Focusrite Pro announces that its new Red 8Line – a 58-input, 64-output, Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with two Red Evolution mic pres, independent left/right monitor outs, eight balanced line analog inputs and outputs – is now available.
The Red 8Line also offers DigiLink I/O; 32 channels of Dante I/O; 16-channel ADAT input and output (at 48 kHz), and stereo S/PDIF input and output. As with other Red interfaces, Red 8Line includes 24-bit/192 kHz A-D and D-A conversion.
With both mini-DigiLink and Thunderbolt 3 connections, it’s possible to quickly switch between Pro Tools and other DAW applications without the need to reconfigure audio settings. Changing the host mode either in RedNet Control software or with Red 8Line’s front panel controls lets users change DAWs in seconds.
Red 8Line offers the latest implementation of Thunderbolt 3, with Focusrite’s low-latency Thunderbolt drivers. The speed is designed to provide the flexibility to use DAW plugins in real time. With two Thunderbolt 3 ports as standard, it’s also possible to daisy-chain Thunderbolt devices such as third-party plugin accelerators, hard drives, external 4K displays, processing units and Thunderbolt hubs.
New Windows 10 Thunderbolt drivers make Red 8Line compatible with PC-based audio systems equipped with Thunderbolt 3. Onboard dual Dante ports enable connection to the Audio-over-IP protocol, for expansion and interoperability with the Focusrite RedNet family of interfaces and with AoIP equipment from hundreds of manufacturers including Neve, Yamaha and DiGiCo.
Twin mini-DigiLink ports provide connectivity directly to Pro Tools | HD cards, with no need for device expansion. Digital synchronization is facilitated by Loop Sync and Word Clock I/O.
The two Red Evolution remote-controllable mic preamps provide up to 63 dB of clean gain, with phantom power, high-pass filter, phase reverse and Air mode lets users invoke the sonic signature of Focusrite’s transformer-based ISA Preamp. Dual front-panel instrument connections ensure immediate access for DI input, even when racked.
Along with its eight line inputs and outputs on DB25, Red 8Line’s analog I/O provides independent L/R monitor outputs plus two high-fidelity stereo headphone outputs powerful enough to drive high-impedance headphones. The unit also has built-in monitor control for mono, stereo and multi-channel monitoring environments up to 10 channels, including 7.1.2.
Compatibility with the new Focusrite RedNet R1 desktop remote controller is designed to offer greater flexibility, and customized presets for immersive monitoring environments including Dolby Atmos. RedNet Control software allows quick setup of monitoring and routing configurations, and control of the preamps remotely. Three color LCDs provide accurate level metering for any input or output block, as well as for main monitor and headphone outputs in addition to parameter display.
Red 8Line is accompanied by a software bundle that includes the Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC channel strip from the original Focusrite Studio Console, plus Red 2 and Red 3 EQ and Compression plugins that are designed to accurately reproduce the sonic qualities of the original Red hardware. Focusrite Plug-in Collective membership provides access to frequent free downloads from several music software brands.
