List Here - All Lunchbox Modules In API 500 Series Format

[Seamus TM]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Angus are few and far in-between...

I think that I saw a few of these graphics at a Bearsville "garage sale" a couple of years ago.
I guess I should have looked at them closer.

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by Dot

And now for something completely different in the world of 500 series...

LaChapell Audio has announced a vacuum-tube mic preamp with 3-band EQ for the 500 series.
http://www.studioreviews.com/02-07-07-lachapell.htm

looks great! dan, any idea if the EQ can be used w/ other sources besides their pre?

[macr0w]

Originally Posted by Dot

And now for something completely different in the world of 500 series...

LaChapell Audio has announced a vacuum-tube mic preamp with 3-band EQ for the 500 series.
http://www.studioreviews.com/02-07-07-lachapell.htm

HOLY $H!+ !!!!!!
Now we're talkin serious porno action.

[Berolzheimer]

Originally Posted by Dot

And now for something completely different in the world of 500 series...

LaChapell Audio has announced a vacuum-tube mic preamp with 3-band EQ for the 500 series.
http://www.studioreviews.com/02-07-07-lachapell.htm

No sh*t, I never thought I'd see that. I LOVE the 992, & Scott's a great guy, I can't wait for this. I have an 11 space rack with only 4 modules so far.....

[ImJohn]

Originally Posted by Dot

And now for something completely different in the world of 500 series...

LaChapell Audio has announced a vacuum-tube mic preamp with 3-band EQ for the 500 series.
http://www.studioreviews.com/02-07-07-lachapell.htm

Wow, pretty COOL but how HOT are they? I'd be careful what rack you popped one of these babies into. I know the BAE racks are probably ventilated enough for this but I the 6 space API lunch boxes aren't really ventilated at all are they?

I know the tube it's using doesn't get really hot but . . . . after being on for a while what will be the effect to itself and how about to adjacent solid state pres, EQs and copmressors? If you have multiples of the same module in there with one of these tube pres, will the one closest to the tube pre start to behave/sound different than the ones farther away as it warms up?

Just wondering . . . .

[Tim Farrant]

They must have a step up switching power supply in there to get the needed HT plate volts. The filament of a 12ax7 draws 150mA when used in series mode (12V), so this module is going to be current hungry. But, another cool addition to the range!

Tim

[gm5k]

there is no time in which i have a stronger desire to be a millionaire than when im reading 500 series related threads ... ...especially lately. geez this is getting out of control...in a good way!

[Dot]

Originally Posted by gm5k

looks great! dan, any idea if the EQ can be used w/ other sources besides their pre?

gm5k, the EQ won't be available independently without the tube pre. The 583 is going to function as a channel strip. The EQ is active. Both amps are in the left modular. Intially, the 583 with just the tube preamp was going to take up two 500-series bays. Then the idea came up with doing something with the additional space available in the second bay. Why not an EQ? So the EQ is an additional bonus for dialing in just the right sound on the tube pre.

Scott LaChapell can obviously get much more into the nuts and bolts of the 583. I'm sure he'll have some comments when the 583 is near the release date.

[Dot]

Originally Posted by ImJohn

Wow, pretty COOL but how HOT are they? I'd be careful what rack you popped one of these babies into. I know the BAE racks are probably ventilated enough for this but I the 6 space API lunch boxes aren't really ventilated at all are they?

I know the tube it's using doesn't get really hot but . . . . after being on for a while what will be the effect to itself and how about to adjacent solid state pres, EQs and copmressors? If you have multiples of the same module in there with one of these tube pres, will the one closest to the tube pre start to behave/sound different than the ones farther away as it warms up?
Just wondering . . . .

ImJohn, I'm not an electronics expert, but I know that currently LaChapell's only having to dissipate 3 watts of heat. The tube is on the input stage, not the output stage, so it's running cooler than if there were tubes in the output stage.

The 583 is actually not going to be current hungry. VPR alliance rules allow for 130mA per bay. With a two-bay unit the 583 will still run within the total of 260mA.

The 583 is being designed to be a friendly neighbor in the 500 series. The street price on the 583's going to be around $1200.

