THE REVOLVER, 2 Slot 500 series rack from Atlas Pro Audio

[The Press Desk at Gearslutz.com]

Introducing THE REVOLVER, 2 Slot 500 series rack; conceptualized by Nathan Eldred, designed by Tim Farrant. The REVOLVER is the first product from the brand new Atlas Recording Equipment Co. (whose parent company is Atlas Pro Audio). The REVOLVER is manufactured and distributed exclusively by Atlas Pro Audio.

The Revolver is the ultimate portable self powered 2 module chassis for 500 series API(tm) format. All 500 series preamps, compressors, and EQ's of all brands are 100% compatible with the Revolver. The Revolver can hold two single width 500 series modules, or one double width module with plenty of power to spare. The PSU is grunty and overbuilt so any current or future module is compatible, being 5x's more powerful than the suggested API standard.

The Revolver can be configured in multiple ways. As a stand alone unit, it sits vertically (perpendicular to the desktop) next to your laptop or on your workstation or rack. It can also be configured horizontially for standard 19" rackmounting. One, two, or three Revolvers can be racked with our optional custom rack kits. A total of up to 6 single modules or 3 double width modules, or combination can be placed in a 19" 2RU configuration.

The Revolver is constructed from thick powder coated steel, easily able to withstand daily stress and travel. Plenty of ventilation is provided, even for Class A modules. The back of the unit has easy to read screenprinting for ease of use. On/off switch, LED indicators, XLR inputs and outputs, and standard removable IEC cable. The Revolver factory setting can be made to be either 110V or 230V internally. The Revolver ships early July 2007.

Retail: $575 USD
Estimated Street Price: $450 USD

Contact Atlas Pro Audio for more information
US Toll Free 1.866.235.0953
Phone 813.746.4058
Website: www.atlasproaudio.com
Email: atlasproaudio@atlasproaudio.com

[el cochino]

Very cute

[gm5k]

awesome! congratulations Nathan and Tim. looks great

once again it is proven that Tim Farrant does not require sleep

[Chris]

Good looking product, but at $25 more than a 6 space lunchbox which is also easy to take traveling, I don't see why anybody would want one of these instead.

[futur2]

Originally Posted by Chris

Good looking product, but at $25 more than a 6 space lunchbox which is also easy to take traveling, I don't see why anybody would want one of these instead.

it's really cute, but somehow i agree...

[Rob King]

I knew this was coming eventually, but at $450 it does seem expensive. $250 and they will sell far better (Make the PSU 2x's instead of 5x's powerful ). It would also be cool to have a "removable" handle on the top or side as well. Just my 2 cents. The "Link" feature on the $450 Avedis Rack is also very cool for a 2 slot unit. Would have been cool to have a link feature on this as well...You can get an API Lunchbox for $399.

[TAVD]

I was expecting this as well. I was hoping to see a power supply link to daisy-chain this with a less expensive non-powered version.

[arimaka]

Originally Posted by TAVD

I was expecting this as well. I was hoping to see a power supply link to daisy-chain this with a less expensive non-powered version.

This would be a great idea to make the product cheaper when scaling it slowly!!

Hope they can do something like this in the future.

[Silver Sonya]

That's my only negative comment.

But the idea of a convenient 2-space portable lunchbox is long-overdue.

Cheers,
C

[briefcasemanx]

I got excited til I saw 450 for a 2 slot.

[jdunn]

It looks great with those Buzz modules in there. I like the look of the metalwork. As compared to the Avedis R52, this is nice because you can keep your modules vertical. I've got a deal on the table where if I buy (4) 500 modules I can get a 10-slot API rack for half price, and they've already dropped in price, so I think I may have to grab that first. Sometimes you want a little desktop unit though... I can see where the Revolver would come in handy.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by briefcasemanx

I got excited til I saw 450 for a 2 slot.

There will be various discounts based on if the Revolver is partially or fully filled with modules (one single width unit, two single width units, or one double width unit), OR if multiple Revolvers are purchased, as well as possible specials throughout the year. Similar to another (so far) permanent special we are running with other 500 series racks we sell. To me the idea is exciting because it puts certain modules into the realm of what feels like a 'stand alone' unit.

The unit is completely made in New Zealand (metal work, PCB's, assembly, etc), no Chinese anything involved. We could have gone that route and made it cheaper, but I just felt it was best to support those who support us. Just some thoughts, thanks for checking it out.

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by TAVD

I was expecting this as well. I was hoping to see a power supply link to daisy-chain this with a less expensive non-powered version.

We did discuss this idea during the design of it, but it added to the cost for those who just want a stand alone single Revolver. The power supply can deliver around 400mA, it's designed to power two high current preamps. The same power supply could power 6 lower current (50/60mA) modules in daisy chain. It's up to Nathan as to if and when daisy chain versions might be available.

Cheers
Tim.

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by briefcasemanx

I got excited til I saw 450 for a 2 slot.

I should also point out that the target price was originally less than this, but the recent fall of the US dollar against the NZ dollar has pushed the price up a bit - out of our control unfortunately. Hopefully this situation will change and the price can come down a little.

Tim.

[Meriphew]

Looks cool - but it needs a handle, and it's a bit too much $ for what it is.

[Duardo]

It is cute...I agree that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense price-wise considering the price of a Lunchbox unless you have very specific needs, though...but I am curious why it's branded as Atlas rather than Buzz?

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by Meriphew

Looks cool - but it needs a handle, and it's a bit too much $ for what it is.

It's actually very easy to pick up with one hand, it's not that heavy and the paint is textured finish so it is easy to grip and it won't slip out of your hand. A handle would also increase the packaging size, therefore increasing shipping costs. Without the handle, it's very easy to pack it into a briefcase and stack it with other gear, no protrusions to get in the way.

