User Guide www.focusrite.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9.
ENVIRONMENTAL DECLARATION Compliance Information Statement: Declaration of Compliance procedure Product Identification: Focusrite RedNet Responsible party: American Music and Sound Address: 4325 Executive Drive Suite 300 Southhaven, MS 38672 Telephone: (800) 431-2609 This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ENVIRONMENTAL DECLARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing this Focusrite RedNet 5. RedNet 5 is a multichannel, bi-directional digital audio interface, which allows an Avid® Pro Tools|HD system to be connected to a RedNet digital audio networking system. RedNet is a powerful, low latency, digital audio networking system designed specifically for music and recording studio applications. It is based on Audinate’s Dante™, a well-established audio networking technology known for its extreme robustness.
About this User Guide This User Guide applies only to the RedNet 5 Pro Tools|HD/HDX interface. It provides information about installing a RedNet 5 and how to connect it into your studio system. We recommend that you also download a copy of the RedNet System User Guide, using the product registration card provided. This Guide provides a detailed explanation of the RedNet system concept, to help you achieve a thorough understanding of its capabilities.
INSTALLATION GUIDE Unit connections and features RedNet 5 - Front Panel 4 2 8 5 6 3 1 1. AC Power switch 2. INPUTS – inputs to the network (i.e., outputs from Pro Tools|HD). Eight tricolour LEDs indicating the signal level in four consecutively-numbered channels; the colour indicates the highest signal in the four. Individual LEDs indicating signal level at each analogue input: • Green: signal present • Amber: -6 dBFS • Red: 0 dBFS 3. OUTPUTS – outputs from the network (i.e.
RedNet 5 - Rear Panel 14 13 11 10 12 9 8 8. PRIMARY – DigiLink connector; use a standard Pro Tools I/O cable to link this to a port on the Pro Tools|HD/HDX PCIe card, using the supplied DigiLink-to-Mini DigiLink adaptor cable if necessary. 9. EXPANSION – this can be used when RedNet 5 is operated in Expansion Mode to connect to another Pro Tools|HD I/O interface. In this mode, the RedNet 5 provides only 16 channels of I/O (16 in, 16 out) instead of 32. 10.
Physical Characteristics RedNet 5’s dimensions are shown in the diagram below: RedNet 5 requires 2U of vertical rackspace and at least 350 mm of rack depth, to allow for cables. RedNet 5 weighs 4.6 kg, and for installations in a fixed environment (e.g., a studio), the front panel mounting screws will provide adequate support. If the units are to be used in a mobile situation (e.g., flight-cased for touring, etc.), consideration should be given to using side support rails within the rack.
OTHER REDNET SYSTEM COMPONENTS The RedNet hardware range includes several types of I/O interface, providing various combinations of physical, analogue or digital audio inputs and outputs. The units may be considered as “BreakOut” (and/or “Break-In”) boxes to/from the RedNet network, and all are built in mains-powered, 2U 19” rackmounting housings.
The following diagrams show a single RedNet 5 connected to a single Pro Tools card; an HDX system requires the DigiLink-to-Mini DigiLink adaptor: RedNet 5 Pro Tools|HD card PRIMARY DigiLink cable Mac/PC RedNet 5 PRIMARY Pro Tools|HDX card DigiLink to Mini DigiLink Adaptor DigiLink cable Mac/PC Mini DigiLink cable The diagrams below show two different methods of connecting two RedNet 5 units to a Pro Tools|HDX system; the only difference for a Pro Tools|HD system would be that the adaptor cable may
If multiple RedNet 5s are in use, each is linked to a separate port on the Pro Tools cards.
Pro Tools Setup On the Pro Tools Hardware Setup page (click Setup > Hardware), select each RedNet 5 unit in turn and click the Set to Default button. This will ensure that the RedNet 5 is correctly configured for use with Pro Tools. Note that this action is not required when using RedNet 5 for the first time, as the unit was correctly pre-configured at time of manufacture. Sample Rate RedNet 5 units will use the same sample rate that the Pro Tools session is running at.
