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When L21-30 just isn't big enough
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<blockquote data-quote="Silas Pradetto" data-source="post: 24593" data-attributes="member: 34"><p>Re: When L21-30 just isn't big enough</p><p></p><p>OK, if we're at the point of possibly using two rac-pacs for four amps, then that is a really good reason to split single big racks into dual 6-space racks. Here are my reasons:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You don't need a rackmount switch for 4 or 5 ports. I figure the rack will need two external ports (in and out) and one for each amp. That's four ports if you're doing two amps per rack, and no rackspace wasted since you can tuck a regular compact switch in the back virtually anywhere.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">All I/O panels can go in the back or on the side, taking up no more rack space than the amps and the rac-pac alone.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Assuming that each amplifier can run solidly on a 30-amp 120 volt circuit, then an L14-30 in and through per rack is perfect. For big shows, every rack gets its own circuit. At smaller or quieter shows, the loop out can be chained to the next rack to share a circuit. No custom two-fers or splitters needed! Just use existing jumpers!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">10/4 or 8/4 is already bigger than any wire I want to be coiling. Going 10/5 or 8/5 or even bigger just makes me sad inside, and makes your wallet cry even more...and copper is outrageous these days.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">There is no reason for two separate racks to take up any more space than one big rack. You can set the racks up to stack, maybe going 3 high, with a wheelboard for the bottom rack. Alternatively, the wheels could be attached to every other rack and they could always stack two high.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">More smaller racks also obviously weigh less each. This might be a plus if you have a bad load-in or stairs or something terrible, where each rack had to be carried in. Smaller racks can also be tucked in extra space pretty easily, where a 12U loaded amp rack is going on the floor of the truck with no exceptions.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Each pair of amps is already 8 channels, which is enough to to a LOT. Especially considering how much power they're putting out per channel, it might be more flexible to have more smaller racks than one big rack for many shows: if each side of speakers only needs 8 channels to run, you can run one rack per side rather than sending a 100' NL8 across the stage and suffer all that loss. Also, since each amp gets two inputs, then running sub-low-mid-high per amp makes sense: you can either do aux subs on one input and the rest of the rig on the other, or do a stereo biamped rig, or two biamped wedge mixes, etc. Not really anything to do with power, but certainly makes L-R amp racks look better than all on one side.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">With more smaller racks it's easier to pick the 'size' needed for a specific show. If someone wants to rent a pair of PLMs, but you need 24 channels for another show, then you can take 3 racks and leave one for the rental. That flexibility is significantly lacking with fewer bigger racks.</li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silas Pradetto, post: 24593, member: 34"] Re: When L21-30 just isn't big enough OK, if we're at the point of possibly using two rac-pacs for four amps, then that is a really good reason to split single big racks into dual 6-space racks. Here are my reasons: [LIST] [*]You don't need a rackmount switch for 4 or 5 ports. I figure the rack will need two external ports (in and out) and one for each amp. That's four ports if you're doing two amps per rack, and no rackspace wasted since you can tuck a regular compact switch in the back virtually anywhere. [*]All I/O panels can go in the back or on the side, taking up no more rack space than the amps and the rac-pac alone. [*]Assuming that each amplifier can run solidly on a 30-amp 120 volt circuit, then an L14-30 in and through per rack is perfect. For big shows, every rack gets its own circuit. At smaller or quieter shows, the loop out can be chained to the next rack to share a circuit. No custom two-fers or splitters needed! Just use existing jumpers! [*]10/4 or 8/4 is already bigger than any wire I want to be coiling. Going 10/5 or 8/5 or even bigger just makes me sad inside, and makes your wallet cry even more...and copper is outrageous these days. [*]There is no reason for two separate racks to take up any more space than one big rack. You can set the racks up to stack, maybe going 3 high, with a wheelboard for the bottom rack. Alternatively, the wheels could be attached to every other rack and they could always stack two high. [*]More smaller racks also obviously weigh less each. This might be a plus if you have a bad load-in or stairs or something terrible, where each rack had to be carried in. Smaller racks can also be tucked in extra space pretty easily, where a 12U loaded amp rack is going on the floor of the truck with no exceptions. [*]Each pair of amps is already 8 channels, which is enough to to a LOT. Especially considering how much power they're putting out per channel, it might be more flexible to have more smaller racks than one big rack for many shows: if each side of speakers only needs 8 channels to run, you can run one rack per side rather than sending a 100' NL8 across the stage and suffer all that loss. Also, since each amp gets two inputs, then running sub-low-mid-high per amp makes sense: you can either do aux subs on one input and the rest of the rig on the other, or do a stereo biamped rig, or two biamped wedge mixes, etc. Not really anything to do with power, but certainly makes L-R amp racks look better than all on one side. [*]With more smaller racks it's easier to pick the 'size' needed for a specific show. If someone wants to rent a pair of PLMs, but you need 24 channels for another show, then you can take 3 racks and leave one for the rental. That flexibility is significantly lacking with fewer bigger racks. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
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