Rack modules inside desk

[Mo-Kay]

I'm looking to build a desk for my mixing console, and plan to have a horizontal (sloped) rack space in there too...

So I was wondering, should I have a support bar/bottom/blabla in my desk...how deep should I make the rack in order to be able to fit any kind of rack unit in there...

I'm afraid of discovering that my rack will be too shallow and not being able to put a certain rack unit in!

Any advice?

Thanks

Mo-Kay

 

[punkin]

You might try a search for "frederic" or even PM him...he's done a couple very nice projects like that and generously shared his work with us. You might also try to put together a drawing and post it here for some of the others who have experience in this area to review before you start. Sorry I don't have more.

 

[frederic]

Depth is easy.

Decide what you are putting into the rack, whether slanted or straight, and measure the depth of the units and add 4". Then you'll have enough space behind them for cabling.

Most outboards range from 5" deep to maybe 18". Some units are deeper but those would mostly be vintage stuff.

My hard disk recorders for example, are 20" deep plus 4" for cabling.

Equipment can be heavy, so for strength I'd recommend obviously two sides and a top, but also a bottom and at least one or two strips across the back for support. The strips can also be a metal rod with bolts going through the wide panels into the rod. If you flush mount the back pieces about 1/2", you can hinge a piece of 1/2" MDF on the back so you can open it, and access the wiring, without having to look at the wiring on a regular basis, much like Argosy does.

 

[Mo-Kay]

thanks a lot frederic