Choosing the right 500 series chassis is not difficult, but it does require some careful consideration to make the best choice for the gear you would like to use and how / where you will use it. I hope this video helps you find the right chassis for your studio! Already have 500 series gear? Let everyone know which rack you have, what modules are in it, and how it has worked for you!
Yes, you will need an in and out cable for each channel available through the rack (unless internally daisy chain modules with the rack itself). For a rack with 8 slots you typically need a 16 channel "snake" to connect everything up. I also use patch bays so that I can more easily configure different chains of effects instead of having having to get behind my racks to make changes. If I am using mic preamps in the rack I use good quality individual mic cables for those inputs. I will have a future video dealing with cables and connection, but I hope this helps out in the meantime.
Each slot is its own channel, so two slots can be used for stereo with either two single slot modules or one dual slot two channel module. There are many stereo two-slot modules available such as eq, bus compressors, image processes, etc… Hope this helps out.
Yeah that section on "Does Brand Matter" is very accurate. However, you just don't know until you experience it. And then you still don't know until you have worked in a place where you can learn those types of things, or if you super talented with electronics, current, and how that's all set up(which is exceedingly rare IMO). So it's still a problem. As if you have an 8 channel 500 series rack, with 8 different modules running all at the same time to record through, you might have problems. Well after you've invested a shit ton of money(some of these racks are more than $1000 for a basically a box that powers stuff you gotta buy separately). So for my case, I have to spend around $7000 on a whole rack. Whoa. That's a lot of chez when it's tighter than Mother Teresa;s crotch right now with money. What we really need is a dedicated list of every single 500 series module, how much power they draw, when they spike in power, every single 500 series chassis and which modules have issues with each chassis, etc. Oh and then there's QUALITY! How long will a chassis last? 3 months, 1 yrs, 3yrs, 5yrs, 10yrs, 20yrs, etc.? Certain ones will take a dump on you right after the warranty is up. Where as others will last 10yrs or more. I'm very, very much interested in Quality at this point. I've had too many issues with quality in the past. Hell I've got a huge box of useless stuff, sitting because it doesn't work, and I don't have the spare chez to see if someone can fix it. And in my case, everything would need to be shipped so tack on around $200 to everything that needs to be fixed(for insurance, and shipping to and from charges).
Oh contrare...I have the Bento 8 and Midas L10 and though the Midas has slightly thicker gauge steel they both are off ever so slightly that gear holes don't line up and you're left hugging and squeezing the things to get all the modules to fit.
Interesting, the holes are lined up perfectly on all 8 slots in my 8 Pro Pure, I have no issues with fitting either single or double modules. Curious which 8 you have?...I know it's a hassle, but I'd be sending it back if still on warranty... I don't have an L10 but my 8 Pro Pure is a thicker gauge vs my Neve R10. Nice thing with the R10 though is the screw holes are adjustable, but it's double the price...
Todd, I am just a hobbyist with a home studio (synths, drum machine, guitar) recording dawless into a 1010 bluebox. I built a 500 series lunchbox with an ssl 6 strip, an api eq, neve tape saturator, and a midas compressor... Probably 3 grand all in, maybe 2500. My question is, couldn't I just do that with pedals at my level? I could use pedals as inserts on my mixer and achieve pretty much the same effect. I don't need the money, and if I sold all the 500 series stuff I'd take a 15% loss, but it just seems excessive every time I look at it! Your opinion?
@@Notinserviceij A) thats not an opinion, thats a question. B) I didn't just whip out the credit card and head to sweetwater... I put a ton of thought into it and research and bought the equipment carefully. Still, your question is valid... After using everything in my full studio, and learning how to use my mixers inserts as an integral part of the setup, I started to wonder if high end pedals could replace the 500 series and still accomplish nearly the same result. Like uafx for the compressors, api tranZformer eq pedal, etc.
Been considering a 500 series, considering going from daw to it for final master essentially the final eq an compressor/limiter assuming that’s more cost effective then a full 19” eq an compressor?
