Focusrite Red 8Pre Audio Interface with Thunderbolt 2, Pro Tools & Dante Connectivity

Description

Expanding upon the Focusrite 4preto provide even more in the way of channel real-estate and features, the Red 8Pre is a 64-input/64-output, high-resolution audio interface with dual Thunderbolt 2 connections, Pro Tools | HD support, and Dante connectivity via Ethernet. The interface offers eight Red Evolution microphone preamps, with -129 dBu of EIN and 63 dB of gain, thus providing a low noise floor and significant headroom. Also featured in these preamps is the Air effect, which recreates the sound of transformer-based mic pres from the ISA range.

All features of the preamps can be controlled from the front panel or from the included Focusrite Control software. In addition to housing the control surface, the front panel also features coloured LCD displays and instrument inputs for high-gained 1/4" sound sources. In total, you get 16 analogue inputs and 18 analogue outputs, with more provided via various expansion capabilities.

The Red 8Pre's conversion system utilises parallel path summing to achieve its low-noise, high-headroom performance. This path involves the operation of two matched convertors running in parallel to increase the signal to noise ratio, both of which can perform at resolutions and sample rates of up to 24-bit/192 kHz, at dynamic ranges of 118 dB (on the A/D side) and 121 dB (on the D/A) side. With this setup, you get a THD+Noise rating that can be less than 0.0009%, as well as a flat frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 35 kHz (±0.25 dB).

The Red 4Pre ships with the Softube Time and Tone bundle, the Red Plug-In Suite, a 2m Thunderbolt cable, an IEC power cord, and software activation codes.

Features

• 64 inputs / 64 outputs
• 16 analogue inputs / 18 analogue outputs
• Eight Red Evolution mic pres with Air transformer emulation
• 24-bit / 192 kHz conversion
• Up to 121 dB of dynamic range
• Parallel path summing conversion for lower noise
• Colour LCD displays and assignable controls for simplified operation
• Allows for control via front panel and software
• Dual Thunderbolt-2 ports for daisy-chaining
• Supports direct Pro Tools | HD DigiLink connection
• Enabled for Dante
• 1.67 ms round-trip latency allows you to record with plug-ins in real time
• Add up to 32 extra inputs and outputs via Ethernet connection
• Front-panel instrument inputs
• Focusrite Control software included
• Free plug-ins included

Conversion with Parallel Path Summing
Delivering digital conversion at up to 24-bit / 192 kHz with up to 121 dB dynamic range, Red 8Pre's convertors feature a parallel path summing configuration to achieve a quiet design, providing a high-quality combination of sound quality, noise floor, dynamic range, and conversion latency.

Eight Red Evolution Pres with Air Emulation
These pres provide up to 63 dB of clean gain, offering phantom power on every track, as well as the ability to set recall, stereo linking, HPF, and polarity invert. Also offered is Air mode, which gives you an analogue emulation of heritage ISA preamp characteristics.

Elegant Front-Panel Design
Colour LCD displays and assignable control knobs render the Red 8Pre simple and quick to use. Set levels and other parameters from the front panel as well as via software.

Dual Thunderbolt-2 Ports for Daisy Chaining
With two Thunderbolt 2 ports, you can connect to the DAW of your choice while simultaneously connecting Thunderbolt devices such as hard drives and displays.

Direct Pro Tools Connection
the Red 8Pre offers standard dual DigiLink connectivity to Pro Tools | HD systems and existing Avid interfaces.

Dante Support
the Red 8Pre includes dual Ethernet ports for Dante audio-over-IP networking, allowing you to expand your studio via Ethernet with additional channels anywhere on your network, all with low latency. Simply add channels by connecting additional Red or other Dante-compatible components to the Ethernet ports.

Low Latency
Low latency allows you to track with the chain of your preferred plug-ins, and record virtual instruments in real time. As such, using this interface can also eliminate the need for cue mix utilities or outboard DSP.

Expand up to 32 I/O
32 extra inputs and outputs can be connected to the Red 8Pre via Ethernet connection.

Front-Panel Instrument Inputs
The front panel allows you to access to high-headroom instrument connections even when the Red 8Pre is rack-mounted.

Software Included
The Red 8Pre includes Focusrite Control software, facilitating mic preamp control and the intuitive set-up of mixes and monitors. Also included is the Red plug-in suite, which accurately models Focusrite's classic Red 2 and 3 EQs and compression, and Softube's Time and Tone bundle—a plug-in pack including four of Softube's professional quality plug-ins, such as the Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor, the TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay, and Saturation Knob.