studiomprd Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 " it never helps the clients opinion of you if you have your cart piled high with a rats nest of gear. " some folks feel differently, and think the clients are impressed with our toys... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted September 14, 2011 Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 ok, well for the type of work I'm doing (mainly commercials, indy films, low budget type stuff) I was looking to build a smaller SKB type setup that would have a couple drawers on the bottom for all my wireless stuff, mics, etc. SKB has a ton of stuff: http://www.skbcases.com The Roto Shockmount cases are great for heavy-duty recording gear, or if you have to ship equipment over long distances. I used one for a couple of years, but ultimately decided to go for something more maneuverable. I had previously used a horizontal flat-type Magliner from Backstage or Filmtools, which seems to be a very popular choice for video assist and D.I.T. crews. Again, the problem of moving the thing around on location can be rough if you have to deal with stairs, hills, narrow doorways, or rough ground, especially with small crews. I find the upright vertical carts make more sense to my way of thinking, but I had to be convinced of it after trying alternate methods. Aside from the issues of wiring and power, I find the other key design choice is how and where to position the mixer so that you can get to it quickly and work the faders for long hours without fatigue. Another key is being able to jump in and rewire inputs and other hardware in emergency situations, like if a key component fails and you have to swap it out (or go to an alternate method). And yet another issue is how big (or small) to make the wheels: too big, and they won't get through doors or narrow hallways; too small, and they can't support the cart. Rackman, Middle Atlantic, and Starcase all make very cool rackmount shelves and drawers: http://rackman.com/ http://www.middleatlantic.com/ http://www.starcase.com The most convenient ones for mobile use are the ones made of aluminum, just to help cut down on weight. --Marc W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted September 14, 2011 Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 My cart is a 16 space Grundorf rack case on a custom base. It started with little Mackie 1402, a Venue, and a 744T swimming in all the space. Now it houses 2 monitors, Venue, 788T, 744T, Solice mixer, and a 2-space drawer. There were several changes between those, but I found a basic vertical cart made of carpeted wood to serve me well. Things can be Velroed to the outside and screwed to the inside. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Tirrell Posted September 14, 2011 Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 " it never helps the clients opinion of you if you have your cart piled high with a rats nest of gear. " some folks feel differently, and think the clients are impressed with our toys... True, and I have no lack of them just that they live in separate pelican cases on the bottom level. My favorite is a laptop sized case that holds 3 transmitters, Shotgun, Hypercardioid 2 re-50 sticks and tram Lav's. All laid out as if for display. That one usually gathers a few oohs and aahs from people when I pop it open. In my case I find I prefer it that way to drawers because I know that everything is safe for transit, and you could turn a fire hose on my cart but the mics not out on the table would at least be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted September 17, 2011 Report Share Posted September 17, 2011 Unfortunately my budget is about 1/4 of what those cost, however I still think I can pull it off if I build it myself. thanks for the input everyone. It is always appreciated! Don't get too discouraged with the cost of these you are interested in, I felt the same way a few years back when I was looking for a my first cart. I was able to find a used PSC cart for $600, and since then have refurbished it and built it into a very nice cart. Keep your eyes opened for used carts..... for they can be fixed up like an old muscle car with a little love . My design priorities I've learned from cart based mixing are: - Easily transportable alone (in your transportation method) - Speed of assembly/disassembly for location changes - Ergonomics - or you'll be paying the price soon enough - All terrain movement, to include it not being bigger/wider than a standard doorway. Also, when you are moving it, things aren't falling apart on you, falling off, etc..etc.. It must stay solid when rolling over a bump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 An old cart that looks like a beater can be easily refurbed. If the frame is good you can replace wheels, re-carpet shelves, have it powder-coated, add some cool attaching hardware and you'll have a great rig for cheap. phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg sextro Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 What would your ideal Sound Cart have? Mini Bar...just sayin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Actually, my next one is going to be built off of a Segway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Automatic chai-latte maker. phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Cup-holders. And maybe heated seats. --Marc W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 A built in Producer Filter. Immediately removes the BS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Davies Amps CAS Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Cup-holders. And maybe heated seats. --Marc W. Our carts don't have the heated seat option Marc but every cart leaves with a cup holder. Malcolm Davies. A.m.p.s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Every Mixer speaks of their three carts: The one I started with... This one I'm using now... The one I'm going to build... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackovski Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Hi all, I am also somewhat of a newbie - thanks for this thread and comments and ideas. Is there an idiots guide to building a sound cart some where - yes I have been googlein for at least ten mins. I have plenty of SKB cases, Laptop PT setup / Sound devices mixer sd recorder, sennheiser shot guns and radio lapels and an ever increasing amount of other gear to lug around. I would be interested in advice on powering everything on location and the radio antennas that everyone seems to have attached to their trollies. I should say I am in Australia and might not have access to everything available in the States. Many Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 - yes I have been googlein for at least ten mins. I should say I am in Australia and might not have access to everything available in the States. Many Thanks It may take even more than 10 minutes Googling this site since there are hundreds of posts that talk about carts, cart construction, sources for materials (worldwide), places to buy, etc. No one has yet written "Sound Carts For Dummies" book. If it is your first cart ever, you're best bet is to look very carefully at the Gallery of Sound Carts which has close to 200 images of carts from around the world and start to get some genera ideas. Once you have decided on the style of cart you want, spend some time thinking about whether you want to tackle a designing and building project or whether you want to buy a finished cart (either new or used). If you decide to buy new, RastOrder Carts are right there in your country and Rob could be very helpful in getting you set up with your first cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Hi all, I am also somewhat of a newbie - thanks for this thread and comments and ideas. Is there an idiots guide to building a sound cart some where - yes I have been googlein for at least ten mins. Many Thanks It took me hours and hours and hours of research before I started building my cart. With that said, I found my design to work for my needs. The cart can be broken down to fit in a sedan and the SKB cases keep everything nice and safe when in storage. Here's a link to As Jeff said you'll want to write down what your needs are (does it need to be compact, will you use skb's or shelves, do you need antenna hookups, do you want a boom pole holder, etc.) and then take a look at the carts in the gallery to see if any will do mostly what you want. From there, you can start tweeking the design to your particular desire. For cart power I went with the MeonLife Rackmount Cart Power. It is light, compact, and works like a champ! It is a bit pricey but worth every penny when G&E hasn't gotten their act together yet and you're able to roll sound without them. There have been plenty of times when a breaker went out and I was still rolling sound, much to the director's satisfaction. +1 on checking out the RastOrder Carts since he's closer to you then to us. Many of his designs are well thought out and his pricing is reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Thanks, Michael, for putting up that link --- so much good food for thought in just that one topic thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Tirrell Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 What I really want to see is a toothless Joes sound cart thread with photos and explanations of what not to do/ hacks, add ons and jerry rigged carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackovski Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Hi All, Thanks for links they were great. I have been through the gallery images many times, drooling but not really knowing what I am looking at most of the time. RastOrder was exactly what I was looking for but has never come up in months of searching for someone in Australia - why I dont know (I was being facetious when i said I had only spent ten mins doing so - dry australian humour sorry I will stop) RastOrder is in Sydney I am in Melbourne - definitely closer than the states. So after todays shoot where I was lugging my gear up and down a hill all day because the director didnt have the need for a shot list I am very excited about getting some wheels . My back is killing me right now. Thanks Michael for the MeonLife Rackmount Cart Power heads up. Also RastOrder has some interesting reading and products for power. I found a MeonLife Rackmount Cart Power on B&H $1500 pricey. Does it run all you gear for a whole days shooting? that would definitely be worth it. I will have to do some research to see if it is switchable to Australian power. I think I will eventually need antenna hookups but I don't know how they work or when they would be of use. Hence the idiots guide would be good - there is a opportunity begging there for someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McL Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Mackovski. Welcome. Knowing the language and search strings are imperatives as you've learned. In order to know those things, one must articulate. Listen and learn. Pardon my slight hijack, but a bunch of us hang out over in G+ every Saturday and Sunday and I'm thinking given your need for lingo, you might benefit from visiting our Weekly, Weekend Videoconference: https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/d8536fc133c820bdc31603c7b8d4cb1814210d64?authuser=0&hl=en-US I've opened it up early (now) in the event you're up and able to join me (us). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Hi All, Thanks for links they were great. I have been through the gallery images many times, drooling but not really knowing what I am looking at most of the time. RastOrder was exactly what I was looking for but has never come up in months of searching for someone in Australia - why I dont know (I was being facetious when i said I had only spent ten mins doing so - dry australian humour sorry I will stop) RastOrder is in Sydney I am in Melbourne - definitely closer than the states. So after todays shoot where I was lugging my gear up and down a hill all day because the director didnt have the need for a shot list I am very excited about getting some wheels . My back is killing me right now. Thanks Michael for the MeonLife Rackmount Cart Power heads up. Also RastOrder has some interesting reading and products for power. I found a MeonLife Rackmount Cart Power on B&H $1500 pricey. Does it run all you gear for a whole days shooting? that would definitely be worth it. I will have to do some research to see if it is switchable to Australian power. I think I will eventually need antenna hookups but I don't know how they work or when they would be of use. Hence the idiots guide would be good - there is a opportunity begging there for someone. Regarding the Meon: 1. The unit has a worldwide voltage converter, so is already operable on Aus power (240v). 2. It may or may not run all your gear for the whole day - that really depends on what you're trying to run off it and how much power that equipment draws. It has a 20AH battery inside it. As a very quick comparison - my bag has a 6.6AH battery in it and can run my 552, 744t, QRX and iPhone (I have a BDS 4) for 10hours easily. 3. If you end up getting the Meon, don't buy it from B&H. They are not specialist audio retailers, they have little to no after-sales support, and if you have to make a warranty claim it will be more difficult. Also in NYC are PSS and Gotham Sound (to name a few) that you will have a much better experience with. Also keep in mind that the Meon will attract import duty and GST as it is over $1000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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