I've decided to build a rack ...But I need some help

[sl2lover]

As far as what is almost a necessity in any rack, or rig for that matter I would say power conditioner (with voltmeter) so when your rig is sounding thin or shitty, you know your only running at 112 volts and it's not a weak battery somewhere in the chain, or something ain't working right! Your also gonna need all those extra outlets to plug in your effects/amp etc...
Noise gate especially with todays high gain amps is a must, along with any effects that will add to the noise as you add to them to the chain!! I highly recommend the 2 channel ISP prorack G with that you can designate one channel to your rack effects and if you ever add any pedals you can assign the 2nd channel to clean up those.
Tuner.
But it all comes down to your amp, and what does it need;
Like a compressor for keeping your strings separate, or too keep your bass strings from drowning out the rest etc...
Eq rack or pedal are almost always found in every rig as well!

[markD]

my rack is small, because i prefer to use heads over rackmounted preamps, etc. i have a power conditioner, a tuner, an effects processor, a compressor and a noise reduction unit. gets the job done for me.

[Jayster]

Thanks all for your replys , a lot of good info here.

[nateb]

For Pre-amp, I would have to say start listening and searching for what you want as a core to your sound There is so many ways to go about this, you just need to try to find what sounds good to you. If you end up going with the tri-axis then you want to get the Mesa 2:90 Simul-cast because from what I understand, The poweramp will change voicing based on your pre-amp settings.

For Power amp, if you dont go with mesa, pick up VHT... Absolutely crushing and bulletproof.

For Effects, I would have to say G-system for the following reasons. It has 3-4 switchable effects loops for expandibilty and the ability to turn off the pre-amp and refer to anything in any of the other loops instead, You are getting your foot switch which can be independent from the brains which sit in your rack. It gives you a great tuner and if you decide to use any pedals for any reason what so ever, it gives you power to those pedals. The only problem with this thing is that it can be a little bit confusing getting setup. Nice thing, you get a computer interface front end. I believe AK47 has one for sale in the classifieds. I don't know how I made it by without this thing. It solves so many of my switching problems.

Absolutely, get yourself an IPS DecimatorG. Dual channel noise suppression system. This thing solved so many of my problems with feedback and noise.

[Newc]

I've heard that many units are better dedicated to just 1 effect ?

This is true to an extent. I've found that having separate FX units for each effect does yield a better sound to each effect than the "all-in-one" units. I once ran a preamp into 3 of the same FX units (the FX sections of 3 Digitech GSP-21s), each one set up for a different effect (Chorus, Delay, big huge spooky reverb).

Even though the signal was now passing through 3 times more stuff than it needed to, the overall sound was fuller, the effects especially were deeper and more lush-sounding.

Sadly, 2 of the GSPs croaked, so now I'm just doing the MP-1 into an All-In-One fx unnit.


But, that all-in-one fx unit has served me well in live situations, though I did not perform for other musicians or studio engineers. I played for people who wanted to dance and drink, not critique my tone.

[AK47]

The only problem with this thing is that it can be a little bit confusing getting setup. Nice thing, you get a computer interface front end. I believe AK47 has one for sale in the classifieds. I don't know how I made it by without this thing. It solves so many of my switching problems.

No that is not mine in the Classifieds. I need to look into updating some of my rack stuff. I am cutting edge for 1998 right now. LOL

[Robert Burns]

Thanks to these great guys around here...they put me on the right track.
VHT 2/90/2 Rack Power Amp. (weight is about 38 lbs!) ADA MP-1
preamp. Cheapo Furman power conditioner (VHT sticker to make some
think that i have a super rare VHT power conditioner!) :-))
Anyway...$989.00 for the VHT power amp (new) $200.00 for a clean
ADA MP-1 SKB rack case..$55 i think? And the Furman was $49.00
This going into a VHT 4/12 FB cab and 2 Crate 2x12's with Celestions..
$935.00 for the VHT 4/12 cab... $300 for both of the Crate Cabs.
Total price for some sweet tone... Stereo baby !!

$2550.00 ! Hey wait...i could have bought one Bogner Uberschall! Dammit !! LOL I started with 2 4 space rack cases tho...as im into
adding more equipment, but having maybe 3 separate cases each weighing less than 50 lbs seemed like a better idea if i have to transport
them, than 1 20 space rack weighing 500 lbs! Your best start
would be a 4 or 6 space rack case, and either a Mesa 50/50 or a VHT
2/50/2 or a VHT 2/90/2 One thing i do like is the low power switch
as im able to easily keep the volume down, at the 45watt setting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l439Fjezy1I

[Hellbat]

Robert, wouldn't it make more sense to mount the largest heat producing component (the power amp) in the top slot so that it doesn't cause the others to overheat?

I'm not a rackmount guy myself and could be wrong but it seems logical to me....

[JacksonVHT]

Why?

You can easily get tubes for either. The Mesa you can get serviced no problem at the facory even and the VHT2150 is practically bullet proof.

I think a 2150 just sold on Ebay for under 800 bucks.

There is a Strategy 400 on Ebay right now for a great price. I am glad I got rid of my more common Mesa 2:90 and got a 400 power amp. Have not looked back since. Metallica still to this day will use the Strategy 400 and has a ADA MP1 in the rack. Remember the black album tour that is all they used live.

Last I remember you couldn't find a 2150 for less than 1,300. Maybe the economy has dropped some digits.

The reason why I'm advising against it, is because there's a lot of power amps out there that can be had for cheaper, especially for a first rack build.

If you're getting a 2150, you need to be getting a preamp to compliment it!

BTW, that Charvel you have sure is purty.

[JacksonVHT]

Robert, wouldn't it make more sense to mount the largest heat producing component (the power amp) in the top slot so that it doesn't cause the others to overheat?

I'm not a rackmount guy myself and could be wrong but it seems logical to me....

It becomes a habit of putting the power amp at the bottom because of the weight. It prevents tipping in larger rack cases.

The heat is never much of an issue though unless you're using really sensitive gear.

[Hellbat]

I thought about that after I posted actually. I guess it makes sense to keep the center of gravity low too. Coming from the computer world I'm just paranoid about heat problems.

[JacksonVHT]

I thought about that after I posted actually. I guess it makes sense to keep the center of gravity low too. Coming from the computer world I'm just paranoid about heat problems.

It's sad, as a computer nerd myself I'm by far the most careless when it comes to cooling in my PC.

My tower lays on its' side with a cpu fan and 1 tower fan doing nothing.

[jgcable]

a 20 space shock rack loaded is extremely difficult to move around. Forget about carrying it yourself. No chance.

[Robert Burns]

I thought about that after I posted actually. I guess it makes sense to keep the center of gravity low too. Coming from the computer world I'm just paranoid about heat problems.

Nice that Steve thought of everything! Steve Fryette of VHT...he
put in a 2 speed fan...and high is overkill...so heat is no problem..
also this is an older pic, i have since moved the ADA to my other 4sp
and a nice grill cover goes in it's place above the VHT.

[roodyrocker]

20 space rack is indeed difficult to move. I'd use something more portable. Besides, a 20 space rack won't fit in most cars to move so you need the band van/trailer
Power amp goes on bottom and if heat is an issue just use a flat panel into which you mount a fan or two, readily available at Radio Shack