Focusrite have today announced the Red 4Pre, a brand new 58-in, 64-out flagship audio interface that harks back to the company’s original Red series. The Red 4Pre combines four newly-developed, digitally controlled ‘Red Evolution’ preamps, plus high-headroom instrument inputs, a new high-performance conversion system, and Thunderbolt 2, Pro Tools HD DigiLink and Dante network connectivity.
Four of Focusrite's new, specially-developed 'Red Evolution' preamps lie at the heart of the Red 4Pre, featuring “clear, honest audio performance” saying its makers with –129 dB EIN and 63dB of gain. Software control allows recall of settings and stereo linking, plus configuration of HPF, polarity invert and individual phantom power. The preamps include Focusrite's unique ‘Air’ effect, recreating in the analogue domain the sound of the transformer-based mic preamps in the classic ISA range — suitable for bringing out the breathy quality of a vocal or adding presence to an acoustic guitar. Red 4Pre also includes high-headroom instrument inputs, instantly accessible from the front panel.
The Red 4Pre's new high-performance conversion system features 'parallel path summing', where two matched converters are run in parallel to increase the signal to noise ratio. They operate at up to 24-bit, 192 kHz sampling — ideal for high-resolution audio — with a dynamic range of 118dB(A-D)/121dB (D-A). The Red 4Pre delivers ≤0.0009% THD+Noise and a stated frequency response flat from 20Hz to 35kHz ±0.25 dB or better.
The Red 4Pre delivers exceptional connectivity, too. Dual Thunderbolt 2 ports connect to any DAW while allowing daisy-chaining of drives and displays. Focusrite’s lowest round-trip latency permits recording with preferred plug-ins in real-time (including the included Red plug-in suite and Softube’s Time and Tone bundle), while dual DigiLink ports connect the Red 4Pre directly to any Pro Tools | HD system. In addition, Red 4Pre features built-in Dante network audio connectivity: use the dual Ethernet ports to connect any Dante-compatible product such as units from Focusrite's own RedNet range, adding up to 64 channels via Ethernet exactly where they're needed — wherever there's an Ethernet network — with low latency and lower cost.
The Red 4Pre will be available in stores mid-April priced at £2099.99 / $2499.99 / €2699.99.
