Cranborne Audio 500ADAT

Cranborne Audio 500ADAT

The Cranborne Audio 500ADAT combines an 8-slot 500 Series rack, high-performance A/D and D/A conversion, ADAT expansion, an 8-into-2 analogue summing mixer, zero-latency artist monitoring and C.A.S.T. connectivity in a single 4U rackmount system.

Designed to expand any ADAT-equipped audio interface, 500ADAT provides up to eight additional analogue recording and playback channels while integrating 500 Series modules directly into digital tracking and mixing workflows.

8-Channel ADAT Expansion

500ADAT connects to an ADAT-equipped audio interface to expand its available analogue inputs and outputs.

It supports:

• 8 inputs and 8 outputs at 44.1 or 48 kHz

• 8 inputs and 8 outputs at 88.2 or 96 kHz

• 4 inputs and 4 outputs at 176.4 or 192 kHz

ADAT and SMUX II/IV support enables operation at sample rates up to 192 kHz.

High-Performance A/D and D/A Conversion

The 500ADAT incorporates high-performance analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion designed to capture the signal from connected 500 Series modules with minimal added coloration.

The converters provide a dynamic range of 121 dB A-weighted and support analogue input and output levels up to +24 dBu.

A/D conversion provides a frequency response of -1 dB from 2.2 Hz to above 80 kHz, with THD+N below 0.00032% at -4 dBFS.

Reference-Quality Clocking

500ADAT includes an internal master reference clock supporting 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz sample rates.

Clock jitter is specified at below 0.5 picoseconds.

Dedicated BNC Word Clock input and output connections are provided, and the unit can synchronise externally using either Word Clock or ADAT.

High-Current 8-Slot 500 Series Rack

Eight 500 Series slots allow preamps, equalisers, compressors and other compatible modules to be integrated directly into recording and mixing workflows.

Each slot provides up to 250 mA per rail, with 2 A of total available current across the rack.

Every slot features its own XLR input, XLR line output and pre-converter TRS insert connection.

Dedicated bypass switches allow the analogue signal paths to remain available even when no 500 Series module is installed in a slot.

Configurable Signal Routing

Dedicated source selection for each 500 Series slot provides flexible routing through connected modules.

This makes it possible to integrate 500 Series processing into recording and playback workflows without continually repatching external hardware.

The dedicated TRS insert connections can also be used to integrate other analogue processors with the 500ADAT system.

8-Into-2 Analogue Summing Mixer

500ADAT incorporates a discrete 8-into-2 analogue summing mixer.

Tracks and stems can be sent from a DAW through the individual 500 Series slots, processed using installed analogue modules and combined through the internal summing mixer before being returned to the recording system.

The summing mixer provides up to +26.5 dBu of headroom and balanced 1/4-inch jack outputs.

When combined with another compatible Cranborne Audio system using the C.A.S.T. link connection, the summing system can be expanded to 16-into-2.

Zero-Latency Artist Mixer

An integrated analogue artist mixer allows performers to monitor recording inputs without digital monitoring latency.

Each channel provides physical level and pan controls, while two Aux buses can be blended with DAW playback to create analogue monitoring mixes.

This enables musicians to hear their incoming signals together with playback from the recording system without relying on software monitoring.

Two Reference-Quality Headphone Outputs

500ADAT features two high-power headphone outputs with independent blend and level controls.

The headphone amplifiers provide a frequency response extending from below 1 Hz to beyond 70 kHz and an output impedance of 0.33 ohms.

Output power reaches:

• 250 mW per channel into 600 ohms

• 650 mW per channel into 220 ohms

• 1.21 W per channel into 100 ohms

• 500 mW per channel into 32 ohms

C.A.S.T. Analogue Audio Distribution

500ADAT incorporates Cranborne Audio's C.A.S.T. connectivity for relocating analogue inputs and outputs around the studio.

