Cranborne Audio 500R8 USB Audio Interface Overview
Cranborne Audio 500R8 USB Audio Interface
This “studio in a rack” has everything you need to create a pro-level analogue/digital hybrid setup.
Modern Centrepiece
The Cranborne Audio 500R8 is a premium 8-slot 4U-sized 500 Series chassis, high-headroom analogue summing mixer, 28-in/30-out USB interface, 16-in/16-out ADAT interface and zero-latency artist mixer from the acclaimed British audio company.
As well as acting as a top-notch host for your 500 Series modules, the 500R8 also offers high-performance A/D-DA conversion, high-powered reference-quality headphone amplifiers and extremely low-jitter master clocking. If you’re looking for a flexible, fully-featured centrepiece for your professional or home studio that can add real analogue character to your digitally-recorded tracks - this is it.
Analogue Mojo
One of the best features of Cranborne Audio’s 500R8 is its ability to be customised. As you fill it with modules of your choosing, you can tailor it to your tastes and configure it for any recording context. With 8 slots for your 500 series modules available, you can design a custom analogue front-end and preamp stage for multi-track recording into your DAW of choice. Record crunchy, bombastic drums with old-school, vintage preamps. Use clean, pristine preamps to track strings. Build a totally unique channel strip with a mixture of Neve, SSL and API modules. The possibilities are vast!
An advantage of the 500R8 is the way it seamlessly integrates your 500 series modules with your DAW. The 500R8 offers a dedicated module source switch for each 500 series slot. This allows you to send USB channels from your DAW to the 500R8, through your 500 series modules and back into your DAW. With this functionality, you can use your modules as analogue “plug-ins”.
During mixdown, the 500R8 can be used as an 8-into-2, high-headroom analogue summing mixer. In the age of digital recording, analogue summing is a great way to impart character and cohesion into your mix. Using the tactile level and pan controls, you can craft a stereo analogue mix that can be recorded back into your DAW using the dedicated converter and USB inputs.
Digital Might
When it comes to the digital side of things, the Cranbourne Audio 500R8 is just as impressive. Thanks to the 500R8’s reference-class A/D-D/A conversion with 121dB (A-wtd) dynamic range and THD+N of <0.00032% (@ -4dBFS, 1kHz, A-wtd), you can rest assured that nuances of your analogue audio signal will be captured with exceptional detail. All this is governed by the 500R8’s reference-quality internal clock, which delivers a rapid <0.5 picoseconds of jitter.
By combining super-accurate, low-jitter clocking with excellent digital conversion, wide dynamic range and seriously low noise floor, Cranborne Audio ensure every ounce of analogue character is translated to the digital realm - free of artefacts.
USB Audio Interface
The 500R8 is far more than a high-current host for your 500 series models, it’s also a high-channel, low-latency and class-compliant USB 2.0 audio interface that’s compatible with PC and macOS devices. This audio interface is light on the CPU, leaving you with more processing power to use your in-the-box processors and plug-ins. Equipped 5-pin MIDI I/O, ADAT I/O, World Clock via BNC and S/PDIF I/O, all the connectivity you need is at your disposal.
Monitor Controller
When it comes to mixing and tracking, the Cranbourne Audio 500R8 presents a high-headroom monitor controller. The monitor section features connectivity for two sets of studio monitors, allowing you to seamlessly switch between them during mixing sessions, a Mono button which sums L-R channels, a DIM switch that instantly drops the speaker volume by 12dB, talkback facilities and a handy speaker mute switch for headphone tracking. The high-resolution 28-segment LED meter is on hand to give you visual feedback on your mix’s peak level.
Zero-Latency Artist Mixer
Say goodbye to clunky and inefficient “virtual” software mixers and say hello to all-analogue, zero-latency artist mixes. These mixes can be blended with discrete USB playback paths and transmitted directly to the recording artists through either the headphone or C.A.S.T. outputs.
C.A.S.T. Ready
Cranborne Audio have equipped the 500R8 with their innovative Cat 5 Analogue Snake Transport, or C.A.S.T. for short, system. The proprietary C.A.S.T. system is a cost-effective way to transmit audio across your studio and keep your cables organised. By using readily available shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 7 networking cables, you can send 4 channels of balanced analogue audio to your destination of choice - with just one cable. The C.A.S.T. system is 100% analogue, works up to 100m when used with a Cat 6 or Cat 7 cable, needs no setup to get going and is significantly more affordable than an analogue multi-core.
