List Here - All Lunchbox Modules In API 500 Series Format

[StoneinaPond]

Originally Posted by ToneLux

...The "current" company is a little strange about after market modules for the racks....

From my understanding that might be changing soon.

[Mark Warren]

Web page is now live for the A-Designs 500 series with full descriptions - http://adesignsaudio.com/P-1_EMSeries.htm

[ToneLux]

Originally Posted by StoneinaPond

From my understanding that might be changing soon.

The problem with that is if you allow one, you have to allow all. We will be making a couple also. What the hell, right? We are allowing certain ones make modules for our racks, but we are controlling it from the start, and the backplane system is very complicated, so it isn't easy to figure out. Were not being dicks, just trying to keep a wide assortment without overlap and dilution.

[macr0w]

Beeeeeeeeeeeep! Lunch time everybody! Put your tools down! Lunch time! Let's eat.

[D Pinder]

Originally Posted by StoneinaPond

From my understanding that might be changing soon.

This whole lunchbox boutique phenomenon can only be a good thing for API in the long run.

[cletus]

Defintely a good time to have a couple spaces left in the old lunchbox. A bad time to not have money to buy more modules. Need some money for more gear!

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by wilcofan

Cool, I was hoping there would be a cleaner mic pre option coming along. Looks like the transformerless Buzz Audio ma2.2 is it.

I'd be all over a pair of those and some Daking compressors in 500 form...

Just to clarify, our 500 series preamp (which is now getting very close) is NOT a MA2.2. This is mainly due to the limitation of the +/-15 volt power rails the 500 series racks run on, we need +/-28V for the MA2.2.

But, the unit does have the same BE40 input amplifiers in transformerless configuration and a new Class A line output buffer (the BE50) that drives a Lundahl 1517 output transformer. This is required to step up the level 6dB at the transformer to ensure adequate headroom given the low power rails.

The Lundahl tranny is very high performance, quite impressive really, and it mates well with our amplifiers. I think you can expect a good open natural sound with just a hint of transformer colour.

Cheers
Tim.

[bigbongo]

... does anyone know if there are any old modules that will fit a 5000 series rack?

things like calrac, etc... or is the API a new sort of format, thingy...

[deft_bonz]

OSA also mentioned 2 different EQs:

Taken from their homepage (http://www.oldschoolaudio.com):

Future products will include a 3 band selectable frequency EQ, An 11 band all discrete EQ, an optical compressor, a FET based compressor, and a class A mic pre. The FET compressor and the Class A mic pre will require a different power supply and enclosure, but the new system will be fully backward compatible with the older modules. This new system will allow the integration of more vintage designs using nontraditional power supplies, expanding the range of products available for the 500 series.

[Ziggy!!]

Originally Posted by D Pinder

This whole lunchbox boutique phenomenon can only be a good thing for API in the long run.

I dunno... 3 different manufacturers building 500 series racks, 3 different takes on an API preamp and about a dozen other non-api 500 series format units avaliable or being concieved.

It is becoming evident that you won't even have to touch an API product to fill a 500 series rack.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Ziggy!!

I dunno... 3 different manufacturers building 500 series racks, 3 different takes on an API preamp and about a dozen other non-api 500 series format units avaliable or being concieved.

It is becoming evident that you won't even have to touch an API product to fill a 500 series rack.

easily

[Mark Warren]

New Daking 4 band EQ ala 52270 is coming very soon to API 500 Series - from the man himself in post http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=60686 :

Originally Posted by geoffdake

Here is the answer to the DakingPlus ToneLux eq question.

DakingPlus is a new venture with Dave thibodeau and me. All of the legacy Daking products remain unchanged.

Our new products are built around the same Class “A” circuits, and they will be controlled electronically, instead of mechanically.Dave brings us his expertise in not only consoles, but also software and electronic control.

The first product is a 4 band eq in the ToneLux format, followed by one in the API 500 format. These units will not have remote control capability. They are 4 band, fixed frequency eq’s just like the original 52270. Due to the size constraint of the ToneLux format, they will not have high and low pass filters.

The next project is a single channel compressor, like the FET II, for both formats.

Next, we have a stereo compressor. This one is really different. It will have the same audio characteristics as the FET II, and will have remote control and recallable user presets. All will be accessed via Ethernet.

Later this year, we will show a scalable mixer incorporating these features.

All of our new products are RoHS/Pb-Free to comply with the CE standards.

Geoff

[snappydad]

Originally Posted by pan60

John Hardy has said he will be building one as well.

Anybody heard any word on the development of the Hardy 500 format pre?? That would certainly flip my burgers...(try not to visualize it though). Thx- chafe

[D Pinder]

Originally Posted by snappydad

Anybody heard any word on the development of the Hardy 500 format pre?? That would certainly flip my burgers...(try not to visualize it though). Thx- chafe

He confirmed it to me via email. No time frame, but it IS in the works.

[John Hardy]

Yes, I am working on an API 500-series style mic preamp card. Actually, I am considering three models: a model similar to my M-1, a model similar to my M-2 and a model similar to the Jensen Twin Servo.

