Focusrite Rednet A16r MK2

A RedNet Interface Designed for Studios, Control Rooms, and Dante Installations

The RedNet A16R is part of the Focusrite RedNet family, a range designed around audio-over-IP workflows via Dante. Its 1U rack format in a metal chassis targets both studios with extensive connectivity and audiovisual control rooms and fixed installations where reliability, monitoring, and network distribution are priorities. With 16 analog channels in and 16 out, it positions itself as a central converter to connect consoles, external preamps, summing mixers, hardware processors, and analog patchbays to a Dante environment while maintaining professional wiring logic via DB-25.

Who the RedNet A16R Is For and When to Use It

This interface is aimed at sound engineers, control room managers, integrators, and studios looking to expand an analog I/O setup without multiplying point-to-point connections. In a studio context, the RedNet A16R facilitates the remote placement of analog I/O close to machines (outboard gear, racks, patchbays) while centralizing routing within the network. In live production, broadcast, or audiovisual environments, it meets operational demands thanks to network and power redundancy, front panel status monitoring, and remote management (sample rate, levels, synchronization), which is practical when installed in a technical rack.

Conversion, Synchronization, and Control: A Workflow-Oriented Design

High-Resolution Multichannel Conversion and Calibratable Levels

The RedNet A16R provides analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion up to 24-bit / 192 kHz, with a specified dynamic range of 119 dB and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-0.05 dB). To adapt to various gain standards in studio and broadcast, the analog inputs/outputs can be configured for +18 dBu or +24 dBu. This allows harmonizing levels between broadcast equipment, professional peripherals, and more sensitive processing chains while maintaining a consistent headroom before clipping.

Dante Network, Redundancy, and Operating Modes

Connectivity is based on two Ethernet ports dedicated to the Dante network. This architecture supports a secure topology (redundant network) or daisy-chain distribution depending on the infrastructure. The secure network connectors in etherCON enhance mechanical robustness in rack and production environments. The entire configuration can be remotely controlled to adapt network behavior to site constraints.

Clocking, AES/EBU, and Remote Monitoring

Beyond analog I/O, the RedNet A16R includes one AES/EBU input and one output on XLR3 connectors, useful for interfacing a stereo digital device (converter, processor, player, console). Synchronization can be internal or external via Word Clock (input/output) or DARS to align the entire network on a stable reference and avoid clicks, drift, or unwanted resampling. Sample rate, levels, and I/O status settings are accessible via RedNet Control on Mac or PC, convenient for maintaining a coherent Dante system without physical intervention in the rack.

The front panel features a set of LED indicators providing immediate system readout: sample rate, per-channel input/output levels, network status, and power supply in use. Dedicated indicators also display AES/EBU activity and the selected clock source (internal, Word Clock, DARS), speeding up diagnostics in case of infrastructure changes or reconfiguration.

Technical specifications

Category	audio network card	Sampling frequency	192 kHz
Number of channels	16	Color	Red

Resolution	24-bit / 192 kHz	Configurable analog levels	+18 dBu or +24 dBu
Supported sample rates	44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz (adjustable)	Rack format	19-inch - 1U
Dynamic range	119 dB	Dimensions	482 x 44 x 327 mm
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz (+/-0.05 dB)	Weight	4.53 kg