The Cranborne Audio 500R8 is a complete hybrid-studio centrepiece: an eight-slot, high-current 500 Series rack combined with a 28-input/30-output USB audio interface, reference-grade AD/DA conversion, monitor controller, zero-latency artist mixer and high-headroom 8-to-2 analogue summing mixer.
 
The Cranborne Audio 500R8 is much more than a powered 500 Series chassis. It combines the core functions of a professional hybrid studio into a single 4U rack unit: eight 500 Series module slots, multichannel USB conversion, monitor control, low-latency cue mixing, analogue summing and extensive digital/analogue expansion.
At its heart, the 500R8 is an eight-slot chassis for standard 500 Series modules. Each slot is supplied with up to 250 mA per rail, with 2 A of total current available across all slots. This high-current design supports demanding modules and allows the rack to serve as the foundation of a modular analogue front end, mixing chain or mastering setup. Each slot has a dedicated balanced XLR input, a balanced XLR line output and a pre-ADC ¼-inch TRS insert, so engineers can patch external sources and processors flexibly around installed modules.thomannmusic+2
The integrated USB 2.0 interface provides 28 inputs and 30 outputs to macOS, Windows PC and Linux systems. Eight 500 Series slot outputs can be recorded independently into a DAW, while eight DAW channels can be sent back to the 500R8 for analogue processing, monitoring or summing. ADAT optical I/O expands the system by up to 16 channels at 44.1/48 kHz or eight channels at 88.2/96 kHz, while coaxial S/PDIF I/O, word-clock I/O and MIDI I/O support integration with external converters, digital processors and synchronised studio systems.
 
The converter section is engineered for high-resolution recording and playback. Cranborne specifies a 121 dB(A) AES17 dynamic range for the audio interface, frequency response extending from below 1 Hz to above 70 kHz, and extremely low THD+N figures. A reference-grade internal clock with sub-picosecond jitter performance supports stable conversion and can also distribute synchronisation across a wider digital system.
 
500R8 includes an eight-channel, high-headroom analogue summing mixer. Feed up to eight DAW outputs through your installed 500 Series modules, then sum them to stereo with up to +26.5 dBu of headroom. The summed stereo output has its own dedicated ADC, allowing the analogue mix to be recorded back into the DAW without consuming another converter path. This turns a compact rack of 500 Series EQs, compressors, preamps and colour processors into a practical analogue summing system with flexible DAW routing.
 
For monitoring and tracking, the 500R8 includes a monitor controller with two independent speaker output pairs, volume control, speaker A/B selection, mono, mute and dim functions. A built-in talkback system and two reference-quality headphone amplifiers support artist communication and cue monitoring. The latency-free mixer provides per-channel level and pan control, allowing performers to hear a direct monitor mix while recording without relying on DAW buffer settings. Twenty-eight-segment LED meters provide clear visual feedback across the main workflow.
 
Cranborne’s C.A.S.T. system adds further flexibility by carrying four balanced analogue audio channels over a single shielded Cat5 cable. This allows remote mic-preamp and headphone-distribution workflows with compatible Cranborne equipment, reducing the need for large analogue multicore looms. The system can also expand through Cranborne 500ADAT racks for additional 500 Series slots and ADAT-connected module I/O.
 
With high-current 500 Series power, flexible per-slot routing, multichannel conversion, analogue summing and monitor control in one chassis, the 500R8 is a strong fit for project studios, professional production rooms, mobile rigs, hybrid mix systems and engineers who want to integrate analogue 500 Series hardware deeply into a DAW-based workflow.
 
Key features
8-slot, high-current 500 Series chassis
28-in/30-out USB 2.0 audio interface
Compatible with macOS, Windows PC and Linux systems
Independent I/O routing for each installed 500 Series module
Up to 250 mA per rail per slot
2 A total current available across all eight slots
Dedicated XLR input and XLR module-direct output for every 500 Series slot
Pre-ADC ¼-inch TRS insert per slot
High-performance integrated AD/DA conversion
Up to 121 dB(A) converter dynamic range
Reference-grade internal clock with sub-picosecond jitter performance
8-to-2 high-headroom analogue summing mixer
+26.5 dBu analogue summing headroom
Dedicated stereo ADC for recording the summed mix
Zero-latency artist mixer with individual channel level and pan controls
Two independent speaker output pairs
Monitor controller with A/B speaker selection, mono, mute and dim
Two headphone amplifiers
Built-in talkback function
16-channel ADAT I/O at 44.1/48 kHz
8-channel ADAT I/O at 88.2/96 kHz via S/MUX
Coaxial S/PDIF input and output
Word-clock input and output
MIDI input and output
C.A.S.T. connectivity: four balanced analogue audio channels over shielded Cat5
28-segment LED metering
Expandable with Cranborne 500ADAT systems
Professional 19-inch, 4U rackmount chassis
 
Applications
Building a complete 500 Series-based recording front end
Integrating 500 Series EQs, compressors and preamps into a DAW
Recording independent outputs from eight installed modules
Routing DAW stems through 500 Series processing for analogue summing
Creating a compact hybrid mixing system
Running a zero-latency monitor mix while tracking
Monitor control for two sets of studio speakers
Talkback and dual-headphone cue workflows
Expanding I/O through ADAT, S/PDIF and 500ADAT racks
Connecting remote compatible Cranborne devices with C.A.S.T. cabling
Mobile production rigs, project studios and professional hybrid studios