That is a great application for a 500 series rack. You can built out a signal chain (EQ, compressor, stereo image processor, tape emulator, etc.) for use on your 2 bus and for mastering. Quality gear is much more affordable in the 500 series format compared to 19" gear plus you will save considerable space / have the gear closer to your mix position.
This is a similar issue to placing the chassis directly beneath other gear or at the top of a closed-in rack. While cooling is always important, in practice it depends to some extent on what you are loading into the rack. If you have or are planning on modules that have tubes, I recommend leaving space above the tops chassis vents to dissipate the additional heat where solid state is often ok. If you need to have the monitor on top of the chassis, you may be able to use some isolators (spacers) between the chassis and monitor to allow heat to escape.
It should work without linking 1-2. Generally the link switch is only required when you have two separate one-slot modules and want to send the output from the module in slot 1 to the input of the module in slot 2 (instead of patching with a cable). If it is a stereo compressor, any required linking for the detection or side-chain circuit happens within the module itself.
Choosing the right 500 series chassis is not difficult, but it does require some careful consideration to make the best choice for the gear you would like to use and how / where you will use it. I hope this video helps you find the right chassis for your studio!
Already have 500 series gear? Let everyone know which rack you have, what modules are in it, and how it has worked for you!
SPL BIG + Neve 542 + SSL G-COMP = God Tier that plugins cannot match.
A great combination! The BIG is fantastic and I haven't found anything else that does what it does. I will soon be adding a pair of 542s... Cheers!
Presently, I am utilizing an Xfilter Qube which isn't a technical 500 module but it kicks alot of butt.
Nice! Elysia makes some of the best gear available imo. Once you get your first Elysia, its tough not to add more...
Man, you do a GREAT job with your channel! Excellent overview! Thx! :)
Much appreciated...glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers!
I needed this video, Thank you VERY MUCH.
Hi, and thx for sharing. What do you think of the Midas 500 series box.
It seems to be the most economical. Thx hope to hear from you.
Very helpful, thank you so much!
Great info. Well done.
Thanks, glad I could help out!
Thank you a lot for the great video, it helps a lot
Glad I could help out! Cheers!
I have to buy more wires to hook up each module?
Yes, you will need an in and out cable for each channel available through the rack (unless internally daisy chain modules with the rack itself). For a rack with 8 slots you typically need a 16 channel "snake" to connect everything up. I also use patch bays so that I can more easily configure different chains of effects instead of having having to get behind my racks to make changes. If I am using mic preamps in the rack I use good quality individual mic cables for those inputs. I will have a future video dealing with cables and connection, but I hope this helps out in the meantime.
Very informative. Thank you. Any recommendations for a rack mountable 500 series box?
😅
Very nice 👍
Recommend using this with an Apollo twin?
I’m always mixing percussions in the box all my percussion channels are stereo can i use 500 series as a stereo channel? or every module is mono?
Each slot is its own channel, so two slots can be used for stereo with either two single slot modules or one dual slot two channel module. There are many stereo two-slot modules available such as eq, bus compressors, image processes, etc… Hope this helps out.
Yeah that section on "Does Brand Matter" is very accurate. However, you just don't know until you experience it. And then you still don't know until you have worked in a place where you can learn those types of things, or if you super talented with electronics, current, and how that's all set up(which is exceedingly rare IMO). So it's still a problem. As if you have an 8 channel 500 series rack, with 8 different modules running all at the same time to record through, you might have problems. Well after you've invested a shit ton of money(some of these racks are more than $1000 for a basically a box that powers stuff you gotta buy separately). So for my case, I have to spend around $7000 on a whole rack. Whoa. That's a lot of chez when it's tighter than Mother Teresa;s crotch right now with money. What we really need is a dedicated list of every single 500 series module, how much power they draw, when they spike in power, every single 500 series chassis and which modules have issues with each chassis, etc. Oh and then there's QUALITY! How long will a chassis last? 3 months, 1 yrs, 3yrs, 5yrs, 10yrs, 20yrs, etc.? Certain ones will take a dump on you right after the warranty is up. Where as others will last 10yrs or more. I'm very, very much interested in Quality at this point. I've had too many issues with quality in the past. Hell I've got a huge box of useless stuff, sitting because it doesn't work, and I don't have the spare chez to see if someone can fix it. And in my case, everything would need to be shipped so tack on around $200 to everything that needs to be fixed(for insurance, and shipping to and from charges).
