Desktop vs Rack Gear

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nola
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Nola

Nola

Well-known member
I finally bought a home 5 years ago, and I'm thinking of upgrading my desktop units (from when I was in an apartment) to a rack. But, my music room is still pretty small.

I can fit something with like 12" depth before it would pop into the room too much. Do you think that's deep enough to accommodate some rack gear? I don't need all rack gear to fit, just some good preamps, convertors, etc. So long as something good will fit I'm okay. Is 19" the standard width, and does that include or not include the rack rails?

Do you think going to a rack is a good idea, in general? My main issue is I can't find a desktop unit with 8 inputs and great convertors, and we like having at least 8 xlr inputs to mic our band at practice. Right now I'm using an RME quadmic via line-in into a Focusrite. It's small and tidy and does meet the 8 input requirements, but it's not the best gear. I'm also maxed out at 60db of gain on the RME.

I wish I could find an 8xlr desktop unit with great convertors that was like half rack size. If anyone knows of one let me know. Budget isn't a huge issue so I'd pay for this if it exists. I just can't find it.

Thanks!
 
My two floor standing racks are way deeper than 12", but most of my rack modules don't fill that space.
You might want to look at fabricating your own rack, to be shallower.
I did buy a shallow rack-case, which was around a foot deep, when you took off the front and rear covers.
 
Slouching Raymond said:
My two floor standing racks are way deeper than 12", but most of my rack modules don't fill that space.
You might want to look at fabricating your own rack, to be shallower.
I did buy a shallow rack-case, which was around a foot deep, when you took off the front and rear covers.
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Where did you buy that shallow rack?
ecc83 said:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...audio-interface-and-8-slot-500-series-chassis

Cranbourne gear is well known to be first class. The next step up is 'exotica' like Prism.
I think you will struggle to find a multi-mic unit with more than 60dB of gain. Surely you don't need that much gain on EVERY channel? If say using distant ribbons buy a couple of CloudLifters or their equivalents.

Dave.
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Awesome. Is that Prism Atlas the competitor to this unit? Are both complete audio interfaces ready to use right out of the box? Great leads thanks.

Edit: Both look too big at around 17" and 19" of width. If I'm putting these on the desk, I need like 12" of width. I'm actually surprised no manufacturer has made an 8 input device that is taller rather than wider so we can use it on a desk given how many people work in small spaces these days.
 
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Nola said:
Where did you buy that shallow rack?
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Studiospares.com They are based in London.
'Trojan Pro (Shallow)' They still sell the one I bought in 2U, 4U, and 6U.
Studiospares has changed hands since I bought a lot of stuff from them, but it is worth a good delve round their website.
 
19" is the standard Rack Width. It's Ear to Ear of the Device. I've not found any gear that requires more than 12" Deep on any of my racks. I love racks. ;)
 
This looks like a potential compromise. The dimensions appear small enough to fit on my desktop. Any opinions?

rupertneve.com

R6 Six-Space 500 Series Rack — Rupert Neve Designs

Not all racks are created equal. With abundant power and versatile connections, the R6 delivers peace of mind for engineers who demand a higher degree of confidence in their 500 series racks.
rupertneve.com rupertneve.com
 
Nola said:
This looks like a potential compromise. The dimensions appear small enough to fit on my desktop. Any opinions?
Click to expand...
The 500 modules are pretty short (I've never had any). I believe they usually don't have audio transformers, like the big stuff.
That 'lunch box' is portable though.
 
Slouching Raymond said:
don't have audio transformers
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oh man that is a bummer. i guess there is no way around it.
i either go rack or mix in the box. the rack quality gains seem marginal but they are there, so we'll see. if i had a bigger home this would be a no brainer. grrr.
 
Slouching Raymond said:
The 500 modules are pretty short (I've never had any). I believe they usually don't have audio transformers, like the big stuff.
That 'lunch box' is portable though.
Click to expand...
Bet they do! I have read sheds of reviews of 500 series pre amps and most of them have two transformers. One design even allows you to swap them out for more exotic brands!

But, 'transformers' are a paradox if the idea is "top end audio gear" No transformer however well made or expensive is quite as linear as an NE5532!

