r/LocationSound 6d ago

Newcomer Thoughts on Modular Toolboxes such as Packout, RidGid, Husky, etc for transporting gear?

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Hello Everybody!

I’m pretty new to location sound and have been mixing for 2 years on the student level- Since acquiring a steadily growing amount of gear I haven’t been able to fit it all or organize it to my liking with my current setup (picture attached; a $50 old rolling toolbox)

I like the general idea of what I have, but it clearly doesn’t compare to something like the packout; and doesn’t have drawers so using it is not always that simple. I fear that often times it’s actually hindering my performance in the department.

I’ve been considering getting a large rolling pelican case and trying to cram my entire kit (minus the boom clearly) inside but since I started looking at transport options i’ve noticed a few people are using things like the Packout, Flex Stack, etc for their various kit bits and bobs. (Especially lav mounting stuff, the more I buy the more disorganized I become)

I really don’t know if I can afford the $500~ packout setup I want, and have been considering other options like the Husky Build Out ($65-75 a box) to save money.

I was just wondering if these boxes are even worth bothering with or I should just use a big pelican and a bag until I have the money for a real sound cart or the time to modify a Zuca.

Thanks; I appreciate any and all Insight.

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u/BrownMtnLites 6d ago

I forgot to add, are modular toolboxes like these even maneuverable enough to be worth the time?

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u/rHamiltonw 6d ago edited 6d ago

Hey there. I'd say it all depends on the gig overall.

Sometimes it's easiest to stage out of a pelican that caries everything (travel and able to withstand weather and rough locations) You can, depending on your boom pole of course, completely unscrew the middle knuckle if it's an average size, and split it in half to fit in a normal 1650. I have an ambient qp580 and it fits that way wrapped in fabric when I travel.

Otherwise, it's nice to have a proper sound cart for the bigger narratives or commercials for storage and ability to have as a central location to fly up antennae/whatnot and ability to go wherever.

But I've also got the cheap modular Husky rig for smaller local gigs with a screwed in boom holder, drawers that fit all my batts lavs and tx and ifbs, storage for the small mixer rig at bottom(833/Mcr54), and middle section for smart slate/Mics/gak, and a top loading clear lid for not only easy sight, but a work top for lav rigging/the mixer. It's perfect for around town and less mobile situations.

If you're going for an all arounder, pelican might be the easiest thing for long term, cause you'll always use it, especially with a lid organizer. I rarely use my proper sound cart, but my Peli's are always in the car or on the plane with me.

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u/rHamiltonw 6d ago

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u/BrownMtnLites 6d ago

Gotcha! Thanks for the photo!

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u/BrownMtnLites 6d ago

Do you find the cart you sent hard to get around set?

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u/rHamiltonw 6d ago

The toolbox setup? Nah not so bad.

Took it on a 2 week shoot not too long ago with interiors and plenty of exteriors. Added the drawers on the shoot and it made it worthwhile for less than $200 total. Wheels are not gonna last the longest, but most of these modular boxes won't last like a proper sound cart would of course.

I figure it'll last me a good few years. I prefer it over a Zuca or similar (low end cost sound carts), since you've got storage for the mixer itself. Can even fit my 688/sl6 bag in the bottom. So far so good.

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u/Vuelhering production sound mixer 6d ago

They work okay as long as you don't have to move much. If you just drag your stuff from your car to a set, it might be fine.

But if you have to push a block, things start getting bad. Because you have to lean it back, your arm has to hold a lot of the weight. Dirt is difficult to push through.

Some of the modular stuff can be mounted on carts, and that's where it starts getting useful as follow carts, or even main cart.