 0]

 

 

Perhaps even eventually offer 3 differing types of set : Standard 1.5-2kw, 5kw and the biggy at around 10kw.

 

And before you all start.....the market is not only there...it's (relatively) unpopulated and...lucrative! (think double and more to the above figures)

 

Well I am already there and have been for many years, but think you MAY be disappointed.

 

Gear does not a DJ maketh....

[YourBigEvent 0]

I would be interested to see how long it takes to get your money back on your initial investment.

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

whats all this talk of KW? KW is not an indication of volume or quality

[McCardle 1]

As and when!

 

Having said that, I'm seriously considering moving up and out of my current market (£2-300+ for parties).

 

I really want to 'go large' ????

 

Upwards of 7kw with everything to match!

 

Perhaps even eventually offer 3 differing types of set : Standard 1.5-2kw, 5kw and the biggy at around 10kw.

 

And before you all start.....the market is not only there...it's (relatively) unpopulated and...lucrative! (think double and more to the above figures)

 

Nothing stopping you going large, as you put it, especially if you are 100% certain that there is a market in your area for it.

 

On the flipside, I struggled to set up in the 7 feet x 10 feet space provided for me last week, quite a nice little Bistro / Wine Bar appealing to business types, but that didn't make it big enough for a 7kw rig. Lots of 16th and 17th century inns in this area, I think back in those days people were a race of munchkins, no taller than 5' 10" given that ceilings tend to be about 6" 6' in height in such buildings, not even enough height for a couple of T-Bars

 

I reckon that there is probably about 3 venues in a 40 mile radius of me, which would comfortably fit 7kw of speakers in and justify it, and then even one of them tends to only do outside events, so would be seasonal work - leaving about 9 months of the year with an empty diary. If I was in your situation, I would have to weigh up what could be charged for providing the 3 venues with such a system, compared to working the 50 or 60 various other hotels, pubs and Inns and halls in the same radius with my existing system, and on that basis whether the demand and revenue would justify the actual outlay on the equipment. I would also hace to consider the additional cost of insuring / running / fuel costs of a larger vehicle which would be required to transport it all around, and insuring it against damage and theft.

Edited February 6, 2009 by McCardle

[digitaldistortion 0]

To all of the above:

 

1. Been around for 50 years...and started DJing at 12(ish)

2. The bar/bistro market is NOT what we're talking about (in fact, we're not even talking permanent indoor sites)

3. Lighting/effects to match

4. A greater ROI than your average party jock

5. A client base who would demand considerably more than would be considered the norm

6. No you're right KW aren't a measure of anything....it's used to indicate the difference in the type of venue that would be used (But if you really weren't aware, then it stands for kilowatt(s))!

 

Look, the fact that I mentioned this wasn't meant to generate some kind of knee-jerk defensive move from you (collectively), it's in response to a question, and gives you the general idea of where I'm moving......that's all!

 

And lastly, directly in reply to McCardle...you're 100% right in your particular situation. I won't just be working locally, we're talking nationwide to clients prepared to pay that kind of money (and have a need for that kind of rig), and the power variations aren't at the exclusion of each other...we are talking multi rigs for simultaneous events!

Edited February 8, 2009 by digitaldistortion

[Andy Dunn 0]

To all of the above:

 

1. Been around for 50 years...and started DJing at 12(ish)

2. The bar/bistro market is NOT what we're talking about (in fact, we're not even talking permanent indoor sites)

3. Lighting/effects to match

4. A greater ROI than your average party jock

5. A client base who would demand considerably more than would be considered the norm

6. No you're right KW aren't a measure of anything....it's used to indicate the difference in the type of venue that would be used (But if you really weren't aware, then it stands for kilowatt(s))!

 

Look, the fact that I mentioned this wasn't meant to generate some kind of knee-jerk defensive move from you (collectively), it's in response to a question, and gives you the general idea of where I'm moving......that's all!

 

 

So I would ask you again,what type of P.A. would you be looking to use for these gigs?

[digitaldistortion 0]

So I would ask you again,what type of P.A. would you be looking to use for these gigs?

 

Personally I would be looking to EV, but it may well be that there are other producers that could help.

 

Certainly EV for around 2kw,

Perhaps an array system for the 5kw,

and a full blown active/passive system for the 10 (depends solely upon mass/weight!)

[Andy Dunn 0]

Line array system for 5K,............interesting, by who?

 

And large scale 10K by who?

[digitaldistortion 0]

Line array system for 5K,............interesting, by who?

 

And large scale 10K by who?

 

Hey, this 'discussion' isn't continuing past here...it's really not THAT fixed (as yet)

 

If I go the line array system, then there are several (UK & European) manufacturers who can help. My only concern would then be sound quality/ease of use. It may well be that HK or Pro Audio might be the better bet, and before you start...I know that we are not talking arrays here!

 

Large scale....it would probably be one of the German producers. They seem to do this better. I won't be drawn more specifically than that.....

Edited February 8, 2009 by digitaldistortion

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

would it not make sense to have a universal sound system that could be adjusted to suit the clients requirements?

