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RED 8PRE
User Manual
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Focusrite RED 8PRE User Manual

Red 8Pre
64 in / 64 out Thunderbolt™ 2 audio interface – with Pro Tools | HD and Dante™ network audio connectivity
User Guide
FFFA001457-01
www.focusrite.com
CONTENTS
Introduction..................................................................5
Key Features...................................................................5
System Block Diagram ..........................................................6
Front Panel ....................................................................7
Rear Panel ....................................................................8
Operation...................................................................10
INPUTS .................................................................. 10
Preamp Overview Screen .......................................................10
Preamp Focus Screen ..........................................................10
Input Functions................................................................11
Encoder Toggle Function........................................................12
Monitor Display ...............................................................14
Mute and Dim .................................................................14
Meter Source Selection .........................................................15
2
Loop Sync ....................................................................17
Global Settings ..............................................................19
Retain....................................................................19
Focusrite Control ...........................................................20
Operation.................................................................20
Monitor Controls ..............................................................21
Appendices..................................................................23
DB25 (AES59) Connector ........................................................23
1/4” Jack Connectors...........................................................23
Pro Tools Interface ............................................................24
BNC Connectors...............................................................24
Ethernet Connector ............................................................24
Sample Rate: 44.1 / 48 kHz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Sample Rate: 88.2 / 96 kHz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Sample Rate: 176.4 / 192 kHz ....................................................27
Performance and Specications ..............................................29
3

About this User Guide

This user guide applies to the Red 8Pre Thunderbolt Interface. It provides information about installing and operating the unit and how it can be connected into your home or studio system.

Box Contents

• Red 8Pre unit
• IEC AC mains cable
• 2m Thunderbolt cable
• Product registration card – which provides the following important information: Unit serial number Bundle code (for registering your product and for accessing your free software)

System Requirements

• Apple Mac with at least one Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port, or Pro Tools | HD system for
DigiLink connection
• Internet connection for downloading and installing software and driver
Thunderbolt™ and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Dante™ and Audinate™ are registered trademarks of Audinate Pty Ltd.
4

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Focusrite Red 8Pre.
Red 8Pre is a dual Thunderbolt™ & Pro Tools | HD audio interface and preamplifier, suitable for a wide range of audio integration applications.
The Red 8Pre features Mic, Line and Instrument analogue inputs and 22 analogue output channels – including independent loudspeaker and headphone monitoring plus an LCD meter display. Red 8Pre provides an interface for Pro Tools | HD equipped workstations and, with its built-in Dante™ card, is ready for networked audio expansion via the dual Ethernet ports.

Key Features

• Two Thunderbolt 2 Interface ports for direct or chained connection.
• 16 line-level input and output signals via DB25 connectors on the rear panel.
• Eight remote controlled microphone preamps providing up to 63dB of gain, each with phantom power, high-pass filter, phase-reverse and ‘Air’ mode. See Appendix 3 on p.28 for further information.
• Two instrument inputs accessed via front-mounted 1/4” jacks.
• Analogue monitoring via dedicated balanced 1/4” jack outputs on the rear panel, plus two independent headphone outputs on the front panel.
• Digital devices can be accommodated via the S/PDIF and dual ADAT I/O connections.
• Two Primary Mini DigiLink connectors provide up to 64 input and 64 output channels of I/O to Pro Tools | HD.
• Dual Ethernet ports provide up to 32 x 32 channels of networked audio expansion over Dante.
• BNC connectors allow Red 8Pre to sync or slave to external devices via Word Clock or Loop Sync.
• Permanent 8-channel LCD meter display – selectable to show all input types.
• Simple host and sync selection setup.
• Focusrite Control application allows full remote hardware operation, plus mixing and routing control.
5

