500 Series
48-month financing* on select brand purchases.
Featured in 500 Series
Top 500 Series Brands
- Acme Audio
- A Designs
- AEA
- API
- BAE
- Behringer
- Black Lion Audio
- Burl Audio
- Chandler Limited
- Cloud Microphones
- Cranborne Audio
- Dangerous Music
- dbx
- Drawmer
- Electrodyne
- elysia
- Empirical Labs
- Fredenstein
- Golden Age Project
- Grace Design
- H2 Audio
- Harrison Audio
- Hazelrigg Industries
- Heritage Audio
- Lindell Audio
- Little Labs
- Maag Audio
- Meris
- Midas
- Millennia
- Neve
- On-Stage
- Pete's Place
- Phoenix Audio
- Pultec
- Purple Audio
- Radial
- Retro Instruments
- Rupert Neve Designs
- Serpent
- Shadow Hills Industries
- Solid State Logic
- SPL
- Sweetwater
- TK Audio
- Trident Audio Developments
- Wave Distribution
- WesAudio
- Wolff Audio
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Shop 500 Series Rack and Module Options
Are you a music maker or sound designer inspired by analog character, modular freedom, and a hands-on workflow? Are you searching for gear that responds with great tone every time you twist a knob? You’re in luck. Sweetwater's curated collection of 500 Series racks and modules will help you build the analog signal chain of your dreams.
History of the 500 Series
Saul Walker of API Audio is credited with creating the 500 Series format in the late 1960s. His goal? To make it possible to service individual console modules without taking an entire mixing desk offline.
By the mid-2000s, the 500 Series had become an open standard. This sent a wave of innovation throughout the pro audio and effects industries. Fast-forward 20 years, and the 500 Series continues to inspire sound designers to mix and match analog hardware as few ecosystems can, allowing for fully custom signal chains from trusted names and boutique makers alike.
What Is a 500 Series Chassis?
Sometimes called a “lunchbox” (a term coined by API), a 500 Series chassis acts as the rack, power supply, and patchbay for all your 500 Series modules. By not requiring separate enclosures and internal power supplies for every piece of gear in your chain, the 500 Series format keeps your gear organized and economical — perfect for studios of all sizes.
Do I Need a Chassis for 500 Series Gear?
Yes. There’s no way to safely power or operate your 500 Series modules apart from connecting them to a proper chassis.
While the chassis represents an upfront investment for new 500 Series users, it pays off long-term. 500 Series signal chains are compact, flexible, and often more affordable than traditional rackmount gear. Plus, they make it easy to swap modules and reroute effects on the fly without interrupting your workflow or killing your creative momentum.
Are 500 Series Modules Worth It?
Absolutely. The 500 Series format has fueled explosive growth within the hardware effects and modular synth industry over the past two decades. As a result, it’s never been easier — or more affordable — for artists and producers to access pro-level signal processing in a compact format.
From heavy hitters like Rupert Neve Designs and API to cult favorites like Acme Audio and Purple Audio, the 500 Series ecosystem offers unmatched variety. In fact, you’ll often find racks combining gear from boutique builders and global brands side by side—making today's 500 Series paradigm a golden era for outboard gear and sound design.
With 500 Series Gear, the Audio World Is Your Oyster
Whether you're upgrading a studio or building your first modular rig, 500 Series gear gives you the power, flexibility, and tone to shape any sound in any studio setting.
Looking for a specific sound? Use our shop filters to find 500 Series gear by your favorite effects makers and chassis builders. Need expert advice? Call our Sales Engineers for a quick consult and a personalized recommendation based on your goals and budget.
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