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Summary of Contents for Focusrite RedNet
- Page 1 System User Guide www.focusrite.com FA0458-02...
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Page 2: Important Safety Instructions
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. -
Page 3: Environmental Declaration
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE AND OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES, SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THIS APPARATUS. 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 Southaven MS 38672 Telephone: 800-431-2609 This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. -
Page 4: Table Of Contents
Constructing a RedNet system......... -
Page 5: Introduction
RedNet brings Dante technology into the studio as the basis of a complete system. RedNet is a range of extremely high quality analogue and digital audio interfaces and components that do a great deal more than simply allow you to connect your digital studio through an Ethernet network: they will revolutionise the way you work in other ways too. Importantly, Dante is non-proprietary; this means it will work with any ASIO- or Core Audio-compliant DAW software, including Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase and Nuendo. -
Page 6: Overview
There are three software items for installation on the host computer: RedNet Control, Dante Controller and Dante Virtual Soundcard. RedNet Control is required for all systems and Dante Controller is a useful accessory but familiarity with it is not absolutely essential for operation of simpler systems. Dante Virtual Soundcard is an optional software alternative to the RedNet PCIe card, and allows the creation of RedNet systems without a dedicated computer interface card. Systems based on Dante Virtual Soundcard have a lower channel capacity and a slightly inferior latency performance compared to systems using the PCIe card. RedNet I/O interfaces A variety of audio interfaces is available for the RedNet system, including mic preamps, analogue line level I/O and various interfaces catering for digital protocols. For more information please visit:... - Page 7 Dante Controller software is Audinate’s proprietary generic audio routing application for use with Dante digital audio networked devices. Installation of Dante Controller is automatic; it will be installed as part of the RedNet Control software installation. Many simple RedNet configurations will not require its use, as the control capabilities of RedNet Control will be adequate. However, additional, advanced routing possibilities, which cannot be achieved with RedNet Control alone are possible with Dante Controller.
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Page 8: Minimum System Requirements
Although RedNet traffic can be mixed with other network data, we recommend that for maximum performance the Ethernet network used for RedNet audio should be self-contained and not used for other IT purposes. The network topology employed will be dictated by user requirements and building layout. RedNet is compatible with both CAT 6 and CAT 5e cabling, though CAT 6 STP is preferred. RJ45 connectors with metal screens should be used, with the cable screen bonded to the connector screen. Gbit Switch requirements The switches used in a RedNet network should be of the ‘managed’ type, and designed for use in 1000 Mbps (Gigabit) systems. Un-managed switches may prevent correct RedNet network... - Page 9 Numerous makes/models of Gigabit switch have been found to operate satisfactorily with Dante systems. Recommended manufacturers include Linksys, Dell, HP and Cisco. Note the following features are required when selecting a switch for use with a RedNet network: • Gigabit (1000 Mbps) ports • Quality of Service (QoS) with 4 queues • Diffserv (DSCP) QoS, with strict priority • A managed switch is also recommended, to provide detailed information about the operation of each network link: port speed, error counters, bandwidth used, etc. Additional information on switch requirements can be found at www.focusrite.com/rednet. A note about Latency No digital audio system is “instantaneous”; the term “latency” is used to express the time by which...
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Page 10: Installation Guide
INSTALLATION GUIDE UNIT CONNECTIONS AND FEATURES RedNet I/O interfaces Full details of the front panel controls, indicators and rear panel connections of the various RedNet hardware interfaces will be found in the separate User Guide supplied with each unit. Rednet PCIe card 1. RJ45 network socket. Connect this to the Gigabit network switch local to the computer. The port is the primary interface for all the channels of audio on the RedNet network. The socket has integral LEDs which illuminate to indicate connection to an active network port, and network activity. 2 . SYS – multi-colour LED indicating the card’s Dante system status: • Green – normal operation • Orange – system failure 3 . CLk – multi-colour LED indicating the card’s sync status: • Green (steady) – confirms card is a Dante PTP slave; the card will sync to the clock embedded... -
Page 11: Getting Started
RedNet PCIe card. Overall system latency will vary with the specification of the host computer in use, but in most cases will be similar to the latency experienced when using Focusrite FireWire interfaces. This is likely to be more than adequate in the majority of situations. For more information: www.focusrite.com/rednet NOTE: Pro Tools HD users can interface to a RedNet system with one or more RedNet 5 HD Bridge. In this case, RedNet 5 itself acts as the system host, and neither a RedNet PCIe card nor Dante Virtual Soundcard are required to operate the RedNet system. -
