Its very tempting to think that if you have a brand new piece of equipment from a reputable manufacturer it will be totally reliable. Unfortunately, as we've all probably discovered at some point, this isn't always the case. We need to have back up equipment for all eventualities, whether it's an equipment failure or an accident with a guest and their pint of beer. It is essential that we ensure the show goes on, that very few people (if any) realise there has been a crisis and that your valuable reputation has been kept intact.

Whilst simple repairs are feasible at the venue, realistically, and especially if something fails during the performance, the best option is to either switch off that piece of equipment for the remainder of the gig or revert to a back-up

Whether you play from mp3s or CDs it's important to have a secondary music source plumbed in and ready to play. Having an i-pod, personal CD player or mini disc player connected to a spare channel can give you vital minutes to solve a problem or give you the time to connect a different source without any dead air. If you have been asked to play a special song such as a first dance, ensure you have it on more than one source that can also be accessed quickly.

What would you do if your mixer turned up its toes right in the middle of a party. Bypassing the mixer by connecting directly into your sound system could save the day and might only need the addition of the right connectors and cables. Alternatively, carry a spare mixer in your vehicle - it only needs to be basic. Consider how quickly you could swap the two over and do you have all the necessary connectors?

In an ideal world we would all carry a spare set of speakers, however this would be hugely impractical. On most occasions, if one speaker dies, we can limp through an evening in mono. Using passive speakers throws up the other problem of the amp failing, which is probably why so many DJs have changed to powered alternatives.

Safety First

As well as an annual PAT (portable appliance test) administered by a qualified person, maintenance of all of your equipment on a regular basis is important. As we are mobile, electrical components can naturally work lose and cables can be damaged. As well as checking connections in your mixer, spare a thought for all plugs and extensions, taking them apart and checking that all wires and clamps are still secure and that the cable protective coating is intact. Checking xlr cables regularly can prevent setting up delays at a gig. Phono/XLR lead testers can be purchased from as little as £11.99.

Another aspect of safety relates to guests - some pieces of equipment can become extremely hot during use. Are they within reach of other people (especially children)? What about that trip hazard commonly known as a tri-pod stand? 2 possible solutions are to either position the stand (along with other equipment) so that the legs don't protrude or use a stand cover to transform the base into a solid looking object which is easier to see (looks better too).

It's Oh So Quiet ...

Imagine.... you have a full lively dance floor when suddenly you can hear a pin drop as your whole rig has gone dead! This is the thing nightmares are made of! It turns out someone has either tripped or caught a chair in your mains cable. Phew! Plug it back in and off you go again. What if that person hurt themselves when they tripped? They would be perfectly within their rights to claim off you. This can easily be avoided by taping down cables with the good old faithful gaffa/duct tape or using rubber cable floor tidies. As the saying goes, if it moves and shouldn't, reach for the gaffa tape. Not only for safety reasons, but a rig with cables neatly secured and hidden looks professional and tidy.

It's well worth setting up your rig on a day off and systematically 'failing' each and every item (including leads). Do you have a back-up to hand or in your vehicle? Can you simply do without it for the rest of the function? Can you adapt what you have to continue? If your lighting system went down you could still finish the night - however without sound the function is over and so this is a vital area to have back-up coverage.

You've Got The Look

Caring for your equipment prolongs its life and also ensures it continues to look good, helping with the overall aesthetics of your rig. Flight cases and gig skins can be bought for most sizes and shapes. Cheaper alternatives can be made with a little handicraft and a needle and thread. Many people choose to transport new equipment in the box it came in. Admittedly, this will protect against damage but after only a few outings cardboard boxes can start to look shabby. You could argue that the boxes are hidden away during your performance so not of importance, but that first impression when you turn up and carry your equipment into a venue could create the right impression before you even press play.

Use of double sided velcro cable ties can transform a rig in seconds by securing cables to overhead gantries and poles. A frontage to your table/deckstand, whether it's light screens, star cloth or booth, can hide a multitude of sins (usually the spaghetti of cables that electricians lose sleep over).

As part of your regular maintenance, include internal cleaning, especially of lighting effects. Although the latest LED effects are cool running and many don't have moving parts, a thorough clean of all lenses will ensure your lights retain their wow factor.