Focusrite Red 7 Mono Mic-Pre & Dynamics

The Focusrite Red 7 Mono Mic-Pre is an analog based, solid state channel strip that contains a preamplifier, an optical compressor and a four band equalizer. It has 1/4 inch connections as well as an XLR input for your microphone. It is powered by the 12 volt power supply that comes with it and it is not a standard rack mountable piece of gear.


UTILIZATION

The configuration of the Red 7 is pretty easy to follow all together. From left to right, it has a knob for preamp gain, while the optical compressor has parameters for compress, attack, release and the EQ has a low filter knob that is set on 80 Hz, a mid frequency knob that you can choose your desired frequency with another knob to set the gain, and a high filter knob set at 12 KHz. There is then an output gain knob and buttons to set the compressor and EQ either in or out and another to choose either line or mic input. It also has a series of LED meters that measure a variety of things and come in very handy. The manual for the Red 7 is pretty complete, but really isn't necessary to learn the unit.


SOUND QUALITY

The sound quality of the Red 7 is really good overall, as I'm a big fan of the preamp as well as the compressor and equalizer. The preamp won't color your sound at all and definitely will reproduce the sound of your microphones well as accurately. The compressor and the EQ are both very clean and respectable sounding. I really can't complain at all about the overall sound of this unit, especially when you take into consideration what you are getting for the price.


OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the Red 7 for only about a year but I've grown to love this unit in this short time. While its certainly not the best channel strip I've ever heard, it is respectable across the board and is always reliable for me. Its basic form makes it easy to use and the price really can't be beat. You're getting a nice preamp in addition to a clean compressor and EQ all for a one low price. If you are a home studio owner looking to expand your set up with some nice channel strips, picking up a few of these is definitely a good start!

The Focusrite Red 7 Mono Mic-Pre & Dynamics is a channel strip containing a variety of different types of signal processing.  It contains a mic preamplifier as well as compressor, desser, exciter and EQ.  It has both 1/4 inch and XLR connections and will take up two spaces in a traditional rack space.

UTILIZATION

The configuration of the Focusrite Red 7 Mono Mic-Pre & Dynamics isn't too hard to follow, although there is a decent amount going on here.  Since I had a lot of previous experience with these types of signal processing I was able to catch on pretty quick, but if you aren't familiar with these types of parameters, it may take you a little longer to get acquainted with this unit.  It can be a little confusing at first because not everything is labeled all that well, but like I said if you know what you are doing with this type of signal processing you shouldn't have too much trouble.  I haven't seen the manual for this unit so I can't say too much about it other than if you are a beginner it might be a good idea to have it around.


SOUND QUALITY

Since the Focusrite Red 7 Mono Mic-Pre & Dynamics has such a large price tag, I was honestly expecting it to sound a bit more vibrant than it does.  This isn't to say at all that this isn't a good sounding unit as it is, I guess I was just expecting too much from it.  It does have a pretty clean sound in terms of both the mic pre and the dynamics, but sometimes it comes off a bit too stale sounding for my taste.  I've used the unit mostly for recording drums and guitars, but it is suitable for just about anything since it is so versatile.  My favorite part about the unit is probably the compressor as I feel it has the most natural sound of anything on this...


OVERALL OPINION

Overall, the Focusrite Red 7 Mono Mic-Pre & Dynamics is a good piece of gear for anyone looking for a versatile channel strip that has a variety of dynamic processing in addition to mic pre.  The biggest downfall of this is of course the price.  To me it is incredibly overpriced as the sound quality just doesn't match up with the sound of it.  There are plenty of other channel strips out there that I would recommend over this one simply because of price.  If you are interested in a channel strip like this, I would definitely recommend shopping around before committing to this one.

Preamp, compressor, desseur, exciting transistors, 2U rack

UTILIZATION

First, the design is beautiful and truly unique, some indications Drout at beginners, but you get used to rev quickly. The functions are divided into three distinct parts so that you see on where we are for DIFFERENT rglages.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound is fantastic, transparent, prcis and even if we Sets the ax this is trs musical. Many gain and prsence, ideal for dealing with voice, but it also works on low or acoustic intruments. It's not thundering Whereas it is one of the best on pramps MARH. Personally, I prfre to Avalon, Universal Audio and others Tubetech.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a month, and the voices I can not turn on the others (+ deficits above)
I achter good 2 or 3 more but against its price is really prohibitive.