Getting Cased: Modern Case Technology Offers DJs More Protection & More Options Than Over

Bedroom DJs have it made. They don’t need to worry about shady promoters, greedy club owners, or requests for “Welcome to the Jungle.” They can mix whatever and whenever they want. Best of all, bedroom DJs don’t have to worry about the bottom of a cheapo record bag tearing open while crossing a busy street on the way to a gig. In the rain.

On the other hand, DJs who choose to take their art on the road face a variety of potential gear-related problems. During my years as both a mobile and club DJ, I’ve been forced to learn more than I ever really wanted to know about equipment stands, carts, cases, and Air Transport Association Specification 300 (Category I).

DJ gear tends to be delicate and expensive. Wrapping your turntables and mixer in old blankets and then throwing them all in the back of the family station wagon is simply stupid. Unfortunately, decent equipment cases aren’t exactly cheap either, but they’re more affordable than bent tone arms, broken kill switches, mangled power cords, or a bad reputation due to unreliable equipment.

If you’re still hauling your costly DJ gear around in those original cardboard boxes (perhaps now reinforced with generous amounts of duct tape) you might want to consider an overdue upgrade. The lightweight molded Styrofoam packaging that manufacturers use in their shipping cartons offers only limited protection; the expanded polystyrene foam doesn’t bounce back after impact, so once it’s fully compressed from a big jolt, you might as well pack your delicate electronics in a plain pine box.

Likewise, those “borrowed” plastic milk crates so many DJs use for storing records at home are of little use on the road. It’s difficult to understand why some DJs are reluctant to properly protect their vinyl investments from light, heat, dust, smoke, moisture and impact—you know, the typical nightclub environment. Each record I play costs me about $10. A “Farm Stores” brand crate holds about 75 12-inch singles. You do the math. What’s your collection really worth?

I’m happy to report that these days the technology for sturdy, lightweight protection of DJ gear, CDs and records is better than ever. During my career, I’ve packed my records and rack-mount equipment in cases made by a variety of firms. Traditional rock-n-roll touring style cases are produced by numerous companies; compiling a comprehensive list would be difficult, so I’d just like to point out some of my personal favorites.

ProCases (www.procases.com), formerly known as Az-Iz, is based in Culver City, Cal. During my tenure as a gothic/industrial club DJ, my music selection traveled in a matching pair of older Az-Iz faux alligator-hide record boxes. They protected my valuable vinyl in style, and elicited many positive (and sometimes jealous) comments. The durable foam lining cradles 12-inch record jackets just right; it’s obvious a good deal of care and thought went into the design and construction of these boxes. ProCases also manufactures a full line of turntable cases, CD boxes, and DJ coffins.

Grundorf Corporation (www.grundorf.com), based in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is well known for its competitively priced, black carpet-covered amp racks and DJ coffins. Their solid, no-frills cases are available through a variety of retail outlets, including some of the national chain stores. The fuzzy exterior is kind to automobile upholstery (if that’s an issue), but don’t let the cat use your gear case as a scratching post.

Road Ready (www.roadready cases.com), of Long Beach, Cal., is another popular name in the DJ business. I recently invested in a full-size Road Ready coffin for my turntables and 19-inch mixer. Due to its 3/8-inch laminated plywood construction, my new Road Ready console is significantly stronger and lighter than the glorified particleboard coffin that a friend of mine uses. I really like the fact that I can wipe down the smooth exterior if it gets damp, and it won’t ever get frayed, sticky or stinky. The handy rear cable access port makes setup quick and easy, too.

Anvil (www.anvilcase.com), based in City of Industry, Cal., has been in the case business a long, long time. They’ve built road cases for just about every artist in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Anvil offers custom cases, which meet or exceed mil-spec standards for resistance to impact, vibration, temperature, fungus and humidity. Like they say in the military, “They’re good to go.”

Cadence (www.cadencecases.com), from Grand Rapids, Mich., is another manufacturer of exceptional road cases. Their new Techlyte ATA touring cases use plastic panels instead of plywood, but with the usual double-walled aluminum extrusion edging, steel corners, and recessed heavy-duty hardware of their regular touring cases. The plastic material is 30-percent lighter than plywood, so you can save a tree and your back at the same time.

Island Cases (www.islandcases.com), of Holbrook, N.Y., offers a unique Roadie ATA ¼-inch DJ Console with built-in leg system. You’ll have to check their website to fully appreciate this clever design. Look, ma, no stands! Island Cases also manufactures a full range of standard DJ cases and amp racks, too.

American Audio (www.americandj.com), of Los Angeles, produces an affordable line of sleek and stylish aluminum-railed carrying cases for turntables, mixers, and CD players (which the company also manufactures). While they’re not built to strict ATA standards, their cases cost less, look nice and get the job done for many value-minded DJs.