Page 12: Constructing A Rednet System
• Dante Virtual Soundcard software • Up to six RedNet 5 HD Bridges (Pro Tools HD systems only) • Gigabit Ethernet Switch – see page 8 for switch specification • Ethernet cables: • one cable between each RedNet interface and the switch, • one cable between the host computer and the switch, and • if a RedNet PCIe card is in use, one further cable between the card and the switch. • RedNet Control software RedNet Control software can be downloaded from www.focusrite.com/downloads, having registered the product using the codes on the Product Registration Card supplied with each RedNet hardware item. Users are recommended to check periodically thereafter to ensure that they have the latest version, and update if necessary. Details on how to download Dante Virtual Soundcard, and a unique activation code can be found in the System User Guide “Using Dante Virtual Soundcard”. You will require Dante Virtual Soundcard if your system does not include a RedNet PCIe Card (or one or more RedNet 5 units). Technical Requirements In addition to meeting the specifications on page 8, your Mac or PC must have at least one vacant Ethernet port. If you are installing the RedNet PCIe Card, it must also have a spare PCIe Card slot. To download software (either Dante Virtual Soundcard or the latest version of RedNet Control), an Internet connection will be required. The Gbit switch must meet the specification at page 8. Installing the RedNet PCIe Card The computer should be disconnected from the AC mains supply before attempting to install the PCIe card. Allow the computer to cool before starting the installation. Anti-static precautions should be taken when handling the card once it is removed from its anti-static bag; only handle the card by gripping the card by its edges and avoid touching any of the component parts. Place the computer on a clean, flat surface. Open the computer as necessary, to access the PCIe card slots. Install the RedNet PCIe card carefully, ensuring that it is firmly and securely in place. Close the computer and re-connect its power supply. - Page 13 PLACE SERIAL NUMBER STICKER HERE FA0736-01 Go to www.focusrite.com/register, and follow the instructions on the card to register your product and download RedNet Control and associated software. When all downloads are complete, install the RedNet Control application in the usual manner. Follow all on-screen instructions from this point. Audinate Dante Controller This software application is automatically installed when RedNet Control is installed. Dante Controller is a useful addition to, but not essential for, simpler systems. Most RedNet functions can be controlled from RedNet Control, but non-standard routings can be be defined in Dante Controller. Dante Controller can also be downloaded from www.audinate.com. Register first, then download and install. Connecting your RedNet audio network Remove any Ethernet cables connected to your computer (these can be reconnected after setting up RedNet - either to the Gbit switch, or to any additional vacant Ethernet ports you have on your computer). Connect a vacant Ethernet port on your computer to a port on your Gbit Switch with a Cat6 Ethernet cable. If you have installed a RedNet PCIe card, connect its Ethernet port to a port on the Gbit switch...
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Page 14: Example Rednet Studio Setups
The RedNet PCIe card will be detected automatically by your DAW and added to the list of available audio sources. Depending on your particular DAW, it may be necessary to select it as the active I/O device manually; other systems may set it as the default device on detection. From the Audio I/O Setup (name will differ between DAWs), you can select which of RedNet’s 128 input channels constitutes the audio source for each track in use. Similarly you can route each track to any of the 128 output channels available. Please note to operate RedNet PCIe with Pro Tools you will need to activate “Pro Tools Mode” in RedNet Control. - Page 15 Desk This small studio system would allow up to 48 sources to be recorded simultaneously; 16 of these could be from mic or line sources in the live room, with another 32 from line sources in the control room via the RedNet 2 units. Up to 32 outputs could also be made available via the RedNet 2’s outputs. System 3 - Single Control Room and Live Room setup (digital) As above but RedNet 3 replaces RedNet 2 in CR for interface to digital mixer...
- Page 16 Dante Virtual Soundcard setup RedNet 4 only, no switch, straight to host Ethernet port CAT 6 Ethernet Cable 8 Channel Mic Pre This shows the very simple network required if your system does not include a RedNet PCIe card. The host computer would instead have the Dante Virtual Soundcard installed, and a single Cat6 connection between RedNet 4 and the host’s resident Ethernet port would suffice. This system would be ideal for basic high-quality recording but would require monitoring to be through an amplifier/...
- Page 17 RedNet audio distribution system – no DAW RedNets 1 – 4 in different rooms, audio networking only In this more complex, centralised system, users in any room would be able to access audio sources from any other room. Each room has its own local Ethernet switch, and each is connected in turn back to a central switch in the machine room. The host computer – which may or may not be a DAW platform – is connected to this central switch. In such a system, the routing of any physical input to any physical output somewhere else in the system would be set up using Dante Controller, which permits specific, per-channel routings to be made at will.
