1 of 3
2 of 3
Nomad System modular room dividers from Mio
3 of 3
A stage design featuring corrugated plastic panels at West End Community Church in Nashville, TN
A common myth in the technical world is that our gear is bullet-proof--especially newer equipment. But just because a potential problem is not yet seen or heard does not mean it should go unchecked. When it comes to a vehicle, you don't wait until your oil light comes on before you check the dipstick. The idea is to be proactive vs. reactive.
The less obvious gear is still vital in keeping operational consistency at its best.
As we explore a few areas for gear upkeep, consider not only the major items but those that are less obvious. The less obvious gear is still vital in keeping operational consistency at its best. Reduced stress, increased efficiency, and maintaining a consistently high level of production quality come as a result of your care and prevention.
AUDIO
Cabling stands at the top of the audio world when it comes to maintenance. While noticeable cracks, pops and failures are obvious signs of trouble, hidden issues with grounding, polarity, and compromised signal are typically unseen from the outside. A cable tester is a wise investment. With many testers costing under $50, they're one of the best tools to have around. The Elite Core CT-04C from OSP, among others, provides test connections from XLR (3-pin and 5-pin data), Speakon, 1/4-inch, 1/8-inch, Cat5, and more. The simple interface provides illuminated LEDs for each wire connection and a ground-fault light for pin-to-shell short circuits.
Once your critical cables pass inspection, check the individual components in your house PA system.
Once your critical cables pass inspection, check the individual components in your house PA system. Again, some problems may be obvious but others will remain hidden, especially those that develop slowly. A friend recently told me that their 19 box line array system (seven boxes per side, plus five subwoofers) was found to have 15 malfunctioning drivers. No one had noticed until they ran a few simple tests. Because the issue had slowly developed, one driver at a time, it never seemed obvious. Once the problem was fixed, they were blown away by how poorly their system had been operating--introducing issues with phase, comb filtering, and coverage inconsistencies.
Running test tone sweeps--through individual boxes if at all possible--will quickly identify basic issues with components.
Running test tone sweeps--through individual boxes if at all possible--will quickly identify basic issues with components. Sometimes a simple re-coning of a woofer is all that will be needed. Component problems vary in scope, but the bigger the system the more hidden these issues can become.
In addition to cabling and speaker components, wiping down audio consoles, cleaning microphone grills (vocal mics) and checking microphone stands for stripped locking screws should be on your annual inspection list.
LIGHTING AND VIDEO
Projection systems, cameras, and lighting fixtures all operate with a similar element: optics. Keeping the pristine clarity of lenses and other parts of the optics system clean should be a priority. Although equipment is installed indoors, this does not preclude it from gathering gunk and dust even over the course of a year. And in today's world of high-resolution projection and fixtures, even a small amount of grime can have a significant impact on clarity and lumen output.
Keeping the pristine clarity of lenses and other parts of the optics system clean should be a priority.
Although it might seem intuitive to grab a bottle of Windex or other household cleaner and go crazy, many of these contain chemicals and solvents that can damage lens and optical components. Cleaning kits designed for specific optics are inexpensive and available from many professional manufacturers, such as Altura and Zeiss.
Although it might seem intuitive to grab a bottle of Windex or other household cleaner and go crazy, many of these contain chemicals and solvents that can damage lens and optical components.
Additional components within projectors and moving light fixtures include cooling fans, servo motors, and other filters. Change, clean or otherwise maintain these components according to manufacturers' recommendations. Bulbs should be tracked for hour usage and replaced when approaching their stated limit. Don't test your luck with old projector bulbs. They will fail at the most inconvenient time.
Bulbs should be tracked for hour usage and replaced when approaching their stated limit.
OTHER AREAS
While it seems counterintuitive that an installed piece of truss or flown lighting fixtures would present a safety concern, you'd be surprised at the way clamps and bolts can mysteriously become loose. Go through your rigging with a simple hand and wrench check. Ensure your safety cables are intact, as well as the security of quad boxes, stage power, and other electrical connections. You can also check for proper strain relief on the cabling and tighten all your duplex plugs. Left unattended, they can eventually become a hazard or simply an annoyance to those using them week to week.
Go through your rigging with a simple hand and wrench check. Ensure your safety cables are intact, as well as the security of quad boxes, stage power, and other electrical connections.
While this list is in no way comprehensive, enacting a regular maintenance and care plan can keep your systems healthy for years. Preparation now will provide peace of mind down the road.
