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What happened to 19" rack units?
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- Опубліковано 4 бер 2022
- I've always been drawn to the 19" rack units. Whenever I would walk into a music store in the 80s, I would first check out the 19" rack units.
I still find them magical. Synths, effects and even the racks themselves.
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Growing up I listened to so much synth-pop and it's only natural that my own music takes inspiration from many of the acts I loved back then. I still love them and listen to them!
Howard Jones, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Erasure, Thompson Twins, Tears for Fears, The Human League, Propaganda. FGTH, Ultravox, OMD, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Giorgio Moroder, Jean Michel Jarre, Jan Hammer, Alphaville, A-ha as well as loads of artists doing what is now called Italo Disco. And many more great acts like Nik Kershaw, Spandau Ballet, Wham, Dire Straits ++
I agree. 19" rack units are THE BEST. Manufacturers, please take notice!
I love 19’ rack instruments. I still keep collecting Akai samplers, Roland, Korg, etc.. equipment in that format. When they are stacked in the rack they look incredibly awesome...all the cables are hidden, and a “wall” of displays, knobs and buttons it’s a pleasure to look to. In the early ‘90s I couldn’t afford none of them. Today I have my “recenge”...🤭
Yes I totally agree with you on this one Espen. There's something really aesthetically pleasing about the dimensions of a 19" rack, particularly a 2U unit - like a credit card, it's just massively pleasing in its ratio. Also, on a practical note, I love that owing to the restrictions of layout, the way one programs the same synthesiser can be totally different when using the keyboard version compared to the 19 inch rack, and therefore the type of sounds one creates can be inspiringly different between the two form factors. The way I edit on a DX7 MkII is very different to how I would approach the TX802, and that can lead to some really interesting new sounds that I wouldn't have intentionally set out to make.
But a Tx802 has some very interesting multiple output modes and multitimbrality. Very unique dx7II. Very often the Rackversions had more Features for the Studio useage. Like more Single outs sounds, presets and additional cardslots
Yes! Also a big fan of rack units myself, mainly for space + routing, but they also look badass. Everyones rack is unique and in a sense reflects their taste.
I completely agree! Most of my current vintage collection is 19" rack units and includes all of the ones I dreamed about and then bought back then. There is just something super 80s and super cool about having a metal, magical, musical box of sounds! I like big racks and I cannot lie. LOL.
Yes!
I think I prefer the small desktop versions but wish someone would make a multitier laptop stand for them, like a 5 tier or above then the space saving issue isn't a problem.
Yes!
I love my MKS series, the Akai cream-racks, hybrid monsters ESQ-1m and Kawai K3m... So much power in a single tower.
Some film composers like Danny Elfman just had a wall of samplers to compose mock-ups at small studio, and Klaus Schulze had (has?) a set-up of Quasimidi Polymorph wall of 12-16 units. Legendary.
The 19 inches is the perfect format for me and it shows how 80/90's was the golden age.
Thank you for all.
Hahaha...You KNOW you're NOT alone, bro! (But I get the rhetorical angle). So, when are you coming to do a studio tour visit at my place? About 180U of those 19” rack units. ;)
What?!? Awesome. That's a ton!!!
LONG LIVE 19" RACK UNITS!!!
Yes! As someone trying to optimize their limited living space, I really long for the return of the 19 inch rack
LOVE my rack gear, and although some manufacturers have rack ear kits for their desktop modules it really is odd how uncommon it is. Something nice about the vintage stuff is that they're usually in way better condition than the keyboard counterpart and often made with better components or additional features like the JP-8080 vs JP-8000.
I will say though, whoever designed the programming interface for the TX802 deserves a special place in hell, it doesn't even have a slider... just cruel!
Yea I would expect rack units to last longer. They aren't going to be as prone to damage.
Even though rack ears often can be attached to a desktop synth the rear is often at about a 100 degree angle from the front, so not really the “rear” which makes the fit in a 19” rack annoying and if the desktop synth is small it will take huge rack ears and just look weird in a 19” rack as well (like the Moog Minitaur for example), which is why I’m more curious about compact 500 series synths. Would be interesting and with USB patch recall please 😁😁😁 wyt?
