The quest for a new bag...reviews with pics inside

I've been in the market for a new bag for a while now. I'm sick of my GigSkinz Serato bag. It's uncomfortable and, after a year, still smells. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go grab yourself any one of their canvas bags and you'll understand.

I typically carry a lot of gear of with me. I like how a backpack looks, so I'm kind of partial to those. I decided, based on dimensions and style, to check out the Namba Gear Big Namba Studio Backpack and the Mono EFX 365.

First off, here are the dimensions of each bag (from their websites):
GigSkinz Serato Bag:
Mixer Compartment: 15" X 13"-15" X 6.5"
Exterior Side Pockets (2): 9" x 4" x 2"
Exterior Laptop Pocket: 15" x 12.5" x 2"

Namba Gear Big Namba Studio Backpack:
External Dimensions: 21.5″ H x 14″ W x 9.5″ D

Mono EFX 365:
17" laptop sleeve built in
Vinyl record sleeve: 16" x 13" x 2.5"
Main compartment: 17" x 13" x 3.5"

I had to order the Namba bag from Amazon. I lucked out and a local DJ store had a Mono bag in stock. I went there and grabbed about 75% of my gear (pictured below) and the Mono bag just didn't cut it. I apologize for not having pictures, but I think when this is done you will have an understanding of how it went.

I am not a photographer. These pics were taken with my iPhone 4.

Here is the gear I would typically take to a gig:


Starting from back-to-front and left-to-right:
Stanton Uberstand
Crane Stand
2 Aurelex MoPads (bottoms for VCI-100, tops for Maschine)
A bag of miscellaneous cords, connectors, extra power, etc
Laptop (15" Macbook Pro)
2 external hard drives
Macbook Pro Power cord
Powered USB hub
Audio 8, 4, 2 (I realize I won't use these every time, but they're here for a reason)
Brown padded sleeve for VCI-100 (Built NY)
Pioneer HDJ-2000
Gorillatorch
MidiFighter (not complete yet)
VCI-100
Maschine
RCA & USB cables for soundcards

I know this is a lot of stuff, but it's what I want to have with me. I'd even love to have an extra pair of headphones, but it's not possible right now.

So here are pics of everything listed above inside the GigSkinz bag:



Here you can see the outer flap, opened:


In that flap I have business cards and an 1/8" to RCA cable for a quick connection grab if I ever need it. Also a USB light. Minimum space is taken up here.

Pictured below are the outer flap outer flap and outer pockets:




The outer flap houses the stands. The side pockets house the Audio 8 and the headphones.

Inside the bag, when first opened, you can see what's on top, along with the laptop on the inside sleeve:


If I remove the Aurelex MoPads and the MidiFighter, here is what you can see:



The top left pocket has the cables for the soundcards and the powered USB hub. The top right pocket has both hard drives. Under the Maschine controller is the VCI-100.

So let's check out the Namba bag:





As you can see, with only (from front to back) Maschine, VCI-100 (w/ sleeve), and the laptop in the bag, I cannot close the bag. However, if I remove the sleeve:



I am able to close the bag just fine. There's a lot of room left in the top part though, so I added the following (but did not feel good about it):



You can see the MidiFighter, laptop power cord, and the cables for the soundcards.

Next up, I wanted to try to get the stands in there:





In the top pic, towards the bottom of the bag, you can see the Crane stand sticking out. There's no way for this to fit in the front pocket, and since the back pocket is already filled, this has to go. That being said, I took both out, since even the Uberstand took up precious space that I needed.



Above is what I was able to do. I put the hard drives and the headphones in the mesh pocket (that would be closest to the front), the Aurelex Mopads, the Audio 4 and 2, and the USB hub.

Here is the final outcome of the Namba bag:



I wasn't able to fit the sleeve, stands, bag of extras, gorillatorch, and Audio 8 (there is a side zippered pocket that you can see, but nothing can really fit in there the way I have it packed). Honestly, I had fit a lot more into this bag than I did with Mono EFX 365.

Seems like I'm stuck with the GigSkinz, right? So I listed out my pros and cons of each:

GigSkinz:
Pros:
Fits everything I want to take with me
I already own it
Looks decent

Cons:
Uncomfortable
Smells bad (again, ALL of these bags do...it's the material they are using)
Seems/feels flimsy
Looks decent. Yes a pro AND a con.

