It provides power to all modules, including 48V phantom power.500 Series Chassis/Rack/Lunchbox Enclosuresĥ00 series modules are housed in a powered enclosure, sometimes called a chassis, rack, or lunchbox.Ĭhassis and racks are designed to be rack mounted, while a lunchbox is designed to be portable (its look and carrying handle are reminiscent of a lunchbox.) Many 500 series modules are virtually the same as their bigger rackmount siblings, with the same features and sound, but at a more affordable price. Mic preamps, EQs, and compressors are the three main categories of signal processors available in the 500 series format, though more and more manufacturers are making reverb and delay units, headphone amplifiers, direct boxes, and even small scale mixers in the 500 series format. The 500 series modules themselves are small-sized, affordable signal processor units that are purchased separately. To check if a specific 500 series module is VPR approved, click this link. Today, almost all 500 series modules are compatible with the standard. Today, many manufacturers make 500 series modules that conform to API’s rack specifications. In the early days, you needed to be an engineer to be able to pull out and connect modules that had different power and connection requirements.īut as the concept grew in popularity, API began to lead discussions on compatibility among the various manufacturers’ products.ĪPI eventually formed a VPR Alliance program that provided standardization and consistency guidelines to the 500 series format that had emerged. Studio engineers would take these API modules, mix them with other manufacturer’s modules, and create their own custom racks that they could take with them on recording sessions. The 500 series is a modular format that consists of individual signal processing units and the enclosure that houses them.ĪPI, a renowned manufacturer of mixing consoles, mic preamps, and other pro audio gear, is credited by starting the idea of modular signal processing units.īack in the 1960s and 1970s, API’s mixing consoles were modular, meaning that each mixing channel had separate mic pre, EQ, and compression modules. The first part of this article will focus on the basics of 500 series products, and the second part will follow up with reviews of the best 500 series microphone preamp modules. If you’re looking for a mic preamp and you’re not familiar with them, then you’ve come to the right place! 500 series modules are a great alternative option to buying full-size rack gear or freestanding desktop/tabletop units.

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