Among the US’s top audio courses, the Recording Arts & Technology programme at Southwestern College in San Diego was established in May 2008, under the direction of Professor Jay Henry to provide a route into a professional career in music, television and film.

Recognising the changes seen by the music recording industry in the intervening period, the two-time Grammy-award nominee has kept his educational programme flexible. One of his latest means to meet present needs and changes yet to come, is Focusrite’s RedNet networked audio I/O technology.

The studio facilities have recently seen the installation of two RedNet 5 HD interfaces for its Pro Tools| HD systems, coupled with three RedNet 2 16-channel analogue audio interfaces for the main recording and satellite mixing rooms. With these units installed, the two studios at the core of the Recording Arts and Technology programme will be fully networked, allowing access of audio between rooms and giving students and faculty a high degree of flexibility in how the facilities are used.

‘We’ve kept this programme at the cutting edge since it began, and we’ve been waiting for a networked solution like RedNet to come along for a while,’ Henry explains.

‘Phil [long-time colleague and current Focusrite Novation Inc President Phil Wagner] and I go way back, and we understand how you need to both address the cutting edge of technology and also make sure that the sound is always the first consideration. I get that with the Focusrite RedNet system – we get seamless connectivity and the built-in Dante networking, and great sound at the same time. Focusrite has never let me down, and it’s going to be a great benefit for our students and teachers here, as RedNet represents the future for recording and interconnectivity.

‘The best thing sonically about RedNet is the detail and width of the stereo image, which is a direct result of RedNet’s next generation A/D – D/A design and premium analogue circuitry,’ he adds. ‘RedNet sounds more open, it’s like taking the roof off your mix.’

RedNet is Focusrite’s flagship range of modular Ethernet-networked audio interfaces, and uses Audinate Dante digital audio networking. RedNet 5 connects a RedNet system to Pro Tools|HD via a standard DigiLink or Mini DigiLink cable. Up to six units can be connected to one Pro Tools HDX system, supporting up to 192 channels at 96kHz or 96 channels at 192kHz. Pro Tools|HD Native and Pro Tools|HD are also supported. RedNet 2 adds 16 analogue I/O channels to a RedNet network via Ethernet link. It uses Focusrite 24-bit A/D and D/A conversion and offers 119dB dynamic range at sample rates of up to 192kHz. The rear panel includes standard DB25 connectors for analogue patchbay or breakout cable interfacing.