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Cranborne Audio 500R8 28/30 USB Audio Interface & 8-slot 500 series Rack

SKU: # 701931   |   Model: # 500R8   |    Product Reviews2 Reviews  Write a Review

500R8 28/30 USB Audio Interface & 8-slot 500 series Rack

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500R8 28/30 USB Audio Interface & 8-slot 500 series Rack
Your Price: $2,449.00 CDN
or from $144 CDN/mo
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500R8 is the new home for 8 of your favourite 500 series modules. It's also your new 28/30 channel USB audio interface, monitor controller, ADAT interface, and discrete analogue summing mixer.

500R8 takes analogue electronics and USB integration to the next level by allowing you to utilise your favourite 500 series modules as your very own customisable tracking front-end directly into your DAW. Dedicated USB source selects for each slot and a discrete analogue summing mixer with it's own USB send allows you to bring your 500 series modules- such as EQs, compressors, and saturation devices -into your mixing process and bring analogue sound back into your workflow.

USB Audio Interface

Build your dream studio around 500R8's built-in 28-in/30-out channel USB audio interface that provides recording/playback of analogue and ADAT sources as well as connectivity via MIDI and clock distribution via Word-clock.

Monitor Controller

Control all aspects of your control room and artist monitoring setup by utilising 500R8's built-in monitor controller that includes options for Speaker A & B switching, Mono sum, Mute, Dim, and Talkback facilities.

Zero-Latency Artist Mixer

Move away from clunky software mixers and get your hands back onto the mix by using 500R8's analogue summing mixer to create artist mixes that can be blended with the DAW playback, and sent to your musicians with zero-latency.

Discrete Summing Mixer

Give your mix the final bit of analogue character and send instrument groups and stems back-through your 500 series modules, into the discrete analogue summing mixer, summed, and sent into your DAW via USB.

Digital Precision

500R8 features reference-class analogue-to-digital conversion with 121dB (unweighted) signal-to-noise ratio and a master-reference grade internal digital clock with ultra-low jitter (< 0.5 picoseconds). The combination of highly-accurate clocking and high-performance digital conversion ensures that every subtle nuance of your analogue signal is captured with the utmost detail, free of any unwanted digital artefacts from the conversion process and with a wide dynamic range due to 500R8's high-headroom and low-noise floor design.

KEY FEATURES

28-in/30-out USB 2.0 audio interface
• Ultra low-latency USB 2.0 interface with high-stability and compatibility with a wide range of devices.
• 16in/16out ADAT Interface
• 2in/2out S/PDIF Coaxial Interface
• MIDI I/O

High-performance AD/DA conversion
• ADCs = 121dB (unweighted) signal-to-noise ratio and - 112dB THD+N.
• DACs = 127dB (unweighted) signal-to-noise and -115dB THD+N.
• 0dBFs = 26.5dBu for huge headroom when recording and the ability to drive modules for a wider range of effects.

Master reference-quality internal clock
• Capable of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, and 192kHz operation.
• Sub 0.5 picoseconds of jitter.
• Dedicated Word Clock Input and Output via BNC.
• External sync options using Word Clock BNC, S/PDIF, or ADAT.

Monitor controller with talkback
• Speaker A/B switching, Mono check, Dim, mute, and 28-segment output meter.
• Dedicated talkback input with phantom power, push-to-talk activation, and automatic routing to all headphone and CAST facilities.
• Easy-access illuminated front panel controls for all monitor controller functions.

Analogue summing mixer
• 8-into-2 analogue summing mixer with 26.5dBu of headroom, dedicated ADC, and balanced 1/4" jack outputs.
• CAST link port for increasing summing mixer to 16-into-2 using Cranborne Audio 500ADAT (sold separately).

Zero-latency artist mixer
• 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

High-current 8-slot 500 series rack
• < 250mA current per-slot with headroom.
• XLR inputs, XLR line outputs, TRS Inserts (pre-ADC) per 500 series slot.
• Module source switching options to send Analogue, USB or external CAST signals through your favourite 500 series modules.
• Module bypass switches per-slot allowing 500R8 to be used without 500 series modules inserted.

CAST Compatible
• CAST ports per channel for relocating analogue I/O around studio using passive or active CAST breakout boxes via standard shielded Cat 5 (boxes coming soon).

24v, 5 amp external locking power supply
• External power supply for improved analogue audio performance and heat dissipation.

Designed, Engineered, and Manufactured in the UK

Q & A


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Reviews


3.128.31.24
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There's nothing like it! 4 of 4 customers found this review helpful
Features  
Quality  
Value  
Overall  
Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Brampton, Ontario
As has been stated, there's nothing quite like it. A 500 Series chassis. World class clocking. A 28/30 USB interface with fantastic converters. Reference grade headphone amps. Summing mixer. That's five pieces of gear in any high end rack... In one unit. This is the epitome of what a hybrid studio should have in place, digital and analogue coming together, with the sound you expect, for an amazing price.
Posted by Bill Dwyer on Sep 14, 2020
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The cutting edge of hybrid production 10 of 10 customers found this review helpful
Features  
Quality  
Value  
Overall  
Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Vancouver, British Columbia
Where to begin... There is nothing else like this box in the world. Nothing. To get the same functionality you'd need to buy a high end converter, analogue summing box, and an 8 slot Lunchbox. That works to at least triple the price of this. The workflow is like magic. I have it set up as 4 stereo modules, linked in the back with short XLR cables. Put a stereo sound into slots 1 & 2, then pull it from slot 7 & 8. Or set everything to USB and have 4 (or 8) different I/O, but there's a special magic going preamp>saturator>pultec style EQ>1176 comp. I put in something that sounds OK, and it comes out sounding like a record. I know it's cliche to talk about cream, "that thing", whatever. But my point is that you can achieve the sound of $200k of vintage gear for under $7k using this. Digital emulations absolutely cannot touch it, not even close. I was a bit uncertain about how to use the summing mixer at first. 4 stereo channels isn't much, and pulling the modules to flip the bypass switch and change the stereo pair jumper seemed like a huge pain. The solution was simple. Set everything to USB, max out the mix and pan knobs, then control how much gain is sent from the DAW. I was surprised that even summing four busses added noticable depth, space, and clarity. And keeping the modules in allows me to run the audio through them a second time. Leads go through the preamp with an API style transformer and op-amp combo (louder than liftoff), bass goes through a DIYRE pultec style EQ with everything flat, just so it hits the circuit (with vintage output again), all the little stuff goes through a LTL super filter and pentode mkII tube, and the drums go through the hairball 1176 with gain reduction off, just to get the FET and op-amp sound (kick drums don't always like that treatment fwiw). I had some minor hiccups and questions at first, and support was very quick and helpful via email. I could go on, all I can say is this was one of the best musical purchases I've ever made. I asked the makers how on earth they produced something this good for so cheap, and they said that one of the biggest reasons was keeping things simple and rock solid. I'm coming from RME, so I appreciate that mindset.
Posted by Richard on Jan 31, 2020
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Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty

A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.

Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.

How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
  • Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
  • Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
  • No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
  • Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
  • Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
  • Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
  • Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
  • Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
  • Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
 

Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.

Purchasing additional years of coverage

Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.

If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:

  • NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
  • USED products: 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. 4% for each additional year.
  • GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
  • BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.

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