Cranborne Audio 500R8
The Cranborne Audio 500R8 is a 28-in/30-out USB audio interface and 8-slot 500 Series rack designed as the centre of an analogue and digital hybrid studio. It combines high-performance A/D and D/A conversion, reference-quality clocking, an integrated monitor controller, discrete analogue summing, zero-latency artist monitoring and C.A.S.T. analogue audio distribution in a single 4U rackmount system.
Eight high-current 500 Series slots allow preamps, EQs, compressors and other compatible modules to be integrated directly into recording and mixing workflows, while dedicated source selection makes it possible to route analogue, USB or C.A.S.T. sources through each installed module.
28-In/30-Out USB Audio Interface
The 500R8 connects directly to PC and Mac via USB 2.0, providing 28 inputs and 30 outputs for recording and playback with a DAW.
Digital connectivity includes ADAT I/O, S/PDIF I/O and 5-pin MIDI I/O.
ADAT provides up to 16 inputs and 16 outputs at 44.1 or 48 kHz and 8 inputs and 8 outputs at 88.2 or 96 kHz, allowing additional converters and digital equipment to be integrated into the system.
High-Performance A/D and D/A Conversion
Cranborne Audio equips the 500R8 with high-performance A/D and D/A conversion designed to capture the output of installed 500 Series modules accurately.
The converters offer 121 dB A-weighted dynamic range with maximum analogue input and output levels of +24 dBu.
A/D conversion provides a frequency response extending from 2.2 Hz to beyond 80 kHz at -1 dB, while D/A conversion extends from below 1 Hz to beyond 61 kHz at -1 dB.
Reference-Quality Clocking
An internal master clock supports sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz.
Clock jitter is specified at less than 0.5 picoseconds, while dedicated BNC Word Clock input and output connections allow the 500R8 to integrate with larger digital studio systems.
External synchronisation is available via Word Clock, S/PDIF or ADAT.
High-Current 8-Slot 500 Series Rack
The 500R8 provides eight 500 Series slots with up to 250 mA of current per rail, per slot, and 2 A of total available current.
Each slot features dedicated XLR input and output connections together with a pre-converter TRS insert.
Source selection switches allow analogue inputs, USB playback or external C.A.S.T. sources to be routed through individual 500 Series modules.
Dedicated slot bypass switches also allow analogue signal paths to remain available when no module is installed.
Integrated Monitor Controller
The built-in monitor controller provides direct control over the studio monitoring system without requiring a separate monitor controller.
Functions include:
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Speaker A/B switching
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Mono
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Dim
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Mute
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28-segment peak metering
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Integrated talkback
The dedicated talkback input includes phantom power, push-to-talk activation and automatic routing to headphone and C.A.S.T. monitoring destinations.
8-Into-2 Analogue Summing Mixer
The Cranborne Audio 500R8 incorporates a discrete 8-into-2 analogue summing mixer.
Eight USB playback sources can be routed from a DAW through installed 500 Series modules and into the analogue summing mixer before being recorded back into the DAW as a stereo signal.
The summing mixer provides up to +26.5 dBu of headroom and features dedicated balanced 1/4-inch outputs.
Using the C.A.S.T. Link connection with a Cranborne Audio 500ADAT expands the summing system to 16-into-2.
Zero-Latency Artist Mixer
An integrated analogue artist mixer enables live recording sources to be monitored without digital monitoring latency.
Physical level and pan controls are provided for each channel, together with DAW return blend controls.
Two high-power headphone outputs provide independent blend and level adjustment, allowing separate monitoring requirements to be accommodated directly from the 500R8.
Reference-Quality Headphone Amplifiers
The two integrated headphone amplifiers offer a frequency response extending from below 1 Hz to beyond 70 kHz and an output impedance of 0.33 ohms.
Output power reaches:
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250 mW per channel into 600 ohms
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650 mW per channel into 220 ohms
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1.21 W per channel into 100 ohms
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500 mW per channel into 32 ohms
C.A.S.T. Analogue Audio Distribution
The 500R8 incorporates Cranborne Audio's C.A.S.T. system for relocating analogue inputs and monitoring around the studio.
Compatible N22 and N22H breakout boxes can transport four channels of balanced analogue audio through shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 7 cable.
Microphones and other sources connected to a remote C.A.S.T. breakout can be routed directly to the 500 Series slot inputs. At the same time, the monitor mix generated by the 500R8, including talkback, can be returned through the same cable to the connected breakout box.
Expandable with 500ADAT
The 500R8 can be expanded using the Cranborne Audio 500ADAT.
Connecting the two systems via ADAT provides up to 16 independent channels of 500 Series processing for recording and mixing.
Their C.A.S.T. Link connections can also combine the analogue summing sections to create a 16-into-2 summing system.
Key Features
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28-in/30-out USB 2.0 audio interface
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8-slot high-current 500 Series rack
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121 dB A-weighted A/D and D/A dynamic range
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Maximum converter level of +24 dBu
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Sample rates up to 192 kHz
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Internal master reference clock
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Less than 0.5 ps clock jitter
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BNC Word Clock input and output
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ADAT I/O
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S/PDIF I/O
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5-pin MIDI I/O
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Integrated monitor controller
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Speaker A/B switching
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Mono, Dim and Mute functions
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28-segment peak meter
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Dedicated talkback input with phantom power
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Discrete 8-into-2 analogue summing mixer
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+26.5 dBu summing mixer headroom
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Zero-latency analogue artist mixer
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Two high-power headphone outputs
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Independent headphone blend and level controls
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Up to 1.21 W per channel headphone output
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250 mA per rail available per 500 Series slot
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2 A total available 500 Series current
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XLR inputs and outputs for each slot
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Pre-ADC TRS inserts for each slot
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Analogue, USB and C.A.S.T. source selection per slot
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Individual 500 Series slot bypass
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C.A.S.T. analogue audio connectivity
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Compatible with Cranborne Audio N22 and N22H
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Expandable with Cranborne Audio 500ADAT
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External locking 24V / 5A power supply
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19-inch, 4U rackmount format
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Designed and engineered in the UK
Technical Specifications
USB and Digital I/O
USB Audio: 28-in / 30-out USB 2.0
Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz
ADAT: 16-in / 16-out at 44.1 and 48 kHz; 8-in / 8-out at 88.2 and 96 kHz
Additional Digital I/O: S/PDIF
MIDI: 5-pin MIDI input and output
A/D Conversion
Dynamic Range: 121 dB A-weighted
Frequency Response: -1 dB, 2.2 Hz to >80 kHz
THD+N: <0.00032% at -4 dBFS, 1 kHz, A-weighted
Maximum Input Level: +24 dBu
D/A Conversion
Dynamic Range: 121 dB A-weighted
Frequency Response: -1 dB, <1 Hz to >61 kHz
THD+N: <0.0003% at -4 dBFS, 1 kHz, A-weighted
Maximum Output Level: +24 dBu
Clocking
Clock Jitter: <0.5 ps
Word Clock: BNC input and output
External Synchronisation: Word Clock, S/PDIF 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 slot 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
Depth: 219 mm
Weight: 7 kg
