Review

Focusrite Red 8Pre

Thunderbolt audio interface with Dante & Mini-DigiLink

Focusrite Red 8Pre audio interface

Review by Russell Cottier

Focusrite has long been in both the preamp and convertor games, the Red 8Pre combines the two. An audio interface that can run as Core Audio via Thunderbolt 2 or Dante and as a Pro Tools|HDX or Pro Tools|HD Native convertor via the dual mini-DigiLink ports. The unit sports 64x64 I/O in total with eight digitally controlled Red Evolution Mic Pres. Each offers an Air function where the impedance is lowered and the sound is given a gentle mid and high boost, to recreate the sound of the transformer-based mic preamps in the ISA and original Red ranges. The unit comes packaged with some Softube plug-ins, Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor, TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay and Saturation Knob. You also get the Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite that aims to model Focusrite’s classic Red range 2 and 3 equaliser and compressor hardware.

Looking at the unit we see a machined, brushed-aluminium front panel anodised in red. An indented figure of eight logo sits adjacent to two high-impedance instrument inputs on 1/4” TS sockets. An array of eight illuminating, red plastic buttons selects the input channel. The input rotary encoder sits to the right of these buttons. The encoder has the standard stepped feel and includes a push-
function. Whilst the encoder housing and knob is not as robust-feeling as certain others on the market it seems like it will do the job sufficiently.

Focusrite Red 8Pre rear panel

Focusrite Red 8Pre rear panel

The centre section comprises three OLED screens with the left-most defaulting to the Preamp Overview which shows either inputs 1-4 or 5-8. The input type, gain and phantom power are displayed and icons turn red to indicate clipping. Gain and input type can be accessed from this screen using the rotary encoder.

The Preamp Focus view can be accessed on the left screen by simply pressing one of the input selection buttons. This brings up a larger view of the gain control and shows settings for phantom power, phase, HPF and Air. However to actually change these settings it is necessary to hold down the input selection button. This brings up a further view allowing the rotary encoder to be used to scroll through the parameters. It does seem that the Preamp Focus view is a little redundant, hopefully firmware updates will address this at some point

Next we have a central OLED screen for the meter display. Again it doesn’t quite hold up to some other similarly priced units on the market, whilst a reasonable resolution OLED screen has been used only eight inputs can be viewed at any one time. Granted the metering is large and clear but some further metering options would have been welcome too. It’s notable also that outputs cannot be metered at all so it’s really not ideal for an analogue mixing or summing scenario.

Focusrite Red 8Pre audio interface

The final screen sits adjacent to the output rotary encoder which defaults to control monitor gain and mutes the monitor outs when pressed. To the right of this there are or four buttons: Meter, Monitor and two for Headphones. The Meter button lets us select the sets of inputs for the central metering window. The Monitor button shows the Monitor Overview screen, which displays the host connection mode, sync selection, Monitor level, Dim and Mute. A stereo output meter is present on the screen also.

If we hold the Monitor button we can access another submenu which gives us Mute and Dim controls, again this seems rather superfluous and could perhaps have been completed on the front panel without a submenu. Global parameters are accessed by pressing both buttons but these can easily be changed in the Focusrite Control software also. A rather useful parameter is the Retain function which allows selection of whether the phantom power settings are retained from the previous session after a power off-on cycle, of course this is important as one might be using sensitive ribbon mics.

The two headphone outputs have good quality, relatively high output amplifiers and are ideal for most project studio set-ups. I had no problem running phones via a 12 metre multicore for talent. It should be noted that there is a fan in the unit, it is not loud but could be an issue in a very small control room. It is also worth noting that the output encoder has some notable lag time when adjusting volume.

Deeper functions are accessed easily via the Focusrite Control software which comes as a free download. All parameters can be changed and usefully different monitoring configurations can be set up, so the output encoder can control volume to the left and right outputs plus as many pairs of line outputs as desired, ideal for surround monitoring applications. The GUI on the control software is simple and easy to use. Users can assign custom mixes to each individual output. Selection can be made from a drop-down to either directly route channels, or faders can be added for each input or DAW playback channel. In use the simplicity of this is very effective and allows near zero-latency monitoring to be set up with minimal hassle. However there are no on-board DSP effects as with several other units in the same price bracket, so monitoring options are fairly basic. Routing presets can be stored within the software so it would be possible to have a preset for tracking a full band, one for vocals etc.

The rear of the unit sports the usual IEC power connector, two ethernet ports for Dante, Word Clock connectors and loop sync. There are dual Thunderbolt 2 ports and two pairs of ADAT lightpipe sockets, S/PDIF and a pair of 1/4” TRS sockets for Monitor outputs. Two mini-DigiLink ports are present for Pro Tools. Five DB25 connectors offer line outputs 3-18 and line inputs 1-16 and the eight microphone inputs.

Overall in general use the preamps sounded great, they were clean and clear and the Air control offers a lovely sheen. Super low latencies are achievable, and the surround monitor volume control via the outputs encoder was very useful. However the unit is not completely silent which is somewhat of a bugbear. Also it should be noticed that Focusrite recommend not mounting the unit adjacent to any power ramps or rack units that give off significant heat as it is likely to increase the workload on the cooling fans. At £3,199 this unit is placed at a price-point where there are several major competitors, many of which offer on-board DSP, but it does of course have the eight preamps built in. The menu functionality on the unit is perhaps lacking some obvious ergonomic tweaks as well. That said, Rednet Control integration for the unit is coming soon. However, if you are looking for a quality 1U interface with on-board preamps and a nice clean and clear sound it could be the option for you. The Dante and HDX/HD Native connectivity certainly put it out there in a position to fulfil specific needs.