FOCUSRITE’S NEW 2X2 DANTE INTERFACE & RED16LINE
In a move to make networked audio even more approachable for home studio recordists,
Focusrite has launched the RedNet X2P. The new unit is a compact, robust 2-in,
2-out Dante audio interface featuring two Red Evolution mic pres, stereo line out
and a stereo headphone amplifier. The RedNet X2P can be used as a desktop audio
interface connecting to your computer with a single Ethernet cable — no power
supply required — but it really comes into its own when added to a larger Dante
audio-over-IP system. RedNet X2P quickly adds I/O to Focusrite Red interfaces or
any Dante audio-over-IP system.
The two digitally-controlled Red Evolution mic pres provide plenty of gain along
with stereo linking, individual phantom power, a high-pass filter and phase
reverse. In addition, they include Air mode, emulating the sound of Focusrite’s
classic transformer-based mic preamps and provides audio conversion with over 118dB
dynamic range. The converters have been expertly selected and calibrated, to
provide the best balance of sound quality, dynamic range and conversion latency.
The RedNet X2P also features a crossfader to enable control of the level of local
inputs versus network inputs that feed either the line outputs or the headphone
outputs.
Focusrite Red 16Line
The new Red 16line from Focusrite is another addition to their Red series of
interface with 64x64 All-In-One Interface, ultra-low latency A-D/D-A conversion,
Red Evolution mic preamps, up to 121dB dynamic range, and expansion over Ethernet
for networked audio. Since Red 16Line provides both DigiLink connectors and
Thunderbolt connections, it’s now easier than ever to switch from Pro Tools | HD to
other audio applications, without the need to reconfigure option cards in the
interface.
The Red 16LIne sports audio converters boasting over 118dB dynamic range A/D and
121dB dynamic range D/A (A-weighted). Also, for those used to having to build two
different mixes – one using input monitoring to overdub, the other using the DAW
for playback – the good news is that now, one is enough. According to Focusrite,
the low latency performance is such that mixes can be built on the DAW and used
whether overdubbing (monitoring the input being recording with the Focusrite
Control software mixer) or playing back, with all plug-ins in place, all the
time.
Red 16Line features 16 line inputs on D-sub, coupled with 16 line outputs and two
main monitor outputs, and the outputs can be ganged for surround monitoring
applications.