Cranborne Audio 500ADAT expands a studio by combining an 8 slot 500 series chassis with high performance A D and D A conversion, ADAT connectivity, a discrete analogue summing mixer, a zero latency artist mixer, and reference quality headphone monitoring. It is designed to drop into any ADAT equipped setup so you can add eight channels of 500 series processing for tracking and mixing without changing your main interface. Connect Cranborne Audio 500ADAT to the unused ADAT or optical ports on audio interfaces from major manufacturers and you immediately unlock extra recording and playback channels that slot straight into a DAW workflow. ADAT and SMUX II or IV transmission enable operation at standard and high sample rates, providing 8 in or 8 out at 44.1 or 48 kHz, 8 in or 8 out at 88.2 or 96 kHz, or 4 in or 4 out at 176.4 or 192 kHz.
At the heart of Cranborne Audio 500ADAT is a high current 8 slot 500 series rack that brings favourite preamps, equalisers, compressors, and saturation modules directly into the recording chain and back out of the DAW for hybrid mixing. The front end is configurable so you can tailor the analogue flavour to each session, and every slot features dedicated source select switching to route analogue, C A S T, or USB sources through installed modules at the flick of a switch. Each slot also provides XLR inputs, XLR line outputs, and pre ADC TRS insert points so you can patch in 19 inch rack processors or external converters with ease. If your module collection is still growing, unused slots can be bypassed so all available analogue paths remain usable for recording.
To ensure the modules shine when captured digitally, Cranborne Audio 500ADAT uses world class conversion and clocking. The converter stage delivers a dynamic range of 121 dB A weighted with a frequency response that extends from 2.2 Hz to beyond 80 kHz at minus 1 dB and extremely low THD plus N figures. A master reference quality internal clock keeps jitter below 0.5 picoseconds and external sync is available via word clock B N C or ADAT. The result is transparent translation between the analogue and digital domains so the only colour you hear comes from microphone placement, mixing decisions, and the 500 series signal path you create.
Beyond conversion, Cranborne Audio 500ADAT adds analogue essentials that unify digital and analogue workflows. An 8 into 2 discrete analogue summing mixer lets you send instrument groups and stems from the DAW back through your 500 series modules, add cohesive analogue character, and return the summed stereo mix to the DAW. A zero latency analogue artist mixer with two auxiliary busses gives hands on control of foldback, allowing pristine sounding artist mixes that can be blended with DAW playback and sent to performers with no monitoring delay. Two seriously high powered headphone amplifiers provide ample headroom for low impedance headphones while maintaining a linear response to below 1 Hz and exceptionally low distortion.
Deep 500 series integration is complemented by extensive expandability. You can pair Cranborne Audio 500ADAT with a compatible interface that supports two ADAT ports to run multiple 500ADAT units, or connect 500ADAT with a Cranborne Audio 500R8 over ADAT to work with up to sixteen channels of 500 series during recording and mixing. Playback of instrument groups or stems can be routed into all sixteen available slots for summing using the C A S T link connector.
C A S T connectivity simplifies studio wiring and relocates analogue I O exactly where it is needed. Using shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable, C A S T transports four channels of balanced analogue audio up to 100 metres to Cranborne N22 or N22H breakout boxes. Microphones or sources connected at the breakout are patched directly to the Cranborne Audio 500ADAT slot inputs, while the monitor mix created on Cranborne Audio 500ADAT, including talkback, returns on the same cable to the breakout outputs. With 500 series preamps installed, C A S T also carries 48 V phantom power to condenser or active microphones. The system is plug and play and cost effective, removing cabling clutter and opening up flexible recording options such as creating vocal or isolation booths or placing ambience microphones in adjacent spaces.
The hardware is built for studio and mobile use in a 4U, 19 inch rack mountable steel frame with thoughtful mechanical design. Rack ears support three mounting methods so the unit can be recessed to protect front panel controls during transport or re oriented to act as a carry handle. Power is supplied by a locking external 24 V, 5 A supply that benefits analogue performance and heat dissipation. Cranborne Audio 500ADAT is designed and engineered in the UK and every unit is thoroughly tested by a dedicated team to ensure dependable service. The guiding ethos is simple. No shortcuts, no compromises, and no acceptance of good enough. Cranborne Audio 500ADAT exists to expand your studio and your sound by making the power of the 500 series format accessible through the simplicity of ADAT.
Features
- 8 slot 500 series chassis integrated with ADAT conversion for tracking and mixing
- Expands any ADAT equipped interface by eight recording and playback channels
- ADAT and SMUX II or IV operation up to 192 kHz
- 8 into 2 discrete analogue summing mixer for returning stems through 500 series modules
- Zero latency analogue artist mixer with two aux busses and DAW blend
- Two reference quality headphone outputs with high power and wide bandwidth
- World class A D and D A conversion with 121 dB dynamic range
- Master reference internal clock with less than 0.5 ps jitter and external sync via word clock or ADAT
- Per slot source select for analogue, C A S T, or USB routing through installed modules
- XLR inputs, XLR line outputs, and pre ADC TRS inserts per 500 series slot
- Per slot bypass to use analogue paths even without modules installed
- Expandable to sixteen 500 series channels when paired with additional 500ADAT units or with 500R8 over ADAT
- C A S T link for expanding summing to 16 into 2 and relocating I O with N22 or N22H over Cat cable up to 100 m
- 4U steel rackmount chassis with multifunction rack ears for recessed mounting or carry handle
- External 24 V, 5 A locking power supply for audio performance and thermal management
- Designed and engineered in the UK with comprehensive factory testing
