Focusrite Red 4Pre Audio Interface
Red represents the pinnacle of Focusrite’s interface range. Red 4Pre combines four of Focusrite’s digitally-controlled, ‘Air’ enabled, Red Evolution mic preamps with dual Thunderbolt 2, Pro Tools | HD and Dante network audio connectivity. Featuring ‘parallel path summing’ conversion and beautiful yet robust design, the Red 4Pre interface is the perfect balance of form and function, delivering the sound quality and versatility engineers and producers expect from Focusrite.
Versatile connectivity
Focusrite’s 58-in/64-out Red 4Pre includes Thunderbolt 2 connectivity for our lowest round-trip latency, in whatever DAW you use, enabling you to track and overdub with your preferred plug-ins and effects in real time, simplifying your workflow. Drop the Red 4Pre immediately, directly and seamlessly into any Pro Tools | HD system, or use it with existing Avid® interfaces, thanks to its twin DigiLink™ connectors. Dual Thunderbolt 2 ports allow daisy-chaining of additional components such as hard drives and displays. Plus the Red 4Pre is network audio enabled right out of the box, with dual Ethernet ports for Dante audio-over-IP networking, letting you expand your recording capability over Ethernet for up to 64 additional channels anywhere on your network, with low latency – and lower cost. Additional Red or other Dante-compatible components can be connected to the Ethernet ports of the Red 4Pre to provide additional channels irrespective of the interface used to drive the Red 4Pre.
Red Evolution Air-enabled Microphone Preamplifiers
The Red Evolution mic pres in the Red 4Pre deliver a clear and honest audio performance with –129 dB EIN and 63dB of gain that allows plenty of room to bring your own sound to life with your choice of external processing. The mic pres can be controlled digitally, for adjusting/recalling settings and stereo linking via Focusrite Control software. They also include our unique ‘Air’ effect, recreating the sound of the transformer-based mic preamps in the ISA range. When ‘Air’ is enabled, the microphone impedance is set to 2.1kΩ and the frequency response curve is given a subtle mid-high boost – all in the analogue domain.
Our best converter performance
We’ve been building mastering-quality digital audio converters for decades, and the converters you’ll encounter in the Red 4Pre are the best we’ve ever made, employing a ‘parallel path summing’ configuration to lower the noise floor. We’ve selected high-performance, precision conversion chips and maximised sound quality through premium component selection, advanced design and optimised board layout. Red 4Pre’s converter design strikes a precise balance between multiple factors – including dynamic range, distortion, noise floor and conversion latency – for the optimal overall sound. With 24-bit/192kHz sampling capability and 118dB(A-D)/121dB (D-A) dynamic range, it is ideal for high-resolution audio. The Red 4Pre delivers ≤0.0009% THD+Noise and a frequency response flat from 20Hz to 35kHz ±0.25 dB or better – and when we quote a specification, you can rest assured it’s what the Red 4Pre will actually give you on a real session, not a purely theoretical figure pulled from the converter chip’s data sheet.
Our lowest round-trip latency
Low latency is a specific Focusrite design goal. Red 4Pre’s latency is so low that you can track with your preferred plug-ins and record virtual instruments in real time. This low latency environment simplifies your workflow, allowing you to run a single mix on your DAW for both overdubbing and mixing, with your plug-ins in place, all the time.
Expansion done right
Connect up to 64 additional channels to the Red 4Pre via Ethernet-based Dante networking – a simple, single connection carrying both audio and built-in clocking. Whether the Red 4Pre is connected to the computer via Thunderbolt, DigiLink or Dante, simply connect units such as two RedNet A16R (32 channels of analogue I/O), four RedNet MP8R (32 channels of RedNet mic pre), or other Dante-enabled products via Ethernet as desired. Place mic preamps where the music is, and outputs where the sound needs to go – wherever there’s an Ethernet connection. Unlike daisy-chaining via Thunderbolt, Dante lets you run additional channels over a greater distance, with low latency and lower cost, without wasting money on technology or connectivity that will not be used. And it will only get easier: look out for future enhancements offering complete plug and play Ethernet expansion functionality.
Software included:
Red 4Pre includes the new Focusrite Control software, providing a straightforward and intuitive way to set up mixes and monitoring, as well as controlling the mic pres – recalling settings, assigning stereo pairs, adjusting gain and enabling features such as highpass filtering and phantom power. In addition, Red 4Pre is packaged with Softube’s Time and Tone Bundle – a unique plug-in pack including four of Softube’s professional quality plug-ins: Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor, TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay and Saturation Knob. Also in the box is the Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrite’s classic Red range 2 and 3 equaliser and compressor hardware.
