Black Lion Audio PBR-8 500

An eight-slot 500-series chassis with patching built into the front of the rack.

Build a processing system you can rearrange

PBR-8 500 combines eight powered module slots with an integrated balanced TT patchbay. You can keep preamps, equalisers and compressors connected, then change their order from the front rather than reaching behind the rack. That makes it practical to compare chains, add a processor for one overdub or return a module to a different interface channel.

More than a fixed chain

Two one-input/two-output mults provide useful signal distribution points. Adjacent-slot stereo linking supports compatible paired modules, while XLR and Tascam-format DB25 connectivity gives you options for individual cables or multipair looms. The integrated layout puts the modules and the connections used to route them in one place.

Plan the power as well as the slots

The chassis has a 400 mA per-rail, per-slot ceiling and a 1.6 A continuous total supply rating. Check the requirements of your chosen modules and the total load before installing them. A rack with eight physical spaces still needs an appropriate power budget, particularly when mixing designs with different current demands.

A practical centre for analogue processing

The 3U rack format suits a studio that uses 500-series equipment as a flexible recording and mixing resource. Populate it with the modules you need, wire the rear connections into the wider studio, and use the TT patch points to make routine changes accessible. Modules and patch cables should be selected separately to suit your system.