Focusrite announces that the Red 8Pre, has been released.
Red 8Pre offers 64 inputs and 64 outputs (including a total of 16 analog inputs and 18 analog outputs) and eight of Focusrite’s specially-developed digitally-controlled mic preamps.
In addition, in common with the Red 4Pre, the Red 8Pre includes two front-panel high-headroom instrument inputs, dual Thunderbolt 2, dual Pro Tools | HD DigiLink and Dante network audio connectivity.
The eight specially-developed “Red Evolution” mic pres deliver -129dB EIN and 63dB of gain.
Software control allows recall of settings and stereo linking, plus configuration of HPF, polarity invert and individual phantom power. In addition, the preamps and other parameters can be adjusted from the front panel, with its clean multifunction controls and clear color LCD displays.
The preamps include Focusrite’s unique “Air” effect, recreating in the analog domain the sound of the transformer-based mic preamps in the classic ISA range. Red 8Pre also includes two high-headroom instrument inputs, instantly accessible from the front panel.
The Red 8Pre’s conversion system features what Focusrite calls “parallel path summing,” where two matched converters are run in parallel to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. They operate at up to 24-bit, 192kHz sampling with a dynamic range of 118dB (A-D)/121dB (D-A). The Red 8Pre delivers 0.0009% THD+Noise and a frequency response flat from 20Hz to 35kHz ±0.2dB .
Levels at the Red 8Pre’s monitor outputs are adjusted via a digitally-controlled analog attenuator, delivering full dynamic range at all signal levels.
Dual Thunderbolt 2 ports connect to a DAW while at the same time allowing daisy-chaining of drives and displays. Round-trip latency as low as 1.67ms permits recording with preferred plugins in real-time and simplifies workflow while dual DigiLink ports connect the Red 8Pre directly to any Pro Tools | HD system.
In addition, Red 8Pre features built-in Dante network audio connectivity. The dual Ethernet ports connect any Dante-compatible product, adding up to 32 channels I/O via Ethernet with low latency and lower cost. Furthermore, Focusrite Control allows the user to assign any physical input or output to any driver/Pro Tools | HD channel.
The latest feature to be added is the “Input Routing” tab. This allows for the default channel routing table to be rearranged so that all hardware input signals required can be accessed and sent to a DAW in a user-defined order. This brand new feature will allow for channels to be sent to Pro Tools | HD and the Focusrite Thunderbolt driver in a fully customizable order.
Together with Avid, Focusrite has created a simpler way for customers to combine Red 4Pre and Red 8Pre interfaces with Pro Tools | HD 12.6 and up, making their music easy to make. If customers buy and register a Red 4Pre or Red 8Pre interface after January 18, 2017, a Pro Tools | DigiLink I/O License can be placed on their iLok at no charge.
