Black Lion Audio PBR 8-500 Owner's Manual

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat.
9. Use only attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
10. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
11. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
12. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
13. This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no object filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.
14. Any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this apparatus.

Compliance

The Black Lion Audio PBR 8-500 complies with all applicable CE / RoHS / WEEE European Union directives.

Limited 3 Year Warranty

Black Lion Audio's PBR 8-500 is warranted by Black Lion Audio to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of THREE (3) YEARS to the original purchaser. In the event of such defects, the product will be repaired without charge or, at Black Lion Audio's option, replaced with a new one if delivered prepaid, together with a copy of the sales slip or other proof of purchase date. The warranty excludes problems due to normal wear, abuse, shipping damage, or failure to use the product in accordance with the specifications.

All parts and labor are covered under this Limited Warranty. However, if it is determined by Black Lion Audio that the device was damaged or made defective through abuse, Black Lion Audio reserves the right to charge the customer for the cost of the repair.

Black Lion Audio shall not be liable for damages based upon inconvenience, loss of use of the product, loss of time, interrupted operation, or commercial loss or any other damages, whether incidental, consequential, or otherwise. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights, which will vary from state to state.

This warranty is not transferable.

Service and Support

U.S.A.: Should your Black Lion Audio product require service, please contact Black Lion Audio on their customer service site: https://www.blacklionaudio.com/contact. You must obtain an RA # (Return Authorization number) from Black Lion Audio before shipping a unit back. This RA # must be clearly written on the outside of the box. Please safely pack the units using the original packing materials. Black Lion Audio cannot be responsible for any damages incurred in shipping due to poor packaging. Please pack carefully and fully insure the shipment.

International: For service or warranty assistance, please contact the Black Lion Audio distributor in your country through the dealer from whom you purchased this product.

Manual Notice

This manual provides general information, preparation for use, installation, and operating instructions for the Black Lion Audio PBR 8-500. The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Black Lion Audio makes no warranties of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Black Lion Audio shall not be liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

©2023 Black Lion Audio. The Black Lion Audio 'Lion Face' logo, BLA, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Black Lion Audio. This manual and any associated intellectual property are subject to copyright protection. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without explicit written consent from Black Lion Audio.

Distributed by: RAD Distribution, 180 Carpenter Ave., Middletown, NY 10940

Revised: 10-29-24

Product Overview

The Black Lion Audio PBR 8-500 is a 500-Series 8-Slot Rack/PSU with a built-in patchbay. It provides power and connectivity for up to eight 500-series modules.

Quick Start Guide

PBR 8-500 Setup

1. Mute your studio monitors.
2. Connect the PBR 8-500 to the appropriate inputs and outputs of your mixer or interface using balanced XLR cables or the DB25 jacks on the rear of the PBR 8-500.
3. Connect the PBR 8-500 to power.

Installing a Module

Note: DO NOT attempt to install or remove a module while the unit is powered on, as many modules will not accept being hot-swapped, and expensive damage may result.

1. Inspect the PBR 8-500 and your 500-series module, ensuring nothing is obstructing the card edge connectors.
2. Power off the PBR 8-500.
3. Carefully slide your 500-series unit into an empty slot in your PBR 8-500.
4. Ensure the module connector sits firmly into the mating EDAC chassis connector.
5. Secure the 500-series module to the PBR 8-500 chassis using the included M3 screws.
6. Power on the PBR 8-500.

Patching

Use TT/Bantam cables with the PBR 8-500's front-mounted patchbay to quickly create new signal chains and routing among your installed modules. You can split signals using a Mult for parallel processing, or route a compressor before an EQ. Experiment with different configurations.

Caution: Be careful not to route a module's output to its own input, as this can cause loud feedback loops.

Stereo Linking

Stereo Linking allows you to share the detector circuit voltage between two matched compressors, synchronizing their detector circuits. This is particularly useful for stereo compression. Ensure both compressors are set to identical settings.

• The Link buttons on the rear of the unit are used to stereo link adjacent pairs of modules starting with odd numbers (1&2; 3&4; 5&6).
• The internal jumpers are used to stereo link adjacent pairs of modules starting with even numbers (2&3; 4&5; 6&7).

To stereo link odd-numbered pairs (1&2, 3&4, 5&6), simply press the corresponding Link button on the rear of the device. Arranging modules this way is recommended for easier linking.

To stereo link even-numbered pairs (2&3, 4&5, 6&7), you will need to use the internal jumpers. These pairs are unlinked from the factory.

To stereo link an even-numbered pair:

1. Power down the unit and remove all modules.
2. Place the desired jumper so it rests on both pins, fully seated, between the slots to be linked.

Linking more than one pair at a time, or linking larger modules, requires the use of both jumpers and buttons. For example, to link two 2-slot modules occupying slots 1-4:

1. Engage the link button for slots 1 and 2.
2. Engage the link button for slots 3 and 4.
3. Employ the jumper for slots 2 and 3.

Specifications

Voltage: 100–240 VAC

Maximum audio rails current: 1.8A per rail, or 400mA per rail per slot, whichever is reached first.

Dimensions:

• Width: 76 mm (3")
• Height: 178 mm (5.25")
• Depth: 191 mm (7.5")

Weight: 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs)

Controls and Connections

Front Panel:

1. EDAC Connectors: Connect your 500-series modules here, as described in the "Installing a Module" section.
2. Patch Outputs: Access signal from any of your modules connected to the eight EDAC Connectors.
3. Patch Inputs: Send signal to any of your modules connected to the eight EDAC Connectors.
4. Mult1 and Mult2: Split one input signal into two output signals. Connect any front-mounted output to a Mult and tap the split signal from either or both of the Mult's O ports.
5. Power switch: Turns the unit on/off.
6. Voltage indicators: +16V, -16V, and +48V. If all three are lit, the unit is working properly.
7. Stereo Linking Jumpers: Used to stereo link compatible adjacent modules in slots 2&3, 4&5, and 6&7. See "Stereo Linking" section for details.

Rear Panel:

8. Rear DB25 Outputs: Connect inputs to your mixer or interface via a DB25 cable with TASCAM pin configuration.
9. Rear DB25 Inputs: Connect outputs from your mixer or interface via a DB25 cable with TASCAM pin configuration.
10. Stereo Link switches: Engage to stereo link compatible modules when mounted in adjacent pairs: 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, or 7&8.
11. Rear XLR Outputs: Connect to the inputs of your mixer or interface via balanced XLR cables.
12. Rear XLR Inputs: Connect to the outputs of your mixer, interface, or microphone via balanced XLR cables.
13. 5-pin XLR power connection: Connect the PBR 8-500 to your AC mains.

Note: For proper performance, balanced XLR must be used for all inputs and outputs.