You’re not alone! I still have several racks full of 19” including many of my 80’s/90’s units. There’s something about their tactile nature that plugins just don’t have.
In the 2000's, electronic musicians finally started tackling an old live performance problem: How do you make your audience feel that you're actually playing this stuff, when it's under the control of sequencers and computers, and most of what's happening is neatly tucked away in racks. The answer: Don't tuck it away. Have lots of little drum machines, guitar pedals, small form factor (less than three octave) synths and a small mixer on a tabletop, cables connected in the open where everyone can see them. Do the bedroom producer thing in plain sight.
Ever since this started, no one wants efficient space usage anymore. A 19" rack module is the most practical way to put a lot of gear in a small space, but people have rejected that now, because if you're too efficient, if you tuck away the gear too well...it all looks like you might as well be playing to a tape. It's always been very hard to play electronic music live, to reproduce what you did in the studio on stage in a way that's visceral and authentic. I don't know if the move from rack gear to tabletop wire insanity achieves that, but I think that's what everyone is striving for at any rate.
I have to admit, in my own studio, I prefer rack gear too. I'd rather just be efficient with the space I have instead of making a wire mess on a tabletop.
That's an interesting point. I have been thinking about doing busking with synths. I love using sequencers. But I worry that if I busk with those that people might not think I am actually making music. Because they don't see all the time I spent programming the sequencer and drum machine. All they see is me pushing a button and twiddling a few knobs.
That’s an interesting observation, and could very well be the reason why. However, 90% of music has not been performed live since late 1990’s.
And I’m not sure about efficiency. My rack is pretty huge and bulky. Plus, depending on what gears you have in a rack, you sometimes need to leave at least 1-2 rack units of free space so that your gears don’t heat up too much.
I actually believe that it’s more profitable for manufacturers to make smaller useless gears. A good example is KORG. They ignore their professional customers and produce lots of little “gadgets” for kids. Why? It’s easier to mass-produce, more people will be willing to buy, and the profit margins are higher. Sad…
I've always loved 19" rack stuff. Especially when you have a device mounted on slide rails so you can pull it forward for service without completely removing it. And good rack cabinets also have wheels and/or leveling feet depending on the configuration. There's just something satisfying about a rack full of equipment, especially when everything is well laid out and the cabling is all clean and organized. Racks can also be quite tall, which really helps when you have limited floor space.
19" is the past, present and future. My Cobalt8M, Argon8M and Hydrasynth desktop are all 19" mounted and it was a factor in their purchase. So too are my audio interfaces and MIDI hub. Just wish Korg would do 19" desktops.
The Minilogue XD module sadly is not rack-able without some fabrication. No idea how difficult replacing the entire front panel will be.
@@BFBeast666 I'm in the process of stripping mine down to screw into a rack. It should more or less fit as is, with the back of the case off so the sides can be stripped down.. the width of the front panel is perfect.. one problem is the panel is curved, though
@@BFBeast666 I have mounted my minilogue xd in front of the rack using extruded aluminium to make a sort of cradle for it. It works sufficiently well for my needs without opening the chassis. Wagoo is definitely going for perfection!
Just got my Cobalt8m too, lovely synth. Desktop synths aren't even practical AT ALL.. Too much space taken on a desk. You get more mileage going vertical.
19 inch rack is so much better for the conservation of space as well. It is my preferred format in most things, ranging from synthesizers and signal processing to repurposed (for audio) test equipment and recording machines.
I totally agree with you! Regardless of the unit it is something magical and convenient about rack units.
And as you say, how is it supposed to work with storing all the moderns desktop synths?! I mean even Volcas are hard to keep organized on a table, and they are small.
If rack units where available today, especially units with some sort of hands on control, I think they would sell well.
I think desktop units have a attractive look to them but most of my desktops are stored on a shelf and then the memory of the slowly fades away - the 19” units are always there and ready to work because who wants to dig around and connecting gear while in the flow?! I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way.
