Muff's Modules & More

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:09 am Post subject: dear eric 500 series me up

dear eric

ever thought of making any 500 series modules?

everyman and his dog are going 500 series nuts at present but most of the stuff is very tame...great but tame

a few have tubes in ...

http://vintageking.com/Shop-New-Categories/500-Series/Roll-Music-Syste ms-RMS5A7-Tubule

this company are promising something different but it has not ever turned up

http://youprettyduck.com/filstortion.html

metasonix 500 comp ? yes please

a filter you could use for eq??

an lfo with VCA?

MY GOD MAN!!

just a thought...
we're not worthy

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:30 am Post subject:

then i could load one of these puppys...(see bottom goatse.cx

) up with some yellow peril love

as well as

yum yum

have you guys seen this desk?

its sick you can load any 500 series into it and heance custom build your own little piece of heaven
love

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:36 am Post subject:

Kent · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:44 am Post subject:

Is Gearslutz down?

lol

Just breakin' yer ballz a lil'.

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:47 am Post subject:

lol no eveyone is fine over there thanks Mr. Green

its an interesting idea tho coz modular synths now modular desks....

we could merge baby !!! YEAH

Champagne

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:50 am Post subject:

+ alot of folk are buying 500 series.... it must shirley be a bigger market than you 3 or 4 guys into modular synths

i mean EVERYONE has got into 500 series

*500 series love* love

Audio Resistance · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:24 am Post subject:

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:33 am Post subject:

his stuff looks sooo cool

i have yet to hear any myself
help

parasitk · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:02 am Post subject:

I have a Mono Gama. I love the fucker!

Some sort of Metasonix module in 500 series would be very cool, actually.

Soy Sos · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:08 am Post subject:

A fun idea, but I doubt he would want to get into a whole other format.
I would guess most people wanting to inject Metasonix mayhem into
their audio chain would be more than happy to simply patch it in.
The 500 series is an amazing format. I have a 6 space lunchbox with
2x API 512-c, 1x Purple Biz, 1x Purple Action and 2x Speck EQ.
It's a fantastic package that I use on EVERY tracking session!

parasitk · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:19 am Post subject:

Agreed, probably not worth it, but still fun to think about.

mono-poly · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:43 pm Post subject:

I rather buy vintage channels like old Siemens/WSW etc screaming goo yo

But ok cool idea!

Audio Resistance · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject:

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject:

o come on guys it would be totally awsome and well worth it !!

open metasonix up to a whole new crew....

lovin that mono gama you got there parastik

badass
Mr. Green

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject:

i would die for some 500 series mods of that mixing desk eric made 4 the wretch

*swoon*

jawdrop

no ?

mono-poly · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject:

http://modular.googlepages.com/TAB.JPG

These are my most favorite recording eq's screaming goo yo

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

blimey i have never seen them b4?

their german ?

look f'in sweet

got more info?

mono-poly · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject:

wsw w95 (gemanium equalizers)

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:

copied this ... its all i could find ...

LAWO was the last manufacturer of many of the classic German broadcast modules after ANT (and ANT/Telefunken). I believe the W995 is an update of the W695. This line was first made by TAB and sold under their name and the Telefunken brand. The first one was the Germanium based W95. This was followed by silicon transistor based W295, W395 and the Telefunken branded W695. Filtek was another manufacturer and they started out as a Swiss company and all their eq's are highly regarded (the Swiss made ones have a black face panel). Filtek was then purchased by Siemens in West Germany and they moved production there (those usually have a tan front panel). Siemens had a division called BFE (which still exists but they do not make recording studio equipment any longer - mostly telecommunications stuff) and their Filtek modules were sometimes branded Filtek, BFE/Filtek, and then just BFE. Siemens also made eq's under the Siemens name. Pretty much all of the eq modules from this era are highly regarded. I own both original Swiss Filtek modules and the German BFE/Filtek modules and they sound identical to me. The Neumann branded eq's also sound great but I am not sure if these were really made by Neumann or were made by Siemens/BFE (or possibly even TAB) and were branded Neumann. Again, pretty much all of these sound excellent. ANT came next and while I don't think they are as highly regarded as some of the earlier modules, they are still considered to be very good. LAWO was the last in line. My understanding is that some of the LAWO units are not as good as the earlier Filtek/BFE/Siemens/Neumann modules as they started using less expensive transformers and fewer discrete components, but since I do not own the LAWO versions, I can not comment specifically. Oliver Archut at TAB/Funkenwerk knows more about this.

In general, most of the early German broadcast modules (discrete or largely discrete) with top of the line transformers in them (like Haufe) which have brand names such as TAB, Telefunken, Filtek, BFE, Siemens, and Neumann are really useful, still undervalued, and are just being discovered today. The eq's sort of come in two basic types, less accurate "sound shaping" units like W95/295/395/695 modules (Telefunken and Siemens branded) and the more accurate "mastering" type units like the W696 and Filtek MK3 series. Both are very useful, just different. Please be aware many of these units have been used for 30- 40 years and may require service.

