Focusrite Red 8Pre Thunderbolt 2 Audio Interface

Focusrite Red 8Pre Thunderbolt 2 Audio Interface

Red 8Pre features both Thunderbolt 2 connectivity and dual mini-DigiLink ports allowing you the best of both Core Audio and Pro Tools | HD workflows. Take Red 8Pre on the road for location recording over Thunderbolt then connect the same interface to Pro Tools|HDX or Pro Tools|HD Native back at the studio for mixdown. Switch easily between Pro Tools | HD and any Thunderbolt-connected DAW with Host Mode. The combination of low-latency conversion and driver technology allows real-time foldback mixes to be created in the DAW while you continue to use your native plug-ins. Unlike many interfaces, both mini-DigiLink and Thunderbolt 2 connectivity comes as standard, so there's no need to buy an additional option card.

Focusrite's Red Evolution mic pres draw on many decades of design prowess as well as many of the elements behind the incredibly popular RedNet mic pre used in many studios, broadcast facilities and live performances around the world. The digitally-controlled mic pres deliver a clear and honest sound with very low noise and plenty of gain available for the most-quiet of sources. They can be controlled from the front panel or remotely over Thunderbolt using RedNet Control. Additionally the mic pre settings can be saved and recalled allowing you to quickly re-setup for your next session. They also include our unique 'Air' effect, recreating the sound of the transformer-based mic preamps in the ISA and original Red ranges. When 'Air' is enabled, the microphone impedance is lowered and the sound is given a subtle mid-high boost – all in the analogue domain.

Focusrite has been designing digital converters for over 20 years. From the original Blue 245 and 260 mastering-grade A-D and D-A, through the Liquid Channel and more recently RedNet, digital conversion is a key part of our design heritage and philosophy. Every converter we design starts with the same objectives: low latency, high dynamic range and a flat, wide frequency response. Red 8Pre's conversion achieves just that, lightning fast performance, a dynamic range of 118dB A-D and 121dB D-A and a flat response to 35kHz. By using “parallel path summing" we have achieved even greater noise-performance than ever.

While Red 8Pre has enough I/O for many scenarios, sometimes more is needed. That's why Red 8Pre includes two ADAT ports, for up to 16 additional inputs and outputs. Simply connect any ADAT equipment, such as the Focusrite Octopre, using light pipes. However in today's modern studio, audio networking is taking over. Focusrite's RedNet range is the world's most popular modular audio-over-IP platform. We've brought some of that technology to Red 8Pre, allowing up to 32 channels of Dante inputs and outputs to be connected. Simply plug in an Ethernet cable and add additional mic pres or line I/O with ease. Alternatively arrive at the studio or venue and simply connect one Ethernet cable to Red 8Pre to gain access to the whole network. The possibilities are huge.

Specifications:

Simultaneous Inputs & Outputs

• Channel Count: Up to 64 x 64

System Requirements

• Computer: Apple Mac with at least one Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port (2m Thunderbolt cable included)
• Other: Internet connection for downloading and installing software and driver

Microphone Inputs

• Gain Range: 0-8dB to 63dB in 1dB steps
• Type: Electronically Balanced, Zin = 6.2kΩ
• Max. Input Level: +19dBu ±0.5, min gain
• Min. Input Level: -44dBu ±0.5
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 35kHz ±0.2dB, min gain
• THD + N: -101dB (0.0009%) @ -1dBFS (@ 11dB Gain)
• EIN: -129dBu 'A'-Weighted (typical)
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio: 119dB 'A'-Weighted (typical), min gain
• Common-Mode Rejection Ratio: 50/60Hz CMRR: -70dB
• Phantom Power: +48V, independently switchable per channel.
• HPF: High-Pass Filter (HPF): -3dB @ 80 ± 3Hz, 12dB/Octave, independently switchable per channel
• Air Mode: 2dB boost at 10kHz and -2dB at 20Hz (ref 1kHz). Input impedance drop to 2.2kΩ