I think Quasimidi showed that rack units could be inspiring and live friendly. Just look at the Polymorph.
And then 19” units are very (or at least can be) beautiful and since they all share the same form factor and space, all the units becomes like one gigantic instrument.
Please all synth manufacturers - make 19” units instead of odd sized desktop units.
19" rack units is the thing. Not only for synths, but also for Hifi. I have CD-player and power amps in 19" rack format.
On the synth department, I have Akai S5000 + a Sequentix Circlon (the later can be used desktop as well). The Nord Lead 2X can be used as 19" as well, but I have it as desktop.
I like how the circlon can be rack or desktop. I would love to see a synths like that with removable rack ears. It would give customers an option.
It really seems as if computer virtual instruments killed the rack unit market. There are still a few rackmount synths being made, but NO one makes rack mount samplers anymore.
I feel exactly the same way about rack units as you Espen. I also love to just stand in the dark evenings and admire the view from the doorway, of a rack lit up with pull out lights and every rack switched on. There is a certain magic to that which never gets old.
Agree - more modern 19” rack synths please. My EX-8000, Matrix-6R, JV-2080, Slim Phatty, FS1R, and a few others need company. I have some desktop units like the OB-6 that can be racked, but they are like 6U. 3U or less is the magic number.
The OB-6 module is desktop only, they made it too wide for 19" rack
Black Corporation’s Deckard and Kijimi are 19” rackable, you could get one of those
Ah so you're one of those old timers with fat wallets Espen was talking about in the video eh?
@@foreverseethe No, bought most of them when they were significantly cheaper than they are now
I would set the standard to 5units. One unit bigger than Virus TI to handle complex synthesis.
You are right! I prefer and love my rackunits and use to buy used 19" units from time to time for a small amount of the price they Cost once.
100% agree. One more thing.... if you want a bunch of synths and effects bring to the stage guess what, desktop stuff won't cut it. You'll have no space and even if, you'll never reach all your gear... if you have rack gear.... you get a rack case of the appropriate size, have the cables half done, pop off the front and the back and you are good to go. I'll fit on a desk or under the desk or on a keyboard stand. it makes just so much sense having rack gear. You can have your effects and even a mixer can fit.
I'm right behind you Esben! ... so don't turn around or you'll be scared to death! I have a 19" rack myself, can't live without it & it's units :)
With all the hardware I have, a lot of it being in 19" rack format is essential. Keeps them organized and saves space. I have two desk areas for the rack units and a separate DIY custom rack on the floor. Place for a mixer on top, then 5 unit spaces tilted 45 degrees for an easy front panel access and 10 regular unit spaces below. At the bottom a shelf for small stuff, cables etc. Whole thing is on casters, so easy to move or turn around for a maintenance.
Absolutely agree Espen, still have my 19" rack units like my TX81Z, JV1080, Fostex D-180, S3000XL. One of the good things about some of my Behringer modules is you can add ears to rack them like my Neutron, DM12D, Model D rather than cluttering up my desktop! The only category that come as 19" units that spring to my mind is FX units which seems crazy to me.
Rack units kinda make feel like I’m in a futuristic lab or spaceship. Plus, who has room for all these keyboards?
Totally agree !
Here : 01R/W, WS A/D, TG77, K2600R, D-550, JD-990, JV-2080, Supernova IIR ProX, TR-Rack, Triton rack, SE-1, Rev-7
Greetings from France !
You're not the only one. I love all my outboard equipment -- that I use every day -- in my custom-built rack system under my main desk
Rack units are awesome. I remember the day back in 1994 when I ordered my 20 height-units rack. The seller asked me "Man, what is this huge [and very unhandy] rack for?". I answered "It's just 10 synths and some other fun stuff".
I love it. And also the nice, clean, technical and solid look. Like a treasure chest. Yet the order the modules are positioned, stacked and wired can be pure art.
Keep on rocking the 80s, Espen.
Best regards.