Oh contrare...I have the Bento 8 and Midas L10 and though the Midas has slightly thicker gauge steel they both are off ever so slightly that gear holes don't line up and you're left hugging and squeezing the things to get all the modules to fit.
Interesting, the holes are lined up perfectly on all 8 slots in my 8 Pro Pure, I have no issues with fitting either single or double modules. Curious which 8 you have?...I know it's a hassle, but I'd be sending it back if still on warranty... I don't have an L10 but my 8 Pro Pure is a thicker gauge vs my Neve R10. Nice thing with the R10 though is the screw holes are adjustable, but it's double the price...
What do you think of the Lindell 500 series racks? And is it better to to use multiple racks or just one 8 space!
Todd, I am just a hobbyist with a home studio (synths, drum machine, guitar) recording dawless into a 1010 bluebox.
I built a 500 series lunchbox with an ssl 6 strip, an api eq, neve tape saturator, and a midas compressor... Probably 3 grand all in, maybe 2500.
My question is, couldn't I just do that with pedals at my level? I could use pedals as inserts on my mixer and achieve pretty much the same effect.
I don't need the money, and if I sold all the 500 series stuff I'd take a 15% loss, but it just seems excessive every time I look at it!
Your opinion?
My opinion is why did you buy 3k worth of stuff before thinking?
@@Notinserviceij A) thats not an opinion, thats a question. B) I didn't just whip out the credit card and head to sweetwater... I put a ton of thought into it and research and bought the equipment carefully.
Still, your question is valid... After using everything in my full studio, and learning how to use my mixers inserts as an integral part of the setup, I started to wonder if high end pedals could replace the 500 series and still accomplish nearly the same result. Like uafx for the compressors, api tranZformer eq pedal, etc.
@BobbyGeneric145 lol calm down buddy you just mad you don't know how to spend money
@@Notinserviceij oh my bad I didn't realize you're just a twat not actually asking a question.
Been considering a 500 series, considering going from daw to it for final master essentially the final eq an compressor/limiter assuming that’s more cost effective then a full 19” eq an compressor?
That is a great application for a 500 series rack. You can built out a signal chain (EQ, compressor, stereo image processor, tape emulator, etc.) for use on your 2 bus and for mastering. Quality gear is much more affordable in the 500 series format compared to 19" gear plus you will save considerable space / have the gear closer to your mix position.
Maybe consider ART PRO VLA for compressor. With 500 series you have to purchase the module but also the rack as we see in this video
can i put my monitor on top of the chassis or will that be problematic for heat dissipation?
This is a similar issue to placing the chassis directly beneath other gear or at the top of a closed-in rack. While cooling is always important, in practice it depends to some extent on what you are loading into the rack. If you have or are planning on modules that have tubes, I recommend leaving space above the tops chassis vents to dissipate the additional heat where solid state is often ok. If you need to have the monitor on top of the chassis, you may be able to use some isolators (spacers) between the chassis and monitor to allow heat to escape.
So if i have a 500 series compressor that takes two slots do i got to hit the link 1 to 2? Or can it work without linking 1 to 2?
It should work without linking 1-2. Generally the link switch is only required when you have two separate one-slot modules and want to send the output from the module in slot 1 to the input of the module in slot 2 (instead of patching with a cable). If it is a stereo compressor, any required linking for the detection or side-chain circuit happens within the module itself.