System Block Diagram

Analogue
Inputs
Digital
I/O
Focusrite
Instrument
1-2
Mic/Line
1-8
Line 9-16
ADAT 1
1-8
ADAT 2
9-16
S/PDIF In
S/PDIF Out
INST
I
2
2
I
SLCT
4
3
Input Function
& Gain
2
2
4
4
Input Select Output ControlMeters
1-2
16
1-8
9-16
A-D
16
16
2
2
OT
MT
MONITO
I
2
Monitor
1-2
Headphones
1&2
Line 3-10
Line
11-18
Analogue
Outputs
GLOAL
2
D-A
8
8
Thunderbolt
64
Host
Select
64
DAW
Pro Tools
32
32
Dante
Network
Network
Loopback In
2
Word Clock I/O
Loop Sync I/O
Numbers indicating channel capacities relate to a 44.1/48 kHz sample rate. Refer to the Channel I/O tables on pages 25–27 for the channel counts at higher sample rates.
Clock
6

Red 8Pre Controls and Connections

2
6
4
8
I
2
INST
GLOBAL
MONITOR
METER
I
2
Focusrite
SELECT
I
5
3
7

Front Panel

Instrument
Inputs
Input
Encoder
Input Select
Buttons
Input
Display
Level Meter
Display
Output Display
Output
Encoder
Meter & Monitor
Buttons
H/phone
Select
H/phone
Outputs
Power Switch
• Instrument Inputs. Two high-impedance inputs on 1/4” jack sockets.
• Input Select buttons provide direct access to the menu settings for analogue input channels 1–8.
• The Input Encoder and its associated Input Display is used to select and adjust the configuration menu settings for the input channels; it also functions as the input gain control for inputs 1–8.
• The Level Meter Display is an eight channel, switchable LCD meter which is able to display groups of input signals.
• The Output Encoder functions as the volume control for the monitor and headphone outputs. It is also used to configure the global system settings, control the meter selection and select the monitor dim and mute features. Its function is determined by the adjacent Monitor, Meter and Headphone Select buttons.
• The Meter button calls up the selection menu for the level meters onto the Output Display.
• The Monitor button assigns the Output Encoder to the monitor loudspeaker functions.
Pressing the Meter and Monitor buttons simultaneously enters Red 8Pre’s Global conguration menu, where host, clock, power-up and network settings are assigned.
• The Headphone 1 and 2 buttons assign the Output Encoder to the selected headphone control functions.
• Headphone Outputs are standard 1/4” TRS jacks.
7

Rear Panel

CLOCK
SYNC
MONITOR OUTPUTS
MIC INPUTS 1-8
AC Inlet
AC ONLY 100-20 060 6W
WARNING
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE
Focusrite
Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd
DAIMENTATION
ARIN
A A TERRE PAR E CORDON
CET APPAREI DOIT ETRE MIS
EARTHED BY THE POWER CORD
Network
1 2
Dante
Word Clock
WORD
Loop
Sync
LOOP
Thunderbolt 2
IN
OUT
IN OUT IN OUT
OPTICAL 9-16 OPTICAL 1-8
ADAT I/O x2
Interface
Pro Tools | HD
1
IN OUT
SPDIF
S/PDIF
I/O
Interface
PRIMARY PORT
R L
L/R Monitor
Outputs
Line Outputs
2
LINE OUTPUTS 11-18
LINE OUTPUTS 3-10
Line Inputs
LINE INPUTS 9-16
LINE INPUTS 1-8
Microphone
Inputs
• AC Mains Inlet. Standard IEC receptacle for connection of AC mains. Red 8Pre features a ‘Universal’ PSU, enabling it to operate on any supply voltage between 100 V and 240 V AC.
• Word Clock – Input allows synchronisation to word clock.
• Word Clock – Output provides an output of the chosen system clock reference.
• Loop Sync I/O sockets allow Red 8Pre to integrate with a standard Pro Tools system I/O chain.
• Dual Thunderbolt 2 Connection. Two ports allow either direct or chained connection to your workstation.
• Pro Tools | HD Interface. Two Mini DigiLink Primary connectors; use Mini DigiLink cables to connect to a Pro Tools | HD HDX PCIe card or Pro Tools | HD Native system.
• Line Outputs on two 25-way DB25 female connectors.
DB25 connectors are wired according to the AES59 Standard (also known as the TASCAM Analogue standard).
• Line Inputs on two 25-way DB25 female connectors.
Note that Line input circuits 1–8 can be re-assigned to the Microphone and/or Instrument connectors so may not
always be available on this connector. See page 11 for further information.
• Microphone Inputs on 25-way DB25 female connector.
NB. A DB25 male to XLR-3 female 8-way adapter loom will be required for mic leads with individual XLRs.
• Network. Two RJ45 Ethernet connectors for the Dante network. The connectors form an integral 2-port switch, allowing either to be used on the network.
• ADAT I/O 1 and 2. Two independent 8-channel ADAT optical inputs and outputs using standard TOSLINK connectors. Optical I/O 1 can also be used in ‘Optical S/PDIF’ mode.
• S/PDIF I/O. 2-channel digital interface on RCA (phono) connectors.
• Monitor Outputs. Balanced 1/4” TRS jacks for connection of Left and Right monitor loudspeakers. Outputs are at line level so unpowered speakers will require external amplification.
See Appendix 1, page 23 for the connector pinouts.
8

