Focusrite Red 1

Four perfectly matched channels of the ultimate mic pre-amp, whose design uses the same topology as the fabled ISA 215 pre-amps. The result is a phenomenal set of specifications, and probably the most revealing yet forgiving mic amp in history.

With four mic pre-amps in a single unit, the Red 1 is ideal for those looking for improved audio performance, as a compact ‘way in’ to digital recording systems, or for location multi-mic recordings. Each channel offers custom-wound Focusrite input transformers, switchable phantom power, phase reverse, an easily-read illuminated VU meter, and a handy scribble disc for denoting channels. Mic gain is switched in 6dB steps over a 66dB range, for accurate, precise channel matching and recall. The Red 8, with a perfectly matched pair of mic amps, offers identical channel controls to the Red 1, and is especially suited to demanding mono or stereo recording work, such as location classical recording with digital recording media.

The many benefits of the unique Focusrite mic amp topology include superb commonmode rejection, a good overload margin and, with its shared gain structure, (20dB from transformer and up to 40dB from the amplifier) a very low noise floor with the signature wide bandwidth (10Hz to 200KHz). It also maintains this level of performance with a very wide range of impedance across the inputs. In practice, this makes it what one reviewer called, “perhaps the most revealing yet forgiving mic pre-amp in history.”

The output stages of both the Red 1 and Red 8, with their custom transformers, will easily drive very long cable runs – up to several kilometers – without significant loss of quality, making them ideal for remote recordings.

Features:

• Classic Focusrite Mic Pre transformer-based design
• Phase reverse and phantom power
• VU output level meter
• Scribble disc
• Stepped gain potentiometers

Specifications:

• Mic input gain: -6dB to +60dB in 6dB steps
• Mic Input Impedance: 1200 ohm ±15%, balanced and floating
• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 140kHz (-3dB points), ±0.1dB within passband
• Noise (EIN): -127dBu (input loaded 200 ohm) @ 60dB gain
• Distortion:
     * 0.15% (-20dBu @ 20Hz)
     * 0.06% (-20dBu @ 40Hz)
     * 0.003% (-20dBu @ 1kHz)
     * 0.005% (-20dBu @ 10kHz)
• Output: +24dBm into 600 ohm, +26dBm into 10kohm, balanced and floating