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Page 18: Operation With Rednet Control
OPERATION WITH REDNET CONTROL When RedNet Control is launched, it interrogates the network to discover which RedNet units are connected. This may take a few moments, after which a set of virtual front panels is displayed. When RedNet Control is launched for the first time, the screen display should be similar to that shown below. Each RedNet unit on the network will have a corresponding virtual front panel on-screen, so the display on your system will probably differ from that above, where the example system has one each of RedNets 1, 2 and 4. Audio routing ROUTED Note that the “virtual rack” is divided into two areas; the upper is labelled “ ” and the lower AVAILABLE AVAILABLE is labelled “ ”. Initially, all RedNet units on the network will be , because no routings have yet been established. Note that the left-hand (inputs) and right-hand (outputs) grey panes of each panel are un-numbered at this stage. To route audio to or from a RedNet unit, left-click on the unit’s panel and drag it upwards into the ROUTED area. After a few seconds, the side panes will indicate that the first available block of audio inputs and outputs have been assigned to that unit, starting at Input 1 and Output 1. The number of inputs and outputs assigned in this way will depend on the RedNet unit type, as shown below: Inputs Outputs RedNet 1 Inputs 1 to 8 Outputs 1 to 8 RedNet 2 Inputs 1 to 16 Outputs 1 to 16 RedNet 3 Inputs 1 to 32 Outputs 1 to 32 RedNet 4... - Page 19 ROUTED Dragging a second unit into the area in the same way, and placing it below the first unit, will assign the second block of routings; again, the number of additional channels routed will be determined by RedNet type. In the example shown below, the first unit to be assigned (the top panel) is a RedNet 4 and the second a RedNet 2. Thus the host computer will have its Audio Inputs 1 – 8 mapped to the physical inputs of RedNet 4 and Audio Inputs 9 – 24 mapped to the physical inputs of RedNet 2. Audio Outputs 1 -16 will only be available from RedNet 2, because RedNet 4 is an input-only device. ROUTED RedNet units may be unassigned in the same manner, by dragging them from the area to AVAILABLE the area. Note that right-clicking anywhere in the RedNet Control window (except the UNROUTE ALL metering areas) will open the utility menu, which contains the option . Selecting this will unassign all units in the system. See “Utility menu” on page 21. ROUTED If you hover the cursor over the channel number of any unit in the area, you will see tooltip text confirming which input or output channel of the RedNet PCIe card the unit channel is mapped to. In the example given above, if you hover over Input 2 of the RedNet 2’s virtual panel, you will see a tooltip indicating: -> PCIe Channel 10 In the case of outputs, the tooltip arrow position is reversed, thus: PCIe Channel 2 -> Other routing possibilities are available from Dante Controller; see “Using Dante Controller” on...
- Page 20 AVAILABLE between and , for example - a blue rotating clock symbol appears here. If there is a communications problem with the unit, an orange exclamation mark appears instead. This will occur if the RedNet unit cannot be found on the network because, for example, it has been turned off. An error condition is indicated by a red cross. This might occur if there is insufficient network bandwidth available. Hovering over the icon will bring up a tooltip giving more information about any problem. 7. Unit names – displays default unit names, which will be RedNet 1, 2, 3 or 4, as applicable.
- Page 21 Edit Routing... • - clicking this option launches Audinate Dante Controller, or, if Dante Controller is already running, opens its window on top of RedNet Control. See “Using Dante Controller” on page 22. Unroute All • – selecting this option deselects all inputs and outputs on every RedNet unit AVAILABLE on the network; consequently all on-screen virtual front panels will move into the area. Per-unit virtual front panels Please see the individual RedNet interface User Guides for information regarding the on-screen features and facilities which are specific to each unit.
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Page 22: Using Dante Virtual Soundcard
USING DANTE VIRTUAL SOUNDCARD If your RedNet system is to be based on Dante Virtual Soundcard instead of a RedNet PCIe card, you will need to download the application from the Audinate website, www.audinate.com, and install it. Each RedNet I/O interface is supplied with Dante Virtual Soundcard download instructions and a software license. Having registered your purchase with Focusrite, you will be able to access the activation code for Dante Virtual Soundcard in the “My Products” area of the Focusrite website. A comprehensive User Guide for Dante Virtual Soundcard is also available from the Audinate website. Dante Virtual Soundcard users are recommended to download this document as well and read it thoroughly. Once Dante Virtual Soundcard is installed, your RedNet system will operate in a very similar manner to that already described for systems using the RedNet PCIe card. Note that RedNet Control will still need to be installed for a Dante Virtual Soundcard-based system. There will be no differences... - Page 23 ’). The ‘ ’ symbol against each RedNet device may be clicked to expand the full set of inputs or outputs; Note that in the case of an input-only interface (e.g., RedNet 4), no outputs are listed. Clicking the ‘ ’ symbol against the horizontal/ Dante Transmitters...
- Page 24 The matrix displays graphically how the physical inputs and outputs on the RedNet units are currently mapped to the audio channels of the RedNet PCIe card. Consider a simple situation where a single RedNet 1 unit is on the network. Dante Receivers Expanding the RedNet PCIe card inputs (vertical axis – ) and the RedNet 1 audio Dante Transmitters inputs (horizontal axis – ) will give a display like this:...
- Page 25 The simple default routings established from RedNet Control will probably suffice for most recording situations. However, you can alter the routing setup at any time by clicking at any of the intersections in the Dante Controller matrix. When you do so, the default one-to-one channel routings made in RedNet Control are lost, and the side panes of all routed units in RedNet Control will no longer display any channel numbers. Other Dante Controller options Various other facilities are available in Dante Controller, which are not specific to its use as the Help transmission platform for RedNet. A full set of Help files is installed with the application; Click...
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Page 26: Appendix
APPENDIx REGISTERING YOUR PRODUCT For technical support, please register your product at: www.focusrite.com/register CUSTOMER SUPPORT You can contact Focusrite Customer Support at: Email: supportteam@focusrite.com Phone: +44 (0)1494 462246 TROUBLESHOOTING If you are experiencing problems with your RedNet System, we recommend that in the first instance, you visit our Support Answerbase at: www.focusrite.com/answerbase...