What to carry stuff in...

[andrewh]

I'm tired of cramming things in a duffle bag, yet at the same time I don't want to spend $90000 on a specially designed box for us gearsluts.

What do you mobile guys use to transport all your accessories? Power cables, Mic cables, direct boxes, mic splitter boxes, patch cables, etc?

I'd like to maybe build my own box/case with its own compartments and such, but not sure where to start. I already have nice mic cases, some velcro wraps, and just bought my first rack: this one, so I'm not at a total loss as far as organization goes.

Maybe this should be in a separate thread, but I was also curious as to whether or not anyone has ever tried something crazy like this in their early days: running a snake into your car, just outside the venue, and listening in there. Very strange-looking, very ghetto-like, but I'm curious as to whether or not it would work in a $0 budget, recording your friend's band, 80 people at the show type of situation. You really do have to start somewhere, even if it means looking goofy. I would be paranoid that someone would hold me up and I wouldn't be able to escape being connected to thousands of dollars worth of mics and preamps.

I've recorded bands live before, and had some decent results, but it's frustrating to be sitting 5 feet from the band and have no way of listening to what you are getting to tape until after the show is over (except for soundcheck).

[Ari]

What to carry stuff in?

Any thing on wheels !! !!



For mic and electric cables I use a cylindric cardboard, about 12 to 14 inches diameter. It is like a big "map or blue-prints" cylinder. I don't know how to name it in English. I hope you know what I mean because they are very useful. I will make some pics for you.

Best

Ari

[hollywood_steve]

Unfortunately, some stuff just has to go in serious road cases; things like hard disk recorders or anything else that costs more than you can afford to replace.

But when it comes to cables and other stuff, I use "Craftsman" brand tool bags. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I've got one for mic cables, one for AC cords, one for special cables like the 8ch D-sub to XLR cables for the recorder, one for headphones and their various accessories, etc.

They are almost indestructible and sturdy enough to hold 40 or 50lbs of cables without losing a handle. And I usually pick up a couple whenever I see them onsale for $19.95 or so.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00940424000

The one "must-have" secret is one of those amazing German fold up hand carts, and I strongly recommend the original Ruxxac brand. You can find them for around $85 if you look around and they are stronger than other brands costing nearly double.

http://www.thebestthings.com/handtrucks/standard.htm

Mics are all different; some come in heavy duty anvil cases, others come in cheap plastic boxes. I try to pack the plastic and wood boxes inside something more sturdy that is also padded on the inside. It would be nice if every mic came ina $400 anvil case, but then you'd need an 18 wheeler just to carry your mics.

I've got things organized so that I can carry everything I need for an 8ch session (all outboard, no console) and fit it all in a compact rent-a-car. It takes me 4 or 5 trips from the car to wherever I set up. And as an unavoidable side benefit, by the time I'm back home, I've had a great workout.

[andrewh]

Thanks to both of you for the links/replies!

How about a sturdy, compact, collapsable table? For my recorder/rack/monitors. That would be the icing on the cake. Maybe I could go to a hardware store, and build one myself? I want something very strong, but something that can fold down pretty flat in the trunk of my buick Lesabre!

[Ari]

Here you have some folding tables, carts etc.

Ari