Anthony Jackson uses the Meyer Sound system for his $$$ rig also.
 
Totally agree with Dave and others to place components on or in a separate unit next to the speaker cabinets.
 
For me I have a 8 Space Middle Atlantic (all Aluminum) rack with casters, which houses my DS-5, Furman power strip and amps. Then I place my SF-2 on top of that (at an angle) to accommodate setting changes. I can wheel it next to the speaker cabinet stack or where ever I prefer to make tone changes or provide space on stage.

Wolf - No calibration mics that I could see. Although my pic is poor quality (low light, cell phone cam, unsteady hand), what you see is exactly what was there for the entire performance that night.
 
I quickly snapped it right after Phil finished his sound check and left the stage. He blocked most of my view of the laptop screen, but I did manage to get a glimpse of what appeared to be a complex bar graph of frequencies (peaks & valleys) and he definitely used the laptop in conjunction with his rig to dial in his tone.
 
Re: high quality sound on stage - that's a understatement. I was about 10 feet away from his rig and his sound was massive, but not loud. It filled up the entire low end and also cut through a dense mix of THREE guitars, a keyboard and drums without overwhelming the vocals. Absolutely amazing.
 
;-)
 
Sorry for the partial hijack.
 
(Message edited by davehouck on August 05, 2014)

The laptop does control the speakers. There are crossover points, phase alignment, and a number of other variables that can be used to tune the system. I haven't heard it in person, but for $25k it should sound great.
 
I don't have a problem with my rack slipping around, but I do use some of the rubbery stuff that is used to line dish cabinets to make sure my laptop doesn't slide around on top of the rack for my location recording rig. It works well. I might also work for keeping a rack from slipping as it's slightly tacky.

I live in permanent awe of those of you who play venues large enough to allow the bass player more than 2 square feet of stage room and can park your rack next to the cabs.:-)
 
Graeme

Just tell the drummer to NOT use half his/her cymbals and floor toms and only one bass drum and you'll be stylin'...
 
Presto: instant real-estate.
 
Also - the law of the jungle dictates that whoever shows up first can make the land-grab and the rest will just have to deal with the leftover space.

That is so true about 'who shows up first' picks their spot.  I set up the PA as well as playing bass and that is my rule.  I wish people could arrive in reverse order from where they play, though - ie. front line arrive last and drummers first. Glynn

oh I dunno Glynn. I prefer to get the backline and cabling sorted before the drummer starts to place his kit. (after he's put his carpet down so we know where he's going.)
 
Graeme

oh I dunno Glynn. I prefer to get the backline and cabling sorted before the drummer starts to place his kit. (after he's put his carpet down so we know where he's going.)
 
Graeme

I'm getting to the point where I need something to keep ME from sliding around when I play. Getting old sucks...

Ah - the drum carpet provides yet another opportunity.
 
Wait til the kit is set up and the drummer disappears for a quick adult beverage (or something) prior to starting the gig.
 
You then deftly use the carpet to slide the entire kit over a bit to accommodate your re-configured bass rig.
 
You can tell I've had to deal with this a lot...

Even better slowly cut an inch or two off the carpet each time the drummer isn't around. After a while you should be able to pickup a little more real estate.
 
Keith

Excellent idea!
 
And - as a bonus you could save those pieces of carpet and use 'em to cushion your rack case in the unlikely event that you are unable to obtain the real-estate required to place it to the side of your speaker cab.
 
Problem solved all around at no expense to the bass player - win / win!

I just heard the best joke from a drummer...yeah, I know, what?...he said  all I have to do is leave my drumsticks on the dashboard and I can park in handicapped spots no problem...
 
Tony

As I completely concur with the postage stamp area to set up in at more times than not, it certainly is a matter of getting prime real estate early, even if (as pointed out in my case the preference to setup my rack next to the driver cabinets).  
 
With that said there is always the option to place the rack next to where the player is standing, in front of but not blocking the cabinet drivers, (I do this so I can easily adjust the Superfilter), especially since we generally, I suppose, for those of us Bassists, are at the edge of the stage. Note: not in the case of a pit type situation such as when Pauldo is performing at some of his gigs.
 
I suppose it really depends on your band, placement of the player/instrument etc.
 
The rack next to or offset from the speaker cabinets works out pretty well for me; given that I think we are always trying to improve our setup configurations. A Work in Progress at times and sometimes satisfaction in our setup happens - at least for a while - whew!