The Ultimate Guide to Rack Cases for Audio, AV, and IT Professionals

A rack case is the difference between a seamless show and a gear disaster. For musicians, AV technicians, and IT professionals, the right case protects valuable equipment from impact, vibration, and transit damage. It also keeps everything organized, secure, and ready for action.

A rackmount case is a standardized enclosure designed to hold rack-mounted components, including amplifiers, effects processors, power conditioners, wireless receivers, servers, and more. These cases follow the 19-inch industry standard and come in varying heights measured in rack units (U).

And for professionals who work in the field, a rolling rack case makes transporting heavy equipment a lot more manageable, thanks to built-in casters and ergonomic handling options.

Choosing the Right Rackmount Case for Your Needs

Racks and cases come in different shapes and sizes. Each touring setup or studio configuration demands a specific type of protection. At Calzone & Anvil Case Co., we build a range of purpose-built solutions, each engineered with functionality and longevity in mind.

Custom Road Cases

These are essential for touring professionals who need rugged protection and a dependable setup night after night. They are built for life on the move, ready to absorb the roughest conditions on tour buses, loading docks, and cargo trucks.

Custom Audio Racks

In a recording studio, custom audio racks offer stability, cable management, and sound isolation. They are often static, but precision still matters down to the millimeter.

Shock-Mounted Rack Case

A shock-mounted rack case provides crucial vibration isolation for sensitive gear. Whether you're hauling tube amplifiers or rack-mounted AD converters, these cases use internal suspension to shield your equipment from hard knocks.

Rack Road Case

For venues, production houses, and festival setups, a rack road case allows crews to roll in, connect gear quickly, and protect everything once the lights go out.

We also offer plastic molded cases by trusted brands like SKB and Pelican. As official resellers, we provide lightweight, impact-resistant options ideal for smaller payloads or frequent fly dates.

Features to Look for in a Professional Audio Rack

When investing in a professional audio rack, the details matter. These cases are workhorses, often subjected to intense handling and unpredictable environments.

Construction Materials and Durability

Our rack cases are crafted from laminated plywood in thicknesses up to ½ inch and bonded with ABS plastic for moisture and abrasion resistance. Reinforced aluminum extrusions frame the cases for structure and impact absorption. Each build includes industrial-grade latches and may feature steel ball corners or flat corners, depending on the application, to protect all contact points.

The Intended Use

If you are transporting fragile equipment, a shock mount rack case adds another layer of protection. These cases feature suspended inner shells that absorb energy during transport, protecting delicate electronics and preventing misalignment.

Ventilation and Cooling Options

Ventilation is another priority. We engineer airflow into our audio cabinet racks. We utilize vent panels and fans when needed to prevent overheating and ensure thermal consistency during long performances or tech runs.

Security

Security also plays a role. Our rack cases include recessed pad-lockable latches, tamper-resistant hardware, and rubber weatherseal for water resistance. These are designed to keep both the exterior and interior secure in chaotic environments.

Types of Rack Cases and Their Applications

Different professionals need different configurations. That is why we build specialized rackmount cases to match a variety of use cases.

Audio Rackmount: These are ideal for sound engineers, integrating mixers, compressors, patch bays, and outboard gear into one stable unit.
AV Cases: A rugged AV case helps event techs move and protect video switchers, signal processors, and media servers for presentations and corporate events.
IT Racks: On the IT side, we build for network administrators and systems engineers. We offer deep, shock-protected enclosures suitable for servers, UPS units, and communication hardware.
DJ Racks: The DJ rack, also known as a rackmount mixer case, serves mobile setups that require quick assembly and disassembly.
Slam Lid Racks: Our slam lid racks (SLRs) offer a fast-access solution for field operations. Featuring pocket door mechanisms instead of removable lids, these racks provide rapid deployment of rack-mounted equipment and eliminate the need to store your rack lids while in use.

We also specialize in custom racks tailored to exact dimensions and gear specs. Whether you need side drawers, removable lids, internal lighting, or cable pass-throughs, we can make it happen.

How to Protect Your Equipment With the Right Road Case

A poorly matched case can mean expensive downtime or irreversible gear damage. A shock-mounted rack case is often the first line of defense against jarring motion and mechanical failure.

When comparing case types, hard shell options like our fabricated laminated plywood builds are superior for high-impact environments. They offer more structural rigidity and customization than molded plastic cases. However, plastic options work well for lighter equipment and jobs requiring frequent air travel.

Soft cases offer portability but compromise protection. For anything involving thousands of dollars in electronics, we strongly recommend a rack road case with shock isolation, steel reinforcements, and a properly engineered foam layout.

Proper storage and transportation are key. Keep cases upright, lock casters during transit, and use foam blocks or Velcro straps to eliminate interior movement. For AV, IT, and pro audio, preloading your gear into the rack saves setup time and keeps your cabling tight and tidy.

Why Choose Calzone & Anvil Case Co. for Your Rack Case Needs?

We have been designing and building rack cases and road cases for more than 70 years. From the biggest touring acts to mission-critical broadcast setups, our cases are trusted because they are engineered with one goal in mind: to protect the gear that drives your performance.

Every detail in our design, including materials, layout, hardware, and foam inserts, is guided by the demands of real-world use. Our custom racks are not one-size-fits-all. We work closely with touring professionals, AV technicians, and studio engineers to tailor the perfect fit, ensuring nothing gets damaged and everything is show-ready.

We also support the behind-the-scenes heroes: field engineers, broadcast specialists, and IT teams working in challenging environments. Our rolling rack cases are built to move with you wherever the job takes you.

Built for the Road. Trusted by Pros. Ready for You.

When it comes to racks and cases, your gear deserves a case built to last.

At Calzone & Anvil Case Co., we design for professionals who move fast, think ahead, and never compromise on protection. Whether you need custom audio racks, an AV case, or a shock-mounted rack case engineered to military-grade precision, we are ready to build your solution.

Contact us today to find out how our professional audio racks and rolling rack cases can protect what powers your performance.