Line Inputs 1-8

• Line Inputs 1-8 Type: Electronically Balanced, Zin = 10kΩ
• Line Inputs 1-8 Max. Input Level: +27dBu ±0.5, min gain
• Line Inputs 1-8 Min. Input Level: -36dBu ±0.5
• Line Inputs 1-8 Frequency Response: 20Hz - 35kHz ±0.2dB, min gain
• Line Inputs 1-8 THD + N: -101dB (0.0009%) @ -1dBFS (@ 11dB Gain)
• Line Inputs Signal-To-Noise Ratio: 119dB 'A'-Weighted (typical), min gain
• Line Inputs Common-Mode Rejection Ratio: 50/60Hz CMRR: -70dB
• Line Inputs 1-8 HPF: High-Pass Filter (HPF): -3dB @ 80 ± 3Hz, 12dB/Octave, independently switchable per channel
• Line Inputs 1-8 Air Mode: 2dB boost at 10kHz and -2dB at 20Hz (ref 1kHz)

Line Inputs 9-16

• Line Inputs 9 - 16 0 DBFS Reference Level: +27dBu ±0.5
• Line Inputs 9 - 16 Type: Electronically Balanced, Zin = 20kΩ
• Line Inputs 9 - 16 Frequency Response: 20Hz - 35kHz ±0.2dB
• Line Inputs 9 - 16 THD + N: -104dB (0.0006%) @ -1dBFS
• Line Inputs 9 - 16 Signal-To-Noise Ratio: 119dB 'A'-Weighted (typical)
• Line Inputs 9 - 16 Common-Mode Rejection Ratio: 50/60Hz CMRR: -70dB

Instrument Inputs

• Instrument Inputs Gain Range: 0-8dB to 63dB in 1dB steps
• Instrument Inputs Type: Zin = 2.3MΩ
• Instrument Inputs Max. Input Level: +15dBu ±0.5, min gain
• Instrument Inputs Min. Input Level: -48dBu ±0.5
• Instrument Inputs Frequency Response: 20Hz - 35kHz ±0.2dB, min gain
• Instrument Inputs THD + N: -94dB (0.002%) @ -1dBFS (@ 11dB Gain)
• Instrument Inputs Signal-To-Noise Ratio: 117dB 'A'-Weighted (typical), min gain
• Instrument Inputs HPF: -3dB @ 80 ± 3Hz, 12dB/Octave, independently switchable per channel
• Instrument Inputs Air Mode: 2dB boost at 10kHz and -2dB at 20Hz (ref 1kHz)

Line Outputs 3-18

• Line Outputs 3-18 0 DBFS Reference Levels: +18dBu ±0.5
• Line Outputs 3-18 Frequency Response: 20Hz - 35kHz ±0.2dB
• Line Outputs 3-18 THD + N: <-102dB (0.0008%) unweighted, 20Hz - 20kHz; -1dBFS input
• Line Outputs 3-18 Dynamic Range: 121dB 'A'-weighted (typical), 20Hz - 20kHz
• Line Outputs 3-18 Output Impedance: Nominal output impedance = 136Ω balanced (68Ω each phase)

Monitor Outputs

• Monitor Outputs Frequency Response: 20Hz - 35kHz ±0.2dB
• Monitor Outputs Dynamic Range: +120dB (A-Weighted)
• Monitor Outputs Maximum Output Level (0 DBFS): +18dBu ±0.5
• Monitor Outputs THD+N: <-78dB (0.0012%) unweighted, 20Hz - 20kHz; -1dBFS input
• Monitor Outputs Stereo Level Balance: ±0.02dB @ 997Hz
• Monitor Outputs Output Impedance: Nominal output impedance = 136Ω balanced (68Ω each phase)

Headphone Output

• Headphone Output 0 DBFS Reference Levels: +16dBm ± 0.1dB
• Headphone Output Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz ±0.2dB
• Headphone Output THD + N: <-75dB (0.018%) unweighted, 20Hz - 20kHz
• Headphone Output Stereo Level Balance: ±0.05dB @ 997Hz
• Headphone Output Dynamic Range: 114dB 'A'-weighted (typical), 20Hz - 20kHz
• Headphone Output Impedance: 10Ω
• Headphone Impedance: 32Ω - 600Ω