Definitely not alone by number of comments. I hooked up my JV-1080 the other night and had a ball, love a good rack unit :)
I'm a certified 19" addict. Computers, test equipment, prototypes and, of course most of my music gear, all sit in 19" racks. I've never found a rack mount kit for my bass guitars, but I keep on looking.
😂 best comment
I own a commercial recording studio and still to this day I love my rack gear and always browse other studio to lust after their racks of gear too. Sooooo much more fun that plug-ins.
I'm 100% with you. It's not that I hate desktop modules, but on the long term, they're not sustainable in a studio. I have several racks full of rack synths and they're a part of my production workflow, while desktop modules are not... I have a few, but they're a hassle to get out, set up, use and pack away so I stick to what I have in the racks :)))
I love rack units and always will, currently i have the Kurzweil K2500R and Roland MSE-1 housed in a rack of compressor's and preamps,love the look and sound
Totally. Very efficient way of running signals. And great space-saving in small home studios too.
For most of my bar band career in the late 80's and 90's, my setup consisted of one MIDI controller keyboard (the A50 was my favorite) and a 10-space rack behind me with a couple samplers, some synths and a small mixer. Tons of sonic capability that took up very little space in the van and required a minimal number of trips during load in/out.
Completely agree! I have a few modules that are not designed for 19” racks-and I’ve mounted them on 19” rack shelves and installed them in a rack.
The best part is that it’s a standardized format. You just stack them. Also most connections are on the back that you “set and forget”. Unlike desktop modules which can be any size and end up cluttering a workspace. Not to mention the power, midi, audio, usb, and cv cables getting in the way of other modules nearby.
I think my first 19" rack unit was the Roland DEP-5 followed by the Yamaha TX81Z.
19" rack is my favourite format by far. It's so flexible. There is always a way to use 19" rack when people suggest a "desktop only" module instead. A great many 19" rack synthesizers work perfectly in BOTH 19" rack and desktop positions.. you can buy thin network racks and effectively wallpaper your house in 19" rack gear. You only need so many keyboards..
Sometimes I think only Queen Liz has a banquet table large enough to hold all the random shaped desktop modules that come out
Whenever a company does something without considering the ~100 year old 19" standard they lose some brownie points with me. Korg, why do you release a Minilogue XD module that is effectively perfect for 19" rack, but you don't make it 19" rack? Same with their ARP Odyssey modules.. and where are the rack versions of Wavestate/Opsix/Modwave? Dave Smith/Sequential don't consider 19" since the Prophet 12. I bought a used Prophet 8 when the Rev2 came out instead, as that fits in a rack.. the Rev2 module does not.
Here's some of my 19" rack gear (not to mention all Eurorack goes into 21x 84HP 19" cases):
Access: Virus B / Virus C / Kemper x2
Akai: S1000 x2 / CD3000XL
Alesis: QSR / Midiverb 4 / Midiverb 3 / Quadraverb x2
Arturia: Origin
Behringer: K-2 / Model D / Pro-1 / WASP / 2600 x2 / DM12d
Black Corporation: Deckard's Dream
Clavia: Nord Rack 2 / Nord Modular
Crumar: Bit01
Dynacord: DRS-78
Elka: ER33
EMU: E5000 ultra / procussion / proteus 1
Ensoniq: DP4 / ASR-10R
Kawai: K4R
Klark Teknik: EQP-KT / 76-KT
Korg: M1R / DSM1 / DVP1 / Wavestation AD
Lexicon: MX400 / PCM80
Modal: 002R / Cobalt 8M / Argon 8M
Modor: NF1
Moog: Slim Phatty
Novation: Peak / Supernova
Oberheim: DPX1 / Matrix1000
Roland: SDE-2500 / System-1m / S550 / D550 / SP700 / S760 / JV1080 x2 / JV2080 / U220
Sequential: Prophet '08
Sherman Filterbank 2
Technics: WSA1r
Two Notes: Torpedo Studio
UDO: Super 6 rack
Waldorf: Q
Yamaha: SPX90 / TX802 / REV500 / REV5
hey Wagoo I knew you would dig this episode :-)
19" racks are cool and a good, long-term standard, and the format keeps certain items portable as well
My first thought when I saw the title of this video is "I want to hear Wagoo weigh in on this", and you didn't disappoint. Great points and impressive collection of gear.
