I designed and built this mobile, modular multipurpose cart for sound design, show control, and instruction, for the University of California Riverside Department of Dance.

Multipurpose

The cart is used for three main purposes: Show control, sound design, and instruction. For show control, QLab is used for sound, projection, and lighting control cues. Audio inputs and outputs are accessed via a custom I/O panel on the rear of the rack. Video output is via adapters on the rear of the MacMini. I like standing while working, and this cart was very useful for working on sound designs during dance rehearsals. I simply roll it in to the studio, and use the Yamaha NX-50 speakers, which are plenty loud to fill a dance studio, connect an output to the studio sound system, or use headphones when working silently. It is used similarly for class instruction.

Mobile and Configurable

Dance performances take place in multiple theaters, dance studios and outdoors, so the cart need to be tough and mobile. The operator stands at the cart or sits on a tall stool, rather than having to sit in a chair behind a table. For shows in the Performance Lab (a medium sized configurable proscenium/black box theater), the top level of the cart is removed and the audio rack placed on the bottom shelf, and the cart rolls under the control room counter, and the computer was simply connected to a display sitting on the countertop.

Equipment

Steel AV cart

Top shelf:

• Arm-mounted ViewSonic LCD Display

• Yamaha NX-50 multimedia speakers

• Keyboard and mouse

6U Rack Front

• Apple MacMini - 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel i7, 16GB 1600MHZ LPDDR3 SDRAM, 1TB Fusion Drive, Intel Iris Graphics

• Sonnet RackMini 1U computer enclosure

• Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 audio interface

• Furman power conditioner

• 3U locking drawer, with Shure SRH440 headphones, 12ch XLR snake, USB/Video adapters

• Software: QLab, Reaper, Audacity, GarageBand

6U Rack Rear:

• Redco Audio - Custom I/O panel

• Redco Audio power outlet panel