Radial Revolutionizes the Lunchbox
22/10/2009
AES New York was the launch site for 8 new Radial lunchbox products. These include the Workhorse 5000 rack and mixer plus seven innovative modules. The word is that there are 24 modules being considered that will span all types of audio applications. The following are the first seven to be offered
- JDV Instrument DI + Preamp
- Reactor amp and speaker DI
- Phazer phase adjust tool
- X-Amp dual output re-amper
- EXTC guitar effects loop
- Komit auto-trackcomp-limiter
- PowerPre mic amplifier
The Workhorse is a lunchbox frame that incorporates full mixing capabilities to a stereo bus, monitor output and headphones. It features 8 slots that are backward compatible to previous API formats while adding greater I/O connectivity.
Each slot is equipped with male and female XLR with parallel ¼" TRS for direct to module input and output connections. A new and unique feature called
Omniport™ is module-specific whereby a mic preamp may use the 1/4" TRS Omniport for a guitar input or an insert, while a gate or limiter may use the connector as a key. The Workhorse's open architecture allows other manufacturers to adapt the Omniport into future products so that they in turn, can bring innovative new products to market. For added convenience, all 8 modules may also be connected via 25-pin D-subs which can also serve as a separate split out for live recording systems.
The Workhorse master section features level and pan control for each module with individual master, monitor and headphone outs. An expansion bus allows multiple Workhorses to be combined for larger recording systems. And to add icing on the cake, the high performance mixer can also be used as an 8 channel analog summer box for those that prefer to combine tracks in the analogue domain.