AL.SO's MODUAL : 500 series compatible modules

[AL.SO]

AL.SO ( Alternate Soundings) TO RELEASE A FULL RANGE OF 500 SERIES
COMPATIBLE MODULES : THE MODUAL SERIE.

PARIS, FRANCE SEPTEMBER 2007 : french pro audio manufacturer AL.SO have
announced that they will be introducing the MODUAL serie at AES convention in New York – a full range of 500 series compatibles modules. “The idea at the origin of this MODUAL project is the following : the connectors found on the rear panel of any 500 series compatible are just connectors. Not only input and output !” said Olivier Bolling – designer at AL.SO.
The main innovations of the MODUAL range are :
- multi channels modules in only one slot ;
- front panels DB25 connectors for more inputs and totally inovative function and
modules.

“We receive, on a daily basis, a lot of enquiries from our partners (engineers and
musicians) for a full location recording solution. Christophe [my partner at AL.SO] and I are long time lovers of the 500 series modules for its ergonomy and simplicity. So it was logical for us to choose this format for this MODUAL project” adds Bolling.

The MODUAL range includes the following modules :
- MP2 : dual channel mic pre
- MDI2 : dual channel guitar and bass DI
- M2M : 8x2 mixer (w/ level control for each stereo pair)
- M2B : 8x2 summer (w/ on/off control and master insert function)
- M2U : mini central section (w/ monitoring, talkback and cue capabilities)
All those modules a have very low distortion specifications.

AL.SO’s products are hand built in France.

Just listen... Music is the only way !

Alternate Soudings Website

[AL.SO]

[Brad McGowan]

Looks exciting!

Hopefully this will get some other manufacturers thinking out of the box.

I'd like an 8-channel high pass filter, please.

Brad

[Realtugs]

Phenomenal!!!

Absolutely just reinvented the 500 series format!

Well done Olivier!

[nynofi]

A step closer to the Tonelux concept/functionality, in the API 500 format. Interesting.

[dj_who]

WOW !!!! stike nice thumbsup

[gm5k]

wow congratulations, AL.SO!

the mini central station looks awesome(functionality and looks!)

[heathen]

Ok, I'm interested.

[Realtugs]

OK Olivier,

This IS Gearslutz...Can we see some picture of the insides?

[kellyd]

Unless they are making their own boxes they won't be able to do Tonelux style summing. They may have a way of interconnecting busses on multiple 4 input modules with a connector. Not sure how they have it set up.
I do like the fact that there are far more choices for 500series format modules than a few years ago. New gear is always cool.

[Anarchihuahua]

Wow, that's brilliant!! For something REALLY innovative in 500 series land (though the rest is cool as well )
+ it comes from France!!

[PlugHead]

Interested - yes!!!

I'm also interested in the guts and bench specs for these units - how do you fit 2 channels WITH transformers into one slot ?!?

Merci, et votre product est merveilleux!!! Bon chance! thumbsup

[pan60]

sounds very cool!!!!

[Brad McGowan]

Originally Posted by PlugHead

Interested - yes!!!

I'm also interested in the guts and bench specs for these units - how do you fit 2 channels WITH transformers into one slot ?!?

Merci, et votre product est merveilleux!!! Bon chance! thumbsup

You leave out the output transformers.

Brad

[TAVD]

Originally Posted by Realtugs

Absolutely just reinvented the 500 series format!

If someone really wanted to expand the format, the solution seems obvious to me. Just stick another edge connector on the right hand side of the back plane. There's an extra 30 pins right there. No unsightly multi-pins on the front plus, it's totally backwards compatible. Anyway

Nice looking stuff. Are the preamps electronically balanced on the outputs? Discrete? They look great.

[Fuel]

I hope I can check it at the AES!! looks awesome!

[pan60]

Originally Posted by TAVD

If someone really wanted to expand the format, the solution seems obvious to me. Just stick another edge connector on the right hand side of the back plane. There's an extra 30 pins right there. No unsightly multi-pins on the front plus, it's totally backwards compatible. Anyway

Nice looking stuff. Are the preamps electronically balanced on the outputs? Discrete? They look great.

that would be changing the format:(
very not cool!
you need to be able the grab a rack or lunchbox by who ever and know that things will work.
what you are talking about is a whole format.
not what i want.

[Realtugs]

Originally Posted by TAVD

Just stick another edge connector on the right hand side of the back plane. There's an extra 30 pins right there.No unsightly multi-pins on the front...

What Pan said on the format.

The connectors? Hmmmm...I think they look kinda beautiful on the front panel myself. Reminds me of another French (raised) modular design...the Serge synthesizer range.

