By now, everyone knows I'm a nut case when it comes to backups. I have a backup everything. Backup keyboard, a couple backup laptops, back up mics, backup vocal processor - you name it and I probably have more than one of them, especially when it comes to music gear. Hell, I even have three tuxedos and two pair of patten-leather shoes - just in case.

Until recently, the only thing, other than my wife and van, that I didn't have a backup for was my custom console. So, last week I went to the local welding shop, took my console with me, and told them what I wanted. The console is constructed from 1/8-inch heavy duty aluminum, has a lexan shelf on top, and a lexan covered sign on the front. Inside, there's a 10 port surge suppressor with a ground fault indicator, TC Helicon Harmony-M, power supply for the laptop and power supply for the keyboard. The sign on the front is lighted with a strip light, and the keyboard is lighted with an identical light. You can find detailed instructions on the construction at PSR Tuturial.

On my previous console, the lights were under the cabinet strip lights that I purchased from Home Depot for $18.99 each.They're 18 inches long and incandescent. All the crap about global warming made incandescent bulbs illegal and obsolete.

Fortunately, I was able to find LED strips that were much brighter, easy to install, but twice the price. The lights are guaranteed to last 55,000 hours, which is probably a bit longer than I'll be on the planet and playing music. The intensity of the lights blew my mind - just unbelievable. I found them at Elemental LED The total cost, including shipping for 36 inches of strip was $82. When I'm finished the project I'll shoot some photos and post them.

Cheers,

Gary