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Re: question for nomadic loopers
Title: Re: question for nomadic
loopers
At 11:25 PM -0400 9/15/01, diatom drone wrote:
i, a former software-only looper, am now
in possession of several rack units
in addition to a mixer. and i'd like to start doing more shows.
henceforth,
i need some rack cases!
A lot depends on your budget. Shock-mount military spec cases can
cost more thatn $500 even for a 6-space unit. SKB cases and the like
are much cheaper and may give you less protection.
You weren't specific about how many rack spaces you need, or
about the specific units you'll be racking. Also, what's the form
factor of your mixer? For example, if you have just four rack
spaces of processors, and these are not too deep, you could get a rack
bag and take it as carry-on luggage (assuming you can get it through
security!). This protects you from the baggage handlers.
If you do have to check your equipment, you'll be wanting
ATA-rated shock-mount cases. Anvil is perhaps the best-known brand,
but there are many others. Just do a Web search to get an overview.
The "ATA" rating simply means the case has passed a series
of tests "in strict conformance to all applicable procedures
called out in the Air Transportation Association Specification 300,
Category 1, Military testing procedures applicable to MIL-STD. 810 C,
D & E and various ASTM testing specifications." Star
Case lists test results for their ATA cases at
http://www.ata-cases-air-transport-association-cases-flight-case-ata-case.com/starfactstests.html. Star also has a helpful
chart of case types they manufacture, with a grading system to help
select one suitable for your needs.
http://www.ata-cases-air-transport-association-cases-flight-case-ata-case.com/casetypes.html
I've had experience with several types of road cases. The most
common are the made of heavy-duty clad plywood, with metal
reinforcements at all corners and edges. Some use dense foam for shock
mounting, in a layered construction of outer protective shell, foam,
and inner mounting frame with rack rails front and (optionally) rear.
It's a box-within-a-box. I've seen some cases in which the inner box
could slide out so that the actual stage setup was less bulky than the
shipping configuration.
Moulded cases typically use a shock mounting system with several
heavy-duty shock absorbers (not unlike automotive shocks) that connect
the outer shell to an inner mounting frame. Such systems tend to be
lighter weight, and they have the added advantage of providing air
space around the equipment. I have a couple of Aarmor mil-spec cases
of this type, and they are very tough.
It is important to be aware of the fact that even with a tough
outer shell and a good shock mounting system, the way your equipment
is mounted is also important. If your individual rack gear is deep and
heavy, you need to provide some support for the rear of each unit,
particularly if you're leaving a space between them for air
circulation. If you don't do this you will find that when (not
"if") the baggage handlers drop your case, the equipment
will flex and bend the mounting ears of their faceplates. Be sure to
provide such support both below AND above. Just because you have
"THIS END UP" and big arrows on your case doesn't mean the
baggage handlers won't drop it upside down on the tarmac.
An just one final thing: Sudden shocks aren't the only things
that will afflict your equipment in transit. I've arrived at gigs to
find that my equipment rattled, and on opening up the case I found
that in-flight vibration had caused components to come unscrewed. It's
best to give your gear a listen before you turn it on. A loose nut
floating around on a circuit board could cause a short.
--
______________________________________________________________
Richard Zvonar, PhD
(818) 788-2202
http://www.zvonar.com
http://RZCybernetics.com
http://www.cybmotion.com/aliaszone
http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?autostart=rz
