In case you've never heard of them before, 19" racks are the standardised racks and rack cases used in both professional studios, home studios and as part of stage rigs. If terms like 'rack units', 'height unit', and 'installation depth' sound unfamiliar to you as well, read on to find out what 19-inch racks and cases are all about.
19" Racks and Flight Cases: The Dimensions
Let's demystify the '19-inch' bit first. A lot of audio equipment is made to measure 19 inches wide , which is about 48 centimetres . Throughout the past decades, this number has become the industry-standard which means that countless different bits of kit made by various brands are simple to install in a matching rack or case since they'll always fit. Besides the width, there's of course the height, which is always indicated in units (U). 1U equals 1.75" (44.45mm), so any rack that comes labelled as a 2U rack measures 19 inches wide and 3.5 inches high. Then there's the depth, which hasn't been standardised so more on this later.
From Server Racks to Gear-Packed Studio Racks
Standardised dimensions are an absolute advantage for many different set-ups. They're used to build large networks using patch racks and servers in office buildings, for instance, where the various computers, printers and other devices are linked up to racks full of servers, switches, routers and other electronics. In the world of audio, live gigs and music production, gear like mixers, amplifiers and wireless microphone systems are often 19 inches wide for the same practical reason.
What's Better: A 19" Rack or a 19" Flight Case?
The choice between a rack and a case depends on whether or not you want to travel with your gear. If you're running a studio or a club and need a fixed installation, a rack is a solid choice. On the other hand, if you spend a lot of time on the road, you might want something that protects your gear against shocks and bumps, in which case a sturdy 19-inch flight case is the better pick. While equipment is installed in the same way as a rack, the housing of a flight case is designed to support safe transport and, in most cases, the front and back panels can be removed to gain eased access to any controls, inputs and outputs or cables.
Installing Gear into a 19" Rack: Mounts and Parts
19-inch racks and cases are equipped with rails on either side of the interior. These rails feature screw holes to accommodate screws, nuts, wing nuts and washers: or rackware for short. The hardware needed to mount your gear usually comes included with the rack, but it's always worth keeping a few extra rack screws around. For any gear that isn't directly rack-compatible, a rack mount kit including rack ears (mounting brackets) can be the perfect solution - just make sure to check the user manual to see if your bit of kit supports rack ears. If it turns out it isn't 19" rack-proof, see if you can make a 19" shelf or drawer work. They're available in various heights and are easy to install into a rack so you can mount more compact gear or set up essential accessories.
Professionalising and Completing Your Rack with Rack Accessories
Mounting rack gear is one thing, optimising your rack set-up is another. Since you're dealing with dust build-up and the heat generated by your rack gear - two things electronic devices aren't fond of - proper protection and ventilation are important things to take into consideration. Fixed installations like server racks are often finished with glass doors to counter dust, while electronics that produce a lot of heat are often sealed off using perforated doors for the extra airflow. The same applies to rack gear, which can be shielded using 19" rack panels like blind panels or ventilation panels to keep dust from getting to your gear or keep it cool. Clean cable management also improves the airflow inside the rack, so it's worth noting you can also get vertical cable throughput systems to neaten things up. Other accessories to complete your rack include wheels, inlays and power strips.
19" Rack Advice: Future-Proof It Right Away
Going back to non-standardised installation depths: if you only have relatively shallow gear, a shallow case might do. The thing is, if you want to add any deeper gear later on, you'll be stuck with a case that's too small. So, with possible upgrades in mind, it's always worth picking up a slightly larger rack or case than initially needed. The same can be said for the height: opting for a few extra units for future expansions is never a bad idea - even if it's just to get more room to route your cables.
Frequently Asked Questions About 19-Inch Racks
Which 19-inch rack should I buy?
The most important advice we can give you when it comes to picking out a 19" rack is: think about the size. While you could get a rack that seamlessly supports your current collection of gear, it's wise to go for a rack with a few more units of height and a little extra installation depth than needed to support future gear upgrades or expansions.
