Full Size Rack Cases

[Ron]

A few questions for those out there who use full size rack cases. I am talking about cases similar to the one like this:
http://www.odysseygear.com/odyssey-products/frgs1016wdlx.html

1) With only the front cover removed, is there a risk of the amps overheating because of restricted air flow from the rear?

2) Can you still use a hand truck (or rock n roller in hand truck configuration) to lean the entire rack on it's back for transport upstairs?

Thanks in advance for you thoughts.

 

[rickryan.com]

Ron, I bought one a lot like the one in your picture. It's sitting in the storage unit. Problems included:

1) It was too top-heavy and I dumped it over a few times.
2) Need a tall hauler for it to fit
3) A real pain trying to get it up/down the ramps on my vehicle
4) Stairs? Forget it.
5) Most venues already have a table put out for me. Besides me having to now breakdown their table they don't like it when they've gone to the trouble to dress a table out, just to have me tear it down.
6) Was a real pain on outdoor or tent jobs, especially if the ground is soggy.

It's a nice idea but that's $500 I wish I had back.

 

[Ron]

Thanks a lot for the input, Rick. All good points.

 

[ahoustondj]

I have a Taller Rack but without the Glide Style. Those have wheels and are not designed to lay down. You will need a Van or Mini Van. I have Aluminum Ramps for mine and I have no problems with it. If you have enough gear to fill it then it would be worth the while to have everything Pre Wired. For a Venue with stairs, I add anywhere from $100.00 - $200.00 extra to me fee and then hire roadies to carry it. Most venues that I do have Elevators or are on first floors. Having a self contained rack cuts down on your setup space & time and in most cases a Table is not needed. As I can see. the one you featured has a side table which is good. I see no problem with it at all, been using different tall Racks all my DJ life. If you are concerned about the ability to carry easily then get a smaller amp rack for the bottom and put a DJ Station/Console on top.

 

[drzinc]

My rack has wheels and is very easy to transport. If you want to keep the back on, invest in some rack fans if you mix amps make sure that their fans blow in the same direction (back to front is better). Most venues I work with are one floor buildings so I just roll it in.

 

[Ron]

I have a trailer used for most gigs now, but I have a pretty frequent re-occurring gig at a secured facility nearby and if I take the trailer in I always have to go through vehicle inspection. If I load just what I need in the mini-van no vehicle inspection, which had me think about strapping it to the handtruck tilting back, laying it down and rolling it into the van, no dead lifting. Plus I could use the handtruck method to haul up stairs. While most of my venues have elevators there are the few that have small stages or risers with just a few steps.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[ahoustondj]

I forgot to add, all my Racks have removable doors and that is why I use a Facade to hide the wires behind.

 

[steve149]

As for overheating, it depends on how many amps, how tightly they're packed and how much open space in the front there is. On my dedicated amp rack, I always run with the back cover open, though sometimes I'll lean the door against it to hide things but allow air to flow.

How about instead of 1 large rack you get 2 smaller stacking racks. This way you can keep them vertical or spread them. Make a short patch snake to go between them for minimal wiring.

 

[Brom]

I just bought one of these to save on setup time and to always have my own table. Had a few gigs last year where one was requested but not provided right away. Did a department store gig with it on Friday and was able to get it in the back of my xB with two speakers, Kontrol S4 case, some other accessories and Rack & Roller cart. And picked my wife up from work after the gig.

http://www.audiopile.net/products/C...ks/CUDJ-P/CUDJ_SERIES_TABLETOP_cutsheet.shtml

I have a smaller 10 over 4 Road Ready case if I need to downsize for a gig but this seems pretty slick. For bigger gigs I drive an Odyssey.

 

[Brom]

 

[Ausumm]

Brom,
Ever have any issues the the rack being in the middle?
If it were mine, I'd be kicking and kneeing my gear all night.

 

[ahoustondj]

Brom,
Ever have any issues the the rack being in the middle?
If it were mine, I'd be kicking and kneeing my gear all night.

You have to control those knee jerk reactions when the chicks are dancing!

 

[Ausumm]

You have to control those knee jerk reactions when the chicks are dancing!

In a case like that, it aint my KNEES that'll get me in trouble.

 

[Scott Hanna]

I much prefer to have smaller pieces that are easy to move for reasons rick mentioned above.

i don't have to worry about tranportation, fans, ramps, stairs, or muddy ground

 

[Brom]

My setup is a bit different from most DJs as I use a live sound mixer in the center of the rack. I came up in bands and always owned the PA so just fell into DJing from that. I put my Kontrol S4 and MBP on the left table and my backup MBP/Audio 4 DJ on the right table so I'm rarely ever standing behind the main rack. It houses the mixer, various wireless mics, drawers, etc. My laptops/controllers, mics, and backup iPhone are routed through the main mixer. Lots of redundancy but I like having backups

 

[Brom]

I used to use separate cases for everything but setup takes too long so having them all together makes that quicker.

 

[ahoustondj]

My setup is a bit different from most DJs as I use a live sound mixer in the center of the rack. I came up in bands and always owned the PA so just fell into DJing from that. I put my Kontrol S4 and MBP on the left table and my backup MBP/Audio 4 DJ on the right table so I'm rarely ever standing behind the main rack. It houses the mixer, various wireless mics, drawers, etc. My laptops/controllers, mics, and backup iPhone are routed through the main mixer. Lots of redundancy but I like having backups

I used to use separate cases for everything but setup takes too long so having them all together makes that quicker.

Same here. My Rack is designed for Live Sound. I also have a Console with a DJ Mixer and Controller. If I want, I can leave the Console at home and plug the Laptops External Soundcard directly into the Live Sound Mixer. I can also leave the laptop at home and use just the Controller as it has its own Soundcard and uses a 1T HD. This is the Setup for the Two Way System. For the 3 Way System I have another Rack that goes under the console in place of its Stand. Click each Pic to Enlarge.

 

[Scott Hanna]

This works for me. Doesn't take long to set up. 5 channel mixer. Works for DJing, full vocal effects for karaoke, studio-class effects and processing, 100's of customized presets for specific instruments so works great for live sound as well.

the one time I needed more than 5 inputs, I just used another T1.

 

[Ron]

Well, I went with the tall rack. Actually found a used one on Craigslist. The guy was asking only $120, but talked him down to $80.00 It is not exactly the one I wanted, and did have some signs of wear, but I figured for that price and put a little TLC with it, I could at least decide if this was the route I wanted to go. Turned out pretty well. I need to do some touch up to the silver along the edges, but got most of the equipment mounted and I got to say I like it. Talk about reduction in footprint.

 

[ahoustondj]

Well, I went with the tall rack. Actually found a used one on Craigslist. The guy was asking only $120, but talked him down to $80.00 It is not exactly the one I wanted, and did have some signs of wear, but I figured for that price and put a little TLC with it, I could at least decide if this was the route I wanted to go. Turned out pretty well. I need to do some touch up to the silver along the edges, but got most of the equipment mounted and I got to say I like it. Talk about reduction in footprint.

Ron, when you say Silver I am not sure if you mean the aluminum lengths or the Chrome Corners. If it is the Aluminum lengths, they can be polished using fine steel wool. If it is the Chrome Corners use a Chrome Polish or Soft scrub with a cotton Ball. Hope this helps. Keep those wheels greased with WD 40 or maybe light oil.