The Cranborne Audio 500R8 is a complete studio hub that brings eight 500 series slots, a high‑performance 28‑in/30‑out USB audio interface, a discrete analogue summing mixer, a zero‑latency artist mixer, and a professional monitor controller together in a single 4U, 19‑inch rackmount chassis. It is designed and engineered in the UK and every unit is extensively tested to deliver dependable service.
The Cranborne Audio 500R8 is built to let you shape your own analogue sound while capturing it with digital precision, so you can configure the front end to taste with your choice of 500 series preamps, EQs, compressors, and saturation modules for recording and mixing. Unused slots can be bypassed so that all available analogue paths remain accessible while you expand your module collection. Each slot features dedicated source select switching, allowing you to route analogue, C.A.S.T., or USB sources through any module at the flick of a switch, and every slot includes pre‑ADC TRS insert points for integrating 19‑inch outboard or your own converters.
Connected directly to a Mac or PC via USB, the Cranborne Audio 500R8 functions as a 28‑in/30‑out audio interface for recording and playback at sample rates up to 192 kHz. Its A/D and D/A paths use reference‑class conversion with a dynamic range of 121 dB A‑weighted and ultra‑low jitter of less than 0.5 ps so that the only colour in your recordings comes from your mic placements, mixing choices, and selected 500 series modules. External digital connectivity is extensive, with ADAT I/O that provides 16‑in/16‑out at 44.1 or 48 kHz and 8‑in/8‑out at 88.2 or 96 kHz, S/PDIF I/O, 5‑pin MIDI I/O, dedicated word clock input and output on BNC, and external sync options via word clock, S/PDIF, or ADAT.
The built‑in monitor controller of the Cranborne Audio 500R8 gives you hands‑on control of your listening environment, with speaker A/B switching, mono sum, mute, dim, and a dedicated talkback system that offers phantom power, push‑to‑talk operation, and automatic routing to all headphone mixes and C.A.S.T. facilities. A 28‑segment peak meter provides detailed level indication, and all monitor functions are on illuminated front‑panel controls. For artists, the zero‑latency analogue mixer provides per‑channel level and pan controls, blend of DAW returns, and two high‑power headphone outputs with independent blend and level.
When it is time to mix, you can enhance depth and cohesion by sending up to eight USB returns through your installed 500 series modules and into the discrete 8‑into‑2 analogue summing mixer. The summed stereo mix is then captured by a dedicated ADC and recorded back into the DAW. A C.A.S.T. link port allows the summing mixer to be expanded to 16‑into‑2 when paired with the Cranborne Audio 500ADAT, and any third‑party ADAT expander is also compatible for increasing recording or playback channel counts.
The Cranborne Audio 500R8’s C.A.S.T. system streamlines studio wiring by transporting four channels of balanced analogue audio over shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable to where it is needed, up to 100 m away. Used with the N22 or N22H breakout boxes, microphones or sources connected at the breakout are patched straight to the Cranborne Audio 500R8’s slot inputs, while the monitor mix created on the Cranborne Audio 500R8, including talkback, is returned on the same cable to the breakout outputs. With 500 series preamps installed, C.A.S.T. passes 48 V phantom power to condenser and active microphones, and the whole system is plug‑and‑play.
The 4U steel chassis is optimised for studio or mobile work. The rack ears support three mounting methods so you can recess the unit to protect controls during transport or rotate the ears to form a carry handle. Power is supplied by a locking 24 V, 5 A external supply that benefits analogue performance and heat dissipation. High‑current 500 series power delivery provides 250 mA per slot with 2 A available in total, and every slot offers XLR inputs, XLR line outputs, TRS inserts, and per‑slot module bypass and source switching. From configuration flexibility and zero‑latency monitoring to reference‑grade conversion, comprehensive digital I/O, and expandable analogue summing, the Cranborne Audio 500R8 is built without shortcuts to serve as the centrepiece of a modern hybrid studio.
Features
- Studio in a box with 8‑slot 500 series rack for configurable analogue front end
- 28‑in/30‑out USB 2.0 audio interface for direct Mac/PC connection and DAW workflow
- Reference‑class A/D and D/A conversion with 121 dB dynamic range and master‑quality clock
- ADAT I/O providing 16/16 channels at 44.1/48 kHz and 8/8 channels at 88.2/96 kHz
- S/PDIF I/O and 5‑pin MIDI I/O for digital and MIDI integration
- Word clock input and output on BNC with external sync via word clock, S/PDIF, or ADAT
- Professional monitor controller with speaker A/B, mono, mute, dim, and 28‑segment peak meter
- Dedicated talkback input with phantom power, push‑to‑talk, and automatic routing to headphones and C.A.S.T.
- Zero‑latency analogue artist mixer with per‑channel level and pan plus DAW return blend
- Two high‑power headphone outputs with independent blend and level
- Discrete 8‑into‑2 analogue summing mixer with dedicated ADC and balanced outputs
- C.A.S.T. link to expand summing to 16‑into‑2 with Cranborne Audio 500ADAT
- Deep 500 series integration with per‑slot source select for analogue, USB, or C.A.S.T.
- TRS insert jacks per slot for integrating 19‑inch outboard or external converters
- Per‑slot module bypass to use analogue paths without modules installed
- C.A.S.T. ports per channel to relocate analogue I/O via shielded Cat 5e/Cat 6/Cat 7 up to 100 m
- Compatible with N22 and N22H C.A.S.T. breakout boxes for send/return of audio and monitor mixes
- Passes 48 V phantom power over C.A.S.T. when preamps are installed
- High‑current 500 series backplane delivering 250 mA per slot and 2 A total
- XLR inputs, XLR line outputs, and TRS inserts per slot
- Locking 24 V, 5 A external power supply optimised for audio performance and heat management
- Rugged 4U steel chassis with reversible rack ears for recessed mounting or carry handle
- Designed and engineered in the UK with extensive factory testing
