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Mission Critical: Mixing Console Protection And Maintenance

A look at the various types and styles of console/mixer cases, and tips for keeping them in top working order...

At the heart of virtually every PA system is a console. It might be a small analog mixer with only a few inputs and a limited number of mix buses, or it might be a big digital desk with hundreds of inputs and dozens of mix buses, but no matter the size of the console, it needs to be in proper working condition for the next gig.

A big part of this means storing and transporting consoles safely as well as performing maintenance to keep them in top shape.

Because of their critical mission, every console should have a case that it lives in to protect it when transported and stored. Cases come in many styles, including soft-sided bags, molded or formed plastic, wood, metal, and laminate-covered wood-sided cases that use metal edging and corners that are commonly referred to as ATA or “flight” cases.

ATA stands for the Air Transport Association of America, and more specifically, the organization’s Specification 300, which covers reusable transit and storage containers. The specification sets guidelines and testing standards that place a case into one of three category certifications.

A Category I rating means it can survive 100 airline shipments, a Category II rating refers to 10 airline shipments, and a Category III rating means a single airline shipment. It’s always best to check with the manufacturer to find out what level of protection a specific case really offers.

Many rugged plastic cases and even well-built shipping crates can pass ATA certification, but the type most of us refer to as flight cases are metal-edged laminated panel models. They’re available with wall thicknesses from 1/4-inch to 3/4-inch.

The padding in the case is important, providing added protection.(Credit: Power Case)

The wood panels are laminated with ABS, fiberglass or even metal to make them very strong and resistant to impact. Extruded metal edging is riveted to the panels, and metal corners are used to reinforce the case and give added protection.

Some of the more common styles of console cases include:

Gig Bags. Normally used with very small mixers, they offer basic protection but little else. They might be O.K. for gigging musicians who move around their own gear locally, but consoles are better protected with hard-sided cases.

Lift-Out. These cases are mostly used for small consoles, up to about 32 inputs in size. They can be made from molded or formed plastic, or can be of the flight case style, with the inside padded for added protection. In use, the mixer is removed from the case.

It’s important to ensure that doghouses have enough room for cabling. They can also serve as a handy shelf when closed. (Credit: Power Case)

Lift-Off With Tray. The most common style of cases for medium- to large-sized consoles. In use, the case is placed at the location where the console will be used, the lid is removed, and the console stays in the “tray” or bottom of the case while in use. It’s common for larger lift-off cases to have wheels attached to the back of the lid so that they can be rolled in an upright position. Caution should be exercised when rolling them because they can be top-heavy.

Doghouse. They’re similar to tray cases, but there’s an enclosed area behind the mixer that houses and hides the cabling. In use, the doghouse lid also serves as a handy shelf, holding items like intercom packs and signal lights as well as small monitor “cue” loudspeakers. When used with large analog mixers, it’s common to keep a snake fan —equipped with a multi-pin disconnect—hooked up to the console inside the doghouse. This way, during set-up only a single connection needs to be made to the snake, saving time as well as wear and tear on the individual channel connectors.

Slant-Top. These are used with mixers that have rack-mount ears. The mixer is bolted into the bottom half of the case and the lid of the case is simply removed for use. A variation called the “pop up” case offers rack rails that adjust to different angles, allowing the user to select the most comfortable operating position. This style allows for a more compact case because the mixer can be stowed in a lowered position.

A slant-top design to mount the mixer at an angle, with an equipment rack beneath.

Slant-Top Rack. The console can be mounted in operating position at the top of the rack, along with additional rack spaces below for processors and other gear. This style allows the gear in the rack to remain hooked up and connected to the mixer. Many of the larger slant top racks have wheels, and some also have large rack lids that can be used as tables to increase the work surface area.

Roll-Top. Not really a “road ” case, but houses of worship and higher end installs place the console on a table that has a rolling top that can be opened and closed. Some of these units are stationary, but quite a few are on wheels and allow for the console to be placed in different areas of the room or even a different room. Some of these units also offer racks below the mixer for processing or amplifiers.

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