RACKMOUNTING and RACK CABINETS
Welcome...I build custom, handmade professional audio racks. The modules in most of the pictures on this page are vintage Ward Beck mic-pres, compressors and EQs. They sound great and are extremely versatile in the studio. I've used various models to record just about everything from piano and horns, to acoustic guitars and vocals, to electric guitars, basses, and on and on... For a wealth of information on these modules, see the Ward Beck Preservation Society website.
Recently I have been building lunchbox style powered cabinets to accommodate the API 500 series format. The first two prototypes will be camera ready very soon.
The woods I use for my custom cabinets include cherry, maple, oak, poplar, and walnut. Whenever possible I choose wood with beautiful figure: flamed maple and quilted oak, quilted cherry, etc.
Finishing: I spray about 25 coats of lacquer and finally sand the whole thing out starting with 600 grit paper and working my way out to 1500 grit, after which I hand rub it with rubbing compound and finally polishing compound. Finish is pretty glass-like.
PS: Amperage for the power supplies always far exceeds the maximum requirements for the number and type of module in each rack.
I use Neutrik connectors for I/O on all my custom work (except sometimes in the Recycled Rack series).
NEWSFLASH!
Recently I began building my own buckets (internal module frames) out of 1/16" steel. Now, when something has a self-contained power supply, I can isolate the modules from the supply with a steel box. Here are a couple of 500 series buckets in process:
Here is the first box for which I used my own steel: It's cherry and maple with oak highlights. Eventually it will contain two Ward Beck 466 compressors and two Ward Beck EQs.
The RECYCLED RACK Series
Many folks have contacted me recently about racking their WBS pre-amps. Using all-new components, even making a simple metal rack; installing a power supply and toroid transformer, and wiring I/0s and edge connectors for a pair of modules winds up taking a lot of time and costs quite a bit in materials: my standard price is $450. Many simply don't want to spend that much money. So...I have come up with a somewhat cheaper alternative: I've been buying unwanted rack equipment on Ebay, stripping it of useful parts, and cutting up the boxes to fit WBS modules. Yeah, some of these will have extra holes in the cases and the connectors might not be brand new Neutrik, but they'll work just fine and save you some cash. Usually, these go for around $350-$400 (depending upon availability and options). Drop me an email and I'll let you know what's on hand.
PICTURES
The first cabinet below is poplar and the spacers are book-matched spalted maple. For this model I build a separate 1U rack mount power supply, which connects via a 6 pin XLR cable. It's a mixed six-pack with 460s, 470s, and 490s. The 490 modules have been modified for increased signal and output directly from the fader so the logic circuitry is bypassed. Great modification (Thank you Dave Thomas)!
Here's one of the cherry units.
By the way, the hardwood racks all have internal frames so modules can be removed for cleaning without disturbing the wiring.
Here's a cherry lunchbox/picnic basket with maple accents. The lunchbox/picnic baskets, and of course the metal racks, have internal power supplies.
Here's a figured maple eight pack. This one is currently available wired with four 460 modules and two 470s (with separate 1U rack mounted power supply). $2500.00US
I'm also doing some metal racks. The first is a mixed pair: 470 and 490 pre-amps.
A nice 460 rack.
Here is one of the 'Recycled Rack' series with an oak faceplate. That's a 461M pre and a 462A equalizer.
Another Recycled Rack: This one is a pair of 460s: one 'LA' and one 'L'.
Several similar racks in various configurations are in the works. Some I'll keep and others I'll sell to finance additional projects. Please contact me to see what's available and/or to discuss your custom project.
PRICES
Metal: 3U box (or 2U for a pair of half size modules) custom cut for a pair of your WBS modules includes: power supply with toroidal transformer, wired edge connectors, Neutrik XLR mic-in and line-out connectors, AC power jack, main on/off switch and mini toggles for +48v as necessary.
$450.00US plus shipping (Recycled racks, when available, are usually $50-$75 less).
This is a plug and play rack for a pair of standard size WBS 460, 470, or 490 modules. This price does not include cleaning, recapping, additional lines in and out, added DI, or other misc. services. Ask me about pricing for the extras.
Much of the time, if your modules don't work the first time out, it's because the switches, etc. need to be cleaned. Get yourself a can of Deoxit or any good electronic contact cleaner and spend some time working out the kinks. I charge $30 each to clean a module if you don't want to deal with it.
Obviously, if you want a larger size rack, to mount several half size EQs or compressors for example, the price will go up. These are custom made one-offs, not production run cases and my shipping expenses go up with larger size, heavier cases.
Hardwood: Angled front and lunchbox style cabinets, wired, powered, and ready to load your four (or more) modules start at $1000.00US plus shipping.