my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Brand or Type of Audio Rack to Use? (Page 3)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3

Author Topic: Brand or Type of Audio Rack to Use? David Stambaugh Film God Posts: 4021 From: Eugene, Oregon Registered: Jan 2002 posted 04-07-2005 11:22 AM                        What Jason said about Chatsworth Racks goes for me too. They are the go-to supplier for data center racks. I've been very impressed with their stuff. They're not cheap, but they may be the best. And yes, try not to put anything at floor level if you can. It's just inviting dirt to be sucked in as well as possible damage from being bumped while cleaning the floor.  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 04-08-2005 08:26 PM                     My basement ceiling is 84" high. Giving myself enough room to still be able to tip the cabinet back upright once I get it down the stairs only leaves me with about 77-78" to work with. That will get me about a 42U or so. I may still have to get a small wall mount rack for the amps though. I figure on having a Furman power conditioner, SDDS, DTS-6, several amps, DVD player, THX 3417 monitor, Kelmar exciter supply, Dolby CP-200 or 500 and a DA-20 depending on which processor I get plus Accessory Unit. That doesn't leave me much room especially if I get a CP-200 in there. Tight booth so like I said I may need the wall mount for the amps. Would really like to get some kind of part number on those ones I referenced in the pictures though. Most on ebay are way too deep for my application. Most Server racks are 36" deep. Don't have that much space. I figure 24" max depth.  |  IP: Logged William Hooper Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1879 From: Mobile, AL USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-11-2005 04:33 AM                        I find wall mount racks aggravating to work with.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-11-2005 07:02 AM                     You should go with two racks!! One for processing and one for the amps and x-over. Actually Western Electric racks are the best. We have a heard of dogs that roam the country sniffing and scouring for them and hauling them back on dog sleds. Thats pretty much all we use at work . MArk  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-02-2006 07:25 PM                     I have been watching the Gruber racks on ebay that Ron eluded to. The one below is the model I think I want. Do you think an aluminum relay rack like this can handle the weight of the amps and processors cantilevered over to one side without bending? This will be much better for fitting into my tight space.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 03-03-2006 01:59 PM                        1. Swing open wall racks are a pain! 2. Open frame racks like the one above are illegal in KY and in most East Coast Cites due to the "lack of enclosure" and the lack of UL. This probably does not matter to you in your home, but it makes it difficult/impossible to get an occupancy certificate in a commercial theatre. I use Mid Atlantic racks; buy in large quantities and get the configuration (and holes drilled) that I need, even thought the rack is not-quite-standard. (UL approved, too.) Louis  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 03-03-2006 09:19 PM                     I had one client that complained about enclosed racks being too costly until his insurance guy showed that his liability premiums made up the cost difference in short order. 95% of our rack projects have been enclosed. Raxxess, Middle Atlantic and Lowell have niches they fill well. Yes wall racks are a pain...usually they are on a government job...and usually the mounting wall has to be reinforced with plywood or steel runners The most unique rack orders we built for a client was a two section enclosed rack system that stacked on top of each other to create a system...broke down and disconnected in about a minute with each section on wheels to be rolled in a closet for night time security One 44 unit rack for a 1500 seat cinema in Mexico with amplifiers in front and back + additional forced cooling...the ground strap for the building was clamped to a piece of rebar on the cinema roof....maybe a combination ground and lightening rod  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-03-2006 10:05 PM                     Are the chances of fire from the equipment really that likely though in my home? I will always be near the equipment when it is running. My main concern is will the base hold that much weight in a cantilever position. Most of the equipment is about 18" and less so it shouldn't hang over too much. What do you think?  |  IP: Logged Jon Miller Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 973 From: San Diego, CA, USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 03-04-2006 01:27 AM                     Last summer I bought a black Gruber aluminum relay rack like the one shown above to hold a CP55, a Sony DFP-D2000 SDDS decoder, a monitor system, mixer, and, of all things, a Strong CNA-100 and a 16x16x4 junction box to house the console relay board. For the most part it serves its purpose well. The only deep and heavy component bolted to it is the SDDS box mounted a little more than half-way up; nonetheless, the rack is stable and easy to move. (I still need to strap it down so it doesn't topple in an earthquake, though.) The big problem with an aluminum rack is that the threads strip too easily. I found this out the hard way (set the screwdriving clutch on my drill a little too high while mounting the components) and had to resort to nuts on the inside of the rails to solidly tighten the screws (especially the screws holding the SDDS box in place). The nuts work well, but were a pain to install. For that reason, I'm not certain an aluminum relay rack is the best choice for amplifiers. YMMV, of course...  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-04-2006 07:45 AM                     Jon, Thanks for the info. I have a lot of the same equipment to mount. I bought a short wall mount rack to put my two CNA-100's in. However I only have 1 of 2 of the relay boards required for each unit that control the automation functions. If you come across any please let me know. Thanks.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 03-04-2006 09:36 AM                        At home I use a "minimalist" rack on wheels from Mid Atlantic, just tapped angles with a top & bottom plate. Probably only weighs 25 pounds and is all steel. I have 6 60lb. Ashly amplifiers in the bottom. (It won't fall over.) Decorative wood panels on the end which lift off for work; open back. Louis  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-04-2006 11:42 AM                     Sounds like a "Slim 50" with Oak Sides. I too like Middle Atlantic Racks, including their wall mounts (DWR series). We sell mostly ERK series though.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.