Focusrite Red Mic Pre Returns

US Now in a 500 series version for your lunchbox      10/01/13

Focusrite Red Mic Pre Returns


Buying Choices
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Focusrite has announced the return of the legendary Red Series mic preamp with the introduction of the Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre, a module for the popular 'Lunchbox' format. As with the original Red range, this new module will also be 'Made in England'. Focusrite's Red Range mic preamps, originally released in 1992, became sought-after in the world's top studios, with their unique signature sound and ability to perform faultlessly on a wide range of instruments with almost any microphone. Here's all the details directly from Focusrite:

Key Features

  • Classic Red circuit topology & components: A mono mic preamp that uses the same circuit design and components as the original Red mic pre - the Red 1.
  • 500-series 'Lunchbox' format: For the first time, a Focusrite product is available in this popular portable format.
  • Original input & output transformers: Features the same Lundahl LL1538 input transformer and custom Carnhill output transformer as the original Focusrite Red 1 and Red 8 microphone preamps. The use of these very high quality transformers gives the Red Series its transparent and expensive-sounding character.
  • Grayhill gold-plated military-grade gain switch: The switched gain structure of the Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre means you can accurately recall preamp settings and, with a solid, super-reliable, gold-plated selector switch, you know you'll get repeatable results.
  • Suitable for virtually any microphone: With a gain range of 66dB and a carefully-chosen input impedance, the Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre is perfect for almost any microphone, be it ribbon, dynamic or condenser.
  • Backlit VU meter with switchable calibration: The built-in VU meter helps gain accurate results, with calibration to ensure your levels are always spot-on.

 

Featuring the same circuit topology and components, the Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre offers the
breathtaking performance of the original Focusrite Red microphone preamplifier in the popular
500-series format. With a Lundahl LL1538 input transformer, and a custom Carnhill output
transformer, just as in the original design, the Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre is perfect for those who
wish to bring the signature sound of the original Focusrite Red range into the modern studio. It's
even got the signature red anodised aluminium front panel, a focal point fixture in studios around
the globe.


The Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre has switchable phantom power, polarity invert, and an easy-toread
illuminated VU meter, making it the perfect preamp choice for a 500-series rack in the studio
or on location. Its stepped gain structure (with a Grayhill gold-plated military-grade switch) in 6dB
steps from -6 to +60dB, provides accurate, precise channel matching and recall. The output stage
of the Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre will easily drive long cable runs without significant loss of quality,
making it ideal for remote recordings.


Focusrite's unique mic preamp topology provides superb common-mode rejection, excellent
overload margin and, with its shared gain structure (20dB from the transformer and up to 40dB
from the amplifier), a very low noise floor combined with the signature extra-wide bandwidth
(10Hz to 140kHz). This exceptional level of performance is maintained over a wide range of
impedances applied to the input, making the Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre perform flawlessly with
almost any microphone: ribbon, dynamic or condenser.

 

Pricing and Availability:

Available worldwide April 2013

(UK) £799.99 inc.vat / (US) MSRP $1249.99 and $999.99 at dealers

More information:

 


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