- Size is a big issue for us, the smaller it is the better. We want to really push the limits on keeping this as small as possible. Not only for transportation, but also for the space it consumes on stage. Often, there is not all too much space since we are already with 10-12 people on stage. For easy of transportation, a pull-out handle and 2 wheels would be really nice. Also, the IDR32 is only 25 cm deep, so shallow cases are best.
- Setup-time is the second requirement. The system should be set up within seconds. Most festival-like gigs we do, there is sound-check time in the afternoon and in the evening we have change-overs of 15 minutes. Sometimes, we'll be able to leave this case on stage and sometimes we'll have to remove it from stage. A short setup-time is therefor important.
- Safety is the third requirement. The equipment is expensive (for us) and it is basically a computer. This means that should handle it with care. If it is possible to buy a case that provides better protection, this would be nice.
The first question to answer is: do we want 6U or 8U? Using a 6U system is certainly good with regard to the size, but having an 8U system allows us to include a power conditioner and move all connectors to the front using an 8 hole 1U plate. The front could then include: powercon in, powercon out, some ethernet ports, 3 antenna's and 1 XLR for a light. The power cable and the XLR snake could be stored in the front lid, the PL10 in the back lid. Setting up the system would consist of removing the front and back lids, connecting the power cable, connecting the XLR snake and connecting the PL10. For the 6U system, this means that the router (attached to the back) will also need to be connected to the front and we lose the power conditioner and the light. We can mount a power strip to the back rail, with a 5m power cord. This means we have 1 extra thing to do: connect the ethernet cable from the router in the back to the front of the IDR32. Also, we'll need access to the back of the rack when we connect a laptop.
We have found the following products that could work:
| Picture | Brand | Model | Rack height | Rack depth | LxWxH | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | SKB | Standard 6U Effects Rack | 6U | 40cm | 55.88 54.61 33.02 | 6.67kg |
 | SKB | 6U Ultimate Strength Series Roto Rack | 6U | 43.18cm | 6.76kg | |
 | SKB | 6U Roto Rolling Rack | 6U | 47.63cm | 62.23 60.96 35.56 | 8.89kg |
 | SKB | 6U Roll-X Rack Case | 6U | 44.45cm | 55.25 62.87 35.56 | 7.33kg |
 | SKB | Standard 8U Effects Rack | 8U | 40cm | 55.88 54.61 41.91 | 7.51kg |
 | SKB | 8U Ultimate Strength Series Roto Rack | 8U | 43.18cm | 6.78kg | |
| SKB | 8U Roto Rolling Rack | 8U | 47.63cm | 62.23 62.23 45.72 | 12.49kg |
 | Gator | G-PRO-6U-19 | 6U | 48.26 | 54.61 53.72 34.29 | 15.00 pounds |
 | Gator | G-PROR-6U-19 | 6U | 48.26 | 55.88 53.72 34.29 | 18.00 pounds |
 | Gator | G-PRO-8U-19 | 8U | 48.26 | 54.61 53.72 43.18 | 18.00 pounds |
| Gator | G-PROR-8U-19 | 8U | 48.26 | 55.88 53.72 43.18 | 21.00 pounds |
 | Gator | GR-6S | 6U | 37.47 | 44.45 54.61 33.02 | 13.00 pounds |
 | Gator | GR-6L | 6U | 48.90 | 57.79 54.61 33.02 | 14.00 pounds |
 | Gator | GRR-6L | 6U | 48.90 | 58.42 56.49 33.02 | 18.00 pounds |
 | Gator | GR-8L | 8U | 48.90 | 57.79 54.61 41.91 | 17.00 pounds |
 | Gator | GRR-8L | 8U | 48.90 | 58.42 57.78 41.91 | 20.00 pounds |
 | Gator | GTOUR EFX6 | 6U | 38.10 | 57.79 58.42 33.02 | 28.67 pounds |
 | Gator | GTOUR EFX8 | 8U | 38.10 | 57.79 58.42 15.25" | 32.37 pounds |
 | Boschma | 6U HE Rack | 6U | 45cm | 53.5 62.0 37.5 | 7kg |
 | Boschma | 8U HE Rack | 8U | 45cm | 53.5 62.0 46.5 | 8.3kg |
 | Bespoke | 6U Rack Case | 6U | 30cm | ||
 | Bespoke | 8U Rack Case | 8U | 30cm |
(sorry for the bad layout)
We are about to go for the A&H system as well, but we simply accept that there's little to be gained by trying to save a couple of units of rackspace. We make all our own flightcases and racks, and that allows our kit to be as customised as we like. I would NOT go for a plastic flightcase: they simply don't tolerate the same kind of abuse as the classic flightcases; if you're talking about festival work, quick changeovers, and that kind of thing, then it's really important that your 'computer' case can tolerate being thrown by a roadie, or that it falls off the back of a stage. If you make / buy a case with stackable corners, then you'll be able to strap two or more cases together and use some kind of trolley for rapid transport.
ReplyDeleteI've ordered the cheapest and smallest plastic case (Gator GR-6S), so we have something to use. When we start using it, we'll have a much better understanding of how we actually want it. For now, we've some gigs coming up that allow us to be careful with the stuff.
ReplyDeleteWould you recommend using shock absorbing rack cases?
Unless you're going to be using the flightcase in 'real' flightcase conditions, such as actually sending it by air!, then I think a good solid, normal flightcase is OK. I have occasionally wondered what the effect of my equipment being transported in our 7.5 tonne truck is: the vibrations must have some effect on the soldering and other connections. We had a Mackie speaker fail at a gig last month, where the soldered joints on a power supply shoe had loosened: this COULD have been from vibration, as the power input would appear to be well-designed to stop damage from more traumatic causes, such as tensioned power cables. As there are thousands of soldered joints in our sound system, and this is the first such failure, I think that normal vibration during transportation is a minimal risk, and as such, it isn't worth investing in more shock-absorbing flightcases.
ReplyDelete