Physical Characteristics

300mm / 11.8”
465.0mm / 18.3”
31.8mm / 1.25”
Red 8Pre dimensions are illustrated in the diagram above.
Red 8Pre requires 1U of vertical rack space and at least 360mm of rack depth, to allow for cables. Red 8Pre weighs 5.14kg and for installations in a fixed environment (eg., a studio), the front-panel rack mountings will provide adequate support. However, if the units are to be used in a mobile situation (eg., flight-cased for touring, etc.), it is recommended that side support rails or shelves are used within the rack.
Cooling is by fan assistance from side to side; the fans used are low-speed and low-noise. Do not mount the unit immediately above any other equipment which generates significant heat, for example, a power amplifier. Also, ensure that when mounted in a rack, the side vents are not obstructed.
Note. The maximum operating environmental temperature is 40°C / 104°F.

Power Requirements

Red 8Pre is mains-powered. It incorporates a ‘Universal’ power supply which can operate on any AC mains voltage from 100 V to 240 V. The AC connection is via a standard 3-pin IEC connector on the rear panel.
A mating IEC cable is supplied with the unit – this should be terminated with a mains plug of the correct type for your country.
The AC power consumption of the Red 8Pre is 65W.
Please note that there are no fuses in Red 8Pre, or other user-replaceable components of any type. Please refer all servicing issues to the Customer Support Team (see “Customer Support and Unit Servicing” on page 32).
9

OPERATION

Line
+48V
I2
Phase
HPF
Air
5
Line
48
12
Line
48
2
31
Mic
48
3
50
Mic
4
12
I
48

Inputs

Red 8Pre has the capacity to accommodate sixteen analogue inputs, two independent 8-channel ADAT inputs, a 2-channel S/PDIF input plus 32 Dante input channels. (Additionally, when in Thunderbolt
host mode, an internal 2-channel loopback signal can be added as an extra stereo input – see page 13 for details.)

Analogue Inputs

Analogue input channels 1 to 8 can be assigned to the Instrument, Microphone or Line input connectors as follows: Input channels 1 and 2 are selectable as Instrument, Microphone or Line level; Inputs 3 to 8 are mic or line selectable. Input channels 9 – 16 are fixed-gain line level only.

Input Controls

Input selection and configuration for channels 1 to 8 is carried out using the Preamp Select buttons and the Input Encoder.
The illuminated Select button identifies the channel being controlled.
• Pressing a Select button makes that channel the active channel
Power-up always selects channel 1
• The Input Encoder acts as the gain control for the active channel
Select Buttons / Input Encoder
• Pushing (’clicking’) the Input Encoder selects menu options or operates the Toggle function (see page 12)

Preamp Overview Screen

This is the default display for input channels 1 – 4 or 5 – 8. It shows at-a-glance the current input type, gain value and phantom power status for either group of four channels.
The highlighted number indicates the active channel (as shown for
channel 1).
Note: a clipping channel will be indicated by its gain level bar changing to red (as shown for channel 3) – reset by pressing the channel’s Select button.

Preamp Focus Screen

Pressing an input Select button brings up the Focus screen which provides additional detail about that channel’s current settings.
If no changes are made within approximately 3 seconds, the display will revert to the Overview screen.
Preamp Overview Screen
In the example shown, channel 5 has the phase and HPF functions enabled.
Preamp Focus Screen
10
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