Totally agree. All the valid points have already been mentioned here.
i have two selfmaded racks in my small room - the first includes Redsound Elavata -Redsound Darkstar xp2 - Korg ms2000R -Roland D110 mt soundmodule and a JVC SEA-R7 Graphic eq . the second one includes Model d - Pro one - neutron from uli b - Alesis midiverbIII and the amacing Lexicon. . so i have more place and it looks great. best greetz to you and a wonderful new week Espen!
I'm with you. I like synths like the MS2000R, which could go in a rack of on a desktop. I wish manufacturers would do that today.
I like racks, mostly for effects and utilities such ad power and pre-amps, switchers, etc but you’re right, in this age of total software control of synths (my Deepmind 12 comes to mind) more rack synths would be great
Yeah Behringer synth modules are rack friendly except the Crave. Just need rack ears.
I love the rack units and have been complaining about the desktop modules too. Has nothing to do with the 80s for me though. It has to do with workflow.
You can add 19“ rack ears to a lot of modern gear (Elektron Octatrack, Behringer desktop synths) etc. There are definitely modern 19“ mixers and a lot of sound processing gear. There you go. Have fun doing your squats in front of your 19“ rack/closet 😹😸😸
@@elekktrikk_home_video Yeah rack gear need to be high up near eye level where possible.
@@elekktrikk_home_video I have a small rack that's currently on top of a metal shelf so I don't have to bend over. I can't do floor racks.
I have 2 rack boxes with: Nord Modular, Nord Lead 2x, Access Virus, Oberheim Matrix 1000, Novation A Station, E-MU Orbit 9090 and Yamaha Motif Rack ES, as well as 2 compressors and 2 reverb units. So, I'm with you about this kind of hardware.
19" racks are also magical in the guitar world. My guitar recording rig is an A/DA MP-1 for preamp, Alesis Quadraverb for effects, and Mesa Fifty/Fifty for power amp. Switching between patches via MIDI in one step beats having to switch channels and step on and off the pedalboard.
Yes. Our guitarist has a Marshall JMP-1, a TC Electronic G-Major (1) and a Marshall EL84 20/20 in one rack, and a Mesa Boogie TriAxis, a TC Electronic G-Major 2 and a Mesa tube amp in the other rack.
Love them. I too would gravitate to the racks in the music shops and savor the beautiful units for sale. I still have and use mine! Will Never get rid of them !
Totally agree. I have 10 rack synths. I hate all these desktop synths that are out. Because I only have so much desktop space. But I can have way more in a rack vs desktop. All the manufacturers need to do is put USB on a their rack units so we can control it and we will buy it. There are many synths I would have bought if they were rack mounted.
You are definitely not alone, Espen! My entire studio is rack mount, minus the few desktop synths and drum machines, I have. Still researching what "new" 19" units, I can get my hands on!
I love 19" rack units if you have a lot of them setup and you turn off the lights it makes you feel like you are on a space ship or working for NASA. I have bright blue neon lights wrapped around all of my racks and when I have friends/family or the occasional girl friend over. I often bring them into my studio to just to see it and the looks on their faces is always priceless. "Wow you are the real deal...." Me "Yes...yes I am" J K :-) LOL
You're not alone. I no longer have space to keep buying keyboards so I have been mostly buying rack or dektop instruments. I'm currently rocking a rack with a mellotron 4000d and a Roland u-220 with Sequential OB-6 and Roland TR-8S sitting on top. I really wish more companies would support the format.
You're definitely not the only one. I love 19" rackmount, not just because they save space, but aesthetically a tower of racks, - or in my case, stacked flightcases full of rackmount, - looks sublime, and gives any studio, - or padded cell, - that laboratory vibe.
