As delivered, the Zimmer Mobile Rack is a kit, nominally offering a total of 29U of rack space. (There are a couple of problems that keep you from accessing all 29U in all situations, which we'll come to in a moment, but they don't detract from the product as a whole.) It doesn't look like much, but when the 20 minutes or so of assembly is over — there are only four sections, a bunch of screws and four castors involved — we have a serious product. It moves around, is very steady on its wheels and is ready to receive your gear. To that end, about 20 cage nuts and bolts are supplied with the kit, which allow you to get started immediately.

The rack is indeed shaped like a hot-rodded zimmer frame — but don't let your granny near it, especially when it's full. There is 11U of rack space at the top, with 18U down the front. The few units either side of the bend at the top will not be accessible at all times, and the same goes for the bottom 3 or 4U: a cross member impedes all but the shallowest items — patchbays only here, I'm afraid. However, this is nitpicking: my setup includes a Mackie 1602 mixer in the upper section, and is very accessible, with a Sansui MR6 cassette multitrack underneath, plus a variety of patchbays and processors. It still isn't quite full (do you think I'm made of money?), but the spare space tends to be taken up with review gear, which is personally very handy.

What else can I say? It's very sturdy, and in spite of not having any fancy stuff (like rear racking capability or supports) it's held a good weight of equipment without bending, buckling or falling over. I think I'd watch it with a really big power amp, though. My one reservation — and it's a big one for what is, after all, a mobile rack — is that the castors are made of plastic, and if the rack is full and rolled around a lot, the wheels sort of fall apart. They snap back together again, and if you're aware of the problem the situation can, for the most part, be avoided.

This rack is potentially useful in any studio, and is deservedly popular. It's certainly one of the best purchases I've ever made.

Further Information
Zimmer Mobile Rack £85 including VAT.

Key Audio Systems, (Contact Details).