User manual

MODULAR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENT
REVIEW
O
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.
Lunchbox 8C — The 8C uses an apparently similar
sized case to the existing 6-slot Lunchbox design (the
500-6B) but adds a further two slots. Amazingly, the
price of the 8C is exactly the same as the still available
6-slot version but you will not be surprised to learn
that there have been some compromises to achieve
the price point. The PSU is now outboard and this has
freed up the space for the two extra slots. An inline
brick is unusually actually badged as API, which is
most helpful when rummaging around racks and
boxes of PSUs. It has an IEC inlet socket and supplies
power with a five-pin female XLR on a flying lead
to plumb into the back of the rack case. A casualty
of this change is the missing Power button — there
is none, front or rear, which might be a nuisance,
particularly if you want to install valve-
based third party modules and don’t want
them permanently switched on. Apart
from the aforementioned power connector,
there are no XLR connectors on the
rear of this box; inputs and outputs are
now accessed solely with a pair of DB25
connections. Clearly costs have been
saved here but you do get a set of toggles
to feed audio from each slot to the one
on its right, albeit less than conveniently
placed on the rear panel. The rack unit comes supplied
with a large handle bolted to the left side, and rubber
feet on the opposite end and the bottom allows for
either orientation. A rack ears kit is available, so
if you remove all those accoutrements and follow
the necessary instructions, you can slot this into
a 19-inch space, 3U high, although you might
want to consider the (albeit rather pricier) dedicated
19-inch 500VPR 10-slot model with integral PSU.
Bear in mind though, as you bolt this into your rack,
you’ll likely be saying farewell to those Link toggle
switches. There are modern rival units with more
whizz-bang features, but at UK£341 + VAT this is
keenly priced, reassuringly sturdy, and should ward
off some of the competition.
CONS
PROS
Good value — lower price per slot than rivals
from the inventor of the 500 series format.
Only DB25 connections; no power button.
505-DI — This module appears to
expand on the concept of the 205L
which is a 200 Series module, the
‘baby brother’ format to the 500
Series used in current large format API
consoles. No input signal is derived
from the 500 Series rack rear, you must
instead plumb something into the front
panel instrument jack labelled Hi-Z In,
the socket ingeniously illuminates from
within the hole by a blue LED. This is
a gimmick, but it does help you easily
identify the correct socket from the
excellent addition to the 205L: a Thru
jack socket, which simply parallels
the input. This feature is very useful in a recording
scenario, e.g. when tapping off a DI bass guitar
signal for recording but also routing it onwards to an
amplifier. On the host rack, this DI module outputs
line level signal, so you can feed this straight to the
recorder. A blue topped Gain knob at the top is scaled
0 to 10, but this is not a fader, i.e. turning it to zero
does not mute. It does provide oodles of boost though
(up to 55dB of gain) and there is an excellent clearly
labelled 10-segment LED meter (plus a Peak LED) to
API Lunchbox 8C,
505-DI, 565
In a rare urry of activity API has launched a new 500 series power
rack and a pair of new 500 Series modules. GEORGE SHILLING