With the proliferation of desktop synths, grooveboxes, processors, etc, there is naturally the question of how to store and transport things. Companies like analog cases sell cases for individual units. But does everything you own get its own case, or do you have a few more “general” cases you use to transport your gear, regardless of the gear?
I own a « midi keyboard bag » from Thomann. I carry an Octatrack, Polyend Medusa, Waldorf Blofeld, Hotone Ampero 2, Shure SM58 and cables in it. I put Decksavers on for the machines that I have one for.
It is great, I would recommend… obviously if you are just a hobbyist traveling rarely with your equipment and you can make sure to handle it yourself. Otherwise, flight cases and foam see to be the way to go.
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I’ve got the keyboard bag I got to tour a Hammond sk-1 (61 key) plus assorted cables, mics, pedals. And bubble wrap.
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I have an assortment of cases that allows me to take any reasonable combination of gear to a show with minimal hassle. Some gear gets its own case when it needs special protection or it won’t easily fit in larger cases with other gear. Pedals/desktop fx and small synths (like the blackbox) go in a large soft padded case with dividers when they need to be transported to a show. My studio has sufficient storage for all my equipment–some of it just needs dust covers. The cost of cases can add up fast, so you have to think about what you really need to prevent transport or storage damage.
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Yep. I’d need a van.
I recently acquired one of these: https://analogcases.com/products/unison-performance-edition (all analog cases are 30% off btw)
It’s pretty good for lugging around a selection of smaller pieces of gear. It’s designed so that you can take the lid off and flip it on it’s back, and then stack the bottom piece (which holds your gear) on top of it. You’re expected to keep everything in place with Velcro tape, but I don’t really like the idea of sticking velcro on the bottom of my gear, so most of my gear sits in individual cases, which are then place in their position within the larger case.
It might be redundant to do it this way, but it makes it so that most of my gear fits snug, and I can feel safe about lugging it around. The biggest issue is that I have to set everything up when I’m ready to use all of it.
To alleviate this issue, I was thinking of getting a custom made hard foam piece which would fit over everything so that my gear could remain set up while being lugged around, but then I’d really have to commit to my set up (I couldn’t move stuff around or replace it with other things that are a different size.)
i like «for every thing» approach, because using various gear combinations.
«for everything» approach works best if one’s setup is static.
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Analog Cases has a custom case with two layers of foam that you can mod to fit your gear that I was looking into …
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0057/2810/8634/products/CustomFOam_900x.jpg?v=1655326678
It has little squares to pop out. I did a layout mockup with some of my gear and it seems like it should work. I was trying to find out more about user reviews on the overall quality of that company.
I have found the little foam cubes very fiddly and lacking stability (other brand case, though), and I therefore bought high-density foam that I can easily cut myself. Having several layers of 2cm thick foam works well with deeper cases.
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That is good advice on getting high density foam.
For simple travel, I could use some luggage I already have and just DIY mod some high density foam. It may save money and work better. Or focus on getting a good air-tight / water-tight carry-on suitcase and mod DIY foam. I might check out the thrift stores today.
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If you’re ever at a thrift shop keep an eye out for laptop bags. They can be found often and they can often be very cheap. I probably have a half dozen that I could not have paid more then $20 total for all of them. They can be very flexible for the job as far as offering a decent amount of protection with ample pockets for cables and power supplies while not being ridiculous to store or transport.
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This bag is a steal.
You can put a couple of Analog Elektron, mk2 or mk1, or 4 Digi (Or OT+ST+DN, my own favorite).
I also bring a Moog theremini bag for a Keystep 37 + a power outlet.
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A friend of mine got himself built a huge case for his MD + A4 + DT + patchbay and stuff.
It’s solid but too large & heavy and the weight isn’t evenly balanced: you barely can move it by yourself.
Be very cautious with the weight, you want your case transportable!
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For general storage and bringing stuff back and forth between my home and my studio, I use a mix of the original packaging, recycled (often shoe)boxes, laptop sleeves and random more-or-less protective bags.
For bringing single devices to work on the go (e.g. Polyend Tracker M:C, Typhon), I get nice made-for cases from Analog Cases a.o.
For my portable mini-setup (for jamming with friends) I made my own wonky DIY solution. Not as protective as a proper flightcase, but plenty sturdy for my purposes and as lightweight as possible.
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Has anyone used something like the Manfrotto Pro Light Cineloader Bag to store their gear?
Not cheap, but they look well padded and have some dividers within.
Does anyone know something similar to this?
Are Analog Cases worth the money?
I’m moving soon and need something for a MPC X and a FaderFox MX12.
I’d get a Pelican/SKB/Hardigg/etc
Just bought a used Pelican 1600 locally $40
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…certain devices have a dedicated way how to interact and work together…
to give such combos one case, where they end up connected/prewired, always ready to do their thing in such a predefined and intertwined way is a great advantage…
only thing to keep in mind here, is overall seize and weight of such a case…
no matter how sexy, logical and well thought through, always ready to rumble such a combo of hw devices might be, it get’s counterproductive, once u can’t really carry it anymore with one person and one go…
sometimes, a certain combo case just has to end up in one piece for certain reasons, u might decide, ok then, i’ll better use a roll board underneath it, to move if from studio to truck to stage and back, but that’s rare…
for a one person project, best solution might be, one, middle sized case for each hand…
and each case is best concepted if u’r aware of it’s final way of usage upfront…
so, once they’re opened up in front of u, top and bottom end of any case can BOTH become a surface where to lay ur hands on to twiddle/control/play/create…
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