Modular Processing Supplement AUDIO FOR BROADCAST, POST, RECORDING AND MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION V13.
REVIEW MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT Radial Six Pack & Powertube T Radial has yet another rack and yet another module to add to its portfolio of 500 series units. JON THRONTON he Powertube is one of a rapidly growing number of 500 series modules produced by Radial Engineering.
REVIEW MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT API Lunchbox 8C, 505-DI, 565 O In a rare flurry of activity API has launched a new 500 series power rack and a pair of new 500 Series modules. GEORGE SHILLING f course, API invented the modern modular 500 series format many years ago, but in recent times there has been an explosion of third-party racks and modules to rival the originals. These new additions perhaps represent something of a response from the proud parents.
REVIEW MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT keep tabs on the output level. A white Tone knob is calibrated as Thin on the left, Fat at the top, and Fatter at full-tilt. In actual fact, this is a mud-removal shelving EQ circuit, with anything less than Fatter reducing sub 150Hz signal by up to 12dB at the Thin end. The Bright toggle switch boosts the highs with a shelf from around 8kHz by about 7dB, adding terrific life and sparkle to guitars.
GEAR MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT Roll Music Valvop Products Simple and superbly characterful compression is what this unit is all about. GEORGE SHILLING enthuses. Recent module introductions. Solid State Logic The X-Rack Stereo EQ Module is a stereo version of the XL 9000 K Channel Equaliser as used on Duality and AWS consoles. It is a 4-band parametric EQ with high- and low-bands switchable between shelving or fixed Q bell curves and two mid-bands with variable Q controls.
GEAR MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT Spotlight: Elysia The most recent addition to Elysia’s line of 500-Series modules are the xfilter 500 and nvelope 500. Elysia’s xfilter 500 is a true stereo EQ with an all Class-A audio path. It offers high- and low-shelf bands, both of which can be switched into high- and low-cut filters with resonance — a feature from the flagship museq EQ. The xfilter 500 also provides two mid-peak filters with wide or narrow Q.
GEAR AEA The RPQ500 is based on the full-rack RPQ preamplifier and provides the same ultra-clean, high-gain signal path, but with enhanced and additional features for compatibility with a 500-Series rack. With 80dB of JFET gain and NoLoad input impedance, the CurveShaper offers a natural option for sculpting sound at the start of the signal path. Switchable and tuneable LF and HF contour controls allow engineers to tame proximity problems and provide HF extension and slope control.
GEAR MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT Cartec Audio Chandler Limited Empirical Labs Cartec Audio’s Compere 500-Series enclosure has 8 slots with an internal power supply providing 3A per rail. It has an assignable front panel input XLR in addition to the 8 input and output XLRs. Users can introduce the front panel input signal to any one of the 8 modules via the front panel Aux to the input module rotary switch and associated 48V phantom power switch.
GEAR MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT SM Pro The MBC502 is an optical multiband compressor. The LF and HF channels each of fer controls over level, compression and attack and release times. Switches allow you to mute one of the compression channels so that the other can act as a filter, with the filter’s centre frequency determined by the front panel Frequency selector knob setting. The VU meter displays the master level output, while gain reduction is shown on the LED meters.
GEAR MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT Inward Connections LaChapell Audio Grace Design T he Inward Conne c tions Magnum 500-Series Preamp uses two new VF-600 discrete amp blocks instead of the standard SPA-690 to produce a much warmer sounding response when compared to its discontinued MPD-500 predecessor.
GEAR Radial Engineering Radial’s Tank Driver module enables the user to use the spring reverb in a guitar amplifier and bring this effect into a recording system. It features a wet dry mix to balance the signal and shimmer and boom controls to add top-end or extra boom to the tone. For older reverbs that may be less sensitive, a drive switch increases the output to compensate.
GEAR MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT CharterOak Acoustics CharterOak’s K500 Ultra Parametric 3-Band Equaliser claims high headroom, low distortion, and three ultra wide bands. The Low Band centre frequency sweeps 20Hz-500Hz, the constantly variable Mid sweeps 500Hz-10kHz, High Band sweeps 800Hz-20kHz, and the bandwidth sweeps 0.50-2 octaves in all three Bands. Additionally, there are Bell and Shelf selection switches in high and low bands and a ‘divide by 10’ switch in the Mid Band.
GEAR Tonelux Designs Tonelux Designs’ MP5A is a discrete mic preamp with Direct Input on the front panel. This is transformer coupled and has a 20dB Pad switch that affects both the mic and direct input, a 48V phantom switch, and a Polarity (phase) switch. The Combo XLR/ Direct input is for use with Hi-Z instruments. The Tilt control works with the Mic input and Direct input has its own Tilt EQ In switch.
KNOW HOW MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT Thermionic Culture The Nightingale is the second of Thermionic Culture’s half-rack 4U format units, the first being the Freebird 3-channel value EQ. It is an all-valve affair with two ECC832 for mic amp/EQ, 6AQ8, 5965, and 5726 in the compressor section. Two mic amps with a useful valve EQ have their own outputs (XLR unbalanced) which can give +20dBu.
KNOW HOW How real are concerns that certain racks do not generate enough juice for power hungry modules like valve modules? When tubes are employed, the power requirements increase to where 200 to 300 milliamps are required. One merely checks the power supply for available current and then adds up the requirements to ensure you do not exceed the available current.
AWA R D S 2014 • NOMINATED • REWARDING QUALITY AND INNOVATION
