I taped my first show Tuesday night...local Baltimore band called KOE. I think everything fell into place and I came away with a nice recording.
Tested my luck Wednesday night (just got back) with Dark Star Orchestra. The batteries the PS-2 tanked about 25 minutes into the second set and, while packing up at the end, some chick decided to rather than drink the last of her beer, she'd dump it in my case. I think (or I hope) I took the brunt of it, but my NJB3 and PS-2 took a direct hit. I hadn't put my mics away yet, so the card caps were spared...but the case I designed (actually stole whole design from Terry Watts' friend) has the omni caps in full view. Not sure if they got hit, but the area around them did. What kind of damage could I be looking at if a drop or two of Bud Light (she couldn't have chosen a Pale Ale?) got in the caps?
jeff
Foam windscreens come in handy at bars. Keeps smoke and incidental liquids off your mics.
If it was just a drop, it probably got caught in the screen that protects the capsule. Just gently blot the screen to remove the spill but don't push the liquid behind the screen. You can wipe it with a damp (not moist) cloth to remove the beer from the screen. Dont use a wet cloth, you don't want water/humidity in there. Let them air dry. If you get a layer of filth and nicotine on the capsules, it will affect the sound. Worst case, you send them in for service and a cleaning.
If the place that you are taping is a zoo, get some 2mil clear plastic drop cloth and cut it into 4x4 sheets that you can drape over your bag. You'll be able to see meters and press buttons through the plastic and it will keep spills out of your bag. Check out the threads about taping in the rain.
If you are going to carry around all your caps, you should get some plastic cases specificly to keep the extra caps protected. I don't know what you are running but if you look on ebay there are often the protective plastic cases for schoeps capsules. Those might work for you. Or you can try some film canisters with a DIY foam lining.
To bad about the batteries. Mule and Galactic shows are coming to 930 club. So try again ;-).