Q: I don’t understand why the new API 500-6B Lunchbox, which has six slots for modules, has two more channels on the D-sub and XLRs (for a total of eight ins and outs. What are these for?
A: You can use the channel 7 and 8 inputs and outputs to route two channels from an external piece of gear through the D-subs. This is convenient. for example, when using the D-sub connector to hook up the Lunchbox to an Avid Pro Tools HD interface. Since the D-sub carries eight channels, API has simply made it so that you can use those “extra” two channels for an external piece of gear in addition to the six inputs and outputs from the 500 series modules that might be installed in the Lunchbox.
