EMS Rack System

[fifthcircle]

Been looking at the Euromodule Modular Rack system's website. Looks like a pretty cool system and definitely a step up from SKB. They are made in Finland.

Has anybody actually seen these in person? and Where are they sold in the US?

Here is their site:

http://www.euromodule.fi/e/index.html

--Ben

[Remoteness]

Wow, I love this design...

I must get a bunch of these puppies!

How did you originally hear about this company?

[fifthcircle]

Came across it on a website for a company in Australia that makes production sound carts. http://www.rastorder.com.au/products.htm Their RMC cart is made for putting cases in it so it is easy to move around. They recommend either SKB or the EMS racks.

Looking at the EMS website- I really dig the design and think it would be a great replacement for my SKBs that I use but really don't like.

--Ben

[Remoteness]

I would like to contact the company and place a large order with them.
Maybe we can get a few of us together to get a super sized order in.
I would like to make them available here in the USA.

What do you think about that idea?

[fifthcircle]

If the quality was there, I would certainly order a few (a couple cases for my mic pres/interfaces and a couple sets of sides so that things can move around...).

Other Gearslutz? has anybody actually seen these and can they vouch for their quality?

--Ben

[lampmeister]

These have been available in the UK for years through www.studiospares.com

The StudioSpares catalogue actually says that they are designed and made in the UK.

I dunno.

Whatever, I think they're great but with a couple of reservations:

1) If you do expand a rack (say from 6u-9u or 9u-12u) the front and rear covers no longer fit the rack. D'Oh!

2) As with all 'plastic' racks, you can't screw things into the inside of the back of the rack like DI boxes, power supplies, cable retention bars, etc, etc.

So if that doesn't matter to you then it's perfect.

Cheers.

[fifthcircle]

Finally saw some of these... (Actually I got one) A colleague of mine happens to have a number of them that he got years ago from a friend in England.

Anyways, I'd trade every one of my SKBs in an instant for these things. They are quite heavy duty and rather light (considering I'd compare them to an ATA case rather than an SKB or Gator). Hardware is typical of an ATA rack, etc... The only complaint is that they seem a bit large- that there is some space on the top and bottom that is wasted space. A minor complaint, but if you have a large pile of these, I could see how the space would add up.

I may end up getting several more of these (enough to fit my needs) from this colleague, but I'd be interested in getting a 2 space for my computer interface... Anybody know of an American dealer- I sent an Email off to EMS in Finland but have heard nothing back.

--Ben

[Yannick]

I have two of those, 9 unit with wheel plate.
One has been on the road for 6 years, and where the locking nuts attach to the case (when you close it), the plastic is ripped apart. Thanks to a metal reinforcement it still closes fine, but not really tight.

But that has been resolved: two years ago I bought a second one, and the attachments have been reinforced.

It is advisable to retighten all the screws once every 5 years, because I detected they do come loose (the pitfall of a modular design).

I cannot believe there would be no extensions for the doors, when you extend the case ...

All in all they are very solid, we did drill some holes to attach some extras on the inside - no problem. Instead of screws, bolts would be fine.

The attached pic shows the old case (just look at the dust)

[klaukholm]

Ben and Steve, did you guys ever get any of these?

I have sent emails to a few dealers and the finnish manufacturer and ask to order, but we got no answer.
I finally found a reputable dealer in Germany that has them, but thought I would check in here to see how you guys are getting along with them.

I am hoping the 500 is deep enough to leave the Euphonix am713 permanently hooked up to 3 millennias.

[fifthcircle]

I have 4 of them here, but I bought them used off a colleague that was getting out of the business. I would love to get some replacement parts and to purchase a couple more, but I have had very difficult times reaching EMS in Finland and they don't have American Distribution. There may be somebody in Canada, but that isn't a whole lot easier as I still have to deal with Customs and such...

I love them, though... Great cases- much better than the alternatives for lightweight cases.

--Ben

[klaukholm]

I will let you know how the german shop is in regards to these.
Maybe they can supply you with spares . This shop seems to be pretty reasonably priced.

[fifthcircle]

That would be great. Just had one die last night on my way to a gig...

--Ben

[klaukholm]

PM me with the parts you need, I will call them in finland next week.

[Teddy Ray]

The US Army Europe Band(which I moonlighted with when I wasnt doing my regular job, Infantry) used these products. They were remarkable, and always landed huge orders from DOD every year.

[klaukholm]

Maybe we can convince steve to become the US distributor for these?
It is too bad the US does not have access to these.

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by klaukholm

Maybe we can convince steve to become the US distributor for these?
It is too bad the US does not have access to these.

I like that possibility.

Let's see what can be accomplish.

[soundwarrior]

Any news on becoming a dealer or being able to get them in the U.S.?

[klaukholm]

Canford in the UK now carries these, they surely have spareparts and will ship to the US.
It seems like CP Communications is becoming the dealer in germany.
I finally got through to them here and placed an order for a few ems500.

[klaukholm]

I just received a few 500s and they are great!
not quite deep enough to leave my euphonix permanently patched, but great racks.

I also received a mail from EMS after they saw this thread, so I believe we may make some progress getting these to the us market finally!


I made a suggestion to make a version available with two handles side by side.

[Remoteness]

Brilliant!

[jpupo74]

Originally Posted by soundwarrior

Any news on becoming a dealer or being able to get them in the U.S.?

[fifthcircle]

I think they are alergic to making money. I've tried so hard to get their products into the US. I even got an email from them- I responded the next day and crickets... Nothing.

I've tried every person in North America that supposedly carries their stuff and I've never had the decency of a call back.

I've seriously gotten tired of trying to purchase their products. In the mean time, my cases have a few cracks from abuse and I need spare parts. If I can't get them, I'll be forced to get rid of them and go with something else- probably a standard (heavy) ATA case from Encore or Jan-Al.

--Ben

[muf]

I'm actually from Finland and I too am finding it difficult to get info on these cases. I already have a few of these and was looking to buy some more, but couldn't find any retailer info from their website/google. Oh well, gotta call them tomorrow or hop to my local music store to see if they have any insight.

[Chanter]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

I think they are alergic to making money. I've tried so hard to get their products into the US. I even got an email from them- I responded the next day and crickets... Nothing.

I've tried every person in North America that supposedly carries their stuff and I've never had the decency of a call back.

I've seriously gotten tired of trying to purchase their products. In the mean time, my cases have a few cracks from abuse and I need spare parts. If I can't get them, I'll be forced to get rid of them and go with something else- probably a standard (heavy) ATA case from Encore or Jan-Al.

--Ben

Fifthcircle,

If you are still after these get in contact with Canford here in the UK. They pride themselves on their customer service and they'll tell you straight if they have got the products you are after and if they have not got stock right now, they will go find out and get right back to you with what they can or can't do to help you. Yes they do ship to the US...along with all other parts of the globe.

PS...remember the time difference if you call them.

[Peter_PL]

Just a shore notice - these are available in Poland, some directly from warehouse, others need to be ordered with Euromodule, but this did not cause a problem so far.

If you are still interested - drop me an info.


Rgds,
Piotr