Focusrite RedNet A8R
Focusrite·Model RedNet A8R·focusrite-rednet-a8r
Photos
Manufacturer product photography — the drawn faceplate above stays true to panel layout; these show the hardware itself.
About the Focusrite RedNet A8R
The RedNet A8R provides eight channels of DanteThe most common audio-over-network standard: dozens of channels of uncompressed digital audio down one ordinary Ethernet cable between Dante boxes.-to-analog conversion with redundantA second copy of anything critical — supply, computer, network path — already running so one failure can’t stop the show. networking and power, making it a reliable workhorse for medium-sized IEMIn-Ear Monitor — earpieces that replace floor wedges, feeding each player their own mix. The reason this whole rack exists. and playback rigs. It fits neatly 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. 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.
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.
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.
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
- 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.
8x8 DanteThe most common audio-over-network standard: dozens of channels of uncompressed digital audio down one ordinary Ethernet cable between Dante boxes. analog I/O with redundantA second copy of anything critical — supply, computer, network path — already running so one failure can’t stop the show. networking and power.
I/O Ports (5)
| Port | Connector | Direction | Signal | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analog In 1-8 (DB25) | DB25 | input | analog audio | 8 |
| Analog Out 1-8 (DB25) | DB25 | output | analog audio | 8 |
| Dante Primary | ETHERCON | bidirectional | digital audio | 8 |
| Dante Secondary | ETHERCON | bidirectional | digital audio | 8 |
- Power (IEC) (IEC C14)
Deciding between two?
Rack space, watts, weight and every connector, side by side.
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