Members average number of rack units and a list...
- Thread starter Stefan Elmblad
- Start date
Monkey Allen
Fork and spoon operator
Presonus Firebox
ART Mpa Gold
ART Mpa Gold
BentRabbit
New member
dbx 163x Overeasy compressor (x2)
DMP3 Tube Pre (x2)
M-Audio Tampa
Lexicon MX 200
ART FXR 423 Multi-Effects
Sony MDSE10 MiniDisk
Alesis D4
Roland TD7
Yamaha A4000 Sampler
Edirol DA-2496
Carvin H400 Headphone Amp
MOTU 828
BiAmp Graphic EQ
Furman Crossover
Furman Power Conditioner
Digitech Vocalist EX Workstation
24 Point Patchbay (x2)
M-Audio Midi Man 2
DMP3 Tube Pre (x2)
M-Audio Tampa
Lexicon MX 200
ART FXR 423 Multi-Effects
Sony MDSE10 MiniDisk
Alesis D4
Roland TD7
Yamaha A4000 Sampler
Edirol DA-2496
Carvin H400 Headphone Amp
MOTU 828
BiAmp Graphic EQ
Furman Crossover
Furman Power Conditioner
Digitech Vocalist EX Workstation
24 Point Patchbay (x2)
M-Audio Midi Man 2
Steenamaroo
...
10way mains psu
alesis ra150 (for ns10s)
dbx150 NR compander
focusrite octopre
xlr patchbay
jack patchbay
furman 32 band mono eq
auditronics 110a preamps (x2)
ward beck m470a preamps (x2)
think that's it,,,,,not a lot really, but it gets the job done.
keepin my eye out for some old compressor/limiter modules to rack up!
alesis ra150 (for ns10s)
dbx150 NR compander
focusrite octopre
xlr patchbay
jack patchbay
furman 32 band mono eq
auditronics 110a preamps (x2)
ward beck m470a preamps (x2)
think that's it,,,,,not a lot really, but it gets the job done.
keepin my eye out for some old compressor/limiter modules to rack up!
tc4b
Yeah I been drinkin, SO!?
Only one, my sansamp rbi, and I'd rather mic a bass cab if I could afford an amp I liked enough.
I used to have a variety of cheap to very cheap shit in my rack, and none of it sounded as good as plugins i got for free. I just decided cheap rack gear was worse than free plugins. If I can ever afford an LA-2A or something similarly sick, my rack will fill up again. Sold all my rack shit, bought a new mixer to upgrade my front end, all my stuff sounds better. I miss all the knobs and buttons, but my ears don't miss anything. But then again, I'm strictly a home recordist, I'm not trying to make any money at this.
edit: just to be clear, I mean LEGAL free plugs, no piracy! Bootsy, especially, will blow away your cheap shit with his free shit.
I used to have a variety of cheap to very cheap shit in my rack, and none of it sounded as good as plugins i got for free. I just decided cheap rack gear was worse than free plugins. If I can ever afford an LA-2A or something similarly sick, my rack will fill up again. Sold all my rack shit, bought a new mixer to upgrade my front end, all my stuff sounds better. I miss all the knobs and buttons, but my ears don't miss anything. But then again, I'm strictly a home recordist, I'm not trying to make any money at this.
edit: just to be clear, I mean LEGAL free plugs, no piracy! Bootsy, especially, will blow away your cheap shit with his free shit.
frederic
New member
Rack 1:
Roland VP70
Oz Audio HR4
Ross Digital EQ - (stereo, 30 band parametric, AES/EBU in and out)
Behringer Ultra-Curve Pro
Behringer Compressor Pro
Emagic Unitor 8
Zoom "Studio"
Symetrex 488 Octal Compressor
Chandler Tube Driver
Rolls RM203 x 2
Samson PS9 power strip/filter.
Rack 2:
ART FXR Elite x 2
Yamaha R100 x 2
Alesis Quadraverb
Alesis Midiverb II
Emagic Unitor 8
ADC Patch panels x 11
Rack 3:
EMU procussion
Alesis D4
Kawai R100 on shelf
Roland Pm16 (I think) 16 trigger to midi converter, on shelf
Akai XE8
Emagic AMT 8
Tascam 202 Mk II
Kurzweil 1000 PX expander (probably the most useless thing i've ever bought)
Korg M3R
Casio VZ10M
Casio VZ8M
Yamaha TG55 x2
Yamaha TG77
Rack 4:
Korg EX800 (Remember these?)
