Live Sound & Production

[MBS]

I have a gig coming up that will require me to basically set up the rig and leave it set up.....meaning once my mixer settings, eq, etc. are all set up thats how it will stay. I will not be there at the mixer tweeking it through the show. It will all be set withing the first few minutes and thats how it will stay.

There will be periods of time where the rig will be unattended, and there lies my concern.

Now, all my gear is rack mounted in road ready ATA cases and what I would like to do is, once the mixer is set, put the top on the case. Once the processing (eq, xover, delay etc) is all set, put the front of the case on. I need to do this to keep people from messing with it all.

For the amps I would like to do something similar. The amps are in 12 space ATA cases that have a mixer provision on the top, however I am not using a mixer in these cases so the top is empty. What I would like to do is leave the back of the amp racks off, take the tops off (where the mixer would normally be) and put the front of the cases on to keep people from messing with them. My concern is air flow, but with the tops and backs off I "think" I should be OK, but I don't know.

Anyone see any problems with this? The amps are all in 8 ohm stereo and levels will be fairly low so feel like I may be OK doing this, but I am not sure. As stated, my concern is heat build up, air flow etc.

[MBS]

Forgot to mention, amps are QSC RMX, mixer is MixWiz 16.2 and processing is analog....mostly Rane.

[BillESC]

If a mic gets knocked over and goes into feedback you're in deep sh*t.

[Mutha Goose]

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.... My concern is air flow, but with the tops and backs off I "think" I should be OK, but I don't know.

Anyone see any problems with this? The amps are all in 8 ohm stereo and levels will be fairly low so feel like I may be OK doing this, but I am not sure. As stated, my concern is heat build up, air flow etc.

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Yeah, I see nothing but problems with this. Air needs to flow. Period.

Also, leaving a system open with no control or oversight is just stupid. Sorry. I don't mean this to be rude, but a dope slap now is better than the dope slap the reality that this situation will/could bring. Don't be a jackass (and I mean this constructively)

[Miko Man]

There are security covers available from various vendors (such as Middle Atlantic) that are designed to keep folks from messing with the knobs and settings on rack gear. Some of the designs allow for airflow.

As for the mixer surface, are you just looking to keep casual hands off the controls? While you could put the top of the case back on (not latched), what about simply having a cloth cover over the knobs and faders? Would that be enough? Mark C.

[Shaster]

I can see a few problems with putting the lids on and walking away. Not the least of which is that someone could take the lids off while the rig is unattended.

Could you explain why you need to set up this way?  Maybe someone here will have a suggestion as to how to do the gig another way.

[RoadRanger]

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BillESC wrote:

If a mic gets knocked over and goes into feedback you're in deep sh*t.

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And he mentioned multiple 12U amp racks so we ain't a talkin' 'bout "feedback" - we're talkin' 'bout "FEEDBACK"

[MBS]

Feedback wont be a problem, so I am not worried there.

I didn't want to go into too much detail as to why I am doing this because I didn't want to make a long winded post.

There are a few reasons for doing this:

1 To keep the gear from getting messed with

2 Last time I did a show for these guys they complained about amp fan noise during brakes (small room, intimate setting, amp racks close to the audience etc.). I suspect that keeping the front covers on will help cover that.

3 Once set, I won't need to adjust anything

[Craigv]

There are NO mics at all with this rig?

[MBS]

For this particular gig, no mics at all.

[Shaster]

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MBS wrote:

Feedback wont be a problem, so I am not worried there.

I didn't want to go into too much detail as to why I am doing this because I didn't want to make a long winded post.

There are a few reasons for doing this:

1 To keep the gear from getting messed with

2 Last time I did a show for these guys they complained about amp fan noise during brakes (small room, intimate setting, amp racks close to the audience etc.). I suspect that keeping the front covers on will help cover that.

3 Once set, I won't need to adjust anything

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In other words, you don't want us to talk you out of wrestling with a Grizzly Bear, you just want to know the best way to go about it

Will the rack(s) be up against the wall, or will the general public be able to get at the back of the racks?  If they are relatively snug against the wall with the lids on, in a hot club, while they are being pushed... I'm guessing there could be a problem.  But that's only my guess, and it certainly depends on conditions and the amps themselves - including where the fans draw from, their flow direction, and how the amps deal with heat.

I'm also thinking that if you're going to have the lids on anyway, how much will the audience hear the fan noise during the breaks?

In general, it can be risky leaving gear unattended. Maybe the place is small enough that yuo can keep your eyes on it - I don't know. IMO there are many variables that could make this idea fail or succeed.

Whatever you do, make sure your power supply is secure!

[agedhorse]

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MBS wrote:

2 Last time I did a show for these guys they complained about amp fan noise during brakes (small room, intimate setting, amp racks close to the audience etc.). I suspect that keeping the front covers on will help cover that.

Generally, this will also affect your amp's cooling. If you are driving 8 ohm loads with low level signal it may not be an issue BUT 2 or 4 ohm loads loud could certainly be problematic or even costly.

[twostone]

Wrap it with small gauge mesh wire it might not look pretty but will keep people sticky fingers off from your rack gear and let air flow for the amps.

[Audiopile]

A capable employee might be a viable solution... if you yourself absolutely can't be there doing your job.

I think that's part of the reason why employees were invented.

Real human employees can be comparitively "cheap" vs. inventing machines and systems instead.

[Gordon Sound]

Yeah just hire a dude with spatula to smack wandering hands.

[StratGuy22]

[Dogoth]

If The amp noise bothers them during break, you almost need to remote the amps or get convection cooled amps. I believe fans are there for a reason (to love and adore you - sorry cheap joke ). If you block the air flow you might be OK at low power (RMX amps are pretty bullet proof) BUT you are also causing undue wear & tear on the fans.

Question. If nothing need be touched, could you remote the whole system (like a nearby closet)? Possibly with just a couple of long XLR, Speaker & AC lines?

Just some thoughts