Rack case
- Thread starter Sirion
- Start date
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: Rack case
12U is a little more than I need at the moment, but I'd like to get it to keep my options for the future open. At present it is planned as follows:
Power conditioner 1U
Wireless receiver 1U
ADA MP-1 1U
TC Electronics G-System 1U
Shelf for (yuck!) pedals 2U
Sonic Maximizer 1U
Marshall 9040 power amp 2U
Total: 9U
It might grow or contract in the future, but this is the plan as of today.
12U is a little more than I need at the moment, but I'd like to get it to keep my options for the future open. At present it is planned as follows:
Power conditioner 1U
Wireless receiver 1U
ADA MP-1 1U
TC Electronics G-System 1U
Shelf for (yuck!) pedals 2U
Sonic Maximizer 1U
Marshall 9040 power amp 2U
Total: 9U
It might grow or contract in the future, but this is the plan as of today.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Rack case
You need either 2 6U racks or a 6 and 4.
6-space:
Conditioner
Wireless
Maximizer
Power amp
(5 spaces)
4-space:
MP-1
G-system
2U pedal shelf
(4 spaces)
You might want the 4-space vented for the MP-1, unless you find one that has a decent gap between the top of the rails and the case.
Use color-coded cables, and color-coded labels, and label the ends of the plugs for those dark stages. Clip an LED work light into the case that runs on batteries, with batteries for it. Or one of those hand-crank flashlights that never need batteries.
Leave the MP-1 rack plugged in all the time.
If you do expand in the future, get another 6-space to replace the 4-space, move one item from the 4-space to the other 6-space since it has one open slot.
I have an 8-space which houses preamps and FX units (2x MP-1s, Digitech TSR-12, GSP1101, 2x GSP-21s, and an IPS-33B) and a 4-space that holds the "studio" stuff (Line Mixer, Switchblade, Alesis 3630, and Digitech TSR-24). While this is largely a home studio setup, I can move one MP-1, the TSR-12 for EQ and effects, the IPS-33B, and the 3630 into another 4-space and run into a PA or power amp or the return of a head if I need to. Then there's the 4-space rackbag which has 3 more 3630s and an Alesis QSR, but that's mostly because I don't have room to set them back up yet. Still, it's easier to carry a rackbag on my shoulder, combo in one hand, and guitar case in the other. I make one trip in and one trip out. I do need to convert the bag to a backpack, though.
You need either 2 6U racks or a 6 and 4.
6-space:
Conditioner
Wireless
Maximizer
Power amp
(5 spaces)
4-space:
MP-1
G-system
2U pedal shelf
(4 spaces)
You might want the 4-space vented for the MP-1, unless you find one that has a decent gap between the top of the rails and the case.
Use color-coded cables, and color-coded labels, and label the ends of the plugs for those dark stages. Clip an LED work light into the case that runs on batteries, with batteries for it. Or one of those hand-crank flashlights that never need batteries.
Leave the MP-1 rack plugged in all the time.
If you do expand in the future, get another 6-space to replace the 4-space, move one item from the 4-space to the other 6-space since it has one open slot.
I have an 8-space which houses preamps and FX units (2x MP-1s, Digitech TSR-12, GSP1101, 2x GSP-21s, and an IPS-33B) and a 4-space that holds the "studio" stuff (Line Mixer, Switchblade, Alesis 3630, and Digitech TSR-24). While this is largely a home studio setup, I can move one MP-1, the TSR-12 for EQ and effects, the IPS-33B, and the 3630 into another 4-space and run into a PA or power amp or the return of a head if I need to. Then there's the 4-space rackbag which has 3 more 3630s and an Alesis QSR, but that's mostly because I don't have room to set them back up yet. Still, it's easier to carry a rackbag on my shoulder, combo in one hand, and guitar case in the other. I make one trip in and one trip out. I do need to convert the bag to a backpack, though.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: Rack case
I don't have access to it at the moment, as I happen to be on the other side of the globe to it. I remember it being somewhat heavy, but certainly not more than half the weight of the 9100, so if I were to take a wild guess I would say that it approaches 10 kg. (22 lbs.)
As for what the whole thing would weight I couldn't tell. What I can tell is that I want to have a case that doesn't add weight and can be lifted by four people when possible. Also, every year I work with a festival where I have to carry pianos, harpsichords, organs and the like about, so I think I should be decently prepared for handling it. Newcenstein had some enticing suggestions, though.
