(Part 2) Best recording studio rack accessories according to redditors

1. Toss the Zips and use Velcro, so you can add\remove cables as time passes. (https://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-Reusable-Fastening-Organizing/dp/B001E1Y5O6).
   
2. Mount Chassis under the desk with something like this (https://www.amazon.com/HumanCentric-Adjustable-Computer-Mounts-Holder/dp/B079RZBK1Y)
   
3. Mount UPS to wall with something like this (https://www.amazon.com/HumanCentric-Computer-Adjustable-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B07P83J1H8).
   
4. Wall mount a shelf for the network gear. A plus side is it is rack-mountable so if you ever go that direction it is still useful to you (https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Circulation-Cantilever-Universal-PLRSTN14U/dp/B01HTG4WHY). That Pyle one is 10" deep and a great value for the money, but they have many options and depths on Amazon, just search for "Rack Mount Shelf". Use the vents in the rack with some velcro to tie down the gear and cables neatly.
   
5. Whenever possible, route low and high voltage separately. Use either your typical cable raceways, or something like these adjustable cable straps that can be mounted by screws or adhesive. (https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Self-Adhesive-mounts-Optional-management/dp/B07P1RNP5B)
   
   Last piece of advice.... Let your EdgeRouter breathe... don't stack stuff on top of the poor thing. :)

First requirement, for something affordable, I recommend these two:

https://www.amazon.com/Kenuco-Standing-Open-Frame-Wheels/dp/B07BL4WCP4?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Portable-Rolling-Telecommunications-Equipment/dp/B07PTNQQ1D

As for something that fits in with wood....well either a DIY lackrack or something expensive.

examples

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Rack-Enclosure-Server-Cabinet/dp/B00KDC0398

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Rack-Enclosure-Server-Cabinet/dp/B00KTHGGCK

I usually have gotten them from Amazon in 20U varieties for rack mounted studio projects, but you can get 42u as well from Amazon or several other sources. I used to live by a scrap metal vintage shop (strange, but true) that used to strip racks for them regularly.

For the fixed 42u racks I've made (only 3, but I'll be making a couple more this summer), I've found it MUCH cheaper to build a cabinet that uses two sets of 20u rails rather than one continuous 42u rail. I put in a sturdy crossbrace and fans with controls on the front of the cabinet. It tends to make for a taller rack overall by about 3" (similar to some APC racks I had at work), but the quality and cost gains for the cost of 2u have always been worth it for my applications.

I have found that when it comes to server cases, a case is a case. Look for the functionality that you need and dont worry too much about the extra compenents and interfaces. My advice is to get them as barebones as possible and then build to your needs. check your local classifieds. Youd be surprised, some people give em away just to get rid of them. Those are all solid cases that you posted. Also consider if you want rails for them or plan to use aftermarket rails such as

https://www.amazon.com/Navepoint-Sliding-Vented-Server-Adjustable/dp/B01A6JQZNA/ref=pd_sbs_267_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=W4XNW6Y7Y7962A9FX9A4

Haa, I checked my SLR, laptop and Phantom 4 drone onto a flight two weeks ago... the big caveat being that I was using an SKB hard case that by itself weighs about 16kg, so all the gear was surrounded by a few mm of armour and then a couple of inches of padding (with packing peanuts in the voids). Worked a treat! :)

Edit : like this case, but the one that is 1.5x bigger : https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00BBLG1WS/ref=mp_s_a_1_83?qid=1465131288&sr=8-83&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=skb+case

Royal Racks 12u

> I was thinking about adding tabs though on the cross beams so I can mount foamboard and create a full enclosure. From there I would only need a fan or two on the back and create a couple of holes in the slices for some air to get through.

I'd love to see an airflow diagram to see how that would cool down the Raspberries after a prolonged intensive use (e.g. a web server). They tend to get hot. I found that unless there are fans creating negative pressure, that the fans on Raspberry PIs just circulate warm air from other Rasbberry PIs and surrounding equipment (e.g. Mac Minis and R720, Switches), thus increasing their operating temperatures; and reducing their lifespans.

So I use temperature controlled fans to control exhaust and intake. That does however require that the equipment has ventilation holes in the front, so air can be forced from the front of the rack to the back.

