have found ways to incorporate the beautiful sound of a vintage console into a small package that can be carried around and used anywhere , while still being 100 percent analog . API ’ s 500 series , or “ lunchbox ” format , is such a concept . The “ Lunchbox ” is essentially a case with different slots in which to insert different modules . These modules can be anything your heart can dream up , from a simple re-amp module to a complex sound mangler . The Lunchbox has inputs and outputs , where you can patch microphones or line level signals , and then out to an interface or mixer for color , warmth , or anything in between . The Lunchbox has become a standard in the pro audio industry because of its small size , versatility , and its ability to provide a big console sound without a big console .
The modules come in all shapes and sizes , and perhaps the most popular kind are of the preamp and EQ flavors . These are small and compact versions of the circuits found on the coveted analog consoles of yore , and they provide all manner of warmth and vibe that the originals provide , with a few welcome additions to make it easier to market to the modern recording musician . The big guys in the console game all have 500 series modules , and entirely new companies have also sprung up with 500 series modules being backbone of their business .
When I saw a couple of months back that JHS had started releasing 500 series modules , I was decidedly impressed . I have worked with the company and its Colour Box in the past ( see Tone Report Weekly Issue 112 )
have found ways to incorporate the beautiful sound of a vintage console into a small package that can be carried around and used anywhere , while still being 100 percent analog . API ’ s 500 series , or “ lunchbox ” format , is such a concept . The “ Lunchbox ” is essentially a case with different slots in which to insert different modules . These modules can be anything your heart can dream up , from a simple re-amp module to a complex sound mangler . The Lunchbox has inputs and outputs , where you can patch microphones or line level signals , and then out to an interface or mixer for color , warmth , or anything in between . The Lunchbox has become a standard in the pro audio industry because of its small size , versatility , and its ability to provide a big console sound without a big console .
The modules come in all shapes and sizes , and perhaps the most popular kind are of the preamp and EQ flavors . These are small and compact versions of the circuits found on the coveted analog consoles of yore , and they provide all manner of warmth and vibe that the originals provide , with a few welcome additions to make it easier to market to the modern recording musician . The big guys in the console game all have 500 series modules , and entirely new companies have also sprung up with 500 series modules being backbone of their business .
When I saw a couple of months back that JHS had started releasing 500 series modules , I was decidedly impressed . I have worked with the company and its Colour Box in the past ( see Tone Report Weekly Issue 112 )
14 TONE TALK // Model 500 Diving Into JH ’ S Lunchbox