[ImJohn]

Originally Posted by Dot

ImJohn, I'm not an electronics expert, but I know that currently LaChapell's only having to dissipate 3 watts of heat. The tube is on the input stage, not the output stage, so it's running cooler than if there were tubes in the output stage.

The 583 is actually not going to be current hungry. VPR alliance rules allow for 130mA per bay. With a two-bay unit the 583 will still run within the total of 260mA.

The 583 is being designed to be a friendly neighbor in the 500 series. The street price on the 583's going to be around $1200.

I'm not an electronics expert either so anyone reading my knee-jerk comments should take them with a grain of . . .warmth!

I know of solid state units with little or no ventilation that get pretty darn warm so it may be no issue at all.

Jest poderin' . . . .

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by Dot

gm5k, the EQ won't be available independently without the tube pre. The 583 is going to function as a channel strip. The EQ is active. Both amps are in the left modular. Intially, the 583 with just the tube preamp was going to take up two 500-series bays. Then the idea came up with doing something with the additional space available in the second bay. Why not an EQ? So the EQ is an additional bonus for dialing in just the right sound on the tube pre.

Scott LaChapell can obviously get much more into the nuts and bolts of the 583. I'm sure he'll have some comments when the 583 is near the release date.

thanks for the response, Dan!

ok how about adding the tube pre/EQ to a chain that already has a preamp in its path and using the pre/EQ(maybe w/ low gain) for added warmth adding a high end boost w/ the EQ, etc...ive read about using two pres in a signal path but cant remember if its generally a bad idea or not...sorry if its a dumb question, just thinking outloud here!

[vince @ speck]

Originally Posted by Dot

ImJohn, I'm not an electronics expert, but I know that currently LaChapell's only having to dissipate 3 watts of heat. The tube is on the input stage, not the output stage, so it's running cooler than if there were tubes in the output stage.

The 583 is actually not going to be current hungry. VPR alliance rules allow for 130mA per bay. With a two-bay unit the 583 will still run within the total of 260mA.

The 583 is being designed to be a friendly neighbor in the 500 series. The street price on the 583's going to be around $1200.

VPR specs are 60ma per slot.

[Dot]

Originally Posted by vince @ speck

VPR specs are 60ma per slot.

Vince, this is from the 500 series specs direct from API:

Maximum Power Consumption Per Unit:
+16VDC@130mA
-16VDC@130mA
+48VDC@5mA

[gm5k]

Buzz Audio is part of the VPR and the Elixir draws 150mA.

[pan60]

it will take a bit for me to believe in a low voltage tube pre.
so what voltage will it be running?
with a internal step up in voltage you will have a increase in current draw, ( as i understand ) nothing is free.
if the current specs are to be maintained at the VPR specs, i think it will be somewhat lower voltage then would be expected for a high end tube pre.
would it not?
my first feelings are that this will be current hungry puppy to get adequate voltage or it will be nothing more than, ( as i believe Fletcher has made the comment ) a toob pre created sole for tube hype.
i hope this is not the case.

[jayfrigo]

Originally Posted by metronome

Eight band graphic EQ’s (nos. B5 & B6 in rack) fit nicely into our API rack. 50, 100, 220, 500, 1K 2.2K 5K 10K; boost 15db, cut 12db. Originally designed by Bill Riseman, owner of Aengus Recording Studio in Fayville Ma. (Bill was also a noted Boston area architect). His custom built consoles could be found in several great 70’s era studios like Indigo Ranch and Longview Farm. Very Cool.

Hey, you finally made it! Welcome. Now there are two of us Metro-cats here. By the way, I posted another view of these Aengus EQs (wonderful beasts) in the other big API 500 series thread last month. A close up of them is included. Those interested can scroll down the following page a bit:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...=102893&page=4

In addition to all the listed current and past modules for the 500 rack, there are also some Troisi EQs from the 80's floating around that fit it. A couple very beat up ones just sold on eBay a few days ago. As a young man back in the late 80s when I was working out of Blue Jay studios, there were a couple in the API rack that I used. I know a few other rooms that still have them in service too.

[TonyBelmont]

260ma is an incredible amount of current to draw for a mic pre and EQ in a 500 series format. Most pre's only draw around 50ma..

