Vintage Digital
My Effects Rack

500 Series

500 Series effects, often referred to as the “lunchbox” format, are a popular and versatile set of audio processing modules used in professional audio recording and production. Originating in the USA but embraced worldwide, these pint-sized powerhouses allow sound engineers and musicians to customize their signal chain with preamps, EQs, compressors, and various other processors, all fitting neatly into a compact 500 Series rack.

Released in 2024

Acme Opticom XLA-500 Limiter

Building on the renowned design of the Acme Opticom XLA-3, Acme Audio has meticulously adapted its topology into a compact two-slot 500 series module with the Acme Opticom XLA-500 Limiter.
Acme Opticom XLA-500
Released in 2025

Drawmer MQ-1 Motown Equaliser

The Drawmer MQ-1 is a 500-series seven-band proportional-Q equaliser inspired by the classic Motown sound of the 1960s. It offers fully variable ±10dB boost or cut with automatic bandwidth adjustment for intuitive tonal shaping. The unique ‘CRUSH’ feature adds harmonic saturation, enhancing warmth and presence. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the MQ-1 delivers low-noise performance, a hard-wired bypass, and the renowned build quality expected from Drawmer.
Drawmer MQ-1
Released in 2025

Drawmer MQ-2 Motown Equaliser

The Drawmer MQ-2 is a stereo 7-band proportional-Q equaliser and compressor for the 500-series, inspired by the classic 1960s Motown EQs. It offers fully variable ±10dB boost or cut, an intuitive one-knob compressor, and a ‘CRUSH’ feature for harmonic saturation. Users can switch the processing order between EQ and compression. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Drawmer MQ-2 delivers high-quality, low-noise performance in a two-slot 500-series module.
Drawmer MQ-2
Released in 2025

Locomotive Audio 40AM-1 Microphone Preamplifier

A compact 500-series valve preamp that recreates classic 1940s American tone, offering transformer selection, five-position response shaping, pad, low-cut filter, DI, and LED metering for versatile colour and control.
Locomotive Audio 40AM-1
Released in 2025

AEA RPQ503 Microphone Preamplifier

The AEA RPQ503 delivers 85 dB of clean gain, ultra-high 68 kΩ impedance, and CurveShaper™ EQ in a 500-series format, optimised for ribbons but ideal for all microphones.
AEA RPQ503
Released in 2025

Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500 Compressor

The Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500 is a 500 Series analogue PWM Compressor with six unique operating modes, Stress harmonic control, and OPTOSYNC stereo linking. It delivers unprecedented flexibility and sonic character for tracking, mixing, and mastering.
Cranborne Audio Brick Lane
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