Computer DJ paranoia

[hayze99]

I do a lot of my sets through Scratch Live,

I think I share the sentiment of horror at walking around Croydon at 4 in the morning with a nice pricey computer and serato box in your bag.

My old man's offered to get me a pretty swishy mac for my birthday, and all I can think about is how uncomfortable I'm going to be with bringing it to a night club and having it around drunk clumsy people all night every night for a couple years.

How do you guys console yourselves? I sometimes take out CD's/records instead of my laptop, which means I usually do an unprepared and clumsy set, just out of paranoia of being jacked on the way home, even though I've never actually been mugged before. Am I just being a pussy-clat?

[Hellomadame]

I know Apple or another company makes really good hard protection enveloppes for Mac computers. My dad's in the film industry and they use one to transfer camera data (they are in digital) and there is a lot of people around, though they're not drunk (that would have funny though) but really a lot of actions going on and it got stepped on it a couple of times but nothing to break it, the case was pretty solid. The best way after a gig is to always go with a friend that has a car if you don't have one and pack your stuff in it so you don't have to be afraid to go in the streets with a 1000$ computer or DJ set up (over 1000$). That would be my plans for a rave but usually clubs have a sort of DJ booth, where you can put your stuff nicely out of everyone's action range.

[abZ]

My dj lappy cost me 350 usd and has a 2 year full replacement plan, no worries here. I even have the wifey's lap as a backup.

[nowaysj]

I would use the swishy mac for picking up blowjobs and doing production work, and like abz here, use a cheap ass capable latptop, and always, always roll with homies.

[idlemode]

insurance might make you feel better.

if you have some already for your house might even sneekily get it on your "accidental" damage section of your home insurance. call em and ask how much to add it for breakage and theft. then just say it dropped off the table while doing spreadsheet bizness. use the broken bitz to smash over the head of the fool who tried to steal it.

[symmetricalsounds]

INSURE THAT SHIT!

if you're playing out on the regs then get dedicated insurance that has 24hour replacement service etc... that level of insurance really saved my mate before some massive gigs he had.

[DZA]

Learn a martial art
Carry a shank
Carry a glock
Carry a light saber
Run home

[alphacat]

Insure that shit - but tell 'em you live in Brompton and not Croydon or your premium'll be ridiculous.

DZA's suggestions are, as always, fabulous. Making friends with a hulking brute who likes to escort you places is also good.

[Basic A]

http://tinyurl.com/2d6889a
Best laptop insurance money can buy right here.

[jolly wailer]

I would roll with a crew

[FSTZ]

yeah.. my amazing girlfriend just bought me a really nice laptop.. I'd be gutted if something happened to it

[symmetricalsounds]

http://tinyurl.com/2d6889a
Best laptop insurance money can buy right here.

does it protect against water damage

[Noizydan]

insurance is worth it if it gives you peace of mind: https://www.jltonline.co.uk/secure/quot ... &promCode=

i understand where you're coming from, but if everything's backed up before you go, its not necessarily the end of the world tbh. shit happens. usually at gigs. you'll get used to it

[5-0-what]

what sounds like the best idea to me is take it and if someone comes up to mug you set it down in between your legs directly into the stream of urine that is already running down your leg get real you only get mugged if you look like you have something to take leave your jewelry and Armani shoes at the flat and don't look so damn nervous cause way back when i use to be that kid and i would always get the nervous guy
and on that note to all the people who were victims of my teenage anger i apologize

[symmetricalsounds]

yeah but if people are out to jack you then doesn't matter how gully you look, if there's more of them than you shit isn't looking good.

[Mad_EP]

I used to have to walk around some ruff Brooklyn neighborhoods at ridiculous hours... my best advice is to not use a bag that looks like a laptop bag.

My gig bag looked like a torn piece of tat overnight bag - it carried my Macbook and controllers, and all were wrapped in clothing, so even at a quick glance, it both played the part of just being an overnight bag as well as protecting my gear.

[symmetricalsounds]

I used to have to walk around some ruff Brooklyn neighborhoods at ridiculous hours... my best advice is to not use a bag that looks like a laptop bag.

battered rucksack FTW

[green plan]

Learn a martial art
Carry a shank
Carry a glock
Carry a light saber
Run home

Sigged.

[legend4ry]

Narh, you've got every right to be paranoid, spesh if you're playing late sets in Shoreditch and stuff, ive heard of nuff DJs getting ruffed up at 4am waiting for the bus round those bits.....

Get some insurance, fo' sure and also see if you can drag a mate or two with you to ya bookings.

Get a backpack, not a laptop bag..

Not only is it more comfortable to wear, its not bait! And easier to run with it on, if you REALLY have to...

Get a little padlock or something on there too, maybe something with a hidden pocket inside the main bit of the bag - that way if someone does open it while you're standing on the bus or something expecting to see some goods, they'll just see some papers and a dirty pair of socks .


I should of read the posts, I just said everything everyone else said.


fml.

[Pedro Sánchez]

buy yourself a some cheap oxfam clothes and make them look dirty, put your dj gear inside a dirty looking rucksack, don't shower for a week before the gig and get a fake beard, then when you leave the club you will look like a hobo with all his belongings in the rucksack and no-one will fuck with you.

Seriously though get a rucksack to put your gear in and not one that advertises that is was made for mobile music gear, like one of them stupid ones with a serato badge on.