Not everything has to work in a 500 series frame.... I realize the 500 series format is the "cool" thing now. But, I don't think having a tube unit in a 500 series rack makes much sense... The general protocol has been around 50-65ma for 500 series modules. There are other modules which are pushing the envelope. But, I don't think that the high current drawing modules are necessarily a good trend for every manufacturer to also pursue going forward.

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

260ma is an incredible amount of current to draw for a mic pre and EQ in a 500 series format. Most pre's only draw around 50ma..

Not everything has to work in a 500 series frame.... I realize the 500 series format is the "cool" thing now. But, I don't think having a tube unit in a 500 series rack makes much sense... The general protocol has been around 50-65ma for 500 series modules. There are other modules which are pushing the envelope. But, I don't think that the high current drawing modules are necessarily a good trend for every manufacturer to also pursue going forward.

from what i hear, you can run an OSA rack full of Buzz Audio Elixirs(150mA each) which means 11 Elixirs...and be good to go am i wrong here? ...thumbsup ? i cant say the same for Brent Averill and API as obviously i've more delicately researched the power capabilties of the particular rack that i own

but im fairly sure BA has the same power capabilties and API has recently stepped up their power supplies as well...

[Mark Warren]

Porn

[pan60]

nice Mark!!!!!

[Chris]

Are there any "clean" pres for the 500 series a la John Hardy (I think I read somewhere he's making on?)?

I know the buzz may be, but the added comp adds to the price and while I don't mind extra comps, I'm poor.

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by Chris

Are there any "clean" pres for the 500 series a la John Hardy (I think I read somewhere he's making on?)?

I know the buzz may be, but the added comp adds to the price and while I don't mind extra comps, I'm poor.

the elixir has a beautifully pristine clean sound to it but with a BIG tastefully colored lowend. awesome pre...has a lowend like no other. silky smooth

[Chris]

Originally Posted by gm5k

the elixir has a beautifully pristine clean sound to it but with a BIG tastefully colored lowend. awesome pre...has a lowend like no other. silky smooth

Nice, I guess if I realized that their other one is JUST a comp (not a pre and a comp like I thought) then I probably would've found that out.

But you're saying it's pretty colored on the low end?

What about the a-designs stuff? Do they have a "clean" a-designs in all of their pres?

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by Chris

But you're saying it's pretty colored on the low end?

hey now, i said "tastefully" colored its not an insane amount, just right for my purposes

straight from the horse's mouth...

"The elixir will suit those who desire a recording preamplifier where just a slight amount of bass colour is added to the original signal whilst retaining full treble extension and a smooth midrange - warm, sweet, liquid - the perfect blend"

yep, sounds about right.

[pan60]

gm5k i agree the elixir nice and and not to colored.
also the EM Blue is nice as well.
nether are to colored.

[DRC]

Originally Posted by gm5k

the elixir has a beautifully pristine clean sound to it but with a BIG tastefully colored lowend. awesome pre...has a lowend like no other. silky smooth

I know the guts are totally different, but would it compare to a GML pre? Id love to get a pair of GML's but they are a bit out of my price range. Anyone ever heard both?

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by DRC

I know the guts are totally different, but would it compare to a GML pre? Id love to get a pair of GML's but they are a bit out of my price range. Anyone ever heard both?

I've heard both...Massenburg and Farrant both make great preamps of course....the GML sounds a bit more chisled and very articulate, the Buzz Elixir is a bit more 'forgiving' and slightly softer. But realize it's a matter of relativity, the Elixir taken on it's own merit is still very natural, fast, and gives you that in the room vibe. Compared to something like a Neve or EMI it's completely on the OPPOSITE side of the spectrum. I would put it in the Pendulum or Hardy with Jensens 'clean' camp...clean enough for orchestral work, but still could be used on many rock/pop applications without hesitation.

[Chris]

Got my luncbox today! Wooooo. I need a mono gama and a p1! :D

Anybody have any new experiences to share?

[Mark Warren]

Dan Kennedy has confirmed - Great River 500 Series preamps almost finished!

[atticus]

FYI, there is another 500 series module coming soon...

Will keep you all posted.