[bobx]

wow. it seems like there's something new for the 500 series every day! these things look incredible. talk about pretty looking faceplates. i hope they sound as good as they look.

i'm glad i upgraded to the 11 slot although i still have 5 slots left, i think i may have to get another! thumbsup

[Dirty Gear Pimp]

that thing is just sick looking!!!

glad someone was taking notes on the thread about lunchbox ideas from a few months back.

thumbsup

cant wait to see these things on the market. any idea of prices?

any GS discounts

now all we need is the filter eq and the gate and i think that covers most of the bases for the lunchbox format.

[TAVD]

Originally Posted by pan60

that would be changing the format:(
very not cool!

Change is good. And when you can do it and still maintain 100% backwards compatibility, why wouldn't you want that. I see it as a 500 Expanded format, not something completely new, but this isn't the place for this discussion so I digress.

[Realtugs]

Originally Posted by TAVD

Change is good. And when you can do it and still maintain 100% backwards compatibility, why wouldn't you want that. I see it as a 500 Expanded format, not something completely new, but this isn't the place for this so I digress.

Change IS good. I'm sure there will be something new done to the format eventually...and it will probably include a lot more than just another edge connector. However, the change that has been brought on by these new modules is going to bring a whole new functionality to the series without anybody having to add anything.
SuperCool!!!

[pan60]

Originally Posted by TAVD

Change is good. And when you can do it and still maintain 100% backwards compatibility, why wouldn't you want that. I see it as a 500 Expanded format, not something completely new, but this isn't the place for this so I digress.

i would agree not wrong with change, if and only if, it was to be 100% backwards compatible.
but what about the guys that have racks and power supplies and can not use newer cards in their old gear, next thing you know their will be a 500_UP fee just to stay in the format:(
so i still feel that is a new format and i would prefer to see the 500 format stay as is and just change some modules.

[Isle of Weight]

Originally Posted by pan60

if and only if, it was to be 100% backwards compatible.

AA.

[cww2]

I might have missed some info but I'm not seeing how they get both channels of the mic pres out on on jack output.

[Realtugs]

Originally Posted by cww2

I might have missed some info but I'm not seeing how they get both channels of the mic pres out on on jack output.

From this thread...how many slots are should a 500 form card be?

Originally Posted by vince @ speck

POST #75- Yea, I'd like to know the answer that question too.

If I had to take a wild guess.... the two XL input connectors on the front are the "only" access for mic input . The rear input XL-F would need a gender changer to make it an XL-M output. The other XL-M output on the rear remains as-is.

Olivier's (Designer) confirmation...

Originally Posted by OBO

POST #78- You will need an XLR adapter in order to use the rear input as an output.

As it is a mike pre, you don't need to access all the time to the settings...

[OBO]

Yes,

we did not change the format.
What we've done is:

- giving the opportunity to have 2 preamps in one slot, in order your box could be more versatile.
Could be more preamps in one box but al.so give the opportunity to leave more space for comp or EQs...
As we did not change the format, input are on front pannel, output on rear, using the rear input as an output using a male to male XLR adapter.

- giving the opportunity to transform your box in a production center ( I can say a small console, usefull for nowdays way of working) with summing, monitoring, cues and talkback.
To achieve this without changing this format, we needed to create multi inputs/outputs on front pannel . So we use the "everyone used" DB25 wiring.
And a DB9 , easy to solder, 2 channels in /out wiring, for insertion.

And we provide a remote pannel for the one's who want to keep clearer the front pannels.

Thanks for yours comments !!!

And please , come to see us on booth 877 at the New York AES, if you come there.

Olivier Bolling

[Ozzy]

Looking good!

Any prices yet?

I can see a 500 series modular console on the horizon in the next few years for sure.

Its gonna be awesome!

[Isle of Weight]

cant wait to see this, looks very interesting....

AA

Originally Posted by OBO

Yes,

we did not change the format.
What we've done is:

- giving the opportunity to have 2 preamps in one slot, in order your box could be more versatile.
Could be more preamps in one box but al.so give the opportunity to leave more space for comp or EQs...
As we did not change the format, input are on front pannel, output on rear, using the rear input as an output using a male to male XLR adapter.

- giving the opportunity to transform your box in a production center ( I can say a small console, usefull for nowdays way of working) with summing, monitoring, cues and talkback.
To achieve this without changing this format, we needed to create multi inputs/outputs on front pannel . So we use the "everyone used" DB25 wiring.
And a DB9 , easy to solder, 2 channels in /out wiring, for insertion.

And we provide a remote pannel for the one's who want to keep clearer the front pannels.

Thanks for yours comments !!!

And please , come to see us on booth 877 at the New York AES, if you come there.

Olivier Bolling

[Realtugs]

Originally Posted by OBO

And we provide a remote pannel for the one's who want to keep clearer the front pannels.

Olivier,

• Can you please explain how the remote panels will work in the system?
• Prices?
• Inside photos?

Thanks again.