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I just did an outdoor party and I was under an overhang roof exept for my speakers. I have plastic hard cover JBL passive speakers. It would rain for 3 minutes. This happened maybe 4 times. I would run and put speaker covers over them, but by the time I'd get them on it would stop raining. I'm almost positive the rain never made it into the speakers themselves just on the outsides.

I had a guy at the party driving me nuts about just leaving the covers over the speakers and continuing the show that way. I didn't want to do that. His argument was you could hear them fine. I just couldn't do it. The quality of sound was way to important to me. I was wondering if you can actually damage your speakers by doing this too.

How do you all handle rain?

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Well I try to aviod it!

Seriously, it's one of the things that is going to happen. I've covered my speakers with big garbage bags a few times, scrambled to get them out of a quick downpour and just as you move them out of harms way....it stops! Luckily nothing has been damaged yet...MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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Previously just put BIG bin bags over the speakers and the impact on sound was negligible.

But now am using active speakers - rain is a big no no.

Not sure about your damage question Babs I'll leave that to some of the true PA techies.

As for the protection of the speakers if I'm expecting rain or the possibility of it (Remember I'm in Oregon ) I carry a couple of medium sized umbrellas with me and a roll of electrical tape. I just sit an umbrella over the top of the speaker with the handle to the back side and then just tape the handle to the speaker wire and it will hold it in place. This of course will not work if you have strong winds but will handle any downpour.

I just invested $199 (on sale) at Dicks Sporting Goods a canopy that has 3 sides to it that are removable, but also can be added quickly. (I could not find a link for it) It's a real equipment saver. The only time I feel comfortable setting up outdoors without it is July and August but I still use it during those months as it is usually 85-100 degrees and I need the shade...

I have another cheaper model to set up the mic's and TV under so the screens are visible during bright sunlight.

Total investment for both is about $280

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Scott

I love the umbrella idea ! I usually only do a hand full of outside gigs in the summer. I actually don't like doing them, but if the money is right I can't refuse it. I always seem to be under some sort of canopy or over hang which is good, but the speakers don't always get the cover they need.

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This is the bane of the car show DJ! Sunday, I was at a show and although I was not the music provider, I felt bad for the guy they hired. The rains came through and soaked everyone. They quickly pulled their gear into a doorway of the building and played from in there. It was so bad, only seven cars showed up and people just stood in the doorways.
One of my yearly shows will provide me a canopy and have people help me scramble gear into the HHR if the rains come.

Garbage beg plastic can be use to cover speakers from the element without any audable effect. Those plastic may filter out a small bit of the hi freq; not much to affect the mix.

One of those heavy-duty 12x12 canopies really work well in this situation - I carry one with me for outside gigs - sometimes use it, sometimes don't. Takes about 5 minutes to put up...and certainly keeps gear dry.

Up here in the GNW, we constantly have to worry about getting rained out...such a pain in the crack.

k

The holes is 2 way speakers are to let air in as the bass goes out and visa versa. In a powered speaker the heat sink of the amp is by the holes and thats how the finals are cooled. It would be alright if there were air vents at the bottom but I wouldnt put an air tight bag over them. The bass needs to be covered, not closed in but an awning to keep the rain out. Now purple rain is an entire different story It takes the orange bags to protect..

I have had my eons blown over and hit the ground a couple of times Other than scratches didnt hurt them. One time they were completley covered with flying red ants. I havnt had the back off but I can imagine what I would find. I have been tempted to open and blow all the dust out.

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I have used plastic trash bags on my top speakers before. plastic cheepo tarps on my subs. watch out with carpet covered cabs for mold after they get damp. a couple of my subs have had mold cleaned off them several times

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Do not subject your speakers or any of your equipment to water, it is a worst enemy, and can also be dangerous. Don't feel too safe with an unbrella or canopy, because, as you know, in our area, rain often falls horizontal with the winds we get. I've had speakers, that never worked right, even after exposure to a small amount of water. I've had a speaker that was suppose to be water proof, fail after exposing it to rain, one too many times. I'll only set up in a garage, or something with sides, I can quickly roll down. Outside, especially in the evening, can end up with dead bug infested equipment.....they love your mixer light.

Funny you mentioned bugs. Where I was at was infested with June Bugs. I even had one crawl up my pant leg to my knee. I thought I was being bit by a mosquito. After a few bites I reached down and shook my pant leg and out came the June Bug. Yuck !!

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