It is all moot if you're using an open rack, or the application doesn't necessitate aggressive cooling.

Buy a half depth/ quarter depth generic rack shelf from Amazon.

E: Something like this

Got them from Amazon

Keep in mind the standard 1000mm rack depth is for the frame, not the rails -- the rails would be slightly less. So you have a pretty average rack on your hands; most stuff should fit just fine unless you start getting into super high density disk shelves.

Incidentally, the two sets of rails you have look quite useful -- the upper one would probably hold the Rosewill, though obviously it wouldn't slide out.

As an aside, get yourself a big set of rack nuts and screws to save pain down the line. Something like this (no specific endorsement, just an example). The ones that come with equipment are often terrible, and they'll almost certainly be missing from used gear.

I use a pair of these Procraft 6U’s on my desk between my monitors, as well as a 20U 16” deep rack on the floor. I find 6U is the sweet spot for desk racks where you can put synths or pedals or whatever on top of them and use them easily, 8U is too tall to easily use anything on top for me at least.

Pro tip: if you get a big floor rack put some wheels on it, or you’ll curse yourself the first time you need to move it to make any config changes!!

I'm thinking about bolting one of these in front of that open slot, but it'd probably be cheaper to dremel out a blank and mount fans myself xD

Probably this rack & mesh door or similar, with these shelves

As others have said, it's true that the mesh may block wireless signals but you need to make sure there is adequate airflow. maybe a plexiglass front door with grills at the top and bottom would work, depending on how much heat is generated, you may want to add some fans for active cooling.

Just a pro tip here, if you flip the ears around it will give you an extra inch, but if this frame came from Monoprice it will still be a bit short.

They make these awesome heavy duty rack extenders that I used on mine. A bit pricey for that they are but getting the 4 inch ones gave me enough space to put in a UPS, PoE edgeswitch, drawers, a short console, shelving, and one of the old 1-u google search appliances. You would only need two of these to extend your whole 6-u rack as they come in pairs.

4 inch 3-u
https://www.amazon.com/IAB104V10-3U-Extender-Industrial-Standard-Cabinet/dp/B01FZTBKYA

3 inch 3-u
https://www.amazon.com/IAB103V10-3U-Extender-Industrial-Standard-Cabinet/dp/B01FXUJ1CE

1.1 inch 3-u
https://www.amazon.com/RCB1061-3U-Rackmount-Extender-Cabinet-cabinet/dp/B01B779KGY

They do make them in different heights and many depths, but I believe 4u is the largest you can get, 1u is the shortest.

Using the 2-Post rails is the best way to do it. However, you could also just install a relay rack shelf and set it on top of that. Amazon link.

Gator Rackworks Heavy Duty Steel Rack Rail Set; 10U Rack Size (GRW-RACKRAIL-10U) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071RLRW83/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QRc3Cb21XD4RC

Seems well built

Let's say we handle the "remove the battery" and "it's really 148Wh" issues; what case are people using to check it on a plane? Does https://www.amazon.com/SKB-3I-2617-12BE-Mil-Std-Waterproof-Wheels/dp/B00D6B0TFQ work, or is it over-sized? My pint is a couple weeks out (I voluntarily delayed shipping to accommodate my work schedule) but I bought it with the explicit intention of traveling in both US and EU. I hope to pull the trigger on a hardcase in the next couple weeks...

While completely unconventional for servers (it may not handle the weight well), why not something like this? Depth isn't an issue since it just hangs lower. Power cables won't be that pretty, but you could probably velcro tie it into submission...

Honestly, /u/evemanufacturetool's comment about wall mounted cabinets being for networking gear is spot on. You linked to another cabinet that was deeper, but I start to worry about how much weight is being extended from the wall, and the stress on those screws.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rack-panels/7213048/

http://www.amazon.com/Navepoint-19-Inch-Network-Enclosure-Cabinet/dp/B00BTRD1FE/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1463518680&sr=1-1&keywords=6u+panel

Should get you on the right track.

Have you thought of getting a rack? I just [bought one](Royal Racks 16U Metal Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQCY4M6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_YC7YCbZ208T5B) for all my hifi audio equipment and i have a smaller one for nas/networking. It really tidies everything up. I really like the rackmount sliding lcd/keyboard and mouse combo.