Cranborne Audio N8

The N8: The "distribution" link at the heart of the C.A.S.T. ecosystem

Designed as a distribution hub, the Cranborne Audio N8 fits into a modern studio approach aiming to reduce cabling while maintaining analog signal flow that is simple to understand and quick to modify. The C.A.S.T. (Cranborne Audio Analog Signal Transport) principle involves using a standard network cable (Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7) as a "highway" to transport multichannel analog signals. Within this range, the N8 occupies a very practical position: it serves as a concentration point for your RJ45 C.A.S.T. connections and redistributes them in DB25 format, a widely used studio standard for grouping channels and streamlining the back of a rack.

In other words, while some C.A.S.T. modules bring inputs or outputs to strategic locations, the N8 acts as a splitter: it facilitates distribution, grouping, and organization of analog flows between different areas (control room, rack, booth, stage, live room), all while remaining consistent with the compatible device ecosystem.

For which studios and uses?

The N8 is aimed at demanding home studios as well as professional studios seeking a cleaner, more scalable, and faster-to-reconfigure installation. If you have experienced thick, hard-to-route analog bundles, you will appreciate the C.A.S.T. approach: a network cable, easy to find and route through a cable duct, can replace multiple individual analog connections to link distant points.

In practice, the N8 is particularly relevant for:

1) Centralizing connections between multiple spaces
Connect a vocal booth, live room, control room, and preamp rack without multiplying multicore cables: the hub becomes a central point where channels are redistributed in DB25 format.

2) Structuring a hybrid rack (interfaces, preamps, patchbay)
With its 8 inputs and 8 outputs on DB25, the N8 naturally integrates into a "Tascam-style" wired studio environment, keeping the back of the rack tidy and reducing connection errors.

3) Deploying a mobile or modular setup
Whether for a stage, recording session, or a constantly evolving studio, a passive splitter helps maintain a robust system that is quick to set up again without relying on a complex network configuration: here, we are indeed talking about analog signal transport over Cat cables, designed for audio.

Operation and connectivity: analog audio over Cat, without complications

The Cranborne Audio N8 is a passive splitter for audio signals via Cat cable. This means it is designed for distribution and signal organization, without functioning as an audio interface or converter: it integrates into your existing chain, staying true to a "studio" philosophy where you clearly control what goes in and what comes out.

C.A.S.T.: 4 analog channels per RJ45 connection

The N8 uses the C.A.S.T. standard to transform a network cable (Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7) into a 4-channel analog audio transport. With its 4 RJ45 inputs, you can converge multiple C.A.S.T. links to a single point, then use the channels in DB25 format on the rack side. This logic is ideal for neatly "pulling" audio between different rooms without stacking lengths of individual analog cables.

DB25 (Tascam): simple integration into racks and patchbays

The choice of DB25 connectors in the Tascam standard is a real advantage for integration: it is a common format for grouping channels and working cleanly with DB25 to XLR or jack looms, patchbays, consoles, or rack I/O systems. The N8 offers 8 inputs and 8 outputs on DB25, making it a particularly coherent distribution tool as soon as your studio exceeds a few connections and requires rigorous organization.

Compatibility: a hub designed for the brand's C.A.S.T. devices

The N8 is compatible with Cranborne Audio devices capable of C.A.S.T., including N22, N22H, Camden EC1, and Camden EC2. This compatibility allows you to extend an existing setup, create remote analog access points, or rationalize channel distribution according to your studio configuration (recording, re-amping, inserts, headphone returns, creative routing, etc.), all while maintaining a coherent workflow.

Technical specifications

Number of channels

16

Signal transport via network cable	Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7	Function	passive splitter for audio signals via Cat
Number of channels per RJ45 link	4 analog channels	Compatible with Cranborne Audio C.A.S.T.-capable devices, including	N22, N22H, Camden EC1, Camden EC2