Rack preamp/power amp (class D) vs class D bass amp: size, weight and usability

[paskisti]

Lot's of good ideas here, thanks. Sorry to say but going for bigger rack is no go. I started with deep 4U ATA rack that had plenty of space. Rack itself weighted 12kg but was bullet proof. Generally deep racks are bulky to handle and now I wanted as small as possible. Think rack but super compact trying to compete small bass amp in pelican hand luggage type case. Darkglass amp is the only solution making things really easier, but 1200€ price keeps me out of it.

If you're gigging a lot, I'd shoot for whatever is most simple and straight to the point while giving a tone that is at least usable if not exactly what you want. I've found myself going into forays of wanting to try different stuff, more complex chain, etc, but always returning to the most stripped down rig possible to not have to fiddle with a bunch of stuff. I do cart around two heads in case one goes down (like you mention), but one of them is a markbass nano so in essence weighs nothing and takes up almost no space in the bag. But all of this with the caveat that I don't know what kind of music you play which may require more than a stripped down chain.

This is exactly what I was thinking too. In gigging, simple and practical is the way to go. I was so happy earlier with simple RBI + power amp, but now I cannot go without Darkglass (grown out from Sansamp). It is something I must tolerate in the signal chain.

 

[Jeff Scott]

My last rack system was a full size 4-space SKB case with SL Waber power strip, Korg DTR-1, and Walter Woods Electracoustic Super.

Previous to the WW amp I had a couple of Gallien-Krueger 700RB amp (in succession), and an Eden WT400 that I had in between ownership of the two RB700s. The WW amp made the rack significantly light in weight.

Perhaps consider a nice, lightweight Class D amp in your rack.

 

[40Hz]

I like that I’ll be able to experiment with different preamps/overdrives/compressors as I need to, one at a time, for only the cost of each piece.

Some preamp pedals have enough grunt to directly drive a power amp. But if you have something that accepts an instrument level signal and can boost it up to line level you can use virtually any preamp pedal as the front end for your power amp. It’s like having a room full of amps for the price of some pedals

 

[Ralph Manak]

Hybrid concept (but I don't need more power than this). The amp and RNC are mounted to a shelf; RNC acts as a limiter for IEMs. The "rack" is an older Gator laptop production case.

 

[fdeck]

Think outside the box. The smaller gear enables different creative approaches. I too don't like to crawl around in the crepuscule, dealing with bits and pieces, at every rehearsal and gig. My solution is to bungee everything together, effectively turning it into a combo amp with cable and chart storage. I was inspired by the little Genz-Benz rig.

One thing about the tiny gear is that it doesn't get knocked around as much as the big stuff, so it doesn't necessarily need to be in a protective case. When I don't want to travel this way, or anticipate having more setup time, all of the stuff goes into a small backpack, along with folding music stand and anything else that I need. Orient the amp head so the knobs are facing upward when you carry the bag.

 

[Passinwind]

Think outside the box. The smaller gear enables different creative approaches. I too don't like to crawl around in the crepuscule, dealing with bits and pieces, at every rehearsal and gig. My solution is to bungee everything together, effectively turning it into a combo amp with cable and chart storage. I was inspired by the little Genz-Benz rig.

View attachment 5292138

One thing about the tiny gear is that it doesn't get knocked around as much as the big stuff, so it doesn't necessarily need to be in a protective case. When I don't want to travel this way, or anticipate having more setup time, all of the stuff goes into a small backpack, along with folding music stand and anything else that I need. Orient the amp head so the knobs are facing upward when you carry the bag.

Next time consider building a cab like so:

It was originally meant for the G-K MB series heads, but the guy who gave it to me didn't throw one in, sadly. That wedge underneath is also a trap door that goes on the back of the airhead space, making a perfect storage space for the cabling. I'm seriously considering doing a bigger version that would accommodate my DIY Class D rack mount amp, but the pictured rig only weighs 26lbs. and is a nice fit for the tiny jam space I play at every Friday night. I can remove that amp head in about twenty seconds if needed, BTW.

 

[paskisti]

My last rack system was a full size 4-space SKB case with SL Waber power strip, Korg DTR-1, and Walter Woods Electracoustic Super.
View attachment 5291296

Previous to the WW amp I had a couple of Gallien-Krueger 700RB amp (in succession), and an Eden WT400 that I had in between ownership of the two RB700s. The WW amp made the rack significantly light in weight.

Perhaps consider a nice, lightweight Class D amp in your rack.

Crown XLS 1002 is only 3,9kg so it is not heavy.