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I Need Help Creating a Rack Setup!

jmattbassplaya

jmattbassplaya

Supporting Member
Jan 13, 2008
11,837
9,833
#1
Hey guys,

I'm thinking about moving to a rack setup, and I could really use some help getting started. I currently run two rigs at once - a bass rig and a synth rig, which are as follows:

Bass: SVT-CL into a Genz Benz NeoX212T
Synth: Makrbass LMIII into a second GB NeoX212T

Right now I'm looking to get an SVP-CL and a power amp to replace the SVT, so I'm looking for a rack that can hold those, as well as my LMIII. I'm also thinking of adding a tuner, but I'm not sure what brand or model to go with. I'm also curious as to what else I may need. My guitarist said a power conditioner is a 'must have', but I believe I've read on TB that those things are (for lack of a better term) a scam and that I'd be fine enough just using a power strip. That said, they do look like a good way to keep my cables organized - which is a must for someone as OCD as me.

So a few questions I have right now are:

1. What all do I need in this rack. Is there a piece of gear I'm missing that I should be considering?
2. Assuming I've got everything I need (SVP, power amp, LMIII, tuner, and maybe a power conditioner), what size rack case should I get and what brand/model is a good one? Gator? SKB? Roadrunner? Some other?
3. I need a power amp for my SVP. What are some good ones our there? There are a few Crowns that go for under $500 new that look nice.
4. What are some good rack tuners out there on the market? Preferably something cool like the old Korgs with the strobe lights :p

**And for TB brownie points, let's try to create a setup that weighs under 50lbs** :hyper:

Thanks for all the help! :)
 
#2
WRT power conditioners, it's perfectly OK to think of them as a nice tidy way to organize your power cords. Personally I think a power strip screwed down in the back of the rack is just as good a way to go, but there's nothing wrong with wanting it all mounted in the rack rails.

As far as rack tuners, Korg is still the brand to beat. I prefer a pedal myself, but Korg makes nice rack tuners and some of them do have a big colorful light display.

For the rack itself, you can get some pretty cool custom-made ones, but in terms of easy-access mass market cases, SKB is the brand to beat. I've owned a couple of Gators and I just didn't like them as much. I've also bought a few "generic" SKB lookalikes, and they were OK but not as good as the real thing.

You don't need anything else in the rack. Sure there are compressors, EQ's, wireless units, drawers, shelves, multi-fx, and all kinds of other stuff you could buy; but none of it is necessary.
 
#3
Nah, if a power strip works just as well then I'll do that - unless I can find a nice power conditioner for cheap. It'd be cool to have those lights :p

I'm assuming Korg no longer makes their rack tuners. In case I find myself unable to find a used one in good condition, what other brands make quality tuners for a good price? Personally, I'm wanting to move away from pedals as much as possible.
 
#5
DBCrocky said:
I did not have luck with an SVP into a power amp - I found the that putting this on top of the cabs caused vibrations that made the tubes rattle. I now use my SVP-CL as a recording preamp.
Click to expand...

Are you sure that wasn't just an issue with your particular SVP? I haven't heard of others having that issue before, and I've never had issues with cabs vibrating any tube amplifiers that I've owned before either.
 
#7
Assuming you're decided on the pre's, sounds like a solid setup. I like rack "power conditioners" just for the lights and cable management.
I use only SKB racks, but that's just what I have experience with and a good track record with. Mine right now is a 4U - 1U for pre, 2U for power, and the space in-between holds my wireless.
Power amp is personal choice. My QSC works, but, it has given me issues. I've also blown a few up with very light use. If this one fails me, I'm going to be power shopping as well. This is just "my" experience. Preferably, you can get a two channel power amp, run one pre into one side of it, and one pre into the other side. Then just use the outputs into your cabs for each setup. My PLX2 1804 puts 900W out into each side when I need it (I do an uneffected/dirty "dual mono" type setup out of my SansAmp). Luckily, my gig now requires no cab at all, so the power amp doesn't even get turned on.
Rack tuner I can't comment on... I don't run one at all. My guitarists both use Korg something or other, and they work well.
Two pre's should weigh under 15 lbs. My SansAmp weighs 5.
The power amp will vary... my PLX2 1804 is 13 lbs.
Rack tuner should be 5 lbs or less.
Rack itself is 13lbs. Here's the one I use:
Invalid Link Removed

You'll need a 5U at least (Pres + Power + Tuner), and those are 14 lbs.