Microphone Crosstalk

• Mic Input To Input: < -70dB; 20Hz - 20kHz (driven channel at -20dBFS)
• Mic Input To Output: < -100dB; 20Hz - 20kHz (driven channel at -20dBFS)
• Output To Mic Input: < -130dB; 20Hz - 20kHz (driven channel at -20dBFS)

Line Crosstalk

• Line Input To Line Input: < -60dB; 20Hz - 20kHz (driven channel at -20dBFS)
• Line Input To Output: < -100dB; 20Hz - 20kHz (driven channel at -20dBFS)
• Output To Line Input: < -115dB; 20Hz - 20kHz (driven channel at -20dBFS)

Output Crosstalk

• Output To Output: < -100dB; 20Hz - 20kHz (driven channel at -20dBFS)

Headphone Crosstalk

• Headphone To Headphone: < -75dB; 20Hz - 20kHz (driven channel at -20dBFS)

Digital Performance

• Supported Sample Rates: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 kHz at 24 bit
• Clock Sources: Internal, ADAT, S/PDIF, Word Clock, Loop Sync or from Dante Network Master

Headphone Outputs

• Headphone Outputs Channel Count: 2 Stereo Channels Out
• Headphone Outputs Headphone Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS stereo jack

Thunderbolt

• Thunderbolt Channel Count: Up to 64 In and 64 Out
• Thunderbolt Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt Ports (Primary Port 1 and Primary Port 2)

Pro Tools

• Pro Tools Channel Count: Up to 64 In and 64 Out (32 In and 32 Out per connection)
• Primary Port: 2 x Mini DigiLink

DANTE

• Dante Channel Count: Up to 32 In and 32 Out
• Dante Input And Output: 2 x ethernet standard RJ45 connectors (Compatible with Cat 5e and above).

Mic Inputs

• Mic Inputs Channel Count: 8 In
• Mic Inputs: 1 x DB-25 connectors (AES59)

Line Level

• Line Level Channel Count: 16 In and 16 Out
• Line Level Input: 2 x DB-25 connectors (AES59)
• Line Level Outputs: 2 x DB-25 connectors (AES59)

ADAT

• ADAT Channel Count: Up to 16 In and 16 Out
• ADAT Input: 2 x TOSLINK connector
• ADAT Output: 2 x TOSLINK connector
• Channel Assignments @ 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz: Port 1 = Channels 1 - 8 , Port 2 = Channels 9 - 16
• Channel Assignments @ 88.2 KHz, 96 KHz: SMUXI: Port 1 = Channels 1 - 4, Port 2 = Channels 5 - 8
• Channel Assignments @ 176.4 KHz, 192 KHz: SMUXII: Port 1 = Channels 1 - 2 , Port 2 = Channels 3 - 4

S/PDIF

• S/PDIF Channel Count: 2 In and 2 Out (Optical up to 96kHz)
• S/PDIF Inputs: 1 x RCA phono socket (1 x TOSLINK up to 96kHz)
• S/PDIF Outputs: 1 x RCA phono socket (1 x TOSLINK up to 96kHz)

Loop Sync

• Loop Sync Input: 1 x BNC 75Ω port
• Loop Sync Output: 1 x BNC 75Ω port

World Clock

• World Clock Input: 1 x BNC 75Ω port
• World Clock Output: 1 x BNC 75Ω port

PSU

• PSU: 1 x IEC Input

Front Panel Indicators

• OLED Screens: 3 x Screens (menus and metering)

Dimensions

• Dimensions Height: 44mm/ 1.73"
• Dimensions Width: 483mm/ 19.02"
• Dimensions Depth (Chassis Only): 340mm/ 13.39"

Weight

• Weight: 5.14kg

Power

• Power PSU: 1 x Internal, 100-240V, 50/60Hz, consumption 65W.

Front Panel Instrument Inputs

• Instrument Inputs Channel Count: 2 Channels In
• Instrument Inputs Instrument Inputs: 2 x 1/4" TS stereo jack

Monitor Ouputs

• Monitor Outputs Channel Count: 2 Out
• Monitor Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS stereo jack