 

for example a load of Martin H3 and S218's, that way you can take 4 boxes to smaller gigs and 16 boxes to a big one and anything inbetween

 

By picking a manufacturer like Martin, you have cross hire opportunities, where local suppliers can sub hire from you and you can hire in extra boxes if you require it

 

and im still not sure why you keep talking about KW's here, Pro Audio has nothing to do with KW, its SPL...

[digitaldistortion 0]

would it not make sense to have a universal sound system that could be adjusted to suit the clients requirements?

 

for example a load of Martin H3 and S218's, that way you can take 4 boxes to smaller gigs and 16 boxes to a big one and anything inbetween

 

By picking a manufacturer like Martin, you have cross hire opportunities, where local suppliers can sub hire from you and you can hire in extra boxes if you require it

 

and im still not sure why you keep talking about KW's here, Pro Audio has nothing to do with KW, its SPL...

 

This really will be the last word!

 

I did mention earlier that PERSONALLY I would prefer EV. It may well be that a life long love for EV products tips my hand in the end, and I end up with systems that are interchangeable. The point being that I am/was talking about 3 distinct and different rigs...NOT 1 system that can be 'grown' as necessary!

 

Oh, and I keep talking about Kws here simply because it is a prime indication (and universally accepted) of the level of power that I expect to furnish......SPL is a constant, in that I could mention an spl of 130db,but it wouldn't give you any clues as to the raw power behind the system, or the size of venue we are talking about!

 

Really the last......When I say Pro Audio...thats (simply) because they have (or supply) relevant equipment (EV, JBL, RCF) for my needs. They don't stock ALL EV products for example...but they can get them...now please....give it a rest!

Edited February 8, 2009 by digitaldistortion

[Andy Dunn 0]

oooooooh touchy !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

why bother posting if you didnt want to discuss it? It was quite an interesting post that stimulated discussion, heaven forbid thats what a forum might be for :)

 

Just one thing....KW is not universally accepted, perhaps on a disco forum, but not in the Pro Audio world. I could have 10kw of skytronic or 5kw of funktion one, which is louder? KW gives no regard to Speaker efficiency

[Andy Dunn 0]

I would also agree that having a point source system that you could ground stack in multiples of cabinets to cater from the smallest wine bar to a venue seating say 700-800 eople would be the most cost efective way to do things.

 

For instance my front end rack is the same for a small or large gig,and the only difference is the amount of bass and mid-hi packs used.

 

To have 3 seperate systems to cater for different amounts of people will undoughtedly end up with lots of equipment sitting redundant.

[oliverst14 0]

So I would ask you again,what type of P.A. would you be looking to use for these gigs?

 

 

im the lighting engineer in our set up and run the dmx lighting and laser shows. i am constantly updating increasing my lighting stock and the sound part is left to the dj i work with. on here he is called the ogrady roadshow i fink but thats the name of the company.

we do an event every year called barn rave and need a hell of alot of lighting equpment for it so the more the better

 

so far i have in order bought

 

1 datamoon

1 1 flash 4

4 datamoons

4 dynamo scans

1 chauvet laser scan

1 chauvet intimidators

4 schimeters

4 chauvet intimidators

1 4 head rgy sik laser system 260mw

4 shinp dl11 50mw lasers

1 big dipper 400mw 10k scanner rgb laser

2 unknown scanners from maplin

2 chauvet spot 250 yoke lights

2 200mw 532nm (green) 30k scanner lasers

1 450mw rgy 30k scanner laser

1 450mw rgb 30k scanner laser

4 chauvet insignias

1 190mw starcluster laser

 

in the process of building a 1 watt rgb laser and 2 1 watt green lasers

then my plan is to buy 4 16 channel yoke lights all ready for barn rave in july

 

these lights were all bought to super ceed my old show but all still work and i use different setups everytime keeping the show fresh every gig

 

cheers ollie

 

 

 

[digitaldistortion 0]

I would also agree that having a point source system that you could ground stack in multiples of cabinets to cater from the smallest wine bar to a venue seating say 700-800 eople would be the most cost efective way to do things.

 

For instance my front end rack is the same for a small or large gig,and the only difference is the amount of bass and mid-hi packs used.

 

To have 3 seperate systems to cater for different amounts of people will undoughtedly end up with lots of equipment sitting redundant.

 

I'm not prepared to discuss it further for the (amongst others) above reason....

 

Most of you (not a new phenomenom) don't read the posts properly. It's almost as though you catch a buzzword and ignore the rest!

 

I specifically said 3 rigs, and a sane brain would conclude 3 rigs working (as mentioned), and not 3 rigs, one operator...which one shall I use tonight?!!!!!

 

As regards to reading posts properly....the post about the Beach Party this coming weekend is a fantastic case in point....Beach Party...lots of lists with Beach or Summer etc in the title ??????????

Read up on what constitutes Beach Music.......you'd be surprised. There was a massive clue in the kick-off listing given by the original poster!

 

:rant: