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Based on price data from 1 merchant for "API 500 Rack". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Elevate your studio with the API 500 Rack, a versatile powerhouse designed for the modern musician and producer. This ten-slot frame is your blank canvas, ready to host a custom assembly of 500 Series modules. With its robust L200PS power supply, it ensures each slot is energized with ample current, making it a reliable foundation for your sonic experiments. The rear XLR connectors offer streamlined I/O options, simplifying your setup while maintaining pristine audio quality. Whether you're crafting dense mixes or capturing raw vocals, the API 500 Rack is a testament to flexibility and performance in studio recording gear.
Key Features:
- Ten-slot frame compatible with VPR-approved 500 Series modules
- Robust L200PS power supply providing +/16V and +48V for phantom power
- Streamlined connectivity with rear XLR input/output
- Tri-polar power supply design for enhanced reliability
Product specs
| Brand | API |
| Model | 500VPR 10-Slot 500 Series Rack with L200 PSU |
| Year | 2019 - 2025 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | 500 Series Modules and Frames |
FAQs
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How many modules can the API 500VPR 10-Slot 500 Series Rack hold?
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The API 500VPR 10-Slot Rack can accommodate up to ten 500 Series modules, making it ideal for building a versatile modular studio setup.
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Does the API 500VPR Rack come with a power supply?
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Yes, the API 500VPR Rack includes an L200 power supply, which provides reliable power to all installed modules.
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Is the API 500VPR Rack compatible with all 500 Series modules?
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The API 500VPR Rack is designed to be compatible with most 500 Series modules that adhere to the standard size and power requirements.
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Can the API 500VPR Rack be mounted in a standard 19” rack?
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Yes, the API 500VPR Rack is designed for standard 19” rack mounting, making it easy to integrate into existing studio setups.
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What are the dimensions of the API 500VPR 10-Slot Rack?
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The API 500VPR 10-Slot Rack is designed to fit standard 500 Series module dimensions, which are typically 5.25” x 1.5” per module.
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about API 500 Rack.
Mods and upgrades
Use cases and applications
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The 500 series format appeals to users looking for portable rigs, like combining an Antelope Zen with 8 500 series pres for easy transport.
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The Singular Audio Tubedrve is noted for its versatility, particularly effective on bass, some synths, and 2-bus applications.
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API 525 compressor is highly recommended for vocals and acoustic guitars, providing a distinct vibe.
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The Avedis MA5 excels on vocals and kick drums, potentially becoming a future classic akin to the 1073.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the versatility of 500 series racks, allowing multiple preamps, EQs, and compressors in a compact setup, similar to a full API console experience.
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An owner finds the GAP Premier 573 a cost-effective alternative to LTL Chromas, appreciating its sound quality without the extra expense and hassle.
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Value and pricing
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Initial cost savings with 500 series can diminish when factoring in the price of housing and power, though they remain more portable than 19" racks.
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Some users view 500 series units as less special compared to 19" units and recommend investing in fewer high-quality 19" units if space and budget allow.
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Software and compatibility
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Compatibility issues may arise with non-API 500 series racks, as some modules are specifically designed for API racks.
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Comparisons
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500 series gear, while compact, cannot replicate the classic sound of larger units due to differences in power supply quality and design components.
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The CAPI VP28 with red dots is highly praised, preferred by some over Neve preamps in the 500 format due to compatibility and design intentions.
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The Avedis MA5 is frequently praised compared to other preamps, often highlighted for its exceptional performance on vocals.
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Features and functionality
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The 500 series requires a single power supply for all units, unlike 19" gear, which often needs an individual PSU for each device.
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The Wes Audio Dione is seen as a solid SSL bus comp clone, although some users are considering replacing it with a new saturation processor from Wes Audio.
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The Elysia Xpressor 500 offers a unique release option between linear and curved, enhancing its versatility for bus compression and drum tones.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
(@3:15) "we wanted to be able to record drums and whole bands if we needed to so we got an API 500 series rack"
At 0:05 in the video titled "Inside Real World Studios, Peter Gabriel's recording sanctuary," an API 500 Rack, equipped with API 512c or 512v microphone preamplifier modules, is visible. This confirms that Peter Gabriel utilizes this specific piece of music gear in his recording setup, as documented by The Vinyl Factory on YouTube.
At 3:02 in this home studio tour, Rhett Shull says
And then over here on the sidecar I have a 500 series rack with some mic pres...
In a video interview titled "How Patrick Carney Gets His Drum Sound" by Reverb on YouTube, an API 500 Series rack can be seen at the 3:54 mark in Patrick Carney’s mixing room, containing a set of EQ modules.
At 10:15 in the video in which Celldweller shows off his studio to Future Music Magazine, he says "Below that [The Nord Rack 2] I've got my 500 series rack, which I've got filled with API stuff . . .".
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use API 500 Rack, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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