I don't mind desktop devices, I have a ton myself, but one only has so much space, personally I feel, where possible, all devices that aren't playable instruments should be designed with rackmounting as an option.
"Laboratory Vibe"😂
Absolutely right on. A breath of fresh air. The thing is I and I image others are out of space for more keyboards, but I do have space for racks. Manufacturers are leaving money on the table by not making. rack versions.
You're not the only one. Every time I see yet another 'desktop' device I wonder where people are finding all this desktop space, because I don't have any!
your studio made my day, oh boy, so many great machines!
One of the big attractors that got me looking into rack gear is if you want vintage synths you can often get the rackmount version for a lot cheaper than the keyboard equivalents. Plus who has the space for their 20th keyboard in a home studio.
You're not alone, mate. Most of my gear is in 19"rack units. Even my eurorack modules. Sometimes, it took me years of search online to find the right pair of rack ears to adapt some too narrow model. And if I can't find any fitting ones, I simply manufacture them. Not such a big deal. I started in the 70s with my hifi - mainly tape recorders like Tascam, Technics and Nakamichi, then carried on. Anyway, once in a strong tolex flight case reinforced with metal angle bars and brackets, they're easy to stack, move and rearrange in the studio and immediately fit and secure for the road.
Watching your Videos are always like a Time-Machine Espen! Thx u very much for taking us with you every Time! Cant get enough of the 80s!!!
Only you Espen, could have a love affair with 19" racks.
I never quite thought of it the way you do, but I still have many 19-inch racks in my studio. And yes, it keeps my keyboard modules nice and tucked away and keeps the effect units neat.
Keep rockin' Dave Tennessee
Yeah im also fan of that form factor. Even I would love to have everything in keyboard version. Room is huge considerations and I bought nice small rack case for my units. It always reminds me this starship control center from some older sci-fi movies, loving it!
19 inch rack devices and desktop devices each have their own audience. 19 inch rack units are great for "set it and forget it" music, rather than having to reach up or down a tall shelving unit to constantly tweak (notwithstanding you could of course tweak remotely on a midi controller whether part of a keyboard controller or desktop based controller).
However recently the stuff I've been getting are all desktop units that are designed for constant tweaking, and in those cases you don't want to have to stretch up or down a tall rack of components...you want it right on your desktop or a small platform table beside the keyboard you're playing. Personally I've used a small tripod based platform I could have beside or behind my keyboard, and a "dual laptop stand" like the Pyle PLPTS38 which allows me to have two desktop units on one stand on my desk, and I use a second "riser" laptop stand behind that which allows me to raise a third component up behind the Pyle stand. Alternatively if I wanted to use something like the Korg M3M on my desk I can use two laptop stands side by side which supports the M3M.
The compromise is Euro-Rack devices where you can buy a desktop based Euro-Rack case since Euro-Rack components are smaller.
Right there with you! I have been thinking about this as well for the past 10 years. The reason I started buying vintage gear was because of the rack availability.
I love 19" rack kit so much I've been buying up some of the classics I could never afford "back then".
Also built my own custom rack to house all my kit next to my synthesizers.
Totally agree - only if a keyboard version offers a special keyboard (i.e. Poly-Aftertouch), or offers massive controls (but also usable for controlling softsynths or racksynths), there is something to be said to have one of those.
In all other circumstances, Rack Units are much more convenient , you often have more control of them because you can put more of them in your reach, they are cheaper (and use less natural resources), there's less chance of damaging them or faling over cables ...
Nice video Espen. Looking forward to the first Legowelt-style “19” rack unit” compilation of this video 🙃
Young blood here, the 80s are long before my time but I've had the opportunity to dig into old sound tech being retired from local churches as they make upgrades - and there's just something special about 19" racks. Maybe its the retro looks and the tactile buttons (most of my audio tech experience is software), or maybe its the convoluted, pre-standardization interfaces; but I've spent hours digging into what they could do, while most digital audio plugins don't hold my attention for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Would love to see them return to mainstream, especially as a new hybrid between standalone machine and USB device able to connect directly into DAWs/etc
I love them too, it's a fun standard.
