Radial Workhorse

[LunchBoxHero]

Radial has introduced an 8 module rack that also houses an 8x2 mixer/summing device. The summing mixer can operate standalone without any modules installed. Here's some pics and info :D

What do you think fellow heros? Game-Changer?

From Mix Online - http://mixonline.com/mixline/radial_workhorse_5000_2909/

AES Preview: Radial Introduces Workhorse 5000
Sep 29, 2009 4:54 PM, By George Petersen

Advanced Housing System for 500 Series Modules


Radial Engineering’s new Workhorse 5000 is best described as a 500 Series module housing on steroids. To be unveiled at the upcoming AES convention in New York City, this three-rackspace unit accommodates up to eight 500 Series modules. Besides providing ?16VDC and 48-volt phantom power for each of its eight module slots and input, direct out and summing connections on 8-channel D-25 sub jacks (for direct-to-DAW or P.A. feeds), each module has ?-inch and XLR I/O, mono/stereo link switches and a mix/feed switch for internal patch routing of the output to feed the next module or to the master output section.

OmniPort connectors on each input provide module designers with custom options, such as integrating “keying” inputs, a footswitch port or a tuner output on a direct box/instrument preamp. Designed to allow on-the-spot mixing or stereo recording, the mix bus section has pan/level pots and mute switches for each module, rotary main out and aux out controls and a headphone monitoring section.

The rear panel has XLR and ?-inch aux and transformer-isolated main outputs, insert jacks for the master outs and bus in/out jacks for connecting additional sources and/or multiple Workhorse units.

The Workhorse derives its main power from a custom-designed universal switching supply that delivers more “juice” than most others. Its external power supply eliminates issues with hum due to magnetic coupling between power supply transformer and the plug-in module’s internal transformer. As an extra measure, additional power filtering has been incorporated to eliminate noise. The power supply is also auto-tracked, which means that should a module fail, other modules will be protected against harmful voltage swings that could potentially cause damage.

“The Workhorse is one of the most exciting products we have ever developed,” says Radial President Peter Janis. “Not only has it forced us to challenge ourselves with historic compatibility, but it’s forced us to go back to the drawing board and redesign several modules that were essentially set to go. But once you get into a project of this magnitude, you really cannot go backwards. We truly believe that the Workhorse will set a new standard in analog audio interfacing. We plan to openly publish our design specifications to enable other module producers to take full advantage of the feature-set we’ve incorporated into the Workhorse. Ultimately, if it’s easy to use, fun and spurs on creativity, we will have achieved our objectives.”

In addition to the Workhorse, Radial has several lunchbox modules near completion. These include the Radial JDV-LB Class-A feed-forward direct box, the Phazer-LB phase adjustment tool, the Radial JDX-LB guitar amp DI emulator, the Komit compressor-limiter, plus a few more surprises!

Like all Radial products, the Workhorse is made from 14-gauge steel and finished in a rugged baked enamel finish. Street price is $999.

For more information, visit Radial Engineering at www.radialeng.com or visit the company’s exhibit at AES, booth #166.

[LunchBoxHero]

The front of this new beast...

[LunchBoxHero]

and a rendering of the rear panel. Kudos to the good folks at Radial, this thing looks pretty cool. A slew of new modules (7 for starters) coming from Radial as well, including the redesigned Komit. :D

[EMRR]

man, that looks real handy

[pan60]

looks cool: )~

[Denyle]

What, no adat? ;)

If I could condense 3+ racks of 500 gear down to one, I'd be all over this rack. Seems perfect for bedroom or mobile rigs.

Can they could be linked for 16 or 24 channel summing?

[bendymusic]

wow, that looks totally awesome.

&e

[LunchBoxHero]

According to Radial the Workhorse 5000 is pretty much done and will be shipping soon, as well as several of the 24 (!) planned modules. A major investment for sure in the format by Radial. Cool!

Maybe Peter will chime in here and enlighten us on the feature updates since the original announcement. Looking pretty nice.

[jsteiger]

I tried to get the pin-out from them for their summing but never got a response. :(

[pan60]

Jeff, did you call Peter Janis, or just email?
maybe try a call?
next time i chat with him i'll try to remember to ask if you like.

[jsteiger]

Jeff, did you call Peter Janis, or just email?
maybe try a call?
next time i chat with him i'll try to remember to ask if you like.No call, just an email. Maybe I got lucky and it's pin #3 :) It would be nice to know if you remember.

thanks Pan-man.

[Bonemeister]

RADIAL WORKHORSE UPDATE

Hi All... I have not had the opportunity to post on the LB-Hero site before... so I will start by making things short and sweet...

We shipped our first couple of units recently for beta testing and the results were 100%. This is really good news because we have invested a tremendous amount of money in this project and have had our share of challenges. The final layout features 8 slots, a summing mixer, pan and level controls, Jensen isolated main outputs, monitor out and a stupid hot dual headphone amp that will work with any set of cans. (The pin out for the D-Sub follows the Tascam standard.) I hope to have the web pages up shortly to give you all of the details. We will start delivering small quantities in December and full on supply by January.

500 Series Modules

All seven of the initial modules are also well under way. These of course like the Workhorse will be backward compatible to the API spec and we have tested them on both API and Purple lunchbox systems. Modules will also start to ship before the end of the year.

1. PowerPre microphone preamplifier- Target price $500
This is a 100% discreet preamp with a Hammond broadcast transformer. I had a chance to test it significantly while at AES and I think folks will find it sounds smooth and warm. We have also finalized the EQ presets which either add some bottom punch or air in the top end.

2. JDV instrument preamplifier - Target price $400
The Radial JDV had to be changed from the original design to allow it to work with the Workhorse internal buss. This meant changing it from a direct box to an instrument preamp. We have managed to keep the Drag Control, variable high-pass filter for layering acoustic instruments and of course added a gain control. Class-A feed-forward front end circuit like the original.

3. JDX guitar amp DI and emulator - Target price $300
The 500 series JDX follows the stand-alone unit allowing the sound of a head & cabinet to be tapped and recorded. We have also added an instrument level input, bass extension for bass guitar and a filter to round out the tone.

4. X-Amp reamping interface - Target price $300
The 500 series X-Amp is virtually identical to the original X-Amp except now, it has two isolated outputs with variable level controls.

5. Phazer phase adjustment tool - target price $350
The Phazer is identical to the stand alone unit. I think this 500 series set up may be of interest to those that want to rack a whole bunch of them for a live session.

6. EXTC guitar effects interface - Target price $300
I had a chance to use the EXTC over the past weekend with the PowerPre. I ran the send & receive into a Tonebone Classic tube distortion and had way too much fun! We added transformer isolation to reduce noise.

7. Komit compressor limiter - Target price $500
The Komit has undergone a number of refinements. We took out the meter which did not work. We rescaled the limiter to provide a greater range or control and then sacrificed one of the 12 settings and replaced it with a brick-wall limiter for set & forget recording. The tone and character has been retained as many have commented on how much they enjoy the sound.

We also have a couple more modules in the works...

Cheers!

peter

[jsteiger]

So Peter, what is the pin-out for the module? For the card edge connector. I assume an unbalanced signal will couple to the summing section? What pin is that on? I can see that all the standard VPR pins are following the VPR protocol.

Looks like you guys have been busy.

Cheers, Jeff

[Bonemeister]

Hi Jeff;

Attached is the D-Sub.

Card-edge connector specifications

The following details the pin configuration as used in the Workhorse. The 'Old' refers to the published API/VPR specifications. The 'Current' refers to popular racks currently being sold in the marketplace. The 'New' is the Radial standard as employed in the Workhorse. Pin-3 has been left open because sometimes it is paralleled with Pin-2. This arrangement eliminates problems between other modules. During our investigations, we have found that sometimes pins 7 and 9 can be paralleled with pins 8 and 10 on some devices, so the Omniport? jack will not interfere.


Old API Specification
Current use in market
Radial Workhorse Specification

1 Chassis Ground
Chassis Ground
Chassis Ground

2 Output +4dB Hot
Output +4dB Hot
Output +4dB + Phase - ?? Tip

3 Output -2 Hot
- - -
- - -

4 Output Cold
Output Cold
Output +4db ? Phase - ?? Ring

5 A- Ground
A- Ground
Analog Ground

6 Stereo link
Stereo link
Stereo link

7 Input -2 Cold
- - -
?? TRS Omniport - Ring

8 Input +4dB Cold
Input +4dB Cold
Input +4dB ? Phase ? ?? Ring

9 Input -2 Hot
- - -
?? TRS Omniport - Tip

10 Input +4dB Hot
Input +4dB Hot
Input +4dB + Phase - ?? Tip

11 Gain adjustment
- - -
Radial Buss feed

12 +16VDC supply
+16VDC supply
+16VDC supply

13 Power Ground ? 0V ref
Power Ground ? 0V ref
Power Ground ? 0V ref

14 -16VDC supply
-16VDC supply
-16VDC supply

15 +48VDC Phantom
+48VDC Phantom
+48VDC Phantom


Buss Feed

The BUSS FEED (Pin-11) connects to a channel of the master mixer section of the Workhorse. The module designer may supply whatever signal they wish to this pin as long as there is a 4k7 or 4K75 resistor in series with it. Isolation is not required as long a there is no DC on the signal being output at this pin.

This output from the module is connected to the inverting (virtual earth) input of an op amp (in the mix section of the rack) with a 4K75 feedback resistor. This is called a 'Virtual Earth Mix Buss". It is low noise and is less prone to problems. We chose 4K75 because it tends to have lower noise than a higher value and because the Rupert Neve Designs Portico series employs a 4K7 Mix Buss on all of their modules. This provides cross-compatibility between Radial and Rupert Neve Designs.

Omniport
Omniport? is a simple ?? TRS non-shorting jack that is mounted on the rear panel of the Workhorse. Each of the each of the eight card slots is equipped with this TRS port. The intent with the Omniport? is to allow the design engineer to develop creative applications for their modules by adding application-specific functions using the Omniport? in their designs.

The card-edge Pin-7 (Ring) and Pin-9 (Tip) have been assigned to the Omniport? and can be designed in as an input, output, footswitch, control voltage, insert, etc? When the Omniport is to be used as an insert, we employ the ?tip send ? ring receive? standard. If used as a balanced connection, the tip is hot. The application here is only limited to one?s imagination as to the function that best relates to a given module.

The following are examples of how the Omniport? can be used:

Compressor: Side-chain input
Preamplifier Input select and/or mute footswitch, TRS insert
Guitar preamp Input select and/or mute footswitch, tuner out
Gate Key input
Equalizer Throughput

[LunchBoxHero]

Welcome Peter! And thanks not only for joining LBH and updating us 500 series junkies, but also for being the mad mastermind behind this wondrous new beast and all its alleged (7+ and counting) accomplices!

[jsteiger]

Thanks for the detailed info Peter.

best, Jeff

[pan60]

Peter, thank for stopping in!!!
look for to seeing your around from time to time: )~
pan

[danetate]

We checked this out at AES, and it does look really nice. The paint job alone is worth at least $20.00. :)

Peter handed me a stack of paperwork on this thing that is very nice. Lots of info there.

[Stephent28]

Have they finalized pricing on the workhorse yet?

[bendymusic]

Any updates? Anyone got one? Anyone want to send me one.. forever? ;)

[innerpeaz]

It's been a long wait, but I ordered mine from Sweetwater today. I can't wait. I'm still working out which modules to get...recommendations, anyone? I've been studying what's available but having fun planning, mainly interested in your thoughts...thanks in advance

[LunchBoxHero]

what is your primary use tracking? Guitars Drums Cellos? Mixing? Will you be summing also for your mixes? let us know and we can help! congrats, what a great product, I can't wait to get mine! I have never been disappointed by anything radial.

[Lunchbox Audio]

Hey everyone, new to the forum, we have an order in with Radial to get the entire 500 series product in stock here in Seattle. Let me know how we can help get this stuff in your hands to try out guys.

Innerpeaz, what's your current set up outside of the 500 series? What are you recording? What do you want/need to accomplish with the new gear?

Thanks,
-Rich.
www.lunchboxaudio.com (http://www.lunchboxaudio.com)