Neve 1073LB & 1073LB EQ

Neve’s venerable 1073 preamp and equaliser are both now available in API’s popular ‘Lunchbox’ format. Were they worth waiting for?
www.soundonsound.com www.soundonsound.com

There ^ you go and the majority of 500 pres use transformers that I see.

Dave.
 
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ecc83 said:
Bet they do! I have read sheds of reviews of 500 series pre amps and most of them have two transformers. One design even allows you to swap them out for more exotic brands!

But, 'transformers' are a paradox if the idea is "top end audio gear" No transformer however well made or expensive is quite as linear as an NE5532!

Dave.
Click to expand...

So there is hope?
Anyone think the lunchbox style are worth it over emulations? I know it's extremely marginal stuff, but I'm an egghead so...
 
Nola said:
So there is hope?
Anyone think the lunchbox style are worth it over emulations? I know it's extremely marginal stuff, but I'm an egghead so...
Click to expand...
Not sure what you mean but if you want THE best, most transparent audio quality avoid 'wound components"!
If on the other hand you want "attitude" "mojo" (or some other euphemism for "distortion") go nuts with the Iron!

Dave.
 
The difference between the two 500 racks in this thread are that the Camden Audio is actually an Audio Interface w/ 500 slots, and the Neve is just a 500 rack and requires it's own Audio Interface separately.
 
Ujn Hunter said:
The difference between the two 500 racks in this thread are that the Camden Audio is actually an Audio Interface w/ 500 slots, and the Neve is just a 500 rack and requires it's own Audio Interface separately.
Click to expand...
This is true.

Dave.
 
Does anyone else have opinions on the 500 series stuff vs big transformer stuff? Is it true the 500 stuff lacks them? If not, how does one go about finding what transformer is in them, etc? Will that be listed under specs for each unit? Is there a well known list of units that use transformers etc? Do we even need transformers? Is this all marginal and in the box is just easier? Any guidance welcome. Thanks!
 
Nola said:
Does anyone else have opinions on the 500 series stuff vs big transformer stuff? Is it true the 500 stuff lacks them? If not, how does one go about finding what transformer is in them, etc? Will that be listed under specs for each unit? Is there a well known list of units that use transformers etc? Do we even need transformers? Is this all marginal and in the box is just easier? Any guidance welcome. Thanks!
Click to expand...
No, you don't need transformers and audio gear of the very highest fidelity won't use them. They will, as I have said, introduce some distortion, at a very low level for the very best samples it must be said but the distortion rises with level and descending frequency.

But, they can be very useful. They can eliminate RF interference very effectively and of course provide true, galvanic ground isolation. Last, and least IMHO, many people like what they do to the signal!

Dave.
 
Is aliasing in saturation and similar type plugins a good reason to start using hardware? Will it make a noticeable difference?
 
Nola, do you not have other gear that can be rack mounted? I have several racks for different uses but only one for recording. In that rack I have a power amp and various outboard gear. My interface is separate but at some point I will upgrade and incorporate it into the rack. When I do the rack will be custom made to the gear and will be furniture grade. Racks are easy to make and I particularly like wood construction because it helps eliminate ground loops which I have had issues with in the past.
 
The only "real" difference between Standalone Rack / 500 Series is that the 500 Series doesn't need their own Power/Audio I/O as the 500 Series Rack provides it. Sure, some components might not "fit" in a 500 Series version, but for the most part that is the main difference. No need to have a bunch of power supplies.
 
Ujn Hunter said:
The only "real" difference between Standalone Rack / 500 Series is that the 500 Series doesn't need their own Power/Audio I/O as the 500 Series Rack provides it. Sure, some components might not "fit" in a 500 Series version, but for the most part that is the main difference. No need to have a bunch of power supplies.
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That seems like a benefit tbh if running a small home studio like I am. I really don't want a bunch of power supplies.
Do you know if rack gear helps with/eliminates aliasing when using things like saturation? I don't like to up my project rates due to it increasing other problems and that 44/16 sounds fine to me. I never really notice aliasing, but I'm wondering if I'd notice it when it's gone if hardware does in fact eliminate it.
 
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