Gator GR-STUDIO-8U - 8U Studio Rack Cabinet in Black Oak Laminated MDF
The Gator GR-STUDIO-8U is an 8U (8 Unit Height) fixed studio rack cabinet in a standard 19" format (approximately 48.3 cm usable width), designed to organize and protect processors, audio interfaces, preamps, compressors, effects units, and other studio outboard equipment. Its construction from approximately 16 mm thick MDF with a black oak laminate finish gives it a professional and understated aesthetic that fits seamlessly into commercial studios, home studios, or control rooms in audiovisual installations.
The structure is reinforced with 3.2 mm thick, threaded, cold-rolled steel front rails , facilitating equipment mounting without the need for cage nuts. It offers a usable rack depth of approximately 39.4 cm (15.5"), sufficient for most processors and studio units, and approximate external dimensions of 52.1 x 34.9 x 41.9 cm (width x height x depth). Weighing around 11.8 kg , the cabinet provides a solid and stable base, designed to remain permanently in the studio.
The GR-STUDIO-8U is supplied as an easy-to-assemble unit with pre-drilled panels, designed for quick assembly and immediate use. Thanks to its flat top, it can also be used as an auxiliary surface for small studio monitors, controllers, DI boxes, or lightweight accessories, optimizing available room space. It's a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution for those who need to rack 8U of 19" equipment without resorting to industrial metal racks or live flight cases.
Main features
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Professional 19" format": standard studio rack compatible with any 19" format equipment (approximate usable width of 48.3 cm).
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8U Height: Space for eight rack units (usable height of about 35.6 cm), ideal for interfaces, preamps, patchbays, dynamics processors, effects, etc.
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Usable rack depth: approximately 39.4 cm of usable depth, suitable for most studio and signal processing equipment.
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Approximate external dimensions: 52.1 x 34.9 x 41.9 cm (width x height x depth), compact format that fits easily next to mixing tables or production desks.
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Robust MDF construction: panels approximately 16 mm thick in furniture-grade MDF, offering rigidity and good mechanical insulation against vibrations.
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Black oak laminate finish: durable and easy-to-clean surface, with the appearance of professional studio furniture.
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Front steel rails: 3.2 mm cold-rolled steel rails, threaded, designed for direct mounting with standard rack screws.
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High load capacity: structure designed to support approximately up to 90 kg of distributed equipment , sufficient for most 8U studio setups.
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Fixed furniture without wheels: designed for stationary use in the studio, offering greater stability than many mobile racks.
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Easy assembly: delivered disassembled in kit format, with pre-drilled panels for quick assembly with basic tools.
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Clean and discreet design: careful aesthetics and low profile, easy to integrate with other furniture and studio monitors.
Benefits for your study
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Outboard order and accessibility: by concentrating interfaces, preamps, processors and effects units in a single rack, cabling is simplified and clutter on the desk is reduced.
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Aesthetic integration with the furniture: the black oak finish makes the GR-STUDIO-8U look like just another piece of furniture in the studio, not like an industrial rack, improving the image of the space in front of clients and artists.
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Faster workflow: Having key equipment in an 8U rack at the right height allows for easier and more efficient location and adjustment of controls during recording or mixing sessions.
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Mechanical protection for hardware: the MDF structure and metal rails firmly hold the equipment, reducing the risk of accidental bumps or falls.
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Space optimization: the top can be used as a shelf for small monitors, controllers, reamp boxes or accessories, making better use of the floor footprint.
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Silent solution: as it is a fixed and laterally enclosed piece of furniture, it does not introduce additional noise (no fans or moving parts), which is useful in sensitive recording rooms.
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Scalability: The GR-STUDIO series includes other sizes (4U, 12U, 16U), making it easy to expand the system while maintaining the same design and finish.
Use cases
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Home studios and project studios: to group an audio interface, microphone preamp, compressor, equalizer and a multi-FX processor into a single compact module.
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Professional studios: such as a secondary rack for auxiliary outboard, monitoring systems, converters, audio servers or sync units.
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Audiovisual installations: integration into production booths, event control rooms, conference rooms or corporate spaces that require a visible but aesthetically pleasing rack.
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Broadcast and radio: mounting of dynamics processors, encoders, interfaces and patchbays in a stable cabinet, easily accessible to the operator.
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Educational studies: organization of the equipment in sound schools, conservatories or training centers, combining robustness and good presence in the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it compatible with any 19" device?
Yes. The Gator GR-STUDIO-8U is designed for the 19" rack standard, with an approximate usable width of 48.3 cm, making it compatible with processors, interfaces, preamps, patchbays, and other equipment in that format.
What is the maximum depth of equipment it supports?
The approximate usable depth is 39.4 cm . Any rack equipment that does not exceed this length (excluding excessively protruding connectors) can be mounted normally.
Is it delivered assembled or as a kit?
The GR-STUDIO-8U is delivered unassembled and requires assembly . The panels come pre-drilled for easy assembly with basic tools (screwdriver), following the manufacturer's instructions.
Does it include threaded rails or do I need cage nuts?
The cabinet rails are made of cold-rolled steel and come pre-threaded , so standard server cage nuts are not required. Only standard rack-mount compatible hardware is needed.
Is it suitable for live use or touring?
It's not a flight case or a reinforced metal rack; it's a permanent studio unit . It's designed to remain installed in a studio environment or fixed installation, not for frequent transport.
Can I place equipment on top of the furniture?
The top is flat and sturdy, so it's common to place small studio monitors, DI boxes, controllers, or lightweight accessories on it. For very heavy loads, it's best to limit the total weight to the cabinet's recommended capacity and distribute it evenly.
Installation and usage recommendations
For optimal results, it is recommended to mount the Gator GR-STUDIO-8U on a level, firm surface, tightening the assembly screws gradually and evenly. When racking the system, distribute the weight by placing heavier devices in the lower bays and reserving the upper bays for lighter processors. This maximizes stability and facilitates access to frequently used controls. Although the structure is robust, it is advisable to avoid impacts or lateral stress, especially during assembly.
Project description
Gator GR-STUDIO-8U fixed studio rack cabinet for standard 19" equipment, with 8U of usable height , an approximate rack depth of 39.4 cm , and external dimensions of approximately 52.1 x 34.9 x 41.9 cm (width x height x depth). The cabinet is constructed of approximately 16 mm thick MDF with a black oak laminate finish and features 3.2 mm thick threaded cold-rolled steel front rails . The cabinet weighs approximately 11.8 kg and has a recommended load capacity of around 90 kg of distributed equipment , making it ideal for permanent audio and studio installations.