Peavey Bass Module
Emagic AMT 8
EMU Proteus 1000
Roland MDC-1
Yamaha MU90R
Korg Triton-Rack
Roland S550
Roland MKS100
Akai S700 x2
Rack 5:
Akai DR16 x 4
Akai DR8 x 2
Roland SC880
Alesis R100 x 3
Motu 2408 x 3 (I use these as simple format converters, tdif to lightpipe)
3U hot-swap four channel scsi enclosure for the DR16's - internal drives suck
Rack 6:
Numark CDN88
Akai ME100 midi delay
Midi Patcher
Motu Midi Mixer 7s x 4
Fostex 2050 line mixer
Another Midi Patcher
Rack 7: (portable, DJ Coffin-shaped rack, which I used to use for remote recording when I actually did this)
Akai DR8 (front left)
Akai DL1500 remote (top left)
Samson MPL2422 (top right)
1U Dell 4mm SCSI tape backup (front right)
3U drawer for mics, cables, etc
You may have to google some of the names to have a clue what they are. Cobweb city here
I also have a pile of rack mount gear in the attic, but I don't remember what any of it is. A few rack mount guitar to midi converters of different brands - yamaha, roland, some older analog outboards, a couple of poorly-encased PAIA effect kits I've soldered together 20+ years ago, a rackmount thermin I made also from a PAIA kit, stuff like that.
That reminds me, I need to clean out the attic.
Roland VP70
Oz Audio HR4
Ross Digital EQ - (stereo, 30 band parametric, AES/EBU in and out)
Behringer Ultra-Curve Pro
Behringer Compressor Pro
Emagic Unitor 8
Zoom "Studio"
Symetrex 488 Octal Compressor
Chandler Tube Driver
Rolls RM203 x 2
Samson PS9 power strip/filter.
Rack 2:
ART FXR Elite x 2
Yamaha R100 x 2
Alesis Quadraverb
Alesis Midiverb II
Emagic Unitor 8
ADC Patch panels x 11
Rack 3:
EMU procussion
Alesis D4
Kawai R100 on shelf
Roland Pm16 (I think) 16 trigger to midi converter, on shelf
Akai XE8
Emagic AMT 8
Tascam 202 Mk II
Kurzweil 1000 PX expander (probably the most useless thing i've ever bought)
Korg M3R
Casio VZ10M
Casio VZ8M
Yamaha TG55 x2
Yamaha TG77
Rack 4:
Korg EX800 (Remember these?)
Peavey Bass Module
Emagic AMT 8
EMU Proteus 1000
Roland MDC-1
Yamaha MU90R
Korg Triton-Rack
Roland S550
Roland MKS100
Akai S700 x2
Rack 5:
Akai DR16 x 4
Akai DR8 x 2
Roland SC880
Alesis R100 x 3
Motu 2408 x 3 (I use these as simple format converters, tdif to lightpipe)
3U hot-swap four channel scsi enclosure for the DR16's - internal drives suck
Rack 6:
Numark CDN88
Akai ME100 midi delay
Midi Patcher
Motu Midi Mixer 7s x 4
Fostex 2050 line mixer
Another Midi Patcher
Rack 7: (portable, DJ Coffin-shaped rack, which I used to use for remote recording when I actually did this)
Akai DR8 (front left)
Akai DL1500 remote (top left)
Samson MPL2422 (top right)
1U Dell 4mm SCSI tape backup (front right)
3U drawer for mics, cables, etc
You may have to google some of the names to have a clue what they are. Cobweb city here
I also have a pile of rack mount gear in the attic, but I don't remember what any of it is. A few rack mount guitar to midi converters of different brands - yamaha, roland, some older analog outboards, a couple of poorly-encased PAIA effect kits I've soldered together 20+ years ago, a rackmount thermin I made also from a PAIA kit, stuff like that.That reminds me, I need to clean out the attic.
witzendoz
Senior Member
Not counting rack mounted D/A A/D gear, the hard disk recorder, cassette, DAT machines etc
Pre-amp:
Bellari RP520 2 Channel Valve Mic Pre-amp
Compressors:
Bellari RP583 2 Channel Valve Compressor
FMR RNC Compressor, 2 off
TL Audio / HHB, Fat Man Valve Compressor
DBX 163A Compressor
Alesis 3630 2 channel compressor / gate, 3 off
Behringer Composer 2 Channel Compressor/ limiter, 2 off
Alesis Microlimiter Compressor
Effects Units:
Lexicon Reflex Reverb Unit
Yamaha SPX90 Reverb Unit
Zoom 9120 Effects Unit
Alesis Microverb 1 Reverb
Alesis Microverb 2 Reverb
Idanez HD1000, Harmonics / Delay
Other Outboard:
Slapback Audio, Scintillator
Behringer Ultrafex 2 Enhancer
Behringer DE2000 De-esser
Behringer Autoquad 4 Channel Noise gate
Behringer Ultra Q 5 Band parametric EQ
Tascam PE40 4 Channel Parametric EQ
Alesis EQ31 31 Band EQ
Alesis MEQ230 2 Channel 31 Band EQ
Cheers
Alan.
