Rack Effects
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Rack mounted signal processors range from highly specialized individual effects to instrument specific multi-effects. All of them are designed to fit onto a "rack." A rack is simply a case or mounting system that provides space for units designed to the rack standard. Technically, the rack size is 19" X 1.75" -1/32 per rack space. It isn't really necessary to memorize the exact dimentsions since all commercially available rack type signal processors are designed to this standard. All the user needs to know is how many spaces a particular unit requires and whether their rack has enough space to hold it.

Rack effects are used for everything from musical instruments like guitars and basses to vocals, recording and even broadcast environments. Selecting processing tools for your needs depends on your intended use.

Guitar Systems

Preamp - The preamp is the primary tone shaping device. Basically, a guitar preamp is the "front end" or input section of a typical guitar amp. It provides gain controls which provide a means to determine the level of input saturation. Also, most preamps have bass, midrange and treble controls. Preamps, while providing processing of the signal, technically aren't effects although they do have a profound impact on the guitar sound (signal). The preamp can; however, be rack-mounted along with all of the other components of the system.

Effects - Similar to floor units, rack-mount multi-effects units provide everything in one box. Many rack units are much more specialized providing reverbs, time delay effects like chorusing and flange or compressors or complex pitch shifting and harmonizing effects. Like anything else, the more specialized a unit is, the better it is likely to be at performing it's particular function. Specialized effects of very high quality make rack systems atractive to many players.

Many guitar systems are available which contain the preamp and effects unit in one rack-mounted component. It really doesn't make much difference whether the effects unit resides on the floor or in a rack. Which system to select is a matter of convenience, space, price and sound. There are high quality systems of all types available to guitarists.

P.A. Systems

Most P.A. situations require the ability to add effects to vocals and acoustic instruments. The most obvious effects are reverbs and delays. Another effect, called compression, is very useful for controling levels. A compressor keeps signal levels from dropping below an assigned threshold or rising beyond another. In other words, a compressor eliminates peaks and troughs in signal level. This can make feedback more easily managed and help keep certain types of signals from fading in and out.

Basically, a P.A. should have some basic global effects but, electric instruments usually provide their own.

Almost always, rack effects are used in the P.A. environment, primarily for space reasons. Also, they can be easily packed into strudy roadcases for touring sitations.

Recording

Recording calls for the use of every signal processing device imaginable. Tube preamps, compressors, reverbs, time effects, harmonizers, EQs, enhancers, limiters, tape loops, noise gates, noise reduction and literally hundreds more all have a place in th studio making rack mounting a must. There simply isn't enough desk space in the studio to accomodate the quantity of devices required to handle the typical recording session.