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The Roger Nichols Gear Collection

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Focusrite Red 1 (No Longer Available)

Item ID: Red1

Four Matched-channel Mic Preamp with Phantom Power and Stepped Gain Controls

Sorry, the Focusrite Red 1 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

From Our Research Team:

Four Channels Of Red Range Pre Amp!

Audio professionals rely on the Red 1 mic pre to produce the required quality of signal to tape. The Red 1 provides 4 perfectly matched channels of the excellent microphone preamplification. The design employs the same topology as the acclaimed ISA 215 pre-amps. The result is a phenomenal set of specifications, and probably the most revealing yet forgiving mic amp in history. Extremely low noise and distortion, and delivers a smooth, detailed sound across its very wide bandwidth.

Used with high quality ribbon, valve and condenser mics, the Red 1 performs outstanding and the results are astonishing - especially with voice, piano and string instruments.

Each channel offers switchable phantom power, phase reverse, an easily-read illuminated VU meter and a handy scribble disc. Mic gain is switched in 6dB steps over a 66dB range, for accurate and precise channel matching.

Among the benefits of the unique Focusrite mic amp topology are superb common-mode rejection, a good overload margin, and with its shared gain structure (20dB from transformer and up to 40dB from the amplifier), a very low noise floor with high gain bandwidth. It also maintains this level of performance with a very wide range of impedance across the inputs. In practice, this makes it perhaps one of the most revealing yet forgiving mic preamp in history.

Red 1 Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Manufacturer Part Number RED1
What Does "Special Order" Mean?
A special-order product is one that we don't normally keep in stock. We order it from the manufacturer as soon as you order from us. We have great relationships with all the manufacturers we carry, so we can get your special order to you as fast as or faster than anyone else. Remember that special orders are non-returnable and non-cancelable, so make sure the item is right for you. A Sweetwater Sales Engineer can help you decide - call (800) 222-4700 for assistance!

Can We Help?

call toll-free (800) 222-4700 or E-mail us
to get personalized advice from a Sweetwater Sales Engineer.

Additional Online Resources:

  • Discuss this product!
    Ask questions, get answers about the Focusrite Red 1 in Sweetwater's Control Room Forum.

Reviews

Hey, now that's a tom

by Andrew Nalty from Tacoma, WA USA
November 6, 2008
Music Background: Recording & Live Sound Engineer/Producer
I had the chance to pipe through one of these gems in a session recently, & it seemed to me as though it was the perfect combination for whatever mic was going through it. My drums have never sounded ... read more [+]more lively & musical. close [-]

WOW!!! This is Awesome

by Richard Parker from Cullowhee, NC USA
April 6, 2008
Music Background: Commercial and Electronic Music Major
The ease and versatility of this pre-amp is just excellent. I am currently a Commercial and Eleactronic Music Major and our studio has one of these in the studio. It is easy to use and sounds great.

I Like Red

by David Candelaria from San Francisco, CA USA
December 1, 2010
Music Background: Recording Engineer,Pro Musician
I mostly track with my Neve pre's, but I wanted something to balance against that coloration.The FocusRite fits the bill.And the Red series to me is the best, hand made in England, not China. Sparklin... read more [+]g, clean and great on drums, vocals, on the horn section,etc.I know there is a trade off, the newer one's that are blue have variable impedence and digital options, they swear it's the same circuit, but those custom transformers and being made in England overrides that to me. Not cheap, but worth it.I Like Red. close [-]

Warm yet Clean

by Kyle Manship from Daleville, IN
December 31, 2008
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Pro Studio, Pro Musician
This is a very nice unit, despite some common bad views of the "red" series of Focusrite. We have a UA 8110 and I think this unit is cleaner for DI apps (Keys,Bass) but definitely does not have the s... read more [+]haping capabilities of the UA. I like the detented gain knobs to match a stereo key in or, in our case, a Pod Pro stereo line level in. I don't like that it doesn't have input attenuation just due to flexibility reasons, but the overall sound of the unit is fantastic. I highly recommend this for keys/synth, groovebox, bass and direct guitar applications. close [-]

Sweetwater Advice

Kyle Manship
This box can be a staple for any studio. The pres are as clear as can be, yet they have character, especially on toms and acoustic instruments. I have not run into an application that sounds bad through the Red 1.
See Also: Focusrite , Focusrite Multi-Channel Preamps

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