Focusrite Pro has announced four new products including updates to the Red range of Thunderbolt interfaces, a new desktop monitor controller and two updated RedNet audio interfaces.
Red 8Line is a new addition to the company’s Red range of Pro Tools HD, Thunderbolt and Dante audio interfaces. Red 8Line is aimed at professional users of Pro Tools HD and other DAWs on both Mac and PC, thanks to new Windows 10 drivers for Thunderbolt 3-equipped PC users. With mini-DigiLink, Thunderbolt 3 and Dante connections, it’s possible to instantly switch between Pro Tools, other DAW applications and the world of Audio-over-IP without the need to reconfigure audio settings. The unit can be paired with the new RedNet R1 desktop remote controller.
RedNet R1 is a desktop remote controller for use with any Red range interface. It can control a range of monitor output set-ups, ranging from mono through to 7.1.4 surround, including Dolby Atmos and other immersive workflows. Custom set-ups of up to 12 outputs can be configured for bespoke loudspeaker set-ups.
RedNet R1 can be used to control groups of outputs from a Red interface’s multitude of sources and destinations, including Pro Tools HD and other DAWs, analogue inputs and outputs, Adat and S/PDIF connections, and from entire Dante Audio-over-IP ecosystems, simultaneously and interchangeably. Top-panel control includes level, reference level preset selection, cut, dim, mute and a variety of solo modes. There’s also A/B switching between numerous monitoring presets, and up to four fold-down presets allow for quickly checking downmixes.
RedNet R1 also features Dante-enabled talkback, an internal mic and an XLR input for connecting an external mic, and a high-powered headphones output. Up to four talkback destination groups are available when used with a Red interface (when used with other Dante devices, a single talkback group is available). RedNet R1 features two LCDs for highly accurate level metering of the outputs, sources and headphone outputs, and for giving visual cues for easily navigating menus.
The unit is configured using RedNet Control, the software manager designed primarily for ease of use in quickly setting up both simple and complex monitoring and routing configurations. Other features of the RedNet R1 include a quarter-inch jack socket, which accepts a footswitch for talkback management, LFE muting and more. It can be powered via Ethernet to reduce cabling complexity (using the PoE standard), or by supplied DC power supply.
Updates to the RedNet A16R and RedNet D16R Dante interfaces bring new functionality. The new MkII models – RedNet A16R MkII and RedNet D16R MkII – share the same feature set as their predecessors, but are upgraded with individual level controls for input and output channels. This allows precise calibration of all inputs and outputs, making the process of accurate alignment of connected equipment more straightforward.
RedNet A16R MkII is a 16x16 line-level analogue interface for getting 16 channels of analogue audio on or off a Dante Audio-over-IP network.
RedNet D16R MkII is a 16x16 AES3 interface for interfacing between digital audio equipment such as consoles and power amplifiers, and a Dante network. Both units feature dual PSUs and primary and secondary networks, for redundant operations, with audio switchover in case of power loss or network failure, making them ideal for critical path applications, such as broadcast, live sound and post production.
Also new from Focusrite is the announcement of the upcoming availability of Windows 10 drivers for Thunderbolt 3-equipped PC users.
The RedNet D16R MkII and RedNet D16R Dante shipping now, with the Red 8Line and RedNet R1 set for November launch.
More: www.focusrite.com