Specifications
Supported Sample Rates
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
System Requirements
Apple Mac with at least one Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port
Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks, 10.10 Yosemite or 10.11 El Capitan
Internet connection for downloading and installing driver
2m Thunderbolt cable included
Simultaneous inputs & outputs
58 x 64 (not including 2 x virtual loopback inputs in Thunderbolt Mode)
Eight channels of analogue-to-digital conversion
2 High impedance instrument inputs
4 Red Evolution mic preamps
8 line inputs (D-Sub)
Fourteen channels of digital-to-analogue conversion
2 main monitor outputs (TRS)
8 line outputs (D-Sub)
2 stereo headphone outputs
Eighteen channels of digital I/O
16 channels of ADAT I/O via optical connector supports SMUX and SMUXII for operation up to 192 kHz
2 channels of S/PDIF I/O
Dante expansion
32 input channels
32 output channels
Compatible via Dante Virtual Soundcard (Not Included)
Advanced Mode allows audio routing of any 3rd party Dante device to and from the Red 4Pre anywhere on your network
Auto-routing mode not currently implemented
Connectivity
Dual Thunderbolt™ 2 ports (2m Thunderbolt Cable included in the box)
Dual Digilink for connecting to Pro Tools | HD
Microphone Preamps
4 Red Evolution Mic Preamps
‘AIR’ Mode
+48V Phantom Power
Switchable HPF
Phase Reverse
Stereo linking
All features controllable from front panel of Red 4Pre and from within Focusrite Control
Microphone Inputs
Connector Type XLR Female, pin 2 positive
Phantom Power +48V Phantom Power, Switchable per mic input
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 35 kHz +/-0.2 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio 118 dB (A-weighted)
Dynamic Range 118 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N 0.0009%
Noise EIN –129 dBu (A-Weighted)
Maximum input level +19 dBu
Gain Range 0-63dB (1dB increments from 8dB)
Common mode rejection ratio >70dB at 997 Hz Min Gain
Input impedance with AIR mode OFF 6kΩ
Input impedance with AIR mode ON 2kΩ
Line Inputs 1-4
Connector Type DB25 Female connector balanced
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 35 kHz +/-0.2 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio 118 dB (A-weighted)
Dynamic Range 118 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N 0.0009%
Maximum input level +27dBu
Gain Range 0-63dB (1dB increments from 8dB)
Common Mode Rejection Ratio >70dB at 997 Hz Min Gain
Input impedance with AIR mode OFF 10kΩ
Input impedance with AIR mode ON 10kΩ
Line Inputs 5-8
Connector Type DB25 Female connector balanced
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 35 kHz +/-0.2 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio 118 dB (A-weighted)
Dynamic Range 118 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N 0.0007%
Maximum input level +26dBu
Gain Range N/A (Fixed Gain)
Reference Level N/A
Common Mode Rejection Ratio >70dB at 997 Hz Min Gain
Input impedance with AIR mode OFF 20kΩ
Input impedance with AIR mode ON 20kΩ
Instrument Inputs
Connector Type 1/4″ Female TS Unbalanced
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 35 kHz +/-0.2 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio 117dB (A-Weighted)
Dynamic Range 117dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N 0.0015%
Maximum input level +15dBu
Gain Range 0-63dB (1dB increments from 8dB)
Input impedance with AIR mode OFF Nominal input impedance = 2M3
Input impedance with AIR mode ON Nominal input impedance = 2M3
Monitor Outputs
Connector Type 1/4″ Female TRS Balanced
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 35 kHz +/-0.25 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio +120dB (A-Weighted)
Dynamic Range +120dB (A-Weighted)
Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS) +18dBu
THD+N 0.006%
Stereo Level Balance 0.02dB@ 997Hz
Output impedance Nominal output impedance = 136R balanced (68R each phase)
Line Outputs 3-10
Connector Type DB25 Female connector balanced
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 35 kHz +/-0.25 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio +121dB (A-Weighted)
Dynamic Range (Line Outputs) +121dB (A-Weighted)
Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS) +18dBu
THD+N 0.0009%
Stereo Level Balance 0.02dB @ 997Hz
Output impedance Nominal output impedance = 136R balanced (68R each phase)
Headphone Outputs
Connector Type 1/4″ Female TRS Stereo
Signal to Noise Ratio 115dB (A-Weighted) @ 270R
Dynamic Range 115dB (A-Weighted) @ 270R
THD+N 0.01% @ 270R
Maximum Output Level +16dBu @ 270R
Max Output Power 80mW (+19dBm) @ 270R
Output Impedance 10Ω
Digital I/O
Synchronisation Sources
Internal, ADAT, S/PDIF, Word Clock, Loop Sync, Dante
S/PDIF
Connector Type Coaxial RCA
Supported Sample Rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
ADAT
Connector Type Optical TOSLINK
Format ADAT Digital Lightpipe with S/MUX
Supported Sample Rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Channel Assignments @ 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 8, Port 2 = 9 – 16
Channel Assignments @ 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 4, Port 2 = 5 – 8
Channel Assignments @ 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 2 , Port 2 = Channels 3 – 4
Word Clock
Connector Type BNC
Word Clock input termination 75 Ohms
Electrical
AC Input Connector Type Male IEC
AC Requirements 100 – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
Max Power Consumption 35W
Mechanical 1U Rack Mountable
Weights and Dimensions of unboxed unit
Weight (without accessories) 4.59 kg
Height 44 mm
Width 483 mm
Depth (length) 340 mm
Weights and Dimensions of boxed unit
Weight 6.4 kg
Height 110 mm
Width 600 mm
Depth (length) 465 mm
Package Contents
Focusrite Red 4Pre Audio Interface
2m Thunderbolt Cable
Getting Started Guide
IEC Power Cable