Protect the setup and Travelling

Taking care of your tools — and your journey.

When you perform live with electronic gear, your setup becomes more than a collection of machines — it’s your instrument, your creative space, and often your stage partner. Whether you’re traveling to the next city or flying across countries, protecting your setup is not just about safety — it’s about respecting your craft, preserving your workflow, and ensuring you’re ready to perform with confidence and ease.

Physical Protection: From Studio to Stage

Your gear is fragile, and the world isn’t always gentle. Invest in solid cases — hard-shell or padded softbags tailored to your gear (synths, drum machines, MIDI controllers, cables). Use custom foam inserts when possible to prevent movement and absorb shocks.

Label everything: not just for security, but for clarity during fast setups or shared stages. Protect knobs and faders with covers, unplug USB/power ports before packing, and carry backup cables, adapters, and power supplies — the small things often fail first.

If flying, carry on what you can’t replace. Airlines lose luggage — your rare groovebox doesn’t need to be one of them.

Workflow Protection: Consistency = Peace of Mind

Touring often means new rooms, unfamiliar sound systems, and unpredictable soundchecks. Your setup should be as consistent as possible across shows: same layout, same cable routing, same power configuration. This reduces setup time, stress, and tech surprises.

Use a checklist for packing and pre-show prep. Back up your project files and firmware regularly — on USB, cloud, or SD card — in case of crash, theft, or reset.

Keep your setup tight and intentional. More machines mean more complexity. Travel makes every choice count — choose gear that’s versatile, lightweight, and essential to your sound.

Mental and Emotional Protection

Travel can be exhausting. So protect yourself too. Stay hydrated. Sleep when you can. Build buffer time into travel plans to reduce panic and bad decisions.

Don’t forget: you are part of the setup. Your presence, energy, and focus are just as important as your machines. Protect your flow — with rest, routine, and care.

Purpose Over Pressure

At the heart of it all, protecting your setup is about preserving your ability to express yourself — wherever the road takes you. It’s not about being paranoid; it’s about being prepared and present.

Because when everything is in its place, and you feel grounded, you’re free to do what you came to do: make the moment happen — live, raw, and real.