Back Up to run if Computer fails beyond recovery

[kharney]

I am looking for ideas from everyone as to how to best do this.

Is there a way that I can take the outputs from my sound card and send them to an Audio grabber program and then burn a CD or record a MD. I am thinking that this would allow all of the levels and fades to be recorded. Tracks could be separated into Cues. Therefore the signal going to the sound board from the MD or CD would be the same volume and have the same fades as from SCS. This might not be perfect but in the event of a catastrophic computer failure the show could go on with out a hitch. I would love to hear all the pluses and minuses that you'll can see with this. My producer is more paranoid about this than I am and it would be great to alleviate some fears. Plus numerous backup plans are nice to have. Just wondering what has and has not worked for others out there. I do not have the budget for another computer to be used as a back up.

Thanks for all the help !!

[Boswell]

When I started using SCS I had the same problem, lack of confidence in SCS/computers
So, as we use 4 stereo outputs from SCS into our desk, I built a relay change over system that allows you to switch the desk stereo inputs from the SCS sound card over to 3 MDs & a CD player at the flick of a switch.
Then we carefully put the sounds onto separate discs for each machine and labelled all the tracks and marked the script. Did this for a few shows but it was a lot of work.
Then we realised that we were back to pre-computer days and we had negated the advantage of SCS. As SCS or the computer has never fallen over, we have abandoned extensive backups and just make one MD with the MAIN SFX/music on. If the computer/SCS fails they will have to make do with just the essential SFX/Music.
The computer (XP sp3) is not on the internet, does not have any networking, virus, firewall, system sounds, power schemes, wallpapers, themes, screensavers enabled.
The ONLY programme installed is SCS. At the end of the run for each show, all the SCS files for that show are deleted.
Computer is also run off an UPS just to remove glitches in supply. (if the supply fails completely, the amps and desk have gone anyway).
The ultimate fallback is that I have my laptop with an 8 output soundcard, so I can run SCS on that if required after a short interruption to the show for re-patching.

Unless you have 2 computers running synchronised identical copies of SCS with auto change over of soundcard outputs, any fault will result in missed cues or a halt to the show whilst it is sorted.

[kharney]

Boswell,

Thanks for the post back. All input is appreciated. I have been using SCS for years now and I loveit !!!! Best thing ever created Thanks Mike !!!!!

I think my main concern lies in my trusting my laptop LOL. I design in SEVERAL theatres so I travel a bit from place to place. Though I have had to reboot the computer mid show a couple times it was more at the earlier versions (8.X ish) My main concern is what if the reboot does not fix the problem. Do I have something that I can use in a pinch to run the end of that show and possibly the rest of the run so that the production is not soundless.

I am also wondering if I had two versions of the same program running that if one glitched I could minimize it and use the other til the end of the show or the end of the act and deal with the problem then instead.

[kharney]

My other thought is that we have a digital board that has cues memorized in it so if I had a file at home I could burn to MD or CD that I could bring in and change the inputs from the Computer to the MD or CD that the show could run the same as it usually does until I can fix the problem. I just need to make sure that the sources are producing the same sound levels and fades and all. Make sense ? Overkill ?

[dan_sheehan_wfl]

I use a backup computer running identical SCS and SCS production file,
except it uses only the builtin headphone audio outs,
patched into two channels on the sound board.
It's actually the old Sound computer, which was a used gimme
when we got it.
In the event of an in-show failure of the primary Sound computer
or the sound interface box etc,
all we have to do is turn on those two channels of the sound board
and launch the desired cue in the backup computer
(which is already up and running as hot standby),
then that computer can carry the show while we
reboot and/or debug the primary.
Don't get the multi channel outs, all are funneled into
main L and R, but that's good enough for limp-home hode.

Never had to use it, don't expect to have to use it,
had to set that CPU up for a video app in one show
so there it was.

Used CPUs are cheap, laptops are ubiquitous,
CDs are klutzy (except for preshow playlists etc).