Anyone going back to or still using a rack - even without a cab for DI/IEM?

[SteveC]

As I said in a similar thread a few days ago:

my rack has my wireless, a pre/fx, a DI and my IEM's in. No power amp. Even with just a wireless and an fx unit wit built in DI, you have to plug in a 4 way, and power from that to each other the units, and cable from wireless to the DI, and then from DI to the desk. Or you rack it an all of that arrives at the gig pre-wired.

Big heavy racks with old fashioned power amps in... no. Modern Kit kept safely in a box at the back of the stage, all pre-wired to just flip the lid off and start playing... every time!

I was thinking this but with the Genzler amp as my pre/eq/di. It's a small class D head. But yeah, when you start racking it can get heavy in a hurry if you aren't careful.

 

[SteveC]

Yeah, never mind. I'll stick with my trusty (and paid for) Mono board with a DC7 underneath to more than power my Shure GLXD+ into my HX Stomp. CIOKS DC7 underneath for power. It works. Sounds fine. Just some GAS for that Kinetix head. Sounds really nice.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Yeah, never mind. I'll stick with my trusty (and paid for) Mono board with a DC7 underneath to more than power my Shure GLXD+ into my HX Stomp. CIOKS DC7 underneath for power. It works. Sounds fine. Just some GAS for that Kinetix head. Sounds really nice.

Have you tried the Mesa 800D yet?

: )

 

[SteveC]

Have you tried the Mesa 800D yet?

: )

Nope. No MESA dealers around here.

 

[Jack]

Before frfr cabs were a thing I was gigging with a channel strip into a power amp into a hifi cabinet. Nowadays I let the pa do the work.

 

[crazycloud]

Before frfr cabs were a thing I was gigging with a channel strip into a power amp into a hifi cabinet. Nowadays I let the pa do the work.

I had a similar sort of rig for years starting in the 80s. I used one half of my small portable PA, a JBL 3 way the model number is slipping my mind right now.

Sold all the PA gear and went back to the Peavey but there's a new large and small PA rig under construction so I'll be moving back to something similar soon as all the small venues around here are still a live stage.

 

[MikeBass]

Ditched the rack a while ago. But there’s irony in my pedalboard…..
Shure-BP1c-in its effects loop is the Capo and Nano Cortex- then out to the BC1 compressor.

Only thing I use the Nano for is a capture of my DB659 pre and my old DB750. And also it’s pitch shift for 1/2 down….so, I kinda do use rack gear? lol

 

[Old Fart]

Your hx stomp and shure glxd+ isn’t good enough?

I love that combo. And the size and weight is just a bonus.

IEMs, GLXD+, stomp box (to switch between two basses), and I use my WD-800 as a pre/DI. Oh...and a compressor.

Guys with more gear than this....<rolleyes>

I probably just need to simplify further. Tone knob.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

IEMs, GLXD+, stomp box (to switch between two basses), and I use my WD-800 as a pre/DI. Oh...and a compressor.

Guys with more gear than this....<rolleyes>

I probably just need to simplify further. Tone knob.

Hello OF,

Seems like you are using the stomp box as an AB with both basses plugged in all the time ready to go? And are you using the rackmount or pedal version of the GLXD+ Receiver?

: )

 

[prndltech]

View attachment 7410588

Ditched the rack a while ago. But there’s irony in my pedalboard…..
Shure-BP1c-in its effects loop is the Capo and Nano Cortex- then out to the BC1 compressor.

Only thing I use the Nano for is a capture of my DB659 pre and my old DB750. And also it’s pitch shift for 1/2 down….so, I kinda do use rack gear? lol

3 preamps, 2 tuners and only one compressor?

 

[MikeBass]

3 preamps, 2 tuners and only one compressor?

LoL
Yeah……haha
3 tuners if you count the one in the Nano Cortex lol

I like the Peterson because it’s always on- I hit the mute on the BP1c and it mutes everything except to the Peterson.
The Capo is only used for drive, which is like 70% of the time now that I think about it. lol
And one compressor……

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

As a counterpoint to this is my modest rig.

View attachment 7409267

Very nice looking and understated rig, must shock people once in a while when you unleash it : )

 

[Jeff Scott]

Very nice looking and understated rig, must shock people once in a while when you unleash it : )

I wish I had a place to unleash it other than my attic practice room. I haven't been in a band since September '14.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

I wish I had a place to unleash it other than my attic practice room. I haven't been in a band since September '14.

The great thing in that is you have "banked" 9 years of ear wear and tear, which means when you do get the chance, you can go for it!

: )

 

[Jeff Scott]

The great thing in that is you have "banked" 9 years of ear wear and tear, which means when you do get the chance, you can go for it!

: )

Hearing qualities aside, even if I were stone deaf I'd crank the amp up so I could feel it (the other players will just have to take it in stride).

 

[rickdog]

My new flexible rack rig. It can do anything from 215 W into 8 ohms to 1100W into 4 ohms (bridged), and I have a variety of 1U preamps to swap in according to my whims. Under 25 lb. as pictured (probably closer to 30 if I use my Interstellar Overdrive).

It's all from the wonderful TalkBass classifieds, shouts out to awesome sellers @swpyne (channel strip), @Balog (power amp), and @GodlessMolecule (rack case) for making this possible.

 

[Balog]

My new flexible rack rig. It can do anything from 215 W into 8 ohms to 1100W into 4 ohms (bridged), and I have a variety of 1U preamps to swap in according to my whims. Under 25 lb. as pictured (probably closer to 30 if I use my Interstellar Overdrive).

View attachment 7431286​

It's all from the wonderful TalkBass classifieds, shouts out to awesome sellers @swpyne (channel strip), @Balog (power amp), and @GodlessMolecule (rack case) for making this possible.

Looks awesome, glad it's worked out so well!

 

[Passinwind]

So I am debating dumping my little board and getting a head (Genzler Kinetix) to use as my pre/DI and rack it with a compressor and a wireless for my bass. Or maybe just leave it unracked and use my current Nano board with my Shure GLXD+ and maybe an Empress Compressor.

Am I nuts?

Whatever works, I ditched all my Class D amps in flimsy purses when I retired from gigging and kept my favorite rack amp, which is also Class D, convection cooled, and still not all that heavy at 20-ish pounds including the rack. I have always preferred the look and utility of rack rigs, FWIW. Still an easy one hand carry when I take it out, and the rack case is a handy olace for my tuner and a pedal or desktop piece or two, where I can get at the controls without having to bend over or dance around on stage. Just plain more convenient for my use cases, full stop.

 

[Pep]

I’m not going back to a rackmount revamp butI still own one.

My Gator rack has a Furman power conditioner, a QSC GX7 power amp and a Peavey “Tube” MAX Bass preamp.
It’s great set-up but nothing I care to carry around any longer. I’m either going to part it out or sell it complete. The QSC has never been used.