UK Engineering
Since their inception, Cranborne Audio have firmly established themselves as a creator of hardware that boasts immense quality and reliability. Every product that bears the Cranborne Audio name has been precisely assembled and thoroughly tested by a team of skilled engineers before shipping to ensure it for any studio environment - from the world-class studios to the smallest project space.
- Dynamic Range: 121dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz
- Frequency Response: -1dB, 2.2Hz to >80kHz
- THD+N: <0.00032% (-110dB) @ -4dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted
- Max I/O Level: +24dBu
- Capable of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192kHz operation
- <0.5ps of jitter
- Dedicated Word Clock Input and Output via BNC
- External sync options using Word Clock BNC, S/PDIF, or ADAT
- Speaker A/B switching, Mono check, Dim, Mute, and 28-segment peak meter
- Dedicated talkback input with phantom power, push-to-talk activation, and automatic routing to all headphones and C.A.S.T. facilities
- Easy-access illuminated front panel controls for all monitor controller functions.
- 8-into-2 analogue summing mixer with +26.5dBu of headroom, dedicated ADC, and balanced 1/4" jack outputs
- C.A.S.T. link port for increasing summing mixer to 16-into-2 using Cranborne Audio 500ADAT
- Zero-latency analogue artist mixer with physical level/pan controls per channel and DAW return blend controls
- 2 high-power headphone outputs with independent blend and level controls
- THD+N: <0.0006% (-104.4dB) @ 20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300ohm load
- Output Wattage (1kHz): 250mW x 2 @ 600 ohms, 650mW x 2 @ 220 ohms, 1.21W x 2 @ 100 ohms, 500mW x 2 @ 32 ohms
- Frequency Response: 1dB, <1Hz to >70kHz
- 250mA current per-slot with 2A total for all slots
- XLR inputs, XLR line outputs, and TRS Inserts (pre-ADC) per 500 series slot
- Module source switching options to send Analogue, USB or external C.A.S.T. signals through your favourite 500 series modules
- Module bypass switches per-slot allowing 500R8 to be used without 500 series modules inserted.
- C.A.S.T. ports per channel for relocating analogue I/O around the studio using passive or active C.A.S.T. breakout boxes via standard shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cables.
- Compatible with all Cranbore Audio C.A.S.T.-equipped devices including N22, N22H, Camden EC1, and Camden EC2.
- External power supply for improved analogue audio performance and heat dissipation.
- Each and every 500R8 is extensively tested by a team of dedicated engineers to ensure reliability and consistency.
- Test Signal Path: XLR Input - 500 Series A/D Converter - APx555 (ASIO)
- Frequency Response: -1dB, 2.2Hz to >80kHz | -0.05dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
- THD+N: <0.00032% (-110dB) @ -4dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted | <0.00065% (-104dB) @ -1dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted
- THD: <0.00014% (-117.5dB) @ -8dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted | <0.00023% (-113dB) @ -4dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted | <0.0006% (-105dB) @ -1dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted
- Dynamic Range: 121dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz
- Max Input Level: +24dBu
- Test Signal Path: 500 Series D/A Converter - Insert Send - APx555 (ASIO)
- Frequency Response: -1dB, <1Hz to >61kHz | -0.05dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
- THD+N: <0.0003% (-110.5dB) @ -4dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted | <0.0004% (-108dB) @ -1dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted
- THD: <0.00014% (-117.5dB) @ -8dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted | <0.00018% (-115dB) @ -4dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted | <0.00036% (-109dB) @ -1dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted
- Dynamic Range: 121dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz
- Max Output Level: +24dBu
- Jitter: <0.5ps
- Analogue Performance: Line Outputs (Speaker B, Aux, Mix)
- Test Signal Path: DAW 2 D/A Converter - Line Outputs - APx555 (Line In)
- Connection Type: 1/4" Jack, Impedance Balanced
- Output Impedance: 150ohm balanced, 75ohm unbalanced
- Max Output Level: <+22dBu
- Freq Response: -1dB, 1.4Hz to >80kHz
- THD+N: <0.003% @ +18dBu, 1kHz
- Dynamic Range: 105dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz
- Noise Floor: <-93dBu A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz, (Unity Gain)
- Test Signal Path: DAW 2 D/A Converter - Speaker A Line Output - APx555 (Line In)
- Connection Type: XLR, Balanced, non-floating
- Output Impedance: 150ohm balanced, 75ohm unbalanced (pin 3 unconnected)
- Max Output Level: <+26dBu
- Freq Response: -1dB, <1Hz to 70kHz
- THD+N: <0.0016% @ +24dBu, 1kHz
- Dynamic Range: 109dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz
- Noise Floor: <-92.5dBu A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz, (Unity Gain)
- Gain: 30dB Fixed Gain Preamp, +20dB Analogue Trim
- Phantom Power: Always On
- Test Signal Path: XLR Input - Summing Mixer Bus (Unity) - A/D Converter 9/10 - APx555 (ASIO)
- Freq Response: -1dB, 2.25Hz to >80kHz | -3dB, 1.2Hz | -0.5dB, 3Hz
- THD+N: <0.0007% @ +23dBu (-1dBFS), 1kHz
- THD: <0.0003% @ +14dBu (-10dBFS), 1kHz | <0.0004% @ +20dBu (-4dBFS), 1kHz | <0.00055% @ +23dBu (-1dBFS), 1kHz
- Dynamic Range: 108dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz
- Noise Floor (A/D 9-10): -108dBFS A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz
- Max Contribution Level: +28dBu
- Pan Law: -4dB
- Noise Floor (Mix Output): -90dBu, A-weighted, No channels routed | -89.5dBu, A-weighted, 1 channel routed (Unity) | -84dBu, A-weighted, 8 channels routed (Unity)
- Test Signal Path: DAW 2 D/A Converter - Headphone Output - APx555 (Line In)
- Frequency Response: -1dB, <1Hz to >70kHz
- THD: <0.0006% (-104.4dB) @ 20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300ohm load
- THD+N: <0.00085% (-101.4dB) @ 20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300ohm load
- Output Impedance: 0.33 Ohms
- Output Wattage: 250mW x 2 @ 600 ohms, 1kHz | 650mW x 2 @ 220 ohms, 1kHz | 1.21W x 2 @ 100 ohms, 1kHz | 500mW x 2 @ 32 ohms, 1kHz
- Dynamic Range: 114.5dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz, 300ohm load
- Noise Floor: -93.5dBu A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz, 300ohm load
- Test Signal Path: XLR Input - Empty 500 Series Slot - Summing Mixer Bus (unity) - Monitor Bus - Speaker A Output - APx555 (Line In)
- Phase: <3.6° @ 20Hz, <22° @ 20kHz
- Test Signal Path: XLR Input - Empty 500 Series Slot - Summing Mixer Bus (unity) - Mix Output - APx555 (Line In)
- Phase: <1.5° @ 20Hz, <11° @ 20kHz
- Test Signal Path: XLR Input - Camden 500 Preamp (Mic Mode, 6dB Gain) - Summing Mixer Bus (unity) - Speaker A Output - APx555 (Line In)
- Phase: <3° @ 20Hz, <13.5° @ 20kHz (Preamp mic mode, 6dB Gain)
- Test Condition: 500 Series D/A Converter - 500 Series A/D Converter - APx555 (ASIO)
- Dynamic Range: 118dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz
- THD+N: <0.0004% (-108dB) @ -4dBFS, 20Hz - 40kHz, 1kHz, A-weighted
- AC Requirements: 100V – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
- Total Power Consumption: 24v, 5A DC, 120w
- 500 Series Slot Current: 250mA per rail
- Total Available 500 Series Slot Current: 2A
- Operating Temperature: +1 to 30 degrees Celsius
- Storage Conditions: -20 to 50 degrees Celsius
- Width: 481mm(19"), Rackmount
- Height: 185mm(7"), 4u
- Depth: 219m(8.6")
- Unit Weight: 7kg
