Focusrite RED 1 500 Series Mic Pre User manual
Red 1
500 Series
Mic Pre
User Guide
FA0901-01
www.focusrite.com
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Dear Focusrite Customer,
Thank you for purchasing the Red 1 500 Series mic pre from Focusrite. First announced in 1993, Focusrite’s Red range
of analogue audio processors rapidly gained legendary status with Red 1 becoming a much sought-after mic pre found
in top recording studios the world over.
Featuring the same circuit topology and components as the original transformer-based mic pre design, Red 1 500
Series offers the same performance as the original Focusrite Red microphone preamplifier in a new popular format,
the 500 Series or “Lunchbox”. Red 1 500 Series features the characteristic red anodised front panel and machined
aluminium gain switch as the original, and, staying true to form, Red 1 500 Series is made in England.
Focusrite would like to encourage you to register your purchase of Red 1 500 Series at www.focusrite.com. Registering
will allow us to inform you of relevant news as well as any new additions to our product range. We would also like to
hear your feedback, so please do contact us through the website.
Yours sincerely,
Focusrite Audio Engineering
Register your product here: http://www.focusrite.com/register
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RoHS Notice
Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited has conformed and this product conforms, where applicable,
to the European Union’s Directive 2002/95/EC on Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
as well as the following sections of California law which refer to RoHS, namely sections 25214.10,
25214.10.2, and 58012, Health and Safety Code; Section 42475.2, Public Resources Code.
Introduction
This Focusrite Red 1 500 Series is a high quality, single-channel microphone preamplifier in 5.25” x 1.5” modular
format, designed to fit any of the popular “500 Series” portable rack housings.
The Red 1 500 Series is fully analogue, using circuitry identical to that employed in the familiar Focusrite Red 1 fourchannel mic pre, which was itself based on the now-classic ISA designs of the 1980s. The design uses the Lundahl
LL1538 input transformer to provide excellent common-mode rejection and 20 dB of “passive” gain, coupled to a very
low-noise amplifier with Focusrite’s signature extended bandwidth and high overload margin.
The output circuit is also transformer-coupled, which minimises system interconnection problems and provides a fully
balanced source. The circuit can drive very long cable runs – several kilometres if necessary – without significant signal
degradation, making the Red 1 ideal for location recording.
Intended to provide a traditional, analogue “front-end” to any modern digital recording system, the module will give
outstanding audio performance when used with any microphone. You will find it particularly effective for recording
vocals, or acoustic sources such as piano or stringed instruments.
The Red 1 500 Series module’s front panel provides stepped gain selection, switches for 48 V phantom power and
phase, and an illuminated VU meter.
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