I have to admit that I usually look for something new and innovative for these New Music Gear Monday posts, but sometimes a tried and true product with a new twist catches my eye. Such is the case with the new Black Lion Audio PBR 8-500 eight slot 500 series rack, which takes this now common concept to a new level with a built-in TT patchbay.
Although not as hot as 4 or 5 years ago, 500 series modules are still an excellent way to integrate virtually any type of analog gear into your studio using a minimum of space. In fact, most major manufacturers now make their most popular rack pieces in module form.
The biggest problem for most 500 series users is not about finding a suitable rack, but interface it after they’ve purchased it. That usually meant that you’d have to build some sort of patch bay around it for easy connections, and that costs additional money and time.
With a basic TT patchbay built right into the rack, interfacing and cross-patching is now easy. Not only that, there are two mults built in for easy parallel processing as well.
Of course, the patchbay isn’t the only way to interface with the PBR 8-500. The rear panel features an XLR input and output for each of the 8 slots as well as DB-25 connectors for inputs and outputs.
Taking it a step further, each slot is stereo linkable, and per-channel power regulation is supplied to ensure that noise and crosstalk from one module does not affect another.
If you’re looking for a new home for your 500 modules, the PBR 8-500 is clearly one to consider.
The Black Lion Audio PBR 8-500 retails for $899 and is available from select audio retailers. You can follow this link for more info, or watch the video below.
