I'm a rack guy now.... So I have a couple questions

[J.B.]

Yep, for the first time in 20 years, I'm going rack. Have a 10 space which will hold the following.

VHT 2/50/2
Axe Fx
Backup preamp (probably a JMP-1 or ADA)
2 space drawer
Korg rack tuner
Power conditioner
wireless

Here are my questions. What is the best power conditioner to get if I want really good surge protection and be able to have "clean power" all the time, or, a consistant voltage.....you know what I mean.

And my other question is, what are some good cables to hook it all up? Something of good quality yet affordable?

Any other advice for a rack newb?

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Furman PL-Pro: Has built in hi and low power protection (kills the power to your rack when the voltages swings to extremes)

George L's work fine for me when it comes to cables.

Put a space between your power amp and the effects above it (for cooling and less noice interferrence).
But in looking at your list of components you may not have that option.

 

[Digital Jams]

Feed the Korg with another output as that unit can be a tone sucker, I keep mine out of the main signal path. That is you are not needing silent tuning.

Mogami seems to be the choice for Friedman and Bradshaw. I would solder myself.

Honestly I unplug my rack stuff if I am not using it just in case, true power conditioners are very expensive and big as they need filter caps to bring a constant vac to your source. The upper end furmans and Monsters will provide good surge protection.

 

[rsm]

You could also consider putting your backup gear in a separate rack. If the primary fails, its a quick connect of the cables and plug in to the power conditioner / regulator. Once my rack was bigger than 4U, I also split the power amp into a separate rack.

I'm using mogami cables these days. There are probably cheaper options, since there should be little or no movement between the rack units. Just keep 'em as short as possible, and route them away from the power cords. When I had a larger rack, I'd route power cords to one side, audio cables to the other. The audio cables were usually 1' - 3' depending on what was needed, 6" was usually too short though it worked when I had a few ADA units though.

I've used power conditioners since the late '80s and haven't had issues, IMO regulator is better. Power conditioner will sacrifice itself, but it doesn't provide the constant power like a voltage regulator. http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&id=P-1800AR is an example, they have other models too.

 

[Gainzilla]

The Axe has a great tuner, you can dump the Rack tuner.. Im wired with George L's and I dont have any problems...

 

[J.B.]

Put a space between your power amp and the effects above it (for cooling and less noice interferrence).
But in looking at your list of components you may not have that option.

I was acually thinking about doing that. I might not put the drawer in it so I'll have more room, and I can leave an open space above the poweramp. I have a feeling I've just opened up a big can of stinky worms.

 

[J.B.]

The Axe has a great tuner, you can dump the Rack tuner.. Im wired with George L's and I dont have any problems...

I've only tryed the tuner on the Axe a couple times and didn't like it. But maybe the more I use it, the more I'll get used to it. Seams to jump around a lot on me.

 

[J.B.]

Feed the Korg with another output as that unit can be a tone sucker, I keep mine out of the main signal path. That is you are not needing silent tuning.

Mogami seems to be the choice for Friedman and Bradshaw. I would solder myself.

Honestly I unplug my rack stuff if I am not using it just in case, true power conditioners are very expensive and big as they need filter caps to bring a constant vac to your source. The upper end furmans and Monsters will provide good surge protection.

Hmmmm... Tone sucker eh? I don't like hearing that.

 

[Digital Jams]

The Axe has a great tuner, you can dump the Rack tuner.. Im wired with George L's and I dont have any problems...

He stated back up pre amp as well, unless there is a way to still run siganl into the axe while playing another pre.


Yeah JB, racks are not easy if you are looking for total automation and ease of use.

 

[Digital Jams]

Feed the Korg with another output as that unit can be a tone sucker, I keep mine out of the main signal path. That is you are not needing silent tuning.

Mogami seems to be the choice for Friedman and Bradshaw. I would solder myself.

Honestly I unplug my rack stuff if I am not using it just in case, true power conditioners are very expensive and big as they need filter caps to bring a constant vac to your source. The upper end furmans and Monsters will provide good surge protection.

Hmmmm... Tone sucker eh? I don't like hearing that.

Just feed the Korg with another line out from the axe that is not in the signal chain and no problems.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Put a space between your power amp and the effects above it (for cooling and less noice interferrence).
But in looking at your list of components you may not have that option.

I was acually thinking about doing that. I might not put the drawer in it so I'll have more room, and I can leave an open space above the poweramp. I have a feeling I've just opened up a big can of stinky worms.

If you put the drawer on top of the amp, that would eliminate any noise issues. If the amp doesn't have any top venting, it won't matter for cooling, so you'd be ok.

 

[J.B.]

You could also consider putting your backup gear in a separate rack. If the primary fails, its a quick connect of the cables and plug in to the power conditioner / regulator.

I'm using mogami cables these days. There are probably cheaper options, since there should be little or no movement between the rack units. Just keep 'em as short as possible, and route them away from the power cords. When I had a larger rack, I'd route power cords to one side, audio cables to the other. The audio cables were usually 1' - 3' depending on what was needed, 6" was usually too short though it worked when I had a few ADA units though.

I've used power conditioners since the late '80s and haven't had issues, IMO regulator is better. Power conditioner will sacrifice itself, but it doesn't provide the constant power like a voltage regulator. http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&id=P-1800AR is an example, they have other models too.

Damn!!! That's expensive!!! What about this model?
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSPro

 

[J.B.]

The Axe has a great tuner, you can dump the Rack tuner.. Im wired with George L's and I dont have any problems...

He stated back up pre amp as well, unless there is a way to still run siganl into the axe while playing another pre.


Yeah JB, racks are not easy if you are looking for total automation and ease of use.

I'm going for it baby!!

I'm not set on the backup pre. I still have my XTC too, but was planning on selling it, buying a cheaper amp like a Mark III or something, and dumping the rest into the rack. Still a bit up in the air....

 

[J.B.]

Put a space between your power amp and the effects above it (for cooling and less noice interferrence).
But in looking at your list of components you may not have that option.

I was acually thinking about doing that. I might not put the drawer in it so I'll have more room, and I can leave an open space above the poweramp. I have a feeling I've just opened up a big can of stinky worms.

If you put the drawer on top of the amp, that would eliminate any noise issues. If the amp doesn't have any top venting, it won't matter for cooling, so you'd be ok.

That's where I was going to put it. But I am concerned with heat. I believe the VHTs are vented all the way around the amp (from what Velcro Fly told me, I don't get mine til tomorrow).

 

[J.B.]

Good luck moving the rack around. It will be heavy. I always have my power amp in a seperate rack to help with weight.

Oh I'm tough. I'm Kage's long lost twin. I'd take him in the ultimate fighting ring....









NOT!!!!!!!

 

[gibson5413]

Shoot us some rack pics when your done building. It is going to be strange seeing you go the rack route. As long as I have been visiting the gear boards you have been a head/cab guy. Seriously, I can't wait to hear your clips. Your have always been some of my favorites!

 

[J.B.]

Shoot us some rack pics when your done building. It is going to be strange seeing you go the rack route. As long as I have been visiting the gear boards you have been a head/cab guy. Seriously, I can't wait to hear your clips. Your have always been some of my favorites!

Thanks man. Yeah, I've never owned a piece of rack gear in my life.

 

[Gainzilla]

Heres my AxeFx Rig...

controlled by this;

 

[guitarslinger]

Racks are teh ghey.

 

[J.B.]

Kage, that's the controller I'd really like to get, but I think i'll have to go with a Ground Control Pro so I can get some other things I need. Do you use the 3 pedals as expression, wah, and volume?