A soundcart is not just a wagon for hauling around equipment; it is where you work, live, and breathe on a movie set.Trick out your cart into a mobile, well stocked, audio "village" that will steamline your workflow and match your professional image.
On my carts, I have transformed bare frames into my own remote studio, putting what I need right there within my grasp... neat, organized, yet secure for instant transit when I need to relocate within the set or pack off to a whole new location.
Store all your cables on-hand with Large Cable Hooks
Drill some holes through the top of the upright cart support (handle) to accommodate large (squarish “S”) rafter hangers that can be found in the hardware store.- Cable hangers just drop into the holes, are free to swivel to the sides, and quickly remove when you need to fold up the cart for transit.
- Note that cable hooks are on the end of the cart with the fixed axle, because we normally push and steer the cart from the end with the castered wheels.
Hang all your odd-&-ends with Hook & Loop Cable / Utility Straps
- Add some eye hooks under the main shelf in order to attach some hook & loop cable straps.
- Provides a place to hang additional cables, headphones, gaffers tape rings, and so on.
- Drill a hole and insert an eye-bolt going up from the underside, securing it on the top with a fender washer and locking nut.
- Hook & loop straps also serve to anchor at least two of the wheels to the underside of the main shelf deck when the cart is folded for transit. Nestle the cart atop the nested shelves for transit.
- A strip of adhesive backed hook & loop material can attach underneath the hutch, in order to accommodate a battery powered LED work light and other small accessories.
Add Pouches for your Bigger Stuff and Sleeves for your Boom Poles
- A trip to the car parts store yields a simple canvas (seatback) apron with pouches, originally intended to hang down from a car seat headrest. Easily hangs instead from one of cart uprights.
- Karau Products in Pasadena CA manufactures a canvas Boom Apron specifically designed to slip over the upright handles of the R12: with pocket sleeves to accommodate 4 boompoles, antennas, or similar pole equipment. Price is only $59.95
- Karau also plans to offer a full skirt that backs one length of the cart for privacy/security as well as external storage.
- Because liquid refreshments are a necessity on the set, purchase a gimbaled beverage holder from a nautical supply house and attach it to the upright post that supports the hutch.
Streamline your cart setup/take-down
- Setting up the cart with only two hands can be tricky, since the T-bolts need to be inserted while you hold the main shelf up at the same time.
- Rock N Roller suggests laying the cart on its side and letting gravity take over.
- A more practical solution is to permanently install two 5/16 inch bolts into the U-shaped receptacles at each end of the main shelf supports. Install the bolts at the back of the shelf. Just insert a two inch bolt and tighten with a thin nut.
- To set up the main shelf, just catch the two fixed bolts a little ways into the holes on the upright side supports and the shelf will stay put.
- Then go around and properly insert the bolts and the T-bolts all the way and secure with wing nuts. Note that you might need to loosen/enlarge the holes on the uprights just a tad so that your bolts insert easily.
- Paint a white band on the deck frame to indicate the proper amount of frame extension for use with your shelf.
- Secure a power strip or two to the cart. Some users prefer to attach the strips to the underside of the main shelf, or even topside somewhere out of the way. Others prefer to keep the AC away from audio cables and gear, and use hook & loop to strap them to the lower deck.
- Covering the cart when stepping away removes temptation and protects against dust or rain. Shop around and find some outdoor furniture covers or large BBQ grill covers that are heavy duty and the right size.
Email us and share your own tips & tricks for using the Rock N Roller carts on production.