Setting the clock source IMPORTANT - The diagrams in the preceding section only illustrate the DigiLink interconnections between system elements. However, consideration must also be given to word clock source and routing. It is very important to arrange word clock routing correctly when using multiple I/O units. The rules for setting clock source depend on the complexity of the system being implemented.
Situation 2 – Single Pro Tools system with both RedNet 5s and other Pro Tools interfaces Pro Tools HD Other RedNet Interface Other RedNet Interface Gigabit Switch Other RedNet Interface RedNet 5 RedNet 5 LOOP SYNC OUT Other RedNet Interface LOOP SYNC IN Pro Tools HD I/O LOOP SYNC OUT LOOP SYNC IN Pro Tools HD I/O Ethernet cable DigiLink cable Sync Set the same RedNet 5 as Network Master Set a RedNet 5 as Pro Tools clock source Pro Tools HD Pro Tools HD I/O LOOP SYNC OUT Other RedNet Interfa
If a Pro Tools|HD I/O audio interface is to be the clock source: 1. Connect a BNC cable between the LOOP SYNC OUT of one of the Pro Tools interfaces to the LOOP SYNC IN of one RedNet 5. No daisy-chaining is required, as any other RedNet 5s will be synchronised via their Ethernet connections. 2. In RedNet Control, set the RedNet 5 in Step 1 as the network master. 3. Also in RedNet Control, set the clock source for this same unit to “Loop Sync”.
REDNET CONTROL Hosting RedNet Control RedNet Control may be installed on the same computer as that hosting Pro Tools, or on a different one. This choice will be generally dictated by the scale and topology of the RedNet network. If you are adding RedNet 5 to an existing RedNet network, you will already have RedNet Control installed on the network’s host computer. However, before attempting to add a RedNet 5, you should download and install the latest version of RedNet Control from www.focusrite.com.
RedNet 5 Control Panel Full details can be found in the RedNet System User Guide. The notes below describe only those aspects of RedNet Control which are specific to RedNet 5. For all other RedNet Control features, please see the RedNet System User Guide. Port activity: Each of RedNet 5’s 32 inputs and 32 outputs has a virtual tricolour LED which confirms the audio signal level in that channel.
• Base sample rate – not all digital audio equipment is able to clock to higher sample rates, so selecting this option will output word clock at 48 kHz if the sample rate is set to 48, 96 or 192 kHz, and to 44.1 kHz if the sample rate is set to 44.1 or 88.2 kHz. • Hardware Emulation – this should be set to the mode determined by the type of Pro Tools|HD system in use: • 192 I/O – select this option when using a Pro Tools|HD software version prior to 8.
APPENDIX Connector pinouts Pro Tools interfaces Connector type: Applies to: 2 x DigiLink female PRIMARY, EXPANSION Ethernet connector Connector type: Applies to: RJ-45 receptacle ETHERNET Pin Cat6 Core 1 White + Orange 2 Orange 3 White + Green 4 Blue 5 White + Blue 6 Green 7 White + Brown 8 Brown Word Clock I/O (Ext sync) Connector type: Applies to: 2 x 75 ohm BNC sockets WORD CLOCK IN and OUT Loop Sync I/O Connector type: 2 x 75 ohm BNC sockets Applies to: LOOP SYNC IN and OUT 2
Performance Specifications Digital Performance Supported sample rates 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 192 kHz Internal clock sources Local, Word clock input, Loop Sync External word clock range Sample rate ±7.
Focusrite RedNet Warranty and Service All Focusrite products are built to the highest standards and should provide reliable performance for many years, subject to reasonable care, use, transportation and storage. Very many of the products returned under warranty are found not to exhibit any fault at all. To avoid unnecessary inconvenience to you in terms of returning the product please contact Focusrite support.
Customer Support and Unit Servicing You can contact Focusrite Customer Support at: Email: supportteam@focusrite.com Phone (UK): +44 (0)1494 462246 Phone (USA): +1 (310) 322-5500 Troubleshooting If you are experiencing problems with your RedNet 5, we recommend that in the first instance, you visit our Support Answerbase at: www.focusrite.com/answerbase Copyright and Legal Notices Focusrite is a registered trade mark and RedNet is a trade mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited.
