modern "500 series" audio frames resembelance to Tek TM500, coincidence??

[WastelandTek]

So, I was in a modern audio post production studio last night and a bit of rackmount kit caught my eye.  It was a backplane frame that accepted these little audio processing modules roughly 12cm high by maybe 4 or 5cm wide.  It had modules installed by at least 4 different manufacturers so clearly was some sort of standardized form factor.

My curiosity was such that, even though we were paying a rather hefty hourly rate to be there, I asked the engineer what the frame format was called.  At first he rattled off the model and manufacture of that specific unit but when pressed for more general terminology he referred to it as a "500 series rack".

Now I was really intrigued and peered down in an empty slot with a light to reveal a very familiar looking card edge connector.



After I got home I googled around and sure enough these "500 series" frames are produced by many manufacturers and a dizzying array of audio modules are available for them.

My question, given the obvious resemblance and name, are these in some way derived or evolved from the old Tektronix TM500 frames.  Obviously these new units have a much smaller module footprint but the similarities are undeniable.

Were audio guys back in the day hacking up their own modules on TM500 chassis and it eventually evolved into this?  Anybody know any history?


links

https://www.sweetwater.com/c1040--500_Series_Chassis

https://www.guitarcenter.com/500-Series-Gear.gc

http://www.barrytech.com/tektronix/tektm500/tektm500.html

http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/TM500_system

[Domagoj T]

Looks like a microwave oven missing a few bits.

[Richard Crowley]

Modular, standardized racks like that are not unique to Tek TM-500 series or to the audio 500 standard systems. There are many similar schemes. For example many commercial and DIY synthesizer gear uses Eurorack-like dimensions if not back-plane connector and pinout.

The audio 500 rack only marginally resembles the Tek TM-500. The height, width, depth, backplane connector and pinouts are all very different.  Both schemes are designed to fit into 3RU height.  The audio version is a full 5.25 inches and is designed to be flush with the 3RU height. While the fromt panel of the Tek TM-500 modules are 5.00 inches high to allow for the power supply/rack frame.

[WastelandTek]

Thanks for weighing in Richard.  You're probably right that the nomenclature is merely coincidence.  Still, I would love to hear from someone with knowledge about the early development of this audio gear format.

[LapTop006]

Note that the API 500 series (what we're talking about here) is older than Tek's 500 series.

Tek's version (as a standalone system) dates from early 1972, whereas the API version is late 60's.

[WastelandTek]

WOW, now we are talking!  I had no idea, that is really interesting.

Thanks LapTop!

edit/  ahh, and now that I poke around more it was an API branded frame that our engineer had, no wonder he defined it by brand until pressed.