A Serious Question About Mixers???

[happyrat1]

WHY is it that mixer manufacturers ALWAYS stick the main power switch behind and underneath the rat's nest of cables that always exists back there?

Seriously? Would it kill them to mount the switch on the side or even the front panel?

I really wanna know....

Gary

 

[CowboyNQ]

A couple of my smaller ones don’t even have a power switch. I guess that’s one way of solving the problem…

 

[delaware dave]

i own this mixer, there are no cords near the power switch. see the pics of the back of the mixer.

Google Search

 

[happyrat1]

Dave >>> Nice. I wish I'd seen that before buying a 12 channel Mackie for the living room.

With my current setup I have to be a contortionist to get at the power switch.

Gary

 

[BrianT]

Never thought much about it. At the home studio, I have the mixer on a multi-outlet power strip and have a couple of keyboards plugged in as well. I don't turn the mixer on and off with the mixer's power switch, I turn the power on and off with the power strip switch. Probably not the usual way of doing things but haven't had any issues.

 

[happyrat1]

The problem with turning everything on and off at once with a power strip is that in a larger setup it generates a surge current when switched on.

Ideal procedure for powering up and down a studio is to power up each device individually leaving the speakers for last to avoid the "Thump" from activation.

Powering down should be the same in reverse order.

It's not gospel but it is standard electrical practice.

 

[BrianT]

The problem with turning everything on and off at once with a power strip is that in a larger setup it generates a surge current when switched on.

Ideal procedure for powering up and down a studio is to power up each device individually leaving the speakers for last to avoid the "Thump" from activation.

Powering down should be the same in reverse order.

It's not gospel but it is standard electrical practice.

Yes, I wouldn't do that in a larger setup. As it is, there are only a few things plugged into one place. Actually, if I wanted to get fancy, I could pretty easily put in something like this; (hope a link isn't gonna mess up the forum, it's just as an example) https://www.amazon.com/Individual-S...+with+individual+switches,aps,108&sr=8-3&th=1

 

[happyrat1]

I use a few of these around my apartment, with one exclusively devoted to my Livingroom studio.

Amazon.ca

I also use an APC UPS to power my Tascam 24 track SD Recorder, since the thing is pretty much a computer anyway.

But I have a 2 minute ritual where I'm switching switches in a proper sequence everytime I boot up and shut down.

Gary

 

[DungBeatle]

There is a rack mount device with 12 individual on/off switches on the front panel. I've never used one, so I can't provide any support for it.

Bryant broadcast 12 Way Individually Switched Outputs Mains Distribution unit

2 Way Individually Switched Outputs Mains Distribution unitMade in UK by Bryant Unlimited12 Way Individually Switched Outputs Mains Distribution unit This IEC Mains Distribution Unit features 12 individually switched and fused outlets for use where power control of equipment that is not easily acces

www.bsbroadcast.com

~Bob

 

[amwilburn]

The simple reason they're not in the front is so you can't accidentally turn them off in the middle of something; however even in the back, it would be better if they weren't buried by cables, agreed!

Mark

 

[Steve Bolander]

There is a rack mount device with 12 individual on/off switches on the front panel. I've never used one, so I can't provide any support for it.

Bryant broadcast 12 Way Individually Switched Outputs Mains Distribution unit

2 Way Individually Switched Outputs Mains Distribution unitMade in UK by Bryant Unlimited12 Way Individually Switched Outputs Mains Distribution unit This IEC Mains Distribution Unit features 12 individually switched and fused outlets for use where power control of equipment that is not easily acces

www.bsbroadcast.com

It's a shame the actual outlets aren't mounted on the rear with their respective switches up front. That would keep the cable clutter out of the way while providing unobstructed access to the switches.