My wireless rig

[vinny]

I decided to build this rig after running the two units together in a two space shallow rack. I wasn't satisfied with the cramped & incomplete nature of the first iteration so I went to this:

SKB three space roll-X case. Same case type as my 6U amp rack so they fit together just right.

Top spot has the Audio-Technica M3 for my in-ears, I re-routed another BNC connector to the front panel for the antenna.

Middle position is the Line 6 G90 (nice piece of kit).

The bottom is a drawer for transmitter, receiver, Alien Ears, extra batteries, & cords.

The back panel I re-made as a custom patch pay for two reasons:

1. Finding my way into those inputs in the dark of a bar was a major hassle.

2. The inputs seemed so tight I thought better of continually going in & out of them. Besides, this was just cooler, IMO.

I fabbed the panel from .062" aluminum & bent a 5/8" flange on the edges to stiffen it. Then I laminated a .062" sheet of Kydex onto it & rounded it all out with Neutrik panel connectors. I put a generic power input on the panel, with a duplex outlet inside for the units. The thing fastens with slide latches. Inside the panel all the XLRs & 1/4" plugs are hardwired to the panel inputs but have regular male or female XLR, or 1/4" plugs to the units, in case I need to get at any of them.

 

[Hactar]

Duuude, that's beautiful.
Especially, the back panel. Me likey.

Of course, if it were me (disregarding that front panel BNC), I would be searching for something to fill that extra 1/2 RU.

Dunno what your amp rack looks like, but a FMR RNC would be quite nice in that 1/2 RU.

 

[BassGuyFL]

That's a tasty looking setup. Man I thought I had attention to detail!

 

[vinny]

Thanks for the comments guys. I am a little OCD about the details.

Hactar, since you asked about the bass rack, here is an old photo. The tuner has since been replaced with a dbx 160A, so a compressor in the wireless rig isn't necessary. Although I suppose I could compress the return signal to my IEM for protecting my ears. BTW, I made the rack fan too.

 

[Hactar]

Wow, that looks quite nice.

Excellent attention to detail and clean interface layout.

 

[Jadeblade]

On your amp case, I notice that Your GK has inputs already plugged in. Do you just unplug those if you are not using the wireless case? please explain. BTW great job, I am ordering the components today to copy your wireless rack..genius.

 

[vinny]

Actually the input coming from the wireless goes to the left side of the amp. The three on the right are effects send & return (the Blue Thunder) & a tuner out which I'm not currently using in this config.

Here is how it looks currently:

 

[DougD]

Thanks for the comments guys. I am a little OCD about the details.

Hactar, since you asked about the bass rack, here is an old photo. The tuner has since been replaced with a dbx 160A, so a compressor in the wireless rig isn't necessary. Although I suppose I could compress the return signal to my IEM for protecting my ears. BTW, I made the rack fan too.

Nice layoutI'm about to ditch the tuner in my rack to make room for a wireless. BTW, Have you ever had any problems with the effects loop on your GK head? oh, and what is the piece right above the head? the one with all the fans.

 

[vinny]

No problems with my loop but I did have to replace the amp circuit board last year. $400

 

[DougD]

No problems with my loop but I did have to replace the amp circuit board last year. $400

Ouch!

 

[vinny]

@ DougD, The fans unit is one I made. A 1U rack stuffed with pancake fans. I machined the piece from aluminum channel & filled it with DC fans, powered off the Furman. I did it just to fill the remaining space but I liked it, so it stayed.

 

[walterw]

what are the XLR outs in the "IEM" row for?

 

[vinny]

what are the XLR outs in the "IEM" row for?

It's a loop pass through, right & left. You could connect it to other IEMs, the board, or whatever.

From the manual:
XLR loop output (true pass-through) connects signal to mixing
console, additional IEM system or recording device with no
signal degradation.

 

[TimmyP]

@ DougD, The fans unit is one I made. A 1U rack stuffed with pancake fans. I machined the piece from aluminum channel & filled it with DC fans, powered off the Furman. I did it just to fill the remaining space but I liked it, so it stayed.

Love the panel, but I'd not run the fans. They are stealing air that should be going into the amp.

 

[vinny]

The fans draw fresh air into the rack, across the amp's fan vent. That's their purpose. I'm not sure what you mean about them stealing air, they're designed to give positive flow.

 

[Rocksolid]

Just wanted to post some pics of my Wireless Rack and main rig also. I'm not quite as OCD as you but not far away!!

My wireles IEM rig is a bit different to you yours - mine is designed to allow me to run ampless if I wish, or with just a powered monitor using the ART Pre. I use an XDS plus when using the small rack which just sits on top.

No intention to hijack here - I just want to share my similar ideas.

A previous incarnation

All together

Another variation:

 

[vinny]

Very nice. I'm always on the lookout for new ideas to bite.

 

[walterw]

"TU-50" half-space rack tuner! i've never even heard of such a thing!

what a great idea, as wasting an entire rack space on a tuner just seems silly (so of course they don't make it anymore).

 

[georgestrings]

Wow, you guys really like alot of knobs and jacks - I'll stick to something a bit more simple:

 

[DougD]

The fans draw fresh air into the rack, across the amp's fan vent. That's their purpose. I'm not sure what you mean about them stealing air, they're designed to give positive flow.

The Gk amp draws air from the front and vents it to the top via the fan(i think). The fans won't steal air flow, but they wont help it either. But they will help keep the hot air off of the units above it.