Let Your Hardware Breathe

Look closely at the image above.

On the bottom is my channel strip (Neve Portico II). On top are my Sound Devices MixPre-6 (top left) and my monitor controller (top right).

Notice that there’s a big gap of air between the gear on top and the gear on bottom. The monitor controller has built-in feet which raise it about a half inch above whatever it’s sitting on, and for the MixPre I put little rubber feet underneath its stand to raise it about 3/4″ above the Neve below.

The gap of air between the gear allows heat to escape from all 3 pieces of gear. If the top 2 pieces of gear were resting directly on the Neve below the heat would have no way to vent, which would significantly raise the temperature of all 3 pieces of gear.

Making sure gear doesn’t overheat will extend its lifespan considerably.

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