SKB1SKB19-R1208 Gig Rig (1SKB19R1208)

Came in with a broken latch, called SKB and they sent me a new one but I have to rivet in in myself. I like that you can use the lid to raise the mixer to a good working level, but it's not easy to do this by yourself, they should just make it higher to begin with. Called SKB to see if I could just buy another lid, so I could leave one permanently on the bottom, but they wont sell just a lid.

Very good. It's actually better than the mighty gig rig, Fit my QU-16 perfectly.

The price lured me in, as well as its sheer size, and there aren't may choices to compensate the Allen&Heath Qu-16's depth and height. This one just BARELY allowed the Qu-16 to sit flush in the rear. Underneath its rear panel, there are mere millimeters of clearance, but I kind of like how tight it is. There is an ovalized slot to allow for the cable connections from below to stay connected to the mixing console, otherwise there'd be no clearance for cables. Any other cables that lead elsewhere are free and clear to access the open back panel of the mixer, without needing to route them through this slot.The GigRig's construction is similar to a Rubbermaid waste bin, but it's gotten better over the years. When they first came out, they really looked like a garbage can, but they've improved its overall design a lot since then. Mine did arrive with a few issues: One latch didn't connect when closed, and there was a large gash in the plastic, but the cardboard packaging wasn't damaged, so it seems it left the factory that way.I like the extra-long handles on the side for solo lifting to configure it into the taller, "show" configuration. The extra room allows me to keep my WiFi router hidden away inside, utilizing 3M's "dual-lock" which is far superior to velcro. I also added the tray that lives over the mixer, that acts like a partial dust-cover when lowered, and a useful platform for headphones and iPad, or other accessories during use. It would protect the mixer from something heavy falling towards the screen when lowered, but this isn't supposed to be a review about the shelf. I just want to mention it, since it's designed for this specific rack.The casters are very nice, and roll really well when loaded, as well as how easy it is to lock each wheel with your shoe. A lot better than other locking levers I see on other casters that you almost need pointy shoes to engage.I did not have any issues with the rack-rails being aligned crooked. Mine were spot on and I didn't have to "squeeze" my gear into it, like I read about from other reviewers when I was researching this.The images show the front and rear covers laying inside the opening when it's in its "show" configuration. This is a bit deceiving, because it implied it was a design feature, but the covers just loosely lay in there, without any molded portions to aide in holding it there, or to each other. The slightest movement will dislodge the covers, when they're underneath the rack portion, and since they're very slippery, they get all discombobulated with a quickness.I'm not sure how much weight is saved by being made from glorified plastic, and it'll get beat up from bumps and scrapes much easier than an ATA-type case, or even a carpeted plywood one. I just don't do carpet, because it gets so gross so quickly (but hides it well, for a while).The bottom base, with the casters, work as a slippery furniture dolly for moving racks without casters. Also piling boxes atop the the GigRig when it's all closed up works too.It's really too low without transforming it into "show" configuration to raise the mixer, unless you're sitting in a drum throne or low chair, so I'll need to transform it every time, but I bought into that aspect on purpose. I would have just gotten a taller rack, but the cost would have doubled, and the lower rack-spaces would remain empty, so this works for me.I have a trailer with a ramp, and wouldn't have gotten this if I didn't. I would hate to have to lift it into the bed of a pick-up truck. Also, its size would eat up a truck-bed's real estate very quickly.The wireless ability of the Qu-16 to move around with an iPad to listen from the stage to FOH, let me save a grip on eschewing a long snake (digital or otherwise). I do utilize a short (25') analog snake for a clean stage, and leave the pigtail plugged into the mic-pre's on the board, and storing the stage-box inside the gig-rig without ever having to plug and unplug, saving considerable set-up time and hassle. The power amps also stay connected, which adds to its appeal for me. Not having the GigRig at FOH position, protects it from drunks, as well as not needing returns on a snake to keep an amp rack close to the mains.Since going digital, the rackspaces I saved from not having outboard gear, made this GigRig the perfect size for me, even accommodating a rack-drawer, for gaff-tape, sharpies, etc.It also has full rack-rails in the rear, but its depth prohibits many option for racking gear back there. A hard-wired rear panel, with NL-4 and XLR jacks would make for a very clean rig. I might add that, just to do it, even if I just use a piece of plywood, for customization, painted black of course. One amp that I run bridged, would require reconfiguring one NL-4 cable, to wire it in bridged mode - then I'd have to keep track of which cable was wired differently. Having a clean I/O panel on the back would solve that. Yeah, I'ma do it.