500 Series Modules – Preamps, EQs and Compressors for Your Lunchbox
The 500 Series format lets you build a custom channel strip one module at a time, mixing and matching preamps, EQs and compressors from different manufacturers in a single shared rack. This collection covers 500 Series modules — you'll need a lunchbox or frame to power them, see Rack Cases.
What actually fits in a 500 slot
Most modules are single-width — a preamp, an EQ or a compressor in one slot. Some, like tape emulators and stereo processors, take a double-width slot instead. Before you buy, check the module's current draw against what your lunchbox can supply per slot — a rack full of hungry modules can outrun a budget frame's power rail.
Where to start
For a first 500 Series preamp with real character, Rupert Neve Designs 511 Mic Pre is the one we recommend most. Want to add tape saturation to any channel without a tape machine? Rupert Neve Designs 542 Tape Emulator does exactly that. Looking for an NY-style preamp with more grit? Heritage Audio LANG 312L is built around the same transformers as the classic it's named after.
The brands we carry
In this category we work with Rupert Neve Designs, Heritage Audio and Mercury Recording Equipment.
Hear it in our Warsaw showroom
The biggest difference between us and a mail-order shop: you can hear the gear before you buy it. Our showroom at Nowogrodzka 6A/102 in Warsaw is there so you can try it on your own material, not a shop demo. Book a visit or just swing by — we'll help without the sales pitch. Call: +48 573 580 840.
FAQ
Do 500 Series modules from different brands work together?
Yes — the format's whole point is cross-brand compatibility. Every module follows the same electrical and physical spec, so you can mix a preamp from one manufacturer with an EQ from another in the same lunchbox.
How many slots do I need for a first rack?
Six is a practical starting point — enough for a couple of preamps, an EQ and a compressor, without committing to a rack you'll outgrow in a month.
Single-width or double-width modules?
Most preamps and EQs are single-width. Check the spec before buying — a double-width module in a 6-slot lunchbox uses two of your six slots, not one.
See also: Rack Cases · Preamps · Compressors & Limiters
