Radial Engineering have produced a document detailing all the specs and standards for API Lunchbox-series modules, called the Workhorse Open-Source Document, or WHOS-Doc. The Canadian company have been making inroads to the 500-series Lunchbox market lately, not only building compliant modules but also building a Lunchbox-style rack, the Workhorse. This eight-slot rack significantly expands on the potential of its API counterpart, by integrating an eight-into-two mixer (which sums the outputs of fitted modules), and providing extra audio I/O, including two headphone outputs on the mixer, and eight Omniport jack sockets. There’s one Omniport socket for each module slot, and its functionality depends on the module design: it can be used as an insert point, a side-chain input, or any other input or output the module designers see fit to include.
The Workhorse is compatible with all Lunchbox modules, but some of its features, like the Omniport, are extra to the basic Lunchbox spec, and so require modules to be designed with them in mind to make use of them. In order to encourage module builders to incorporate these extra features, Radial are making the WHOS-Doc available for free.
Of the document, Radial President Peter Janis has said: “The WHOS-Doc not only provides the module maker with mechanical files, but also delves into electrical limitations, grounding issues to watch for, and directions on how to take advantage of some of the extra features that we have built into the Workshorse frame.”
For more information on the Workhorse, check out the Radial Engineering web site. To request a free copy of the WHOS-Doc, send an email to info@radialeng.com.
