Focusrite Red 7 Microphone Preamp and Dynamic Processor

The Red 7 has become a staple in the post, radio and film communities. A combination mic pre and dynamics strip, its ease of use is what sets it apart for the rest. Of course it has that legendary Focusrite sound quality that takes the average and makes it spectacular.

Combining the Focusrite transformer-based mic pre with a compressor, limiter and de-esser/exciter, the Red 7 is a superb, single-channel dynamics processor, ideal for high quality recording, notably voice-overs and other vocal applications.

The Red 7 employs the same superb mic pre-amp as the Red 1 and Red 8, with a dual-range mic gain pot that allows precise control across the full range of the device. Phantom power and phase reverse are also provided. The Line input is electronically balanced, with continuously variable gain. A high quality output fader offers +6dB gain to infinite attenuation, essential for direct recordings, or for accurate level matching after EQ and dynamics.

Added to this mic pre is a full dynamics section, optimized for vocals. With its superb signal path, outstanding ease of use, and an integrated all-in-one design, it is a powerful tool for voice recording in all situations from music studios to post production. The compressor design is taken straight from the Red 3, and as on that unit, is characterized by low noise and distortion even with heavy processing. Relatively heavy compression can be applied while retaining a transparent natural sound. Ratio, gain make-up, threshold, attack and release are all continuously variable, and a program dependent auto-release mode can be switched in. A swept high-pass filter allows effective treatment of problems such as rumble, bass lift and proximity effect.

The de-esser/exciter stage can be switched to provide frequency-selective compression (de-essing) or excitation. The amount and center frequency of the processor are continuously variable, and as all the unit's dynamics still use the Focusrite single-VCA technique, unwanted coloration of the sound is kept to an absolute minimum. A clear VU meter shows level after the pre-amp gain control, or displays compressor gain change.

Technical Info

Analog Inputs & Outputs: XLR

Mic input gain: -6dB to +60dB in two variable ranges

Mic Input Impedance: 1200 Ohm +/- 15%, balanced and floating

Line Input Gain: -12dB to +12dB

Line Input Impedance: 10k ohm +/- 15%, electronically balanced steps

Input balance: >60dB to 15kHz on both inputs

Frequency Response: 10Hz to 140kHz (-3dB points), +/- 0.1dB within passband

Noise: Better than -80dB below +4dBu output level, dynamics in

Distortion: 0.06% (+10dBu @ 40Hz)

Output: +24dBm into 600 Ohm, +26dBm into 10k Ohm, balanced and floating

Rack Height: 2U