Many people love Knack Packs because they are the most flexible everyday backpacks around. From work to the gym to multi-day travel, Knack Packs continually rise to the occasion. But even we were surprised to hear that a Knack can also hold an impressive amount of musical gear and close to an entire recording studio. Musicians can use a Knack as a versatile gig bag for everything from drumsticks and recording equipment to other expensive gear. With a padded compartment and padded shoulder straps, it’s built to help keep your equipment protected and comfortable to carry. So whether you’re recording a podcast after work or laying down beats after a workout, your Knack can keep your gear ready for the next session.
Reading Time: 5 minutes |
Subscribers: 23,588 |
We recently spoke to Xaner K, an independent Hip Hop, R&B, and Electronic Dance music producer based in Manhattan (check out some of his work at the end of this blog), and asked him about the critical features he looks for in a gig bag. Let's break it down.
Critical features to look for in a gig bag:
- What is a gig bag?
- Durability and protection
- Expandability
- Ergonomics
- Compartments for organization
- Water-resistance
What is a gig bag?
Traditionally, gig bags were soft cases designed to protect stringed musical instruments like electric guitars and basses. Unlike hard instrument cases, which are carried by handles like briefcases, gig bags have dual straps like traditional backpacks so that you can carry them on your back. Because they are easier to carry, musicians often prefer gig bags over hard cases.
Over the years, gig bags branched out to cover other musical instruments like synthesizers, brass instruments, and even DJ equipment. Music producers also discovered gig bags and now rely heavily on them to hold all their essential tools and equipment.
Built for Technical and Musical Gear
Knack’s expandable backpacks and duffel bags are designed to carry more than everyday essentials. With multiple compartments, a padded compartment, and dedicated pockets, they give you flexible ways to organize and protect everything from laptops and recording gear to DJ gear and other technical equipment.
The expandable design gives you extra room when you need it, while padded shoulder straps make heavier loads more comfortable to carry. Use a Knack as a mobile studio for recording sessions, a gear bag for rehearsal, or an everyday bag that keeps your laptop and creative expensive gear and equipment organized.
From your laptop to your cables, headphones, and other gear, Knack gives musicians, producers, and creators a more versatile way to carry the equipment they rely on.
Durability and Protection
"I have everything I need in my gig bag to produce a full album," Xaner said."It's my livelihood right there, so the bag better be strong."
Xaner's setup is quite heavy. He has:
- 13-inch MacBook Pro
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
- Soundcraft 12FX compact mixer
- Blue large-diaphragm condenser microphone
- Audio-Technica small-diaphragm condenser microphone
- Arturia MiniLab USB MIDI keyboard controller
- Desktop microphone boom arm
- Closed-back studio headphones
- Three external hard drives
- Bluetooth trackball
- iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
- Apple Magic Keyboard
- Two XLR cables
- USB and USB-C cables
- MacBook Pro charger
"Currently, my gig bag is, unfortunately, a travel suitcase complete with wheels and handle," Xaner confessed."Sure, it protects my gear but it's a pain to lug around."
Durability and protection are critical in a gig bag. The gear in a gig bag is worth tens of thousands of dollars, so producers like Xaner will not take a chance on bags made of inferior materials.
Expandability
Xaner travels a lot and does most of his work on the road. So, his gig bag must have enough space to hold clothes, shoes, toiletries, and more. And, his travels aren't limited to domestic destinations. He finished his most recent project in Budapest, a collaboration with several local electropop artists.
"So, the travel suitcase holds my gear, and I have an extra backpack to carry my clothes and other essentials," Xaner said."If my backpack could also accommodate my gear, that would be a game-changer. So, yes, the ideal gig bag is one bag that can carry everything I need when I’m on the road."
While in Budapest, Xaner stayed at a hostel, which was about twenty minutes away from his client’s rehearsal studio. There were many sessions when he had to stay overnight at the studio so the hassle of carrying two bags really wore on him.
Also, he worried about carrying so many bags through the city. “Budapest has its fair share of pickpockets so carrying multiple bags leaves you vulnerable because your attention is all over the place,” Xaner said. “I believe using one bag would help make me theft-proof.”
Ergonomics
Carrying heavy music gear for long periods is not comfortable (or good for your back), so ergonomics is one of the essential requirements for a practical gig bag.
"That's the thing I have with traditional gig bags. There are not a lot of options out there that support the body. It's a deal-breaker," Xaner said. "I would like wide cushioned straps and some back support."