I don't have access to it at the moment, as I happen to be on the other side of the globe to it. I remember it being somewhat heavy, but certainly not more than half the weight of the 9100, so if I were to take a wild guess I would say that it approaches 10 kg. (22 lbs.)
As for what the whole thing would weight I couldn't tell. What I can tell is that I want to have a case that doesn't add weight and can be lifted by four people when possible. Also, every year I work with a festival where I have to carry pianos, harpsichords, organs and the like about, so I think I should be decently prepared for handling it. Newcenstein had some enticing suggestions, though.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: Rack case
This sounds wise, but if I were to make a rig like this I think I would juggle a little bit with the sizes of the respective units. The Sonic Maximizer has one task, viz., to provide a little extra sizzle to the power amp, to get it closer to an EL34 driven rig. If these were put in a 4U case (and the rest in a separate case) they could be replaced if I ever wanted to dig out the tube power amp. It would also minimize the cable clutter: two power cables and two audio cables between the boxes would be all that was needed.
Thanks for inducing me to think in this direction, though! It might be a good solution, even if it means slightly more cable clutter (but far less than with a pedal board, still).
This sounds wise, but if I were to make a rig like this I think I would juggle a little bit with the sizes of the respective units. The Sonic Maximizer has one task, viz., to provide a little extra sizzle to the power amp, to get it closer to an EL34 driven rig. If these were put in a 4U case (and the rest in a separate case) they could be replaced if I ever wanted to dig out the tube power amp. It would also minimize the cable clutter: two power cables and two audio cables between the boxes would be all that was needed.
Thanks for inducing me to think in this direction, though! It might be a good solution, even if it means slightly more cable clutter (but far less than with a pedal board, still).
Last edited:
XSSIVE
OCDologist
Re: Rack case
I have the 12U shallow rack from OSP (currently listed as out of stock on their site) and they have several other options for 12U too. I specifically wanted a shallow shockmount rack and this one fit the bill perfectly....
http://www.ospcases.com/index.php/rack-cases/12u-rack-cases.html
Check the depth of your rack gear, you may be able to get away with the shallow rack too like I did, which cuts down weight. Although thinking of weight went out the window when I stuck a VHT 2150 in the bottom of my rack lol.
I have the 12U shallow rack from OSP (currently listed as out of stock on their site) and they have several other options for 12U too. I specifically wanted a shallow shockmount rack and this one fit the bill perfectly....
http://www.ospcases.com/index.php/rack-cases/12u-rack-cases.html
Check the depth of your rack gear, you may be able to get away with the shallow rack too like I did, which cuts down weight. Although thinking of weight went out the window when I stuck a VHT 2150 in the bottom of my rack lol.
allstarrme
New member
Re: Rack case
I am doing a similar rack build with a G system, but with a separate head.
Mine is gonna use a 6 space rack built to fit under/ over my cab. A half space wireless and a half space Bbe maximixer give me one extra space.
I have thrown around the idea of a power amp and preamp, maybe in a second rack, but my head has midi for channel switching and boost so I'm hanging onto it for now.
I am doing a similar rack build with a G system, but with a separate head.
Mine is gonna use a 6 space rack built to fit under/ over my cab. A half space wireless and a half space Bbe maximixer give me one extra space.
I have thrown around the idea of a power amp and preamp, maybe in a second rack, but my head has midi for channel switching and boost so I'm hanging onto it for now.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Rack case
Another (possible?) option regarding the cable situation is to fit each case with a "switchboard" type of thing on the inside wall that has an external/recessed connector similar to a snake. If each component is always connected to the switchboard, then you only have one cable to plug in to connect them to each other.
Another (possible?) option regarding the cable situation is to fit each case with a "switchboard" type of thing on the inside wall that has an external/recessed connector similar to a snake. If each component is always connected to the switchboard, then you only have one cable to plug in to connect them to each other.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: Rack case
Yes, I have definitely planned to do something like that. I wonder if is possible to use them as extra insulation too, since rack rigs are prone to extra noise?
Yes, I have definitely planned to do something like that. I wonder if is possible to use them as extra insulation too, since rack rigs are prone to extra noise?