Namba:
Pros:
Very comfortable
Looks awesome
Feels rugged
Smells normal

Cons:
Cannot fit everything I want
Would be a new purchase
Would probably need a second bag

I started thinking about that last part...and I've decided to get the matching Kava Laptop Studio Bag and see how this will turn out. The dimensions of the bag are: External: 17″ H x 13″ W x 3.75″ D.

Yes, I know this might be overkill and taking around 2 bags might not be the brightest idea. You never know...and I'm honestly sick of the GigSkinz bag. I'll update everyone when I get the bag and we'll see just how bad 2 bags can be.

 

Good review. I'm on the hunt too. Looking for a trolley style bag myself cause I'm old and weak.

 

Go for a Timbuk2 bag. It's spacious and waterproof. You can get optional laptop sleeves to throw into the bag in any configuration you wish. Some bags come with the laptop sleeve built in. The sleeves are padded. www.timbuk2.com

 

apart from my boblbee that I love I like the look of the mono bags -

http://www.monocase.com/mono-efx-producer.asp

http://www.monocase.com/mono-efx-dj.asp

seem difficult to find in the UK tho'

 

I just bought one off HTFR records (Birmingham I think) so they definitely have some.. they're not the Cheapest online shop but the really have good stocks.

The Mono EFX DJ is THE bag I was looking for.. I can stick my MPB 15", the Xone DX and the Launchpad without having to struggle for extra room.. it's definitely very well built . I must admit I like it

 

The Mono Producer is looking like my next bag.

Im currently using the VCI Backpack which is vast and fits absolutely everything including the VCI 100 obviously but, as my next controller will be flight-cased theres no need for the huge backpack so the Mono will be perfect.

Just laptop, cables, phones and extras etc.

This is some time off of course as my 'next controller' isnt even in production yet.

Yet

 

Karlos, I don't think flightcases suit you. You should send me the flightcase and everything that goes in it.

Seriously though. the MONO bags look AWESOME. I might pick one up when I'm in the States. And one of those mystery flightcase thingies. And a dicer. Come on, exchange rate!

 

niether's mine - the nice people at Kenton have promised to let me know when it is tho' (none of that NI rubbish for me - they should stick to software )

Thanks goonzy - I didn't realise they stocked the mono at HTFR (they're not listed as stockists on the mono web site). It's my birthday at the end of the month

 

Karlos - OT but I think I read you'd replaced the pots on your VCI - did you get them from DJTT? And do they fit OK?

 

I use this: http://www.m-audio.com/images/global/media_hqpics/studiopack_loaded.jpg

http://www.m-audio.com/images/global/media_hqpics/studiopack_front.jpg

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudioPack.html

But I guess if I got a 4 channel controller I'll need a bigger one, the mono DJ looks good and it's on sale now.

 

Hi guys, anyone here find a trolley bag that fits a 17" MBP with the xone dx and an external hard drive plus cables and headphones? Please let me know ASAP I need one urgently.

 

That's exactly what i'm on the lookout for at the moment as well.

GOOD NEWS - Magma had a new trolley bag on their stand at BPM, designed specifically for the Xone DX. It looks absolutely perfect for the job.

BAD NEWS - The guy on the stand told me it wouldn't be available till December.

http://magma-bags.com/produkte/digi-control-trolley/digi-control-trolley-2-e.php3

http://magma-bags.com/produkte/digi-control-trolley/data/images/wgf20100506_046.jpg

 

Wow, that is perfect imianwilliams! But damn I gotta wait 2 more months for this bag. Well in the meantime i'll keep using my serato scratch til the new bag arrives in stores. 2 months is a loooooong time and I hate waiting lol.

The bag looks great. Thanks again for the heads up.

djevon

 

Hello guys,
any info yet about the slappa M.A.S.K. Custom Build Backpack ?
Check it out here .
Anyone have it and tryied out?
I am wondering if some vinyls could fit in the main department as it measures 12"(w) x 15.5"(h) x 5"(d). If it does then I think this is a good option as well.