Radial Engineering Powerhouse User's Guide

®

Workhorse

Powerhouse

500 Series Rack

True to the Music

™

™

Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam
British Columbia, Canada, V3C 5M5
tel: [phone] • fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

www.radialeng.com

User Guide

®

www.radialeng.com

IMPORTANT SAFETY & USER NOTICE - FOR PROFESSIONAL USE

!

The Radial® Workhorse™ Powerhouse™ is specically designed for use

by qualied 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 lled with a module or covers be placed
over unlled slots. This will help protect you from electrical shock.

The Powerhouse rack frame is designed to be used with 500 series or
what are commonly known as Lunchbox™ modules. The Workhorse
Powerhouse has been designed following the framework as outlined by
the VPR Alliance as described on the API™ website. Although some
manufacturers build modules that are not VPR compliant, they may in fact

work with the Powerhouse. Please consult those specic manufacturers for

details regarding their compatibility. The Radial Workhorse Open Source

Document outlines the required technical specications for manufacturers

that intend to have their modules used in a Workhorse or Powerhouse
frame. Compatibility of any modules other than a module made by Radial
Engineering Ltd. is the sole responsibility of the user. Please read the
Limited Radial Warranty for details. There are no replacement or user
serviceable parts inside.

SAFETY NOTICE - NO HOT SWAPPING OF MODULES

!

Hot Swapping, or exchanging modules while the power is on is not covered

under the Radial Limited Warranty. The user is responsible for any damage
to the Workhorse Powerhouse or module arising out of hot swapping and the
user shall save Radial Engineering Ltd. harmless should any damage occur.

Please consult the Radial Limited Warranty for further details.

True to the Music

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®

™ ™

Radial Workhorse Powerhouse

500 Series Power Rack

Table of Contents Page

Feature set overview ....................................................................................................1

Introduction & basic functions.......................................................................................3

Omniport .......................................................................................................................5

Power supply capacity ..................................................................................................6

Sliding modules in and out ...........................................................................................7

Signal ow and levels ..................................................................................................8

Using the Powerhouse .................................................................................................9

Radial Limited Warranty ................................................................................Back Cover

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Radial Workhorse Powerhouse, an innova­tive ten module card frame designed for the 500 series modular format. This guide describes
how to approach using the Powerhouse, and how to install modules safely. We recommend
that you take a few minutes to read it in order to familiarize yourself with the many innovative
features that are built in.

To make this guide as easy to understand as possible, we have divided it into several sec­tions. It begins with an overview, then descriptions of each function, ending with some real
world applications. Should you have any questions, comments or concerns not covered in
these pages, we invite you to log onto the Radial web site at www.radialeng.com and visit the
Powerhouse FAQ section. This is where we post the latest updates and answers from users.
If you do not nd what you need, feel free to send us an email at [e-mail] and
we will do our best to answer your question as quickly as possible.

Now get ready to bring the fun & excitement of old school analog into your signal path.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

Powerhouse™ Power Rack

®

FRONT PANEL FEATURE SET

True to the Music

1 2 3 5

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1. STANDARD 19” RACK: The Powerhouse ts ten 500 series modules

into only three spaces. (3RU)

2. 10 SLOT RACK: Compatible with new Radial and older 500 series
modules to create elaborate signal chains.

3. MIL-SPEC PCB: Double sided, military grade with parts soldered on
both sides for durability. Full ground plane to reduce noise.

4. SAFETY CIRCUITS: Protects the rack and adjacent modules from
arcing and shorts in case of accidental disconnect.

5. POWER LEDs: Indicators provide visual status for +/-16 volt rail
voltage and 48 volt phantom power.

6. SOLID STEEL: ‘Road ready’ 14 gauge steel construction with
welded corners for greater durability and improved shielding.

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Radial Engineering Ltd.

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Powerhouse™ Power Rack

True to the Music

REAR PANEL FEATURE SET

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7

1098

11 12 13

7. 1600 MILLIAMP SUPPLY: Provides plenty of current to be shared
between modules. Perfect for high current demand tube devices!

8. GROUND LUGS: Separate chassis and earth ground lugs for
studios with sophisticated grounding schemes.

9. STEREO LINK: Linking stereo-ready modules together is done by
sliding the LINK switch into the up position.

10. FEED FUNCTION: Sends the output from one module to the input
of the next, eliminating the need for patch cables.

11. XLR CONNECTORS: Standard XLR connectors with large channel
ID numbers on each slot make it quick & easy to patch with
professional balanced line level gear.

12. TRS CONNECTORS: Balanced ¼” I/O are wired in parallel with
XLRs. Used to cross-patch modules and for parallel processing.

13. OMNIPORT: ¼” TRS changes function depending on the module
installed. Determined by the manufacturer.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

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Powerhouse™ Power Rack