Most gig bags in the market today neglect this crucial part of their design because they are too focused on aesthetics and less on ergonomics. Framed hiking or camping backpacks are just not an option since Xaner doesn’t want to look like a lost hiker in the middle of the city.
Compartments for Organization
A music producer's setup involves loads of cables, plugs, jacks, adapters, and many other small things, so it is critical that a gig bag has enough compartments to store these items.
Xaner said he lost too many cables and adapters because his travel luggage doesn't have pockets for his small production essentials. One time, he lost a proprietary hard drive cable on his way to a session in Northport, Long Island.
"Looking back, I think the cable fell from my unzipped travel suitcase,” Xaner said. “That drive was critical for my session and essentially became a paper weight when I lost that cable. The dream is to have a thousand pockets inside my gig bag that can secure things like that”.
Water-Resistance
While Xaner spoke about durability and protection earlier, he called out water-resistance as a separate “must-have” protection feature. When you’re carrying lots of expensive electronic equipment, you cannot afford to get them wet.
"Rain is my greatest fear," Xaner said. "My previous iPad Pro, which I use as my synthesizer, died after it got wet inside my backpack.”
Xaner just finished an afternoon session in Woodside when the weather turned sour. His client’s space was only a 10-minute walk from the subway. He covered his backpack with a poncho and even had an umbrella but as soon as he got on the train, he saw his bag dripping. He opened his bag and saw his gear drenched in rain water with his expensive iPad Pro ruined.
"I never trusted backpacks after that," he added. "But If I find one that is truly water-resistant, then I would not hesitate to use it."
After listening to all the things that a music producer looks for in a perfect gig bag, we introduced Xaner to the Large Series 1 Knack Pack and he was pretty surprised. He quickly discovered that this Knack Pack checks all the boxes and more:
- Made of custom-made, high-quality, durable fabric
- Provides maximum protection for laptops up to 17”, as well as other technology items, with its easy-access, padded side-zip computer pocket
- Comfortable carry is designed in the bag with a molded, comfort-cool foam back panel and wide cushioned shoulder straps
- Xaner’s music gear and a change of clothes fits in the patent-pending, expandable packing compartment
- The spacious main compartment has lost of organization pockets for all of Xaner’s small items, a fleece-lined tablet pocket for his iPad Pro, and a removable key leash
- All Knack Pack are built with water-resistant fabrics and reverse coil YKK zippers.
We loaded the Large Series 1 Knack Pack with all of Xaner's gear above, plus a few other things to show how it can do the job.
So, there it is. Problem solved! It's One Bag Life in action.
“Phenomenal,” Xaner said in disbelief as he saw his entire setup fit into a Large Series 1 Knack Pack.”This is revolutionary for me and other producers out there.”
Xaner left us with a track he produced called Dig Your Roots by the duo Klub Kuryente. Check it out and tell us what you think in the comments below. We love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gig Bags
What is a gig bag?
A gig bag is a soft, portable bag designed to carry and protect musical instruments or production equipment. Modern gig bags can also accommodate recording gear, laptops, headphones, cables, and other equipment musicians and producers need for performances, rehearsals, or recording sessions.
What should I look for in a gig bag?
A good gig bag should provide durability, protection, organization, comfort, expandability, and water resistance. Look for padded compartments for electronics, multiple pockets for smaller gear, comfortable shoulder straps, and enough capacity to carry your equipment without becoming cumbersome.
Can a backpack be used as a gig bag?
Yes. A well-designed backpack can be a versatile alternative to a traditional gig bag, particularly for music producers who carry laptops, recording equipment, cables, headphones, and other technical gear. An expandable backpack can provide additional space when you need to carry clothing and other essentials, too.
What can you carry in a music production gig bag?
Depending on the size and design, a gig bag can hold laptops, tablets, microphones, audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, headphones, cables, hard drives, chargers, and other recording gear. An expandable design can also accommodate clothing, shoes, and personal essentials for traveling to a session or rehearsal.
Is a Knack Pack a good gig bag for music producers?
Knack Packs are designed to carry both everyday and technical gear, making them a versatile option for mobile music producers. The Large Series 1 Knack Pack features a padded computer compartment, multiple organization pockets, an expandable packing compartment, and water-resistant materials, allowing producers to carry recording equipment alongside their laptop and other essentials.
How do I protect expensive music equipment in a gig bag?
Look for a bag with padded compartments, durable materials, secure closures, and water-resistant construction. Organizing smaller equipment in dedicated pockets can also help prevent cables, adapters, and other gear from shifting around or getting damaged during transit.