Pre-amp:
Bellari RP520 2 Channel Valve Mic Pre-amp
Compressors:
Bellari RP583 2 Channel Valve Compressor
FMR RNC Compressor, 2 off
TL Audio / HHB, Fat Man Valve Compressor
DBX 163A Compressor
Alesis 3630 2 channel compressor / gate, 3 off
Behringer Composer 2 Channel Compressor/ limiter, 2 off
Alesis Microlimiter Compressor
Effects Units:
Lexicon Reflex Reverb Unit
Yamaha SPX90 Reverb Unit
Zoom 9120 Effects Unit
Alesis Microverb 1 Reverb
Alesis Microverb 2 Reverb
Idanez HD1000, Harmonics / Delay
Other Outboard:
Slapback Audio, Scintillator
Behringer Ultrafex 2 Enhancer
Behringer DE2000 De-esser
Behringer Autoquad 4 Channel Noise gate
Behringer Ultra Q 5 Band parametric EQ
Tascam PE40 4 Channel Parametric EQ
Alesis EQ31 31 Band EQ
Alesis MEQ230 2 Channel 31 Band EQ
Cheers
Alan.
79_Les_Paul
Member
I had a DOD G7 for about 12 years... did you have to send your back to be repaired twice like me??? lol Stupid thing would just die.
Finally sold it on Ebay...
D
dintymoore
Guest
Every year I have less rack stuff.
In the 90's I used to take 12 rack spaces just for me to gigs (plus a 16 ch mixer). 12 rack spaces to play at the Holiday inn? WTF was that all about?
currently:
Jensen John Hardy Twin Servo 990 stereo mic pre
MOTU 828 for mic pre's - going as soon as possible
Summit TLA-100A tube compressor (2) - essential
Boss RCL-10 compressors (2) - ya, I know
Summit stereo tube passive eq (the shit)
T.C. Electronics Finalizer - love it, love multi band compression
Presonus Blue Tube Mic Pre (not as bad as you might think)
SPX1000 reverb - still nice tho it's 16/44.1
SPX90 reverb - forget the specs, as a musical instrument it still works
Oberheim Matrix 1000 (2) - unbelievable
homemade mixer - only mixer I liked better than this was the Neve 8080
homemade passive control center/volume control - essential
homemade speaker switch box - hands down best in the industry
homemade stereo compressor/mic pre selector - lets me use the Summit comps for either my mics or my mixer makeup gain
In the 90's I used to take 12 rack spaces just for me to gigs (plus a 16 ch mixer). 12 rack spaces to play at the Holiday inn? WTF was that all about?
currently:
Jensen John Hardy Twin Servo 990 stereo mic pre
MOTU 828 for mic pre's - going as soon as possible
Summit TLA-100A tube compressor (2) - essential
Boss RCL-10 compressors (2) - ya, I know
Summit stereo tube passive eq (the shit)
T.C. Electronics Finalizer - love it, love multi band compression
Presonus Blue Tube Mic Pre (not as bad as you might think)
SPX1000 reverb - still nice tho it's 16/44.1
SPX90 reverb - forget the specs, as a musical instrument it still works
Oberheim Matrix 1000 (2) - unbelievable
homemade mixer - only mixer I liked better than this was the Neve 8080
homemade passive control center/volume control - essential
homemade speaker switch box - hands down best in the industry
homemade stereo compressor/mic pre selector - lets me use the Summit comps for either my mics or my mixer makeup gain
Last edited:
shauneagle
New member
Just a Rookie
I just bought my first piece of rack gear just the other day, an Autocom MXD1400 Compressor/Limiter/Gate. It was used and still in great condition so I only paid $50 for it. I already refurbished a 12U rack enclosure so I was ready to get started. My plan is to get one more unit at a time off my wishlist as money permits. I plan on buying used until I get a better job (just graduated college). So, here is what I have right now:
Behringer Autocom MDX1400
Presonus Blue Tube
Eurorack 12-Channel mixer
Mics, guitars, etc (I won't get into this)
Now, here is my wishlist and how much I can get for it used and in excellent condition:
Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel with Gate (Used - $70)
Behringer PX2000 Ultrapatch Pro (Used - $30)
BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer (Used - $60)
Alesis Meq230 (Used - $70)
Behringer V-Verb Pro (Used - $80)
Digitech Vocalist 2 (Used - $170)
Ebtech 8-Channel Hum Eliminator (New - $180)
Do these sound like quality, used devices? I know, down the road, I will replace these with better devices but I feel these could work well for me now. I know I really want that DigiTech Vocalist 2 first but that might have to wait. Its a want not a need lol.
