"With more and more engineers tracking and mixing in smaller home and project studios, as well as taking 'their sound' from one studio to another, the demand for gear that is compact, easily portable, flexible and economically priced is higher than ever."

That according to A-Designs Audio's Peter Montessi, who is also quoted in the A-Designs press release as saying, "Our 500HR, which weighs only six pounds when empty and features a street price of less than $300, nicely fits the bill by allowing engineers to create a very portable yet versatile channel strip (mic preamp plus EQ) or stereo mic preamp by simply swapping out modules for different recording situations."

Features in the 500HR include a metal body, 48v phantom power, two XLR inputs, two XLR outs, and an IEC power supply.