The RedNet A8R provides eight channels of Dante-to-analog conversion with redundant networking and power, making it a reliable workhorse for medium-sized IEM and playback rigs. It fits neatly in a single rack unit and offers the same build quality and redundancy as the larger A16R. Use it when you need fewer channels but still want the reliability of redundant Dante and power connections.
~$3,000Use retailer rows for current price and stock
01 · What it does—and what that changes in your rig.
Product overview
Start with the payoff, then work through how it functions, where it fits, and the details that change a real build.
The payoff
Dante Converter decisions, organized around the whole rig.
The RedNet A8R is Focusrite's eight-channel DanteThe most common audio-over-network standard: dozens of channels of uncompressed digital audio down one ordinary Ethernet cable between Dante boxes. analog converterThe circuitry that turns analog audio into digital data and back (A/D and D/A). Converter quality sets a digital rig’s sound ceiling., and its job in a rig is straightforward: it bridges your Dante network to the analog world and back again. Eight channels in via DB25A 25-pin D-shaped connector carrying 8 channels of analog or AES audio in one multicore — the Tascam pinout is the de-facto standard., eight channels out via DB25, primary and secondary Dante ports on EtherConAn Ethernet plug inside a rugged XLR-style locking shell — tour-grade network connections that can’t be yanked loose., all in a single rack unitThe standard slice of rack height: 1U = 1.75″. A 3U box takes three slices; half-rack gear pairs two units side by side in one. at 2.3 kg. For a mid-sized IEMIn-Ear Monitor — earpieces that replace floor wedges, feeding each player their own mix. The reason this whole rack exists. rig — a six-piece band with a couple of stereo mix outputs feeding wireless transmitters — that channel count lands exactly where you need it without making you pay for headroomThe margin between your normal level and where things clip — headroom is what absorbs the snare hit you didn’t see coming. you'll never use.
Documented outputs
1One destination connection
Documented inputs
2Based on documented inputs
Rack space
1UBuilder checks available rail space
Focusrite product panel1U · 20W
Function
How it works in the path
The two EtherConAn Ethernet plug inside a rugged XLR-style locking shell — tour-grade network connections that can’t be yanked loose. ports are the practical story here. Primary and secondary DanteThe most common audio-over-network standard: dozens of channels of uncompressed digital audio down one ordinary Ethernet cable between Dante boxes. connections mean a cable pull or switch failure doesn't take your entire mix network with it, which is the kind of thing you only appreciate once until you appreciate it every single day after that. The DB25A 25-pin D-shaped connector carrying 8 channels of analog or AES audio in one multicore — the Tascam pinout is the de-facto standard. connectors keep the rear panel clean and cabling consolidated — one loomSeveral cables bundled and run as one — keeps rack interconnects tidy and makes load-in one grab instead of eight. in, one loom out — which matters at midnight during a festival changeover. At 20 watts nominal draw in a 1UThe standard slice of rack height: 1U = 1.75″. A 3U box takes three slices; half-rack gear pairs two units side by side in one. chassis, it's thermally quiet and won't stress a modest rack power strip. The redundantA second copy of anything critical — supply, computer, network path — already running so one failure can’t stop the show. internal power supply means that side of the equation is covered as well.
Best fit
Where it earns its place in the rack
If you're running eight or fewer analog outputs to a wireless rack or a small stage boxThe I/O endpoint on stage: mics plug in there and one digital line (AES50, Dante) carries everything to the console. The snake, digitized. and you're already on DanteThe most common audio-over-network standard: dozens of channels of uncompressed digital audio down one ordinary Ethernet cable between Dante boxes., the A8R is a logical, properly engineered choice. Where it stops making sense is if your channel count is growing — eight channels disappears fast once you add auxAn auxiliary mix output — each aux is its own independent blend of the channels, typically one per monitor mix or effects send. mixes, effects returns, or a second engineer's feed. At that point the A16R or a pair of A8Rs is the honest answer. Engineers who aren't on a Dante network at all should look elsewhere entirely; the converterThe circuitry that turns analog audio into digital data and back (A/D and D/A). Converter quality sets a digital rig’s sound ceiling.'s value is entirely tied to that ecosystem.
In the rack
Details worth deciding before load-in.
Label your DB25A 25-pin D-shaped connector carrying 8 channels of analog or AES audio in one multicore — the Tascam pinout is the de-facto standard.loomsSeveral cables bundled and run as one — keeps rack interconnects tidy and makes load-in one grab instead of eight. at both ends before the gig — 'DanteThe most common audio-over-network standard: dozens of channels of uncompressed digital audio down one ordinary Ethernet cable between Dante boxes. Out 1-8' and 'Analog In 1-8' look identical in a dark rack wing and the confusion is avoidable.
Patch the secondary DanteThe most common audio-over-network standard: dozens of channels of uncompressed digital audio down one ordinary Ethernet cable between Dante boxes. port to a physically separate switch or run it directly back to your console's secondary Dante port; if both ports land on the same switch, redundancyA second copy of anything critical — supply, computer, network path — already running so one failure can’t stop the show. is cosmetic.