I also love the 19'' rack units. I just have limited space and stacking them vertical beside my desk makes the usage very convenient.
Thanks Espen for your usual no nonsense article , much appreciated, cheers.
You make total sense regarding stackable rack units vs. a messy clutter of keyboard synths and desktop synth modules!
i never lived in teh 80s, i am born in 2003
and still, i myself find the 80s and 90s tech absolutely magical and facinating. the 19Inch rack gear is just the most cool, because you can have lots of it, and store it and use it really efficiantly.
i love 19inch rack synths, samplers and effects.
I was always impressed when Korg put the full functionality of the Wavestation Keyboard into the UI of the Wavestation A/D.
I think reverb definitely shows that they are desirable. You can look for any synth that has a keyboard and a rack version and the rack version will almost always be way more rare, sometimes more expensive, and sells quicker. ESQ-M is a good example.
It shows that the non-keyboard version is desirable (space issues and transportation costs). If there was a desktop unit - I suppose the result would be the same. With lo-fi samplers (desktop vs 19“ vs keyboard) it‘s like that.
I started buying gear around 1990-91.. rack gear in 92-93. small apartment living made rack gear a smart, pragmatic choice too when it came time to down size keyboards. I still have my Frankenrack/ Tower Of Power (a tall 40U rack): Pulse+, UltraProteus, Proteus2000, VZ-10M, TG55, M1000, Marion MSR-2, K1000 PX. Gone, but sorely missed: Wavestation AD, K-5000R, ESI-32, XD-5, S-330, VX-90. Not to mention all the effects/ processing outboard in another 30+U of racks.. yeesh, I do love the rack gear too I guess, hahaha. I do dig the desktop options today too but..
I am that way as well! Love my rack equipment and looking at others! And hearing them in use
Greatest invention ever, every power amp I built I usually built into a 19" rack, it's just neat and tidy and it looks good
With Eurorack modules, you can totally customise each 19" rack, so the magic of 19" racks continues. 19" racks are the most cost effective and space-efficient way of mounting large quantities of Eurorack modules.
I must admit I do too like rack units, I like to browse and see what is available these days. Though I will admit I never had any until I quit the band in 1980 and just got more into DJing... Then my rack mounts appeared. Two 2unit size for my multiphase 412's light controllers, a 4 unit one for the Pulsar DMX controller. 2, 2 1 unit ones for zoning/switch packs. By the 90's I had 11 spread over 4 cases once lighting and amps got better. Nice!!!
as someone in a room not all that dissimilar in footprint to yours, without racks i would have nowhere to move around. Got a massive console and two racks of gear, my drumkat, and a midi keyboard all in a room that is less than 35 square meters or so.
I've got 19" racks in my studio, love 'em like you do! Cheers!
😁 seeing the intro I expected "when I bought adult magazines in the 80s, I always looked for girls with 19 inch racks!" :-P
Desktop units make sense when they can be flipped on their end and mounted in a rack - the MS2000R, EX-800, JP-8080, MPG-80 etc all work like this. It's particularly frustrating when synth modules are introduced that are designed just a little too wide to ever fit in a rack (like stuff from Sequential and Korg).
Yea! Stuff should be narrow enough to fit on a rack shelf. Or just make a rack version. I wonder how difficult it would be stuff a desktop synth into a rack unit housing? Pots and buttons would be easy enough to move. Does anyone make rack mountable project boxes?
19" rack equipment is super duper sexy I love them. I have a rack full of outboard gear in my home studio and I wouldn't trade it for the world
I also don't understand why so many synths are only released as desktop versions. I'm a big fan of rack synths and have a number of them including the Roland MKS series. No idea where to put all the keyboards and the same goes for desktop units...
You aren't alone. I built a custom 20u studio rack 10 months ago and have already overflowed it and have to build a second one. The only hassle with them is vintage power supplies generate a ton of heat so it's necessary to waste rackspace with vented blanking plates.
