Turtlerock Forum

Turtlerockers

this is a bit of a survey.
I'm gearing up to rack pairs of my last batch of MCI JH-500 console modules and two options have presented themselves which i'm scratching my head over. Most modules I rack I cut a slot in the front panel and present the original panel of the channel strip on the front of the unit. This preserves the original look of the module and of course all the labelling of the controls is intact. The downside is that invariably the labelling is always canted over 90 degrees as the channel strip is now horizontal rather than vertical. This is option A for racking these JH-500 modules.
Option B is to ditch the original front panel metal work and engrave all new labels on the front panel. This allows me to rotate the labelling so it reads the "right way up" and also leave out the controls that in the racking are non functional and add consistantly labelled new ones that weren't present in the original console implimentation ( ie phantom on / off )

I think there are pluses and minuses for both approaches.

discuss.....

btw here are the modules in question, but in mega racks. I'm planning to do up the last eight modules as pairs ( unless someone put a large slab of cash on the table for a eight channel rack! )

http://www.proharmonic.com/mci.htm

Rob

Hi Rob

Personally I like the original panels. They bring colour, authenticity and history to the studio.
Re-engraved units look a bit lifeless.
I find I use racked modules more intuitively. Turning parameters without looking at what I'm doing and more listening to what's coming out.
So generally it doesn't bother me that the labelling for eq is at 90%.

I started on a MCI 400. The MCI's have a very musical EQ and a nice warm pre tone.

I'll take a pair with original front panels. Let me know what you are thinking for prices.

cheers
Ben

That looks great Rob, would be a great idea. It is a pain to get used to working looking at things all skewif.

I like the style of the original panels on things. Also after a few sessions you've learnt the layout and it doesn't really matter which way they are orientated.

Barney Loveland wrote:I like the style of the original panels on things. Also after a few sessions you've learnt the layout and it doesn't really matter which way they are orientated.

True I love the vintage look too.

Most of my modules are in rack cases for location work, and I often use them on the floor, facing upwards, or vertically on a flat surface, so they can be oriented in whatever way is most convenient. When used in the studio, I can find space to do the same- squeeze the case on or beside the desk, or whatever is most convenient for viewing and control. So for moving modules, its definitely not a problem as to which way they are mounted.
I appreciate what you're saying about the less-than-ideal horizontal mounting, but I don't mind it as an end user.

looks like the stats are stacking up for leaving the original panels....gee that saves me a lot of work!!

thanks for the responses so far

Rob

Another vote for the original panels here

+ 1 for original face panel too Rob.
I love the look of my Auditronics 110 pres even if they are horizontal..
They still sound the same no matter what angle they are at!! ;-)

Original strip, dropped into a Proharmonic rack.

Original panels +1 too. Don't need your eyes to EQ...

Hey Rob,
Yeah I agree, I'm a fan of keeping the history there. Not only that but surely re-doing all the graphics, lazer cutting blah blah...etc.. would push the price up for racking them right?

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

Hey Rob,
You know what would be cool. If you racked them up like normal, but then created a high quality sticker (shiny plastic style) that would sit over the whole strip. keeping to the original look but redesigning the
layout to go horizontal. ya know!!

well it seems pretty conclusive that keeping the front panels is the go

i think i understand what you mean about the sticker Mat, but that would surely start to defeat what seems to be desired ... which is the orginal panel.

the thought of remaking the front panel was brought about becase on these modules all the rotary switches are on flying leads making it straightforward to pull the panels away and install everything back onto a new panel. And ... laser engraved panels can look pretty cool

Rob

I'm for the original panels, then they don't look like they come from China.

nIC

a little off topic but what for a young newbie with no MCI experience what is the story with MCI desks and it looks like they made heaps of diiferent models. WHat is it that people like about them? Were there particular models of them they really shined or where they others that really were no where near as good?
I see people racking up Yamaha 1000 series units and I think to myself why would you want to spend the money.
I guess the Yamaha units would not be in the same class as the MCI stuff.
Thanks

Whats wrong with China?? got a big wall over there, looks pretty sturdy too.

Too many rabbits

I had some neve modules racked on their side about 15 years ago, I was bugged about for about an hour, never thought about it again.

i dont think it matters ,u just turn knobs so it sounds right