The Revolver price is the same as the Avedis Audio R52, and Nathan did mention discounts for Revolvers bundled with modules. It is aimed at those who don't have a 19" equipment rack and just want one or two modules for a basic desk top recording set up. For those who want more, then obviously a bigger rack is going to make sense.

Originally Posted by Duardo

...but I am curious why it's branded as Atlas rather than Buzz?

The Revolver idea was Nathan's and he asked us to manufacture it for him, it's an Atlas Pro Audio product.

Tim.

[pan60]

looks like it would be cool for the bedroom studio guy that never get more then one or two cards.

[atticus]

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by pan60

looks like it would be cool for the bedroom studio guy that never get more then one or two cards.

That's partly the idea...over the last 5 years since we started carrying 500 series products, I've had probably a few hundred requests for a self powered unit that can sit next to someone's laptop/M-box setup and hold "just a couple of preamps". Once the double width modules starting coming in and people wanted Tim's (Buzz) compressors as a mono stand alone unit it made even more sense. Not sure about the handle idea...it's easier to pickup than a football as is (American or British). Maybe as an option...everyone I've shown it to (a couple dozen people) in person didn't even think about it.

Originally Posted by Rob King

$250 and they will sell far better (Make the PSU 2x's instead of 5x's powerful ).

It costs more than $250 to make it. And the manufacturing cost difference between a less powerful and more powerful transformer for the internal PSU is miniscule, so there was no logic in making it less powerful. The Revolver supply is actually 40 mA more powerful than the API 6 module lunchbox. The Revolver is also more powerful than the R52 rack, which is 280mA, putting the Revolver at 120mA more powerful. We were keeping high draw units like the Buzz Elixir and Shadow Hills units in mind, where you can only have two of those anyhow in an API 6b (2 of those modules draw approx 300 mA, that's cutting it close when the supply is 360 mA or even less for the R52 at 280mA. In theory, the R52 can not properly power 2 x Class A high-draw preamplifiers which would require a minimum of 300mA.

You can get an API Lunchbox for $399.

It's somewhat red apples to green apples. The Revolver is built to a very high standard, we didn't cut any corners in any way FWIW. Thanks for the good ideas though. We're looking into the idea of being able to daisy chain multiple Revolvers off of one master Revolver, or have it able to run off an external supply. Not sure of the viability though.

[halfguard]

i always thought 4 slot would be the ultimate size..........

[WidgetNinja]

I like that you can have three of these (as 2 in the picture), rack 'em up, rotate the whole deal 90 degrees, and have 6 properly oriented slots of 500 compatibility to throw in Chandler's upcoming console.

[thenoiseflower]

this is cool.....

I can let a (trustworthey) client take a pre or two home to work on vocal shit, or do guitars... bass... whatever.

If its the take......, ya know, I'd rather it done with a 512 than the 002 pre.

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by thenoiseflower

this is cool.....

I can let a (trustworthey) client take a pre or two home to work on vocal shit, or do guitars... bass... whatever.

If its the take......, ya know, I'd rather it done with a 512 than the 002 pre.

Yeah man - COOL IDEA!

[Tomer1]

Agree on the price,the 250$ target would have made it a much more bang for the buck product.

[Keith Moore]

It would be nice to see some sort of cap to put on the front to protect the modules during travel.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Tomer1

Agree on the price,the 250$ target would have made it a much more bang for the buck product.

Let me repeat, it costs more than $250 to manufacturer. It says 'estimated' street cost. We will be selling it direct, we control the street pricing and note that it's not shipping for approx another 2 weeks. I find it wise to put the 'safe' street price, rather than underestimate and have to raise it in 3 months if something on the manufacturing side goes way up (which isn't likely...). I've seen at least one manufacturer underestimate their street cost and catch a lot of criticism for it. Don't really want to go into much more detail than that on a web forum.

[atticus]

I am going to chime in here with my opinion on this product. I do not think that it i in any way over priced for the following reasons:

1. PSU - I am more then happy to pay for an audio product with an upgraded PSU. Why? Because the electricity provided by the PSU becomes the audio signal. The PSU is one place where you don't want to skimp.

2. Supporting good working conditions - The only way possible to get this thing on the market at $250 is by making it in a sweatshop with virtual slave labor. I am not having any part of that.

3. Value - If you purchased a Revolver with one of the Buzz compressors you would be in it for $1300. Considering that most world class compressors are at least that much I fail to understand how it still isn't a good value. The same thing would apply for preamps. Two Buzz Elixrs and a Revolver are $1840, which is also a pretty common price bracket for a high end dual channel preamp.

Just my two cents...

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by atticus

I am going to chime in here with my opinion on this product. I do not think that it i in any way over priced for the following reasons:

1. PSU - I am more then happy to pay for an audio product with an upgraded PSU. Why? Because the electricity provided by the PSU becomes the audio signal. The PSU is one place where you don't want to skimp.

2. Supporting good working conditions - The only way possible to get this thing on the market at $250 is by making it in a sweatshop with virtual slave labor. I am not having any part of that.

3. Value - If you purchased a Revolver with one of the Buzz compressors you would be in it for $1300. Considering that most world class compressors are at least that much I fail to understand how it still isn't a good value. The same thing would apply for preamps. Two Buzz Elixrs and a Revolver are $1840, which is also a pretty common price bracket for a high end dual channel preamp.

Just my two cents...

Thank you for seeing the big picture Dave. thumbsup

[deuc647]

I think its perfect for the bedroom producerthumbsup , but others who are willing to dish out cash cash will likely buy a portaable 6 or 8 rack