The exact feature sets have not been finalized. Suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

John Hardy
The John Hardy Co.
www.johnhardyco.com

[zimv20]

lots o' pre's coming out and available for this form factor, but only a handful of EQs and comps. i'm hoping to see some more EQ's, in particular.

[snappydad]

Originally Posted by John Hardy

Yes, I am working on an API 500-series style mic preamp card. Actually, I am considering three models: a model similar to my M-1, a model similar to my M-2 and a model similar to the Jensen Twin Servo.

The exact feature sets have not been finalized. Suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

John Hardy
The John Hardy Co.
www.johnhardyco.com

Thanks for the word John, and glad to hear it.
Gotta say sorry in advance for all of the, "is it ready yet?"'s that are bound to ensue here amongst the Slutz. As for suggestions, I just hope they will have plenty of gain for ribbon mics. As long as your magic is in there, then those pres will be amazing regardless of the feature set.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by zimv20

lots o' pre's coming out and available for this form factor, but only a handful of EQs and comps. i'm hoping to see some more EQ's, in particular.

agree!

[deft_bonz]

Originally Posted by zimv20

lots o' pre's coming out and available for this form factor, but only a handful of EQs and comps. i'm hoping to see some more EQ's, in particular.

please yes

[ImJohn]

Originally Posted by John Hardy

Yes, I am working on an API 500-series style mic preamp card. Actually, I am considering three models: a model similar to my M-1, a model similar to my M-2 and a model similar to the Jensen Twin Servo.

The exact feature sets have not been finalized. Suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

John Hardy
The John Hardy Co.
www.johnhardyco.com

Awesome John, glad to hear it!!!!

And I think you would totally freak people out if you also made a 500 series style EQ module!!!!

[Mark Warren]

Update: Speck EQ looks like it's coming along nicely....



...release date still unknown.

[Dot]

Mark, you can add the A Designs EM Gold preamp to that list.

And here's some preliminary info on the Hardy developments...
http://www.studioreviews.com/01-19-06-hardy.htm

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by zimv20

lots o' pre's coming out and available for this form factor, but only a handful of EQs and comps. i'm hoping to see some more EQ's, in particular.

Same here.

Actually my goal is to build my own "mixer" from all of this stuff. I am about 5 or 6 days away from getting a custom Nicerizer 16 (I hope) then I want to get two 11 space OSA racks and fill them full of EQ's and compression. I have some pretty nice preamps right now, I would have 16 EQ's, 6 compressors, 16 pans and a very nice 2 buss and monitoring section.

Really I can imagine how cool this would be, I could take over the world..... mmmmmmmhhhhhhahahahaha.

Someday....

Anyway for me preamps are not as important, I would love to see more EQ and compression. Oh and I would LOVE to see some products from Chandler for the 500 series rack as well. Wade if you are out there..... PLEASE .. with sugar.

[weatherbox]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Anyway for me preamps are not as important, I would love to see more EQ and compression. Oh and I would LOVE to see some products from Chandler for the 500 series rack as well. Wade if you are out there..... PLEASE .. with sugar.

oh yes. Pres, EQs, comps... I should start saving now for the Chandler and Daking stuff I'm dreaming will be released.

[Marjan]

Guess what... what I'd really like to see in my lunchbox at the moment would be Tonelux modules...
It can't get more unreal then that... can it...

[dudleys100]

WOW I cannot wait for the Hardy M-1. John is there any estimate on the price for this module? Also do you feel there will be a considerable difference in sound from this and the M-1? Thanks.

[John Hardy]

WOW I cannot wait for the Hardy M-1. John is there any estimate on the price for this module? Also do you feel there will be a considerable difference in sound from this and the M-1? Thanks.

Well, a deluxe channel to add to an existing M-1 mic preamp is $595 including the meter and output transformer options, so I don't think the Lunchbox version would be any more than that. Beyond that, I can't comment until I finish the design.

Sonically, the LB version should be very close to the actual M-1. The power supply voltages are lower in the LB-style frames (+/-15VDC or so), so there is not as much headroom by about three dB or so. There is always the concern of quality of the power supplies in the frames.

I'm working on the Jensen Twin Servo variation first because it is the most complex. It is coming along nicely. Thank you.

John Hardy
The John Hardy Co.
www.johnhardyco.com

[UPRYZ]

Wasn't there a bunch of Valley People gear that fit in lunchboxes?

Dan Fox

[onion]

Originally Posted by Ziggy!!

I dunno... 3 different manufacturers building 500 series racks, 3 different takes on an API preamp and about a dozen other non-api 500 series format units avaliable or being concieved.

It is becoming evident that you won't even have to touch an API product to fill a 500 series rack.

Very true, but owning a rack, whatever the brand, compels one to fill it. API's 500 product line competes well with the other options on price, quality, and selection (3 EQs, a compressor, as well as a mic amp). The more racks out there, the greater the likelihood that people will look to API for their rack food.

[macr0w]

It was simply blind faith but I just bought a API lunchbox based on all the awesome info in this thread. I did some vocals last night with the 512c and I am very impressed. I definitly can tell a difference from the isa 428 I have been using. I can't wait to fill this box out.