When in doubt, if the price is about the same, I would get something earlier than the last of the LAWO versions of these modules UNLESS you are certain the LAWO ones you are buying have top notch Haufe or Pinketron transformers and are mostly discrete. Also please be aware, all these companies made LOTS of different kinds of modules (like line amps, summing amps, splitters, faders, meters for various other modules, power supplies, etc.) so not every vintage German module has value.

J. Mike Perkins
jmikeperkins.com myspace.com/jmikeperkins

thanks j mike

lol

i love old eq's like that ////

my fav ones i ever got my hands on was an old klien and hummel

it had big red and white buttons .. no dials...! sounded great

where did you get your eq mono?

Cheesy!

mono-poly · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject:

I got mine from a vintage reseller mofli-recordings.
I had a studer desk in parts witch i did trade for it partly.

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject:

very cool

metasonix · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:43 am Post subject:

I could look into making 500 modules. They would have to be more costly than R modules--more mechanical complexity, less space.

Can anyone tell me what the hell the mechanical and wiring standards are?

mono-poly · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:06 am Post subject:

OMG Eric this really sounds cool!

tiny333 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:14 am Post subject:

now your talking !!! Mr. Green

tiny333 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:18 am Post subject:

i'll ask the slutz Bananallama!

mono-poly · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:54 am Post subject:

This might get me into the Api 500 format to.

tiny333 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:03 am Post subject:

i just wrote to the managing director of API lol sweet hihi

yeah its a great format .. meaning you can build up some serious gear bit by bit as you can afford

its set 4 eric as everyone wants colour and warmth and interesting sounds to
make there sterile DAW sound ok

and round the world there must be 10000's of folk into the format now

and very little in the way of choice

i mean u get nice eq's mic amps and comps but thats it

its wide open

+ there is nothing i would like more than yellow next to red

lol
Bananallama!

call it nose fucker d'oh!

why didnt i think of that ! d'oh!

tiny333 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:12 am Post subject:

JohnLRice · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:45 am Post subject:

The whole time i was buying 500 series modules I kept thinking that a lot of the reason I liked them is because they reminded me of synth modules! So, I quit buying pres andd the rest is a short 9 month history of my modular synth! hyper

I was still getting wood reading this thread and looking at the pictures though! Heres a pic of my A-Designs 500 pres: love

parasitk · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:

tiny333 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:39 pm Post subject:

ok eric i think if you looked here you might find what you need

http://lunchboxhero.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3

good luck ..keep us posted...

hows that drum machine coming?

still saving up for my s1000.... it went up alotover here when the pound collapsed angry

lol

tiny333 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject:

AUTOMATED PROCESSES, INC.
8301 PATUXENT RANGE ROAD, JESSUP, MD, 20794 (301)-776-7879
3/25/2008
AUTOMATED PROCESSES, INC. reserves the right to update or modify any specification listed herein.

500 MODULE SERIES SPECIFICATION

Overall Specifications:
CARD EDGE 15 PIN .156" SPACE
306-015-520-102 EDAC type

EDGE CONNECTOR PIN OUT
TERMINAL FUNCTION
1 CHASSIS GROUND
2 OUTPUT + (+4 LEVEL)
3 OUTPUT + (-2 LEVEL)
4 OUTPUT -
5 COMMON
6 525 STEREO LINK
7 INPUT- (-2 LEVEL)
8 INPUT- (+4 LEVEL)
9 INPUT+ (-2 LEVEL)
10 INPUT+ (+4 LEVEL)
11 GAIN TRIM RESISTOR
12 +16VDC
13 POWER SUPPLY COMMON
14 -16VDC
15 +48VDC

Maximum Power Consumption Per Unit: +16VDC@130mA
-16VDC@130mA
+48VDC@5mA

Size:
Front Panel 1.5”x5.25”x.125” Thick
Depth to Rear From Mounting Surface 5.938” +/-.02”

metasonix · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject:

Kent · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:35 am Post subject:

I've been restraining myself since I didn't want to piss on anyone's parade. I'm glad to see people getting excited about something and I'm happy to see some positive manufacturer interaction around these parts.

With that said; I can't, for the life of me, understand how the API format resurrected itself from the grave. API were the only ones still doing it, so I guess that made it a 'living' format. However, it is such an antiquated and restricted format. In order to deal with the current restrictions (Amperes) many manufacturers have gone with the double-wide module approach.

The dbx 900 / Aphex 9000 series modulars had superior power supplies (in my opinion) but they changed the focus of their business models a bit and that format became extinct which is a shame.

