www.radialeng.com True to the Music ® Workhorse ™ Powerstrip ™ 500 Series Rack User Guide ® True to the Music www.radialeng.com Radial Engineering Ltd. 1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam British Columbia, Canada, V3C 5M5 tel: 604-942-1001 • fax: 604-942-1010 email: info@radialeng.
! IMPORTANT SAFETY & USER NOTICE - FOR PROFESSIONAL USE The Radial® Workhorse™ Powerstrip™ is specifically designed for use by qualified professional audio engineers. The open frame design is not intended for use by consumers or those unfamiliar with this format. Even though the current and voltage levels are relatively low, we recommend that all slots be filled with a module or covers be placed over unfilled slots. This will help protect you from electrical shock.
® True to the Music ® ™ ™ Radial Workhorse Powerstrip 500 Series Power Rack Table of Contents Page Feature set overview ....................................................................................................1 Introduction & basic functions.......................................................................................3 Omniport .......................................................................................................................5 Power supply capacity ...........
® True to the Music FRONT PANEL FEATURE SET 1 2 3 4 5 1. CARD SLOTS: Three 500 series modules will fit in the Powerstrip’s space-saving 1RU horizontal format. 2. CARD SLOT BACK PLANE: Modules can draw as much current as they need from a shared pool of 500mA through the card slot connector. 3. EASY-GLIDE TRAY: Slide-in platform for modules makes connecting to the back plane easy by properly aligning card edge height. Removable for non-standard modules. 4.
® True to the Music REAR PANEL FEATURE SET 10 8 6 7 9 11 12 6. PWR LED: LED indicator will illuminate when the external power supply is connected and energized. 7. EXTERNAL POWER: High current external switching supply delivers 500mA to the card slots. 8. 48 VOLT PHANTOM: On/off switch for phantom power. LED indicator will illuminate when active. 9. BALANCED I/O: Follows original XLR I/O format and adds parallel 1/4” TRS jacks for added connectivity and cross-patching. 10.
® True to the Music INTRODUCTION The Powerstrip is a three card-slot power frame designed for 500 series modules. Up to three modules may be used at any one time. The Powerstrip routes the modules to the XLR and ¼” TRS connectors on the rear panel via a 15-pin card-edge receptacle. Radial modules and those that have been designed by other manufacturers to take advantage of the Workhorse’s extra features will enjoy the added functionality of the Omniport™.
® True to the Music FEED SWITCH As you delve further into the functionality of the 500 series, you will find that the modular format allows all kinds of connectivity options. With older 500 series racks, connections between modules were done using an XLR cable whereby the output from one module would plug into the input of another. The Cube simplifies the process by introducing a FEED switch on the rear panel.
® True to the Music OMNIPORT Omniport™ is a special ¼” TRS jack located on the rear panel that has been left ‘open’ to allow the module to perform a unique task. In other words, depending on the type of module, the manufacturer can assign the Omniport to perform a function that may be most appropriate. This could be a key input on a gate, a TRS insert or maybe a buffered output.
® True to the Music POWER SUPPLY The Powerstrip employs an external power supply that will automatically convert the various voltages used around the world and regulate them before sending the power to the Powerstrip. A standard male IEC/EIN power input connector makes it easy to travel as you will only need to change the cable to suit the local power connector type. The connection between the power supply is a 4-pin locking XLR.
® True to the Music INSTALLING MODULES IN THE POWERSTRIP When making any electrical connection, it is always safer to do so with the power disconnected. The Powerstrip’s internal power circuit is equipped with protective measures intended to provide a margin of safety should a module exchange be performed with the power on. However, the Powerstrip is not designed to allow repeated insertion and removal of modules while the power supply is active. Always power off the Powerstrip before exchanging modules.
® True to the Music SIGNAL FLOW AND LEVELS Because the Powerstrip is modular, it can accept a multitude of different devices into it’s card slots. This also means that you need to understand the signal flow so that you can be sure what you want to do will work. In the world of audio there are basically four low level signal groups to contend with before you get to high power output levels such as those produced by power amplifiers to drive loudspeakers.
® True to the Music USING THE POWERSTRIP Because the Powerstrip is a modular frame, there are practically no limits as to what kind of signal chain you can create. For instance, it can be loaded with Radial modules set up for analog effects routing for your workstation, a customizable channel strip, an instrument preamp for live recording or as part of a play-back and overdub system. As with all electronic equipment, turn off the power and turn down levels before making connections.
® True to the Music The Powerstrip simplifies the process with a FEED switch that replaces inter-module patch cables. Instead of using an XLR cable, you simply push the FEED switch into the UP position and it routes the signal to the adjoining module’s input. When engaged, the FEED function sends the signal to the next module working from left to right (front view). Because the FEED function is tied to the XLR connector, it will work with new Radial modules and older 500 series modules.
® True to the Music WORKHORSE POWERSTRIP SPECIFICATIONS Chassis ..............................................IEC 19” rackmount, 1RU (1.75”) Dimmensions .....................................19” x 1.75” x 7.5” 482mm x 44.5mm x 190mm Weight ...............................................5.3 lbs (without modules) 2.4 kg Power supply .....................................+/-16v (500mA) 4-pin XLR power supply Radial Engineering Ltd.
THREE YEAR TRANSFERABLE LIMITED WARRANTY RADIAL ENGINEERING LTD. (“Radial”) warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship and will remedy any such defects free of charge according to the terms of this warranty. Radial will repair or replace (at its option) any defective component(s) of this product (excluding finish and wear and tear on components under normal use) for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase.