I just bought my first piece of rack gear just the other day, an Autocom MXD1400 Compressor/Limiter/Gate. It was used and still in great condition so I only paid $50 for it. I already refurbished a 12U rack enclosure so I was ready to get started. My plan is to get one more unit at a time off my wishlist as money permits. I plan on buying used until I get a better job (just graduated college). So, here is what I have right now:
Behringer Autocom MDX1400
Presonus Blue Tube
Eurorack 12-Channel mixer
Mics, guitars, etc (I won't get into this)
Now, here is my wishlist and how much I can get for it used and in excellent condition:
Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel with Gate (Used - $70)
Behringer PX2000 Ultrapatch Pro (Used - $30)
BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer (Used - $60)
Alesis Meq230 (Used - $70)
Behringer V-Verb Pro (Used - $80)
Digitech Vocalist 2 (Used - $170)
Ebtech 8-Channel Hum Eliminator (New - $180)
Do these sound like quality, used devices? I know, down the road, I will replace these with better devices but I feel these could work well for me now. I know I really want that DigiTech Vocalist 2 first but that might have to wait. Its a want not a need lol.
Dude... I'd duck if I was you... I've never seen a more complete list of disrespected rack components...
I'd look more a quality then quantity at this point... I know you've got this big empty enclosure that you're dying to fill up for the audio bling factor. But you'd be better suited to work on one channel... just mic and pre, if you really want to hear it in your recordings.
You don't live under a bridge, feasting on goats... do you???
- Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel with Gate (Used - $70)
The 3630 is probably the most mutually hated compressor of all time
- Behringer PX2000 Ultrapatch Pro (Used - $30)
Ultrapatch is prone to failure and not really that much less than a reputable patch bay
- BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer (Used - $60)
Probably second in line behind 3630 as most debated item on this board. Almost universal consensus that it doesn't belong in a the recording signal chain.
- Alesis Meq230 (Used - $70)
Graphic EQ more suited for sound reinforcement than studio work (parametric lets you shape the sound of an individual track, graphic designed for adjusting entire mix for the listening environment.
- Behringer V-Verb Pro (Used - $80)
Ok... this one has some fans... I bought one when they were cleaning them out at rock bottom prices... though honestly it been about a year now and it's still in the box.
- Digitech Vocalist 2 (Used - $170)
Here's another performance piece that's better suited for live work, not really accurate enough for critical studio tracks. Check out TC Helicon for some studio quality harmony and pitch correction.
- Ebtech 8-Channel Hum Eliminator (New - $180)
Planning on hum? You realize the most expensive piece you've list here is to mask what you shouldn't have if the quality of build of the connected components is up to par
I'd look more a quality then quantity at this point... I know you've got this big empty enclosure that you're dying to fill up for the audio bling factor. But you'd be better suited to work on one channel... just mic and pre, if you really want to hear it in your recordings.
You don't live under a bridge, feasting on goats... do you???
D
dintymoore
Guest
From the perspective of someone who own two Summit tube compressors (I paid $2,650 for them near 20 years ago) I don't understand why people hate the Alesis 3630 compressor so much. I have one and to me it's just like any other cheap solid state compressor - not particularly great but not bad at all and certainly a good solid tool. Just my opinion and I have spent many hours with the compressors that are on a Neve 40 ch console so whatever. I just don't get the 3630 hate. I have a pair of cheap Boss RCL-10's that aren't bad either, I prefer them to the Alesis3630.
Cheap compressors aren't bad because they subtract. Stuff like reverb needs to be excellent because it adds.
The BBE on the other hand... Some people like it, for me it was a joke.
Cheap compressors aren't bad because they subtract. Stuff like reverb needs to be excellent because it adds.
The BBE on the other hand... Some people like it, for me it was a joke.
