DanG and BigDog have great points here. The battery backup is nice, especially without the need to cary along a huge and heavy UPS. Surge protection is hugely important. I've got a rack rider which I then plug an additional surge protected strip into for my laptop. Started out more as a necessity (I needed more plugs) but after downsizing, I continue to use it just for the protection factor.
Most of the clubs I play at are very sound electrically since they have power setups for bands (4-6 circuit whips). But that stray club every so often with the questionable power or the show during a lightning storm definitely make it all worth while.
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I would go on the assumption that all of the bars have over loaded their electrical circuits. The big electronic killer is the surge created whenever the cooler compressors kick on. That happens on and off all night long. I have had the power going off and on a lot this year with all of the thunder storms.
Surge protectors are cheap compared to repair bills and lost income from down time.
I use to think a surge protecter was a surge protector, until I did some checking around.
Check out a company called Zero Surge. I went with their surge protector. I have a cheap $85 (which I though was a good one) surge protector that I plug my good one into. My mixer microphones and effects etc. and my laptop & hard drives all plug into the good one.
Don't skimp on the surge protector.
Surge protectors are cheap compared to repair bills and lost income from down time.
I use to think a surge protecter was a surge protector, until I did some checking around.
Check out a company called Zero Surge. I went with their surge protector. I have a cheap $85 (which I though was a good one) surge protector that I plug my good one into. My mixer microphones and effects etc. and my laptop & hard drives all plug into the good one.
Don't skimp on the surge protector.
