In the front theirs a toggle that says analog or ADAT. That silver ones in front.

Hi Dave
When the slot is bypassed it still sends and receives via USB from the computer. In this way you can use the inserts in the back to patch in a signal from outside the R8.
The ADAT IO works normally with the USB link however the bypasses are set.
On the ADAT version (I haven’t got) I would assume that the same applies ie that bypassing the slot allows signal flow for that ADAT channel to all its usual sources.

Does anyone know how to link two compressors on the 500R8 to be used as “stereo”? I think there is some sort of dip switch labeled “link”, but I don’t know how to use it. See attached

I have two 543 compressors I would like to use as dual mono or stereo comps.

Thanks!

You use that black jumper piece next to the word link in the center of your picture. You just use it to jump the two wire sticking out. I would recommend reading the entire manual. It’s short and has really good information in it.

I found that page. Thanks!

If this is possible, that i am able to use daw as source for analog summing while i process sound via 500 series gear using analog input output at the back (simultaniously)?

The routing would be:

Analog input into a 500 series gear say spl big via the xlr input behind the unit and taking the analog output from spl big into my eternal D to A converter back to daw. Just using the spl big to process the sound while daw as source is selected in this channel on R8.

But while the above is happening, i choose daw as source in all the channels on R8 and listen to the summed signal in my daw from 9 and 10?

Can this routing works simultaneously? Thanks

(Sorry if i missed this topic being discussed earlier, tried to read as many pages as i could.)

never-mind, i think i got the answer, its possible. One of the posts on page 4 answered it. The post said that the analog path of 500R8 is independent of the digital path, so i think i can utilize summing while getting the sound processed by the 500 series modules via their analog path.

Trying to wrap my head around using the 500R8 for monitoring. Sending channels out of my DAW into the 500 R8 outputs then out to speakers. Is the signal passing through the 500 series module before going out to the speaker? Or, does it not pass through the module at all and is just signal out of DAW, to output, to speaker?

Thanks for any clarification

Any of two options on your choice. And you can blend signals together. For example you can send:
1. Part of your arrangement to the straight monitoring (outputs 1/2) out of your DAW.
2. And other tracks you can send thru modules (outputs 3/4 for example which are related to slots 1 and 2 of 500 modules). After passing modules, your processed signal goes into 1/2 outputs too using summing mixer physical controls on the panel of 500R8. Or you can digitize back this processed track (input 3/4 to take the signal after module stereo processing) and route it for monitoring after A/D stage in your DAW. Just mind that latency in the latter case probably will be significant.

any of you guys still strangling with that random noise problem? any workarounds or info about new firmware/drivers? to be honest its a miracle my speakers and headphones are not fried yet...every time i play audio or video i have to mute everything and raise the volume slowly to prevent from that noise exploding...

It happened thrice! Very scary thing. I'm on MacBook M3, having 500R8 and ADAT. I can't say if it's still an issue after all the updates because for now I'm working outside of home studio. Hope they fixed it (IDK on what side, Apple or Cranborne). Will check no earlier than this Summer.

This crackling issue maybe the biggest challenge so far for Cranborne. At least that I’m aware of …
I’m surprised Cranborne haven’t commented yet, or perhaps I missed their post…?

I am running a 2015 MBP and have not yet tried to update my (current) 500R8. I’d love to use spdif, but not if this audio issue comes with it

I did try to update a previous 500R8 a month or two after purchasing it and something in the process made the 500R8 unrecognizable to my computer as an audio device. The retailer replaced the unit & I’ve been happy since. Not sure if the issue was my computer, the update software, or that particular 500R8

It was pretty good on highest firmware of 500R8 and ADAT500. And on highest Mac OS in my case. Time to time there is some issues when the system stack not playing usual system audio (like streaming from internet and media files) being in 96k. So that I need to change it to 48k pr 44100 manually in settings. But it is not such often. All in all it was kinda ok, just need to test it more with this loud noise suddenly coming from speakers. Usually I’m working on pretty modest volume, but this thing is def a threat if it is still an issue.

