Karaoke Forums

In 19 years cue not even a close call. I didn't use a true computer just the HD player during the last several years, all my equipment was racked so I could wheel it in for maximum mobility. I always place the rack in such a location that it could not be accessible to the general pubic. The most exposed part was always the monitor, I did have few times my monitor dropped from a fixed tripod, some big cowboy wanted to adjust and popped it out. That's when I got wise and went to a roller stand and a secure flat screen setup. Usually a zero tolerance for drinks on stage does the trick as long as it applies to everyone. It is very hard for a host to impose a zero tolerance policy, however, if they are operating the machine with a drink in their hand. When working I neither drank or ate around my equipment, lucky for me I never smoked. This gave me a leg up on hosts that had to duck out for a smoke break between singers.

I've tried that tactic, too. It isn't a far off prediction that it would be just how it would happen, too.

I forgot to mention the other close call--I had to set up next to the Beer Pong table and kept getting pelted with beer soaked ping pong balls all night. Luckily the venue went to a smaller table and only puts it up on certain nights.

We used to use a laptop for our song finder kiosk software, but that was a big mistake. It didn't take more than a month to have someone spill their drink on it and it was totally fried. There was nothing we could do. And after it happened, they acted like we were totally overreacting. That was it. No more laptops.

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Birdofsong

That was a lucky escape! At the pub where I go for karaoke the most the stage and KJ's equipment are in a corner. The Monday night host has equipment set up on tables in a peninsular style layout at the front of the stage, which he sits behind and runs from there. The Thursday KJ has the tables pushed right into the corner and has everything there (except the speakers), and stands between the equipment and the singer at the edge of the stage. Thus, his laptop, mixer, CDG player etc are less vulnerable to drunken patrons. Just as well, because the last two Thursdays have been manic, with serious stage invasions from dancers difficult to police. Fortunately nothing terrible happened, but it was annoying having the the monitor blocked from view by these people.

Yeah, that's the thing I don't get. Why people don't understand the seriousness of spilling drinks on equipment. That one little drink in their hand has the potential to shut down the entire show. That's a big deal.

And did you present the Bill (for the damaged) Laptop to that person (who spilled the drink on it), and tell him/her that "if it's no big deal, you'll have no problem paying for me to replace or fix it."?

You are in a bar, people are drinking. You cannot expect accidents with drink spillage NOT to happen and be pissed at the person who does it when it does - I seriously doubt that anyone purposely spills drinks - yes THEN you could be mad. Otherwise suck it up, it happens!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I am so glad that my gigs are at venues that only responsible adults attend. I have had a mic dropped 3 times in seven years and that is my biggest mishap. Is there no way to control your singers better than what your are explaining. I would quit before I would put up with that kind of abuse especially when you consider the pay and all the expenses. If you enjoy it, then keep on a keepin on.

Fortunately, that has never happened to me when I've done a show. The only reason I am asking others here if they ever pursued after anyone that they say caused that type of damage to their equipment, is because there have been some people on this Forum who were quite vocal about what they would do IF that ever happened.

Disclaimer to "birdofsong"... My post above was not aimed at you or Chip (even tho I quoted from your previous post). I don't recall either of you ever posting an "If this were to happen to me, I would..." scenario. But, I am curious to know if you did take any actions with regard to your Laptop that got fried, or if you (as Lonnie just said), "Sucked it up."

Now, I am curious to hear if anyone ever followed up on their said plans of action, and what (if any) were the results.

Fortunately, I have only suffered mic drops. I have occasionally had to chastise folks for placing drinks on subs as well.

The closest serious mishap has been a drunk guy throwing a plastic cup full of water and a few droplets spraying across equipment. I suppose the right drop in the right place could be a show ender but all I needed to do was wipe everything down.

-Chris

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-Chris

This is 100% false. Smoke has a very real, negative effect on electronic equipment. Ask any broadcast engineer why studios are now smoke free. It's just more of a slow, gradual death, much like your lungs.

I can attest to that, my equipment is in a smoking bar 24/7. I am probably replacing equipment 50-75% faster than a typical user due to smoke damage.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

It damages me, too. Hate it.

Not many others will have this problem but I have to play the Cupid Shuffle mid show just so I can take a break to run a cleaner disc through my CDG machine. It gets noticeably "skippy" after a few hours and starts slowing down on reading discs.

I had a microphone dunked in a pint of beer. The doorman made no attempt to apprehend the drunk individual and the manager suggested I claim on my insurance, So I handed in my notice.

My toppling speaker was once caught mid air by the only two people in a pub who weren't involved a mass fight. The pub was immediately cleared and the main trouble maker of the night temporary barred. The fight starter apologised the next time he saw me.

A beer thrown at someone exiting the venue, missed it's target and showered down on my laptop, tv and mixing desk - everything was switched off. Juke box went on, Pub booed the beer thrower, who was mortified and offered to pay for everything that was broken in instalments. Everything wiped clean and the laptop refused to work Spare laptop plugged in. An hour later the main laptop booted up, as if nothing ever happened.

It's only stuff (and i have to keep reminding myself of that): Accidents and split second poor decisions happen.

I won't put up with stupidity, disrespect and poor management and I wouldn't contemplate engaging with people who display these qualities. I will just leave.

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'A genius is one who can do anything except make a living'. Joey Adams.

Not a drink spill but...

About four years ago a tennis ball come flying out of the crowd and bounced off the keyboard of my laptop.

No visible damage, but the keys on the left side of the keyboard stopped working. I finished out the night with the onscreen keyboard and mouse and used the computer for a couple more years with an external keyboard.

A couple years before that, I was using one of those $99 color 13" color tv (CRT) as my singers' monitor and a very nice lady who was admittedly tipsy knocked it over and BOOM! sPaRk... smoke - gasp. Luckily, I had a back-up and a friend grabbed it out of the truck while I let the singer start over and use my screen for the lyrics. The lady was extremely embarrassed and apologetic and wrote me a check for $100 on the spot. I checked and, now, you can get a 13" inch (640x480 resolution) LCD for $6.95 and the CRT goes for $25.

Since about 2009, I've been using a 20" LCD monitor attached with 3"x3" industrial velcro to a Wenger Bravo Stand that I've customized with a dremel tool to access the power and input ports. This thing has been knocked over a few times in hundreds of shows and it does a fine job of taking the brunt of the impact off of the LCD. It's not fail-safe but it is sturdy and reliable and customizable. I have an old Gator mixer bag that is padded and I slip that over the whole thing and zip it down the sides for transport. The shelf on the lower edge holds a spare mic in a pinch.

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Never the same show twice!