Hey Mr. The 80s, you should do a video on the wonderful Opcode Galaxy and Galaxy Plus Editors for the Mac platform. Those were the very best synth editors ever. That software can now be downloaded without the copy protection and it is still very very powerful and useful today (running on OS9 Macs of course.)
I have only recently bought some rack mounted gear, always believing it to be too expensive when I was younger. Managed to get some Alesis effects and compression as well as an old Roland D110. All fully functioning and saves so much space in a room 8x6ft. Still on the look out for some other rack mounted units at the right price.
Keep up the good work.
totally with you, whatever is available on rack format is the way to go for me. especially since, like you, I love gear, and a lot of it and I don't live in a huge castle :) Just like you described, I keep synths that either did not come out in rack versions or that the rack versions are (to me) too different than the KB versions.
First, string machines, I know you are not much into 70s / very early 80s gear but I keep some of those.
In the mid 80s category I currently have the
- Yamaha DX5 (sounds better than the DX7 in my opinion),
- Roland Juno-60, well, the Juno is man's best friend :)
- E-mu Emulator II (would absolutely love a detailed video by you, going through the different sections. This will perhaps help me get a better grip over the sequencer at last lol),
- and last but not least, the Prophet VS which I'd trade for the rack version in a heartbeat. It takes too much space for no good enough reason. Sure, the arppegiator is nice, great even, but I'd give it up for some more space.
My rack closets are currently filled with too many synths and FX units to list, If I had to pick a favorite it would be the Ensoniq ESQ-M, modded to SQ-80. Powerful and very 'Depeche' sounding little beast. What's your favorite rack synth Espen?
Yep, totally agree. I wouldn't be without my fantom XR, JV880 and JD990. I've had many more in the past. Love them.
I wish companies still made these. They are so rare now a days. They are in so many ways a better platform.
This is especially true with modern midi keyboards
I play keyboards in two live bands and I also sing. In the first band I use a 76-key MIDI controller, two 19" rack sound modules and a MIDI vocal harmonizer. In the second band I use a 32-key MIDI controller, a 19" rack sound module and a MIDI vocal harmonizer.
I have still got quite a few rack synths too and also like them a lot. When you have a lot of synths and many are rack mounted it does really save a lot of space without all the keybeds that often you don't actually need. There is always the concept that they often offered more such as outputs. eg the rack mounted Kurzweil's had 10 outputs as opposed to a lesser number on the keyboard. Then there is the sound. I always thought the Yamaha TG77 sounded different to the SY77 keyboard. (or was I imagining that) They may have changed it. As the racks often came out later they may have added in some improvements and changes. It goes the other way too. The Roland keyboard VSynth is definitely easier to get around compared to the rack. Rack units also required you to get deeper into the OS and menu's and things. But that was the challenge and the fun of it..
I got this rack unit, a Roland Dimension D from the 80's.
It's monstruous, with about 5 buttons: power on and a mere 4 type effects buttons, or rather speeds (buttons can be combined though).
It's somewhere between a chorus and a spatializer.
One of the most valued posessions I have.
Haha! This is great. You are definitely not alone with your love of old rack equipment! Aside from it still being really useful, having a rack of these units just looks cool. Almost like a laboratory from NASA or Bell Labs during the 60s. I guess you'd have to be old enough to know what I'm talking about. Pedals have just never really cut it for me.
I put my collection of pedals into a couple of slide-out rack shelves. The cabling is certainly more messy/fiddly.
Taking the best from the 80s in combination with the modern DAW is awesome powerful. What you do is innovative and unique
I agree. I have 2 dawless studios at home with home made rack units between the speakers. Much more fun to work with than a big screen between the speakers.
take a shot every time he says 19 inch rack units. lol, great video!
Amen, I completely agree. Something about them is just so perfect.
To this day I love rack synths and samplers the best. They save on space, there is typically a bit of flexibility in how you set up your synths. I find the tinkering and learning fun. I prefer not to have so many synths with key beds. They break and feel worse over time and if a synth has a bad key bed, I can just hook up a different key bed.