From “I Don’t Need a Rack” to Building One Anyway

In a previous post, I talked about my slow realization that a patchbay might actually be useful—followed by the much stronger realization that I couldn’t imagine my studio without one. It was a funny progression, especially considering that my first studio never required a patchbay at all, while the redesigned studio clearly did.

Something similar happened with rack gear.

I had never planned to use outboard equipment like compressors, mic preamps, or EQs. Because of that, the idea of having a rack in my studio had never crossed my mind. My original setup simply didn’t require one, and for a long time I assumed that would remain the case.

But as this redesign expanded and I began exploring unfamiliar territory, the idea of a rack quietly crept in—much like the patchbay had. I can’t point to a single moment that triggered it, but looking back, it was probably inevitable.

When the Gear Starts Demanding Structure

At some point, I found myself with two power conditioners and a patchbay—each designed to be mounted in a 19-inch rack. Once those pieces entered the picture, the idea of not having a rack started to feel awkward.

That realization sent me down a path that eventually led to a much larger rack setup than I ever expected to have in my studio.

Once you accept that rack-mounted gear needs a rack, the next question becomes obvious:
Do you buy one, or do you build one?

Buy or Build?

Buying a rack enclosure is the straightforward solution—but it wasn’t the right one for me at the time.

I was still renting the power conditioners and patchbay, and I wasn’t sure if this direction would stick. Rack cases aren’t cheap, and I didn’t want to be stuck with a large, unusable 19-inch rack if I decided to return the gear. On top of that, I would have needed a rack case that met very specific size and weight requirements to sit on an existing shelf—and that was far from guaranteed.

Custom rack cases were also an option, but that felt like an even bigger commitment for something I was still testing.

So that left one remaining option: build one.

A DIY Rack—With What I Had on Hand

What made this decision easier was the fact that I already had some of the necessary materials. Earlier in the redesign, I had planned to build a large modular Eurorack system and had purchased rack rails, cage nuts, and mounting screws for that project.

That grand modular plan never materialized, but the hardware remained—sitting unused around the house.

When the idea of building a rack came up, it made sense to use what I already had.

I gathered whatever materials were available: leftover shelving pieces I’d cut down, bits of floorboard, screws, bolts—anything that could be cut, screwed, or fastened together. This was never meant to be a showcase piece. The goal was simple: it needed to look acceptable and function reliably.

If it met those criteria, it was good enough.

A Prototype Built the Hard Way

To make things more interesting, this rack was very much a last-minute decision. I hadn’t planned it in advance, and all of my proper tools were stored a few blocks away. Instead of going to get them, I decided—somewhat lazily—to build the rack with what I had on hand: a hand saw, a drill, a hacksaw, and a few screwdrivers.

Not exactly a professional workshop setup.

Despite all of that, things turned out better than expected. The cuts weren’t perfect, and the craftsmanship certainly wasn’t refined—but the rack looked fine and worked exactly as intended.

Most importantly, it met the two criteria I set from the start:

• It functioned properly
  
• It fit into the studio without creating new problems
  

Not a Full Enclosure—and That Was the Point

This wasn’t a fully enclosed rack case, and it was never meant to be. A full enclosure wouldn’t have worked in my situation anyway. If that had been the goal, I would have spent far more time planning, sourcing proper materials, and—most importantly—retrieving my power tools so everything looked polished and precise.

But that wasn’t the objective here.

This was about testing a concept, seeing if a rack made sense in my studio, and doing it in a low-risk way. The result worked well enough that I didn’t feel the need to pursue another option.

A Viable Option You Might Not Expect

Building your own 19-inch rack isn’t for everyone—but it turned out to be far easier and more functional than I expected. If you’re hesitant to buy or order a custom rack case, building something simple yourself may be worth considering.

With a bit of planning, some basic supplies, and a clear idea of how much time you want to invest, a DIY rack can be a perfectly practical solution. There are plenty of plans available, and even a rough build can serve its purpose well.

I certainly didn’t set out to become someone with rack gear in their studio—but once again, experimentation led me somewhere I didn’t expect. And in this case, it worked out surprisingly well.