Odyssey (www.odysseygear.com), from Azusa, Cal., produces an array of DJ-specific goodies, but I’m particularly partial to their line of translucent, candy-colored split center design record cases (some of which glow nicely under a black light). If you spin different genres on different nights, it’s nice to be able to tell at a glance whether you’ve packed the chill-out or the jump-up set. The see-through cases are also favored by trainspotters.

Omnisistem (www.omnisistem.com), of Kent, Wash., is, among other things, the American importer of Amabilia Valigeria cases, which have become a superstar DJ status symbol. These distinctive Italian record, CD, and turntable cases are pricey, but worth every dollar (or Euro, if you must). Their rounded corners and chrome hardware have proved resistant to the many hardships of the jet-setting DJ lifestyle. My favorite vinyl travels in a Ferrari red P80 Double record case that I received as a birthday present (yes, I’m one lucky DJ) a couple of years ago. I’m starting to look and feel my age, but my Amabilia Valigeria case is still going strong. Thanks, Omnisistem.

SKB (www.skbcases.com), based in Orange, Cal., is famous for its space-age equipment cases. Constructed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, which is “impervious to solvents, fuels, or toxic liquids,” SKB cases have favorably impressed many mobile DJs, including me. After enduring a couple rainy outdoor gigs once upon a time, I now wrap all of my amplifiers and signal processing gear in SKB. The slick polyethylene cases slide easily in and out of my truck, and the somewhat flexible plastic soaks up vibration and mild shocks. SKB also makes a Gig Rig, a Mini Gig Rig, and a CD DJ Command Module, all of which are worth checking out if you do mobile work.

Gator (www.gatorcases.com), from Tampa, Fla., now offers its own line of polyethylene amplifier and gear cases, including Roller-Rack models with built-in wheels. Gator also makes a variety of nylon cloth soft-shell cases for speaker stands and other mobile DJ gear.

Calzone Case Co. (www.calzone case.com), of Bridgeport, Conn., offers a full-range of cases, as well. Most recently, the company introduced its X Series of DJ and rack cases, plus record boxes. The series features ¼-inch polypropylene trilaminate ATA 300 construction—according to the company, that’s 30-percent lighter than plywood.

More and more case manufacturers are now equipping at least some of their products with wheels. For DJs (like me) who’ve already invested in old-fashioned cases, or who simply don’t trust tiny built-in rollers, there are a couple of products, which can make your mobile gigs less taxing.

J.D’Addario, based in Farmingdale, N.Y., manufactures the Rock & Roller equipment cart (www.rocknrollercart.com), which can be used to transport up to 500 pounds of speakers, amps, mixers, and other essential DJ gear. Advertised as an “8-in-1” design, the Rock & Roller can be quickly configured for use as a dolly, hand-truck, or cart. Clever DJs can now load-in everything they need for smaller gigs in one easy trip.

Kart-a-Bag, of Joliet, Ill., markets a wide range of equipment and luggage rollers. I’m still using one of their original single-rod models, which I inherited over a decade ago. Newer versions may feature improved designs and materials, but I enjoy the retro styling of my late ’60s vintage Kart-a-Bag equipment roller (and no, it’s not for sale).

Once you get everything safely to your gig, you still need to create a temporary DJ booth workspace. I’ve recently discovered Ultimate Support (www.ultimatesupport.com) stands, and now wobbly coffins are history. This Fort Collins, Col.-based company makes the IQ-3000, a heavy-duty, double-braced X-Stand. The crossbars are gusseted for maximum strength and stability, and the memory lock feature allows me to instantly set the stand to the exact height I prefer, every time. Special rubber foot-caps adjust to uneven floors (or coffins) and they keep turntables nice and stable.

Finally, take care of the music that keeps you in business. Univenture (www.univenture.com), based in Columbus, Ohio, manufactures innovative CD Safety-sleeves. This packaging system takes up only a quarter of the space of traditional jewel boxes, and still keeps dust and dirt away from delicate discs.

For vinyl lovers, Bags Unlimited (www.bagsunlimited.com), from Rochester, N.Y., offers a complete line of record sleeves, jackets, and storage boxes. Record collectors have known about their products for years, and I’ve been using their virgin polyethylene-lined paper sleeves for as long as I’ve been a DJ. As a result, my records stay much cleaner than they would with typical (lint-magnet) paper sleeves.

Cases, carts, bags, stands, and sleeves may not be the sexiest DJ gear, but they’re all essential once you venture beyond the bedroom. Road cases, in particular, can be expensive, but what professional DJs really can’t afford are scratchy records, skippy CDs, or malfunctioning electronic equipment at paying gigs. Invest in your career, and don’t DJ without proper protection.