Who brings amp backups with them to gigs?

[loudsubz]

Is it really required or do you do it for extra assurance? It would be great to have a spare in case an amp went bad during a gigi but has anyone here actually run into a full amp meltdown where not even 1 channel was operable?

[BrentEvans]

I've never seen one melt down, but I have had them fail, and I have seen people short them out by doing stupid things at the wrong time.

I have "extras" by virtue of the fact that I bring enough amps to do one monitor mix per monitor (I have . I also have 4 amps for tops, and can run my tops on two (technically one in mono).

Why so many amps, you ask? Who cares when they all (but two) weigh 7 pounds!



I've added two IPRs since the pic...

[88h88]

I don't like the idea of shit going wrong so I'm picking up at least another amp capable of running the whole show by itself (2 omni 12s and 2 T39s) and then adding more when I've got more cabs. I'm rarely paranoid about anything but the idea of everything dying suddenly with no way of even limping on terrifies me.

[Dan30]

I've never seen one melt down, but I have had them fail, and I have seen people short them out by doing stupid things at the wrong time.

I have "extras" by virtue of the fact that I bring enough amps to do one monitor mix per monitor (I have . I also have 4 amps for tops, and can run my tops on two (technically one in mono).

Why so many amps, you ask? Who cares when they all (but two) weigh 7 pounds!



I've added two IPRs since the pic...

My amp weighs more than all of yours combined. It's one thing I truely hate about it (aside from the scratchy attenuators). When I bought it new I didn't have enough extra for the PLXs.

[doncolga]

I don't like the idea of shit going wrong so I'm picking up at least another amp capable of running the whole show by itself (2 omni 12s and 2 T39s) and then adding more when I've got more cabs. I'm rarely paranoid about anything but the idea of everything dying suddenly with no way of even limping on terrifies me.

That happened to me once with a dance floor full of partying wedding guests... I mean they really were in the zone.

I thought the building's circuit breaker tripped, but it was the one in my rack. I had it back up relatively fast. But in that case, seconds feel like an eternity. I run stereo, so I have two amps. If one blows, I'll run mono to get me through.

The dad was just a little freaked about narrowly missing the shutdown of the party, but looking back, being on my toes is what saved the day.

[loudsubz]

Right now I have 2 amps (QSC RMX 850 for Otops and 1850HD on the way for T39/TT)

I too plan to run them seperate and i guess if one channel or amp goes down I can limp it down to 1 amp. I also have a cheap crown thats not doing anything that I was thinking of selling if I didn't think I would need it, but for the loss I would take on it I might as well keep it (Crown LPS1500)

[BrentEvans]

Right now I have 2 amps (QSC RMX 850 for Otops and 1850HD on the way for T39/TT)

I too plan to run them seperate and i guess if one channel or amp goes down I can limp it down to 1 amp. I also have a cheap crown thats not doing anything that I was thinking of selling if I didn't think I would need it, but for the loss I would take on it I might as well keep it (Crown LPS1500)

That Crown would give you a tad more headroom on your Otops than the RMX would. 250w@8 ohm vs 200w@8ohms.

The RMX series do sound good though...

[Gauss]

My friend's XTi2000 had a channel die at a big gig (for us). We used just one channel to the full-range tops and subs. I turned the subs to face the wall to kill as much of the highs as possible, and used the one channel for a full range speaker. It was loud, didn't sound bad, and they danced. No big deal in the end.

[Jon Barnhardt]

I bring a complete backup set of gear, from the computer to the subs.

[bzb]

I carry my XTi 1000 with me to every gig. It stays in the truck in case something goes wrong with the 2000.

My gig bag has tons of backup cables, extension cords, adapters, gaff and electrical tape, batteries, scissors, pilers, cable strippers, etc.

I always carry my iPhone, loaded up with plenty of danceable music from 70s, 80s, current Top 40, and all the popular line dances. I used to carry an extra laptop, but since my wife restarted school last year that's been impractical.

The only three things I cannot solve for immediately are if one of my LED cans dies, the main mixer, and a wireless microphone. My S4 could plug directly into the amp if needed. I always carry one or two wired mics with me, and I have three sets of lapel mics. One day I'll get a backup handheld, but I think I'm ok with my setup.

[Haysus]

My XTI 2000 & 4000 have had the internal fuses short a few times. Scary the first time it happened. Sometimes it will show no power at all and some times it will show protect mode.

Pulling the cover off and replacing the fuse has worked every time.
Anyone carrying the lightweight amps should always have a spare fuse.

AS for old iron amps, I wouldn't worry about them as much as long as they don't overheat and go into protect mode. After a few times of overheating internal components go downhill quickly.

[Frederic Gelinas]

5 years ago, in the middle of my band's first set, the sound was kind of wrong in some way. From the stage, it was not too bad. Sometimes, weird things happens on the stage, and it goes unnoticed FOH. I look at the guy at the desk: he was freaking! I knew something bad was going on. I look at the amp rack: I saw 12 inches flames getting out of the front of an amplifier in the rack. Of course, we stopped. Good thing I was playing my bass through a 2 channel power amp: we used it and I played my bass through the monitors only. Since that day, I always bring a spare amp, just in case.

[Dan30]

My RMX went straight to protect mode on start up once. It scared the hell out of me. I need to get another power amp.

[Chris Betancourt]

Have 2 equal amps use channel 1 on both amps run tops and channel 2 on both amps run subs use limiter and crossover them to specs. and problem solved. If one power goes then you will still have one side of top and sub still running. Unless both amps bursts to flame then bring out the marshmallows, tents and perfect camp fire stories.

[Grant Bunter]

Well the responses so far really have covered it all lol

If you're worried and can afford it, get a back up amp.
If it stretches you to do that, invest time in preventive maintenance instead.
Get the dust out of the amp filter pad and fan tunnels, repair those leads (signal and speaker) that seem a bit dodgy or intermittent.
And have a back up plan if your rig does go down for any reason.
In fact, practise converting it to one channel operation in a hurry...