API 500VPR 10-Slot 500-Series Rack

10-slot 500-series lunchbox® with external power supply

Built by the creators of the 500-series format, the 10-space API 500VPR lunchbox is for those who can’t get enough 500-series modules. (Really, who can?) The API 500VPR power rack is designed to accept all API standard 5.25" X 1.5" modules, allowing you to configure a multi-channel recording rig or full processing package for mixing. The API 500VPR comes with an external power supply to protect your 500-series modules from noise and heat. The 500VPR’s tri-polar PSU allows global use with switchable voltage and provides +48-voIt phantom power.

API 500VPR key features:

• Holds 10 API standard modules
• 10 x 10 XLR I/O
• Power rail LED indication
• Rugged steel chassis
• Perfect for remote recording of Vocalist and Instruments
• Tri-polar +16V / -16V / +48V external power supply
• 120 to 240 volts switchable, 50 to 60Hz, 1.4 amps
• External replaceable primary fuse
• 5-year warranty on chassis and power supply

API 500VPR Inside The Box

The 500VPR is internally wired for PIN-2 hot, and comes with the API L200PS power supply. The 500VPR can hold up to ten API modules or 10 VPR-compliant modules. API makes several modules to fit this rack, including the 512c Mic Preamplifier, the 525 Compressor, the 527 Compressor, the 550A 3-band EQ, the 550b 4-band EQ, and the 560 Graphic EQ. Like all API products, the 500VPR rack enjoys API's standard 5-year warranty.

API 500VPR Outside The Box The rear panel of the 500VPR has 10 XLR inputs and 10 XLR outputs. The front panel has three LED indicators, two green power rail indicators for +16V and -16V, and a red phantom power indicator. The API L200PS supplies for the 500VPR rack and delivers 1.4 amps of power to symmetrical +/- 16-volt rails. Featuring a totally linear design, its power is free of any artifacts, which can arise out of switch-mode power supplies. Complete with current limiting and short-circuit protection, the L200PS provides consistently reliable, clean and quiet power.

*NOTE: Older API 560A series equalizers used pin 15 for a "direct output" and must be disabled on the 560A circuit board edge connector by cutting a trace. This will eliminate 48 volts from damaging the 560A series equalizers.

API Audio's VPR Alliance

The VPR Alliance is a program of standardization and consistency guidelines for approved manufacturers wishing to design products for API's 500-series rack format. The program provides complete design specifications for manufacturers interested in producing third-party modules that physically fit and electronically conform to API's rack specifications.

The creation of the VPR Alliance was encouraged by the overwhelming popularity of API's 500-series racks, including the 10-space 500V and the six-space lunchbox®, which led to a proliferation of third party modules that fit the API format. Typically installed into API racks, these third party modules had raised issues of warranty and interaction with API-manufactured modules in the same rack.

Because of the variables related to those third party modules, API had previously been forced to declare that inserting any third-party modules into a 500V or lunchbox voided the warranty on that rack. Through the VPR Alliance, API is now able to eliminate confusion as to which third-party products definitively do and do not void the API warranty. The VPR Alliance is a straightforward resolution that saves the company time and money while promoting goodwill to API customers.

API’s customers benefit from the VPR Alliance with the knowledge of exactly which products are approved for placement in API racks; customers have a wider range of module choices for their racks that have been tested by API staff for specification compliance.

An Abbreviated History of API

It all began with a dream. It was 1968. The company: Automated Processes Inc., formed by men with a vision. Best known for their now legendary "2520 amplifier", this unique amp has been and will continue to be the heart of all API discrete products. It continues to provide reliability and sonic purity unmatched by the competition. The resulting console met the needs of the music, commercial and broadcast industry.

API became the leading audio broadcast console manufacturer for radio and television networks and high profile stations. In addition, recording studios, large and small, began using API...and receiving rave reviews from engineers and producers. There are over 700 API consoles across the nation and around the world, including the three major networks. Over thirty years later, many of these consoles are still in daily use in some of the most prestigious recording and broadcast facilities in the world because, to date, there are few, if any consoles of equal sound quality at a cost-effective price.

Pack your API 500VPR lunchbox with goodies and go old school analog. For more information, call or chat with an RSPE representative.

Don’t forget to check out RSPE’s Rack Revolution, a virtual 500-series rack builder that lets you custom-configure the perfect 500-series lunchbox for your studio, DAW, or mobile recording rig. RSPE carries every 500-series module imaginable, including mic preamps, compressor-limiters, equalizers, and 500 power racks.