Wes Audio PANDORA is an advanced 500-series rackmount enclosure with built-in signal routing, analog summing, and digital integration — not a standard power rack providing only power and slots, but an intelligent management platform for ng500 modules that enables building complex signal chains from 500-series modules without external patchbay cabling. PANDORA accommodates up to 16 500-series modules (2U, API-compatible slots), provides a built-in signal routing matrix between slots, analog summing outputs, stereo module linking functions, and USB communication with the DAW to control the entire rack as a single device. A dedicated platform for the Wes Audio ng500 ecosystem — third-party 500-series modules from other manufacturers can operate in PANDORA, but the advanced routing and digital integration features are exclusive to ng500 modules.
Built-in routing and analog summing
The key distinction between PANDORA and a standard 500-series enclosure is the built-in signal routing matrix: the output of any slot can be directed to the input of any other slot inside the enclosure — without external cables, without a patchbay, without additional I/O on the rear panel. This allows building complex signal chains (preamp → EQ → compressor → EQ) entirely through software configuration or the PANDORA controller. Built-in analog summing handles the creation of stereo buses from mono modules: two NG76 or NGBusComp modules paired as a stereo unit through PANDORA's internal routing operate as a single stereo compressor without external stereo link cabling. Summing outputs and per-slot outputs are available on the rear panel as standard XLR connectors. Module power is supplied by an internal high-efficiency power supply with low RF emission — purpose-built for audio applications with sensitive electronics.
DAW integration and whole-rack control
PANDORA communicates with the DAW via USB as a single device: the PANDORA VST/AU plug-ins allow control of all ng500 modules installed in the rack from a single plug-in interface, with automation and recall per module and per parameter (16-bit). Internal routing configuration (which slots are chained and which are linked as stereo pairs) is saved as a preset and recalled automatically when a DAW session is opened. Output level control, stereo module linking configuration, and per-slot level monitoring are all accessible from software without touching the rear panel. PANDORA displays the status of all ng500 modules (active/bypass, GR levels, preset) on a built-in display or through computer software. The enclosure is available in 8-slot and 16-slot configurations.
KEY FEATURES
- Intelligent 500-series enclosure with built-in routing, summing, and digital integration
- 8 or 16 500-series slots (API-compatible, 2U)
- Built-in inter-slot signal routing matrix — no external cabling required
- Software-configurable signal chains (preamp → EQ → compressor)
- Built-in analog summing — stereo pairs from mono modules without link cables
- USB DAW communication — entire rack controlled as a single VST/AU device
- Per-module, per-parameter automation and recall (16-bit) via DAW
- Routing configuration saved and recalled as DAW session presets
- Per-slot level monitoring and module status from software
- Built-in display: module status, GR, presets
- Internal high-efficiency power supply with low RF emission
- Full compatibility with Wes Audio ng500 modules
- Compatible with third-party 500-series modules (API standard — power and I/O only)
- Per-slot outputs and summing outputs on rear panel (XLR)
- Configurations: 8 or 16 slots
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: intelligent 500-series enclosure with routing, summing, and digital integration
- Slots: 8 or 16 (500-series API-standard, 2U)
- Routing: built-in inter-slot signal matrix (software-configurable)
- Summing: internal analog, stereo pair creation from mono modules
- DAW interface: USB, VST/AU — all ng500 modules controlled from single plug-in
- Automation: 16-bit per parameter per module
- Outputs: per-slot XLR + summing outputs XLR (rear panel)
- Display: built-in (module status, GR, presets)
- Power: internal high-efficiency supply, low RF emission
- ng500 compatibility: full (routing, automation, recall)
- API 500-series compatibility: power and I/O (routing and automation: ng500 modules only)
- Format: 2U rack