Taking a larger view of the market and the offerings from Metasonix; I find it hard to see how Eric could recoup his investment in time and research. This is time and money that could be spent on other things, like that drum machine & other kewl toys. Would it really be a worthwhile revenue stream? If so, then that would truly be great news. I just don't see studio-rats suddenly being turned on to Metasonix due to the format and then dedicating some precious lunchbox space to the yellow manglers. Maybe some Yellow in the API format would cause a big enough stir in the 'Audio Engineering' world and would open a new market to Metasonix. I could see something like the R51 transferring over that side quite well; just not in the quantities that I think would make it worthwhile although I am blowing smoke outta my ass on this.
Musician types, which would plunk down for The Yellow, already have access to the Eurorack format of racks; which are cheaper and can hold more Yellow. Plus, the R&D is already done. An exploration of Frac seems more viable due to the low cost of the racks and power supplies. Yet, I do see that this is not where the market is going.

Perhaps some field research, by taking a couple of beauty cases with R-series modules around to some engineers would be useful. Too bad that 4 of them don't fit in one rack width. Not that it would effect my purchasing decision, but those guys are used to rackmount gear and if 4 R-series fit neatly in one rack, that would be a compelling argument.

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:05 am Post subject:

eric... as much i i would love to send you a 500 rack and a few modules

i really would i dont have them to send and im on the other side of the atlantic... maybe you have a local studio or such that would help you out...

as i understand it the newer racks have a better power supply

maybe if you rang /emailed purple audio they would help you?.. they make the racks as well as alot of modules...

http://www.purpleaudio.com/Product/Moiyn.html

these guys pulled it off somehow

http://www.mercenary.com/rmstubule.html

http://www.rollmusic.com/tubule.php

Specifications
Equivalent Input Noise (66dB gain, 150Ω source) -121dBu
Input Impedance 1200Ω balanced
Recommended Source Impedance 150Ω balanced
Maximum Input Level +22dBu rms
Maximum Output Level +25dBu rms
Output Impedance <300Ω balanced
Recommended Load Impedance >10kΩ balanced
Gain Range 3dB steps, 33-66dB
Input Attenuator Variable, -10 to 0dB
Input Pad Switchable, -20dB
Frequency Response +/-1dB, 10Hz-40kHz
Power Requirements
optional for optimal headroom +/-16V @ 0.100A
+48V @ 0.003A
Vacuum Tube 12DW7 / ECC832 / 7247

kent... errr well i guess eric will add up the pros and cons but from my perspective as an audio engineer we dont really know about the euro or frac rack formats and as i see it we are all nuts about collecting 500 series now and any interesting offering is quickly going to find a home in everyones rack.... if eric could get vintage king to carry his modules then
a lots of folk who have never heard of metasonix will quickly experience the same yellow lust i suffer from daily lol love

heres hoping !!

eric if you want me to write to any of those manufactures just say and we will see how helpful they can be

feel the love
love

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:06 am Post subject:

ps i dont want to put him off that drum machine !!! d'oh!

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:09 am Post subject:

tubule faq.....

Q. There's no high voltage plate supply in any 500-series lunchboxes, racks, or consoles. This has to be some lame starved plate "toob" circuit. Right?
Wrong! The RMS5A7 is a real, transformer-coupled, all-tube preamp circuit. We use sophisticated modern power-management circuitry to generate the necessary high-voltage plate and high-current heater supplies out of the available +/-16V power.

Q. So it must use way more than the specified amount of current for a single module?
Nope.The RMS5A7 is carefully designed to be very efficient. It uses well under 100mA per channel.

Q. Sounds like it must be some wimpy little circuit then.
No way.We started our design by looking at some classic, beefy circuits like the legendary BC2B preamp. We changed a lot of things, like increasing the gain and giving it a real gain control, but the tube current stayed the same. Like we said, it's all about careful design and high efficiency in the power management circuits.

Q. Op amp output stage?
No sir.All tube. Transformer input, transformer output.

Q. Does it run hot? Do I have to worry about my lunchbox overheating?
We've seen some very poorly-built 500-series racks out there that run very hot when you put more than a few modules in them. But the RMS5A7 doesn't produce any more heat than a typical module. It only uses 3 watts, which is the limit for a single module. Those watts can't tell the difference between a tube and a transistor!

tiny333 · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:10 am Post subject:

go on you know you love a challenge

and you can make them twice the width...

Flamey

tiny333 · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: quoted from new things thread

.....

tragedybysyntax wrote:
So... as I sit anxiously awaiting my r51 from ah. I've been reading about this thing as a vari-mu compressor. Anybody care to elaborate or drop a clip of someone actually doing this? The thought of a modular tube compressor is AWESOME! Not to mention for mixing audio.....

I haven't heard a sample of it yet, but the idea is to invert the output of an envelope follower and apply it to the VCA CV input. Now, someone who has it must do it!

angry