So, 5U rack + 15 lbs of pres + 13 lbs of power and 5 lbs of tuning, you're well under 50 lbs. Not sure how heavy those two pre's you have picked are though.
 
#8
Invalid Link Removed

I used a rack with a power amp, pre, wireless, power conditioner, (strip) and korg tuner

What a hunk to haul around!! Now I slip a Neopak or a Shuttle 6 into my bag, and go.

You can have my share of the heavy racks. To me, it's not worth the trouble. But, give it a try. It certainly looks impressive.

Oops! That photo is not with the power amp/pre set up. Oh well. whatever
 
#9
Ray Salamon said:
Assuming you're decided on the pre's, sounds like a solid setup. I like rack "power conditioners" just for the lights and cable management.
I use only SKB racks, but that's just what I have experience with and a good track record with. Mine right now is a 4U - 1U for pre, 2U for power, and the space in-between holds my wireless.
Power amp is personal choice. My QSC works, but, it has given me issues. I've also blown a few up with very light use. If this one fails me, I'm going to be power shopping as well. This is just "my" experience. Preferably, you can get a two channel power amp, run one pre into one side of it, and one pre into the other side. Then just use the outputs into your cabs for each setup. My PLX2 1804 puts 900W out into each side when I need it (I do an uneffected/dirty "dual mono" type setup out of my SansAmp). Luckily, my gig now requires no cab at all, so the power amp doesn't even get turned on.
Rack tuner I can't comment on... I don't run one at all. My guitarists both use Korg something or other, and they work well.
Two pre's should weigh under 15 lbs. My SansAmp weighs 5.
The power amp will vary... my PLX2 1804 is 13 lbs.
Rack tuner should be 5 lbs or less.
Rack itself is 13lbs. Here's the one I use:
Invalid Link Removed

You'll need a 5U at least (Pres + Power + Tuner), and those are 14 lbs.

So, 5U rack + 15 lbs of pres + 13 lbs of power and 5 lbs of tuning, you're well under 50 lbs. Not sure how heavy those two pre's you have picked are though.
Click to expand...

As always, thanks Ray :)

dog1 said:
Invalid Link Removed

I used a rack with a power amp, pre, wireless, power conditioner, (strip) and korg tuner

What a hunk to haul around!! Now I slip a Neopak or a Shuttle 6 into my bag, and go.

You can have my share of the heavy racks. To me, it's not worth the trouble. But, give it a try. It certainly looks impressive.
Click to expand...

I'm mainly interested in taking this route because I'll be running two rigs at the same time, and this will allow my set ups and tear downs to be simple and quick.

Also, I think I'm just going to get a SVT Pro7 now. It seems like the easiest route to take to get the tone I want at a weight I want and still be able to rack it :)
 
#16
Also look for the Tripp Lite brand, I like them better than Furman in terms of quality of construction--but Furman is good, nothing wrong with them. Just don't believe everything they say in their ads. ;)

I'm surprised to see that Korg has stopped making rack tuners! I did not know that.
 
#17
bongomania said:
Also look for the Tripp Lite brand, I like them better than Furman in terms of quality of construction--but Furman is good, nothing wrong with them. Just don't believe everything they say in their ads. ;)

I'm surprised to see that Korg has stopped making rack tuners! I did not know that.
Click to expand...

Me too. They always seemed really popular with touring musicians.
 
#18
OK, so I finally got my rig figured out. Now I just need some help deciding what size rack I need to get, as I've been having a hard time finding sizes for everything. I'll be racking:

-Markbass LMIII
-Ampeg SVT Pro7
-Furman Power Conditioner
-Korg DTR 1000

Would a 6u rack work?
 
#19
I'd go with eight, but that's just me. I've only got four pieces, a *very* cheap conditioner (1), more for ease of power that anything, recording interface (1), peterson tuner (2), and gk mb500 (1). 5 spaces in total, but I'd rather have the three extra for a compressor, eq, preamp, or a bigger/better amp, than get two more units, have a full rack, and need to buy a new one and then transfer and rewire everything in the new one, but for what you have a 6u would work great
 

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