Opinions aside... there's no way he should spend $70 on a 3630... those can be found easily for $50...
I had a 3630 around 20 years ago. I wound up using on my home theater system to stomp the commercials (before compression was included in TVs and Surround amps)... I don't know where it is right now...
I had a 3630 around 20 years ago. I wound up using on my home theater system to stomp the commercials (before compression was included in TVs and Surround amps)... I don't know where it is right now...
frederic
New member
Mofo brought up some good points across the board, many of the gear you posted about are not overly useful for a variety of reasons.
You might be better off purchasing one, much more powerful unit like the TC Helicon stuff and asking it to serve multiple purposes. That's another advantage in a studio rather than live performances - with a studio, you can lay one track at a time and reuse outboards by repatching it for each track, whereas live, what you have is what you can use at once because it's, well, live.
You might be better off purchasing one, much more powerful unit like the TC Helicon stuff and asking it to serve multiple purposes. That's another advantage in a studio rather than live performances - with a studio, you can lay one track at a time and reuse outboards by repatching it for each track, whereas live, what you have is what you can use at once because it's, well, live.
D
dintymoore
Guest
I'm thinkin' $30.
The compressors that come with Cubase LE blow any solid state compressors away IMO. I really like the Cubase compressors.
You can probably have a lot of fun with crappy $15 guitar stomp boxes.
I would like to hear an Art VLA ll, that's supposed to be a cheapie that sounds good.
Well when you really get down to it... An analog compressor is used more as an effect than to control dynamics now a days... there are a number of plugin that are more transparent then anything in a rack... If you want to compress on the way in, you're not looking for transparency or dynamic control... you're looking for a sound. (and not a $30 sound)...
shauneagle
New member
Wow
I really appreciate all of your inputs, this is the first time I dove into rack processors. I based a lot of info on reviews off of guitarcenter.com etc so I guess a lot of bias. I should have asked you all first lol. I am trying to start a low budget rack so I have that MDX1400. Where should I go from here? Thanks again everyone!
I really appreciate all of your inputs, this is the first time I dove into rack processors. I based a lot of info on reviews off of guitarcenter.com etc so I guess a lot of bias. I should have asked you all first lol. I am trying to start a low budget rack so I have that MDX1400. Where should I go from here? Thanks again everyone!
D
dintymoore
Guest
The whole thing should be based on songs, so I'd just start making a song and see what, if anything, is missing from your gear. The onboard effects and processors on computers are very good so maybe you don't need anything.
shauneagle
New member
Hmmm
I totally agree... I am thinking about getting rid of that MDX1400 I have and just settling with my Ozone software for compression and final mixes. But I do feel that a multi-fx rack processor might be a good investment? I am thinking about taking back my Presonus Bluetube but I'm not too sure about that. I am basing a lot of my rack prices off of daddys.com which has some great deals on some used gear. Yet, one would think that a lot of that gear was sold back for a reason, you know?
I totally agree... I am thinking about getting rid of that MDX1400 I have and just settling with my Ozone software for compression and final mixes. But I do feel that a multi-fx rack processor might be a good investment? I am thinking about taking back my Presonus Bluetube but I'm not too sure about that. I am basing a lot of my rack prices off of daddys.com which has some great deals on some used gear. Yet, one would think that a lot of that gear was sold back for a reason, you know?
D
dintymoore
Guest
I always try and buy used gear, I wouldn't think that it was returned because it was defective. It was usually returned for some reason like the person wanted a different one or some dumb reason like the looks.
I have a Presonus BlueTube pre and I like it for a cheap unit. It would depend on what else you have whether you need it, but I don't think it's junk but I know some people do. The company fixed mine out of warranty for free so I think highly of them.
One thing though about using outboard gear is that you develop a whole different perspective when you have something in your hands with knobs. It's the basis of all the computer stuff and for learning, if nothing else, it's a good thing.
I keep wanting to hear someone chime in about the Alesis VLA II because it's supposed to be a good cheapie that I'd like to try.
I have a Presonus BlueTube pre and I like it for a cheap unit. It would depend on what else you have whether you need it, but I don't think it's junk but I know some people do. The company fixed mine out of warranty for free so I think highly of them.
One thing though about using outboard gear is that you develop a whole different perspective when you have something in your hands with knobs. It's the basis of all the computer stuff and for learning, if nothing else, it's a good thing.
I keep wanting to hear someone chime in about the Alesis VLA II because it's supposed to be a good cheapie that I'd like to try.