Radial Engineering Workhorse Cube 500 Series User Manual

www.radialeng.com

®

True to the Music

®

User Guide

Workhorse

™

Cube

™

500 Series Power Rack

www.radialeng.com

Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam
British Columbia, Canada, V3C 5M5

tel: [phone] • fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

!

IMPORTANT SAFETY & USER NOTICE - FOR PROFESSIONAL USE

The Radial Workhorse Cube 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 Cube™ rack frame is designed to be used with 500 series or what
are commonly known as Lunchbox™ modules. The Workhorse 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 Cube.
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 Cube 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 Cube 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.

Radial Workhorse Cube

500 Series Power Rack

™™

®

Table of Contents Page

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

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

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

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

Installing the Cube ........................................................................................................... 7

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

Using the Cube ............................................................................................................ 9-10

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

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Radial Workhorse Cube, an innovative
three module card frame designed to bring the excitement of the 500 series modular format to
the desktop. This manual describes how to approach using The Cube, how to install modules
and mount it in your desk top. We recommend that you take a few minutes to read through it
in order to familiarize yourself with the many innovative features that are built in.

To make the manual 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
Cube 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.

e Cube™ Power Rack

True to the Music

®

1. THREE CARD SLOTS: Both single and double wide 500 series modules will t in the
Workhorse Cube.

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. DC FILTER CAPS: On-board DC ltering provides additional power conditioning.

4. POWER SWITCH WITH LED: Used to turn the Cube on or off and provides visual

power status for the +/- 16 volt module rails.

5. STEEL CASE: The Cube’s chassis is made from heavy 14 gauge steel to provide extra

shielding against stray magnetic elds and RF.

FRONT PANEL FEATURE SET

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e Cube™ Power Rack

True to the Music

®

Radial Engineering Ltd.

REAR PANEL FEATURE SET

6. 48 VOLT : On/off switch for phantom power. LED indicator will illuminate when active.

7. EXTERNAL POWER: High current external switching supply delivers 500mA to the

card slots.

8. FEED FUNCTION: Lets you connect one module into the next to set up elaborate
channel strips without having to hard patch modules using cables.

9. STEREO LINK: Makes it easy to pair up modules equipped with a stereo link function

in a standard master-slave conguration.

10. OMNIPORT™: ¼” TRS connectors add functionality to enhance each module’s
capability as set by the manufacturer.

11. BALANCED I/O: Follows original XLR I/O format and adds parallel ¼” TRS jacks for
added connectivity and cross-patching.

12. REMOVABLE HANDLE: Makes transporting the Cube more convenient around the
studio. Can be removed for stacking or recessing into desktop.

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