With 235 mm of depth, the A8R sits comfortably in a standard shallow rack case — verify your case's internal depth before assuming a short-depth case will close with DB25A 25-pin D-shaped connector carrying 8 channels of analog or AES audio in one multicore — the Tascam pinout is the de-facto standard.loomsSeveral cables bundled and run as one — keeps rack interconnects tidy and makes load-in one grab instead of eight. dressed.
If you're feeding IEMIn-Ear Monitor — earpieces that replace floor wedges, feeding each player their own mix. The reason this whole rack exists. transmitters from the analog outputs, use the DanteThe most common audio-over-network standard: dozens of channels of uncompressed digital audio down one ordinary Ethernet cable between Dante boxes. Controller software to name and lock your channel routing before doors; a routing accident during soundcheck on an unlabeled network is slow to debug under pressure.
02 · Know the whole path before you buy.
Signal path
Learn the route as a block diagram: source, product function, transport, and destination. Select any block to see what enters, what changes, and what leaves.
Interactive block diagramAuto-looping · hover, focus, or tap to hold a stage
Port-type signalProduct functionSystem boundary
Follow one signal from source to destination
Each block answers the same three questions: what arrives, what changes here, and what leaves.
01 · Source · selected
db25 + IEC C14
etherCON
db25
01 · Source
2 documented inputs
db25 + IEC C14
Arrives as
2 documented inputs
Connector
db25 + IEC C14
Signal
analog audio
03 · What this product asks of the rest of the system.
Compatibility
Treat connector names as the start of the check—not the answer. These are the boundaries that determine a complete working path.
Best fit · Dante Converter
Use it when 1U and 235 mm of depth fit the case.
Plan the companion path
Complete the path with upstream and downstream gear that matches connector, direction, signal type, protocol, and wiring standard.
Protocol boundary
This product declares DANTE; matching plugs alone do not make other protocols compatible.
04 · Every connector, grouped by job.
I/O ports
Switch the product view and the documented port inventory updates with it—hardware and data stay side by side.
Every connector, grouped by job.
Switch panels to keep the hardware view and the documented port list in sync.
Front panelRear panel
All documented ports for Focusrite RedNet A8R
Port
Panel
Connector
Direction
Signal
Channels
Analog In 1-8 (DB25)
rear
db25
input
analog audio
8
Analog Out 1-8 (DB25)
rear
db25
output
analog audio
8
Dante Primary
rear
etherCON
bidirectional
digital audio
8
Dante Secondary
rear
etherCON
bidirectional
digital audio
8
Power (IEC)
rear
IEC C14
input
power
—
Showing 5 of 5 documented physical ports.
05 · Compare the decision, not just the price.
Alternatives
The rows are organized around fit, power, I/O, and system role so a cheaper unit cannot hide a more expensive workflow.
RedNet A8RThe RedNet A8R provides eight channels of Dante-to-analog conversion with redundant networking and power, making it a reliable workhorse for medium-sized IEM and playback rigs. It fits neatly in a single rack unit and offers the same build quality and redundancy as the larger A16R. Use it when you need fewer channels but still want the reliability of redundant Dante and power connections.View gear →
EXBOX.MDThe DirectOut EXBOX.DANTE is a Swiss Army knife format converter that bridges between MADI, Dante, ADAT, and AES digital audio formats. It is invaluable in hybrid rigs where you need to interface equipment from different digital ecosystems, such as connecting a MADI-based console to a Dante network feeding your IEM transmitters. The flexibility to convert between multiple formats in a single 1U box can save you from needing multiple dedicated converters.View gear →
RedNet A16R MkIIThe RedNet A16R MkII is a Dante-networked analog I/O unit that bridges your audio network to the analog world, providing 16 inputs and 16 outputs with excellent conversion quality. Redundant power supplies and dual Dante ports make it highly reliable for live applications where downtime is not an option. In an IEM/playback rig, it serves as the critical link between your Dante network and analog-input IEM transmitters or stage feeds.View gear →
RedNet D16R MkIIThe RedNet D16R bridges between AES3 digital audio and Dante networking, handling 16 channels in each direction with word clock I/O for synchronization. It is essential in rigs where AES3-equipped consoles or processors need to interface with a Dante network, or where you need a reliable word clock reference alongside your format conversion. Dual Dante ports provide redundant networking for mission-critical applications.View gear →
06 · Resolve the questions that can change the purchase or build plan.
Planning questions
Short, source-backed answers surface rack fit, power, cabling, and connection details before they become surprises.
How will the Focusrite RedNet A8R affect rack fit and case depth?
It occupies 1U. Its documented depth is 235 mm.
How much power does the Focusrite RedNet A8R draw?
Typical draw is 20W and documented maximum draw is 28W.
What connections does the Focusrite RedNet A8R have?
5 documented physical ports, including Analog In 1-8 (DB25), Analog Out 1-8 (DB25), Dante Primary, Dante Secondary, Power (IEC).
07 · See this unit inside a real rack plan.
Builder preview
Placement is only the start. Builder checks space · depth · weight, power headroom, dependencies, and compatible signal paths around this exact catalog item.Open in Builder
