Recommendations for Spare / Backup Items to Bring to Live Shows

Hey everyone,

I’m building out my live sound kit and wanted to get some opinions on what spares or extra items you’d recommend bringing along to gigs.

My current setup includes, but not limited to:

  • Allen & Heath CQ-20B
  • GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) pocket Wi-Fi 6 travel router
  • Control Service Tablets:
    • Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (11")
    • iPad Air 10.5" (3rd Gen)
  • OPTI-UPS DS1000E-RM UPS
  • Charging Station for Multiple Devices

Since I already have dual tablets and backup power options, I’m curious if there are other essentials you all keep on-hand, e.g. spare IEC power cable, RJ-45 cables, Wi-Fi antennas / Spare Router, or anything else that’s saved you mid-show.

Any “must-haves” or lessons learned you’d recommend adding to a small-format rig like this?

Side question:

Has anyone had success connecting a control device (like an iPad) directly to the CQ-20B via a USB-C to Ethernet adapter? I haven’t been able to get my iPad Air (3rd Gen) to connect this way. I was hoping to have a hardwired fallback in case Wi-Fi or the access point ever drops during a show.

Thanks in advance for any insights!

Spare mixer. I have a Zoom L-12 that lives in my car.

Small APC/CyberPower UPS to deal with inconsistent power. I have a small one that I plug ONLY the mixer into it. I’ve found that my CQ18T can be sensitive to power fluctuations. You can use the non-battery backup outlets for other stuff but on the battery outlets I only connect the mixer.

I haven’t had to use it but since the inputs don’t have a pad switch, I also carry an XLR signal attenuator just in case. Our bass player has come pretty close to the signal being too hot. Sometimes have his input gain at just 3 or 4.

Extra charging cables for iPad, guitar wireless, singer’s wireless mic, etc..

And of course the ever-present bag o’ cables with extra cables of every length and type. That usually stays in my car and I only rarely dig into it for emergencies but it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

And don’t forget some 25’ and maybe longer extension cords for venues that don’t have adequate power by the stage.

That’s just what’s in my bags. I also play guitar in the bands I mix and I mix from the stage so I need a lot of additional gear and cables.

Get a second router - without a working one you’re *****

As mentioned… a spare mixer, routers, iPads, cables mic and power, couple extra mics, a stand or two, few mic clips.

90% or my shows are with a non powered PA system so I have an extra power amp and an extra DSP for system processing. Keep in mind if your using powered PA speakers if the amp module dies that speaker is out of the game.

Hmm I’m wondering how the other posters can forget the absolutely most important thing: Gaffa Tape

SCNR

Rest depends on what you are doing at your “gigs”. DJ, live music, talkers?

Some cheap spare Microphones with stands and Cables are a good idea on any live event. For me, the T.Bone MB60 does a great Job in that: 3 pieces including clamps and a case for 35€ - you won’t find much cheaper ones. That minimizes your pain if you need some “Beer proof” Karaoke-Device, a moderation mic for Outdoor Action on rainy days or on any other opportunity where it might get lost/stolen/forgotten/fall down/damaged. Despite that cases it is an absolutely fairly usable SM58-lookalike which won’t do wonders but a fair Job on any application where you would want a dynamic cardioid mic - singing, talking, Toms, snare drum, most acoustic instruments, even harmonica or in Front of keyboard or gutar combos work. Surel not perfect by far, but absolutely better than nothing (and considering the price more than good). Don’t forget Mic stands and cheap small clamps to mount a Mic on things like a score or drum stand. And Cables. You won’t ever have too much of them.

Additionally, some cheap wireless 2.4 GHz XLR transmitter/receiver-Pairs also have been handy. Got them from ebay for roughly 50€ per Pair, they simply “replace” any analog XLR signal Cable (mic or line level possible) with about 5ms latency. Good thing to attach some additional Backstage speakers or mics where cables would really be in the way (or you run out of XLR cables). if you need to replace a broken XLR cable very fast or as a wireless solution for cheap dynamic mics. Same thing as the Mics: not a really professional top-of-class Tool, but cheap and good enough in case of emergency, at least much better than nothing.

If you work with USB-C powered devices, you also definitely want to have some cheap and freshly charged power banks in your bag for the case something badly needs repowering. This is much simpler and more usable than a charging station since you can bring the power fast whereever the device needs it, even on stage.

Cables: definitely you should a bag with a fair collection of all possible and impossible Adapters. Even CECon to Gardena would be useful some time :slight_smile:

Oh, and of course the electro emergency toolbox: Screwdrivers, Leatherman, Pliers to cut and crimp the most important types of wires and connectors, soldering iron, unsoldering pump, isolation tape, super glue, cleaning material, a simple multimeter and cable tester. Don’t forget something usable as a 3rd hand.

Some small wound plaster strips for the case you get small bleeding cuts on fingertips or such things are a good Idea, too. A small injurance happens fast and blood drops on Mics or all sort of paper don’t look nice (on the technician’s outfit they might bring some respect, though…). Use gloves whenever necessary, of course.

Always have some drinking water with you. You won’t perform a good job if you get dehydrated and if you are alone and in a hurry it can happen very easily to forget drinking and catering might not work for you. Water will work and can also be used for cleaning or cooling things and fingers. Some sweets for fast repower-up your brain are a good idea, too - no chocolate (makes too much dirt when getting warm), some cookies, gums or sugar-containing drops will do the job.

“Hmm I’m wondering how the other posters can forget the absolutely most important thing: Gaffa Tape”

Just do what every other touring act does, it seems. Steal it from the venue they are playing in at the time. :rofl:

Since you will be relying on the tablets to actually “mix”, I would suggest picking up some appropriate USB dongles that would allow you to both charge the tablet and use a hardwired ethernet connection. This way should your WiFi network be flakey due to some uncontrollable environmental issue, you can always go hardwired. It might not be as convenient, but at least the show would “go on”.

I have 2 100’ high grade extension cords, as my gigs are bigger. I’d invest in one though. Especially with outside distances to dependable power, or dealing with dirty power causing buzzing, the higher grade power cord saved the day 8 weeks ago. I got two of these on Amazon, on sale right now:

I have almost the same exact thing less the ups.

The CQ20 has its own wifi as well as the network connection to the external router. Sometimes I use a backup iPad connected to that internal wifi to check when having difficulty.

As far as I know the USB is only data and recording and cannot be used for control.

I carry all kinds of external cables XLR and TRS and a quick tester with a tone generator which can work great in a pinch.

Also, all kinds of test apps on my iPhone for WiFi signal and pink noise generator help out with pretesting a gig.