I was having this problem for a while and it is no longer happening. Also, on an M3 Mac. It hasn't happened in a long time. May have been a mac problem as I have not updated Cranbourne firmware in some time

Hopefully a Mac problem. That’s the trouble with modern recording. Determining if an issue is on the gear side or computer/software side?

I will add that in my limited experience, Cranborne respond quickly to emails.

Did this ever happen? 😅

Hello, fellow Cranborne users I wanna ask for some true life experience with cranborne gears, especially r8 or 500adat (I own 500adat), has anyone out there, purposely (or not purposely) compare the D to A conversion of it? in comparison with such DA (or even AD) like RME adi-2 pro fs, Burl B2, Crane Song Hedd 192, Lynx Aurora (n)...? I am in the market for converter especially A-D after summing and, for now it is fine (ufx ii) but just curious how good Cranborne performs... just solely even as a converter (as a market competitor) cheers.

Are you using 500adat or r8?
How do you connect Cranborne unit and Rme madiface?

You need a box in between. For me it was the RME ADI-648. It’s a bi directional format converter with MADI IO to/ from 8 x Adat pairs.

Now days I connect 3 x 500Adats to this ADI-648 which is now connected to UFX 3.

The ADI-648 is no longer made by RME. I got mine 2nd hand a few years ago now. Another solution might be the RME Digiface with 4 x Adat IO pairs if you don’t need 2 x sample rates or more than 2 500Adat’s or you could look at one of the Ferrofish boxes to convert MADI to Adat

Thanks. I was looking Ferrofish box. Didn’t know 648 was existed. So you have 500adat. Good for you! It’s out of stock here and I saw used once a year and 500r8 popped out at reasonable price but I’ve been with Rme for long so I’m afraid of bit more latency when working heavily with vsts. But it’s attractive for sure so I’m thinking just pull the trigger and replace adi-8 and ucx ii.

For me the biggest downside (and only thing that annoys me) of the R8 is pretty bad RTL latency numbers, at least on mac. When tracking vocals it's no issue as the monitoring is amazing. But with VSTs it's a lot more than I'd like. I'm sadly pretty sensitive to latency and not a great player so it does make a difference. In my production studio I have a Presonus Quantum which is one of the best latency performers so it's pretty noticeable to me.

I have the Quantum 2626 and was looking to upgrade my 500 series chassis. Of course, I only use the 2626 for the RTL and having another interface would be great. When looking at the 500r8 and the 500ADAT respectively, I still had some questions regarding capabilities, and it looks like you may know some of the answers from experience. I tried reading through the differences on Cranborne’s site but couldn’t quite figure a few things out.

I am mostly recording vocals in my studio and the rest are VST’s.

Would the 500r8 be able to connect via ADAT for the quantum, and if so, would the 500ADAT be able to connect to the 500r8 via C.A.S.T.? On their comparison page it has an “x” for the 500r8 being able to be an expander for another interface. I’m thinking aggregate would tank the RTL, so hoping it was just a list of what is intended, not what is possible.

The other question I had, if anyone knows, can you connect two 500ADAT units via C.A.S.T. Or does one unit need to be the 500r8? I’d like to use the summing mixing and if possible make it 16 instead of 8 in the future. If the 500r8 can’t work as an expander, just wondering if two 500ADAT’s could work to get to 16.

Thanks!

AFAIK, and after re-reading through the manual, I think what you want won't work.
The ADAT outs don't correspond directly to the slots, so I think you would need something to route them with. Simple to do on a computer, but there's an extra round trip.

But the 500ADAT works as an expander for other interfaces than the R8, so you could add one of more of those and plug them into your Quantum.

The R8 works best as the centerpiece and that's the only place I'd put it in. If you're otherwise happy with the quantum, the safest bet would be to expand it with a 500ADAT. I'm pretty sure the latency comes from the R8 drivers so using the ADAT expansion would keep latency lower in use.

However if you mostly record vocals, latency is no issue unless you need real time FX like autotune when recording. Because the R8 has an analog monitor path, there is no latency.

Wow! Thank you! Yeah, I only need the quