Why are the 500 series modules costs so much?

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mofat

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I mean...they're nothing more than a pci card...but they costs more than the standard 19" rack version. TO be honest, I didn't even know what they were to begin with..but now I do. Their electronics (board) is exposed to the elements...I don't see it being very reliable. More could go wrong from handling issues. People removing and shoving it into the slots...
I see so much negatives...what are the pros?
 
Portability, for one.

No redundant power supplies for another. A lunchbox or rackmount 500 series chassis will power 6 to 10 modules with a common power supply.

You can mix-and-match modules from different manufacturers to form custom signal chains.

You can buy modules including pre-amps, EQ, compression, filters, delays, DI's, reamps, phase-alignment, tape emulation, and Gawd knows what else. And then rack them all in one case with it's own power supply.

When installed properly 500-series devices aren't any more exposed to elements than anything else.
 
As well any 'PCI card you could likely think to compare them to are probably made/priced and sold in the thousands compared to the number of any given audio module built and sold.
Do a pair of such and such 500 series actually cost more then their dual 1-rack versions? (don't know
 
mofat said:
I mean...they're nothing more than a pci card...but they costs more than the standard 19" rack version.
Click to expand...

They aren't PCI cards. Don't try shoving one of those into your PC or Mac. xD

They require their own chassis to plug them into. So once you plug them in, they are NOT exposed to any elements, as you seem to figure. I'm also not sure where you're seeing that they're more expensive than standard 19" units. Usually, they're cheaper if I'm not mistaken.
 
Low sales volumes is one reason, economies of scale do not obtain.

Then the metal to electronics ratio is high and that metal has to be precision engineered so that all modules fit all power cases (and you don't want the front looking like the hind leg of a dog!).

Many 500 modules are scaled versions of famous outboard gear and some very clever design had to be used to squeeze the original functionality into the wee space AND have the thing operable by adult, male digits! Such design time/expertise has to be paid for.

But I agree that some manufacturers might be taking the proverbial! It is hard to justify £800 ($1000?) for the Focusrite Red One pre amp and the recent review in SoS said as much.....BUT! That pre contains some expensive traffs and switches. I bet if you sat down and priced every component, nut, bolt washer and screw, asked a local engineering works what they would want to mill 100 of those fronts and make the case wrap you would have a shock, and you have not yet designed and built the PCB yet!

But, you never know! Behringer could be on the case!

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
Low sales volumes is one reason, economies of scale do not obtain.

Then the metal to electronics ratio is high and that metal has to be precision engineered so that all modules fit all power cases (and you don't want the front looking like the hind leg of a dog!).

Many 500 modules are scaled versions of famous outboard gear and some very clever design had to be used to squeeze the original functionality into the wee space AND have the thing operable by adult, male digits! Such design time/expertise has to be paid for.

But I agree that some manufacturers might be taking the proverbial! It is hard to justify £800 ($1000?) for the Focusrite Red One pre amp and the recent review in SoS said as much.....BUT! That pre contains some expensive traffs and switches. I bet if you sat down and priced every component, nut, bolt washer and screw, asked a local engineering works what they would want to mill 100 of those fronts and make the case wrap you would have a shock, and you have not yet designed and built the PCB yet!

But, you never know! Behringer could be on the case!

Dave.
Click to expand...

There u go...once Behringer comes in to town...:guitar:
 
witzendoz said:
SM Pro are already there Link.

Alan
Click to expand...
Indeed they are! But I can only find an advert for the Tube-pre in SoS April 2012 and nothing since. I cannot find any reviews of any of the modules nor any specifications off the hard to navigate SM-pro site.

They seem to have cut costs by 25-50% depending on the unit you look at but unless you can compare specs and build quality that means little. SM do have a very good rep' however...

Dave.
 
Well the red one is focusrite's first attempt at 500 series and that pre is pretty legendary, so I think that's reason enough. Have any of you guys actually used a red one? I think they sound awesome. That pre with a tube mic is excellent on vocals. I don't think there's a lot of stuff out on the internet for it yet because I think they just started shipping them. They haven't been out for very long. And there wasn't a whole lot of promotion for them really.

And to the OP, someone obviously didn't do his research first...
 
The Moog 500 series analog delay is a serious bit of kit too.
 
"And to the OP, someone obviously didn't do his research first..."

Rather harsh and inappropriate in the newbie section to my thinking. As an electronics tech' I question to some degree the cost of much audio gear. There are SELF POWERED complete pre amps on a par with the Red 1 500 for clean gain at less than £800.



Dave.
 
I'm pretty sure that was done with all 500-series modules. :D
 
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