Compatible Cranborne Audio breakout boxes can transport four channels of balanced analogue audio over standard shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 7 cable.

This allows remote recording locations, vocal booths and isolation spaces to be connected to the 500ADAT while reducing conventional analogue cabling requirements.

Expandable with Cranborne Audio 500R8

500ADAT can be combined with the Cranborne Audio 500R8 to create a larger 500 Series recording and mixing system.

Connecting a 500R8 and 500ADAT via ADAT provides access to up to 16 channels of independent 500 Series processing for recording and playback.

The C.A.S.T. link connection can also be used to expand analogue summing from eight to sixteen channels.

Key Features

• 8-slot high-current 500 Series rack

• 8-channel A/D and D/A conversion

• ADAT digital expansion

• ADAT and SMUX II/IV support

• Up to 8-in/8-out operation at 44.1 to 96 kHz

• 4-in/4-out operation at 176.4 and 192 kHz

• 121 dB A-weighted converter dynamic range

• Maximum converter input and output level of +24 dBu

• Internal reference-quality master clock

• Less than 0.5 ps clock jitter

• Dedicated BNC Word Clock input and output

• External synchronisation via Word Clock or ADAT

• 8-into-2 analogue summing mixer

• +26.5 dBu summing mixer headroom

• Zero-latency analogue artist mixer

• Physical level and pan controls per channel

• Two Aux buses for artist monitoring

• Two high-power reference-quality headphone outputs

• Independent headphone blend and level controls

• Up to 1.21 W per channel headphone output

• 250 mA per rail available per 500 Series slot

• 2 A total available current for 500 Series modules

• XLR input and output connections per slot

• TRS insert connection per slot

• Individual 500 Series slot bypass switches

• Configurable source selection

• C.A.S.T. analogue audio connectivity

• Compatible with Cranborne Audio C.A.S.T. breakout boxes

• Expandable with Cranborne Audio 500R8

• External locking 24V / 5A power supply

• 19-inch, 4U rackmount chassis

• Designed and engineered in the UK

Technical Specifications

Digital Conversion

A/D Dynamic Range: 121 dB A-weighted, AES17, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
A/D Frequency Response: -1 dB, 2.2 Hz to >80 kHz
A/D THD+N: <0.00032% at -4 dBFS, 1 kHz, A-weighted
Maximum A/D Input Level: +24 dBu

D/A Dynamic Range: 121 dB A-weighted, AES17, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
D/A Frequency Response: -1 dB, <1 Hz to >61 kHz
D/A THD+N: <0.0003% at -4 dBFS, 1 kHz, A-weighted
Maximum D/A Output Level: +24 dBu

Clocking

Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz
Clock jitter: <0.5 ps
Word Clock: BNC input and output
External sync: Word Clock or ADAT

Summing Mixer

Configuration: 8-into-2
Frequency Response: -1 dB, 2.25 Hz to >80 kHz
THD+N: <0.0007% at +23 dBu, 1 kHz
Dynamic Range: 108 dB A-weighted
Maximum Contribution Level: +28 dBu
Pan Law: -4 dB

Headphone Amplifier

Frequency Response: -1 dB, <1 Hz to >70 kHz
THD+N: <0.00085% at +20 dBu, 1 kHz, 300-ohm load
Output Impedance: 0.33 ohms
Dynamic Range: 114.5 dB A-weighted
Noise Floor: -93.5 dBu A-weighted

Output Power:
250 mW × 2 at 600 ohms
650 mW × 2 at 220 ohms
1.21 W × 2 at 100 ohms
500 mW × 2 at 32 ohms

500 Series Rack

Slots: 8
Current per slot: 250 mA per rail
Total available current: 2 A

Power and Dimensions

AC Requirement: 100 to 240V AC, 50 to 60 Hz
Power Supply: 24V DC, 5A
Maximum Power Consumption: 120 W
Width: 481 mm / 19 inches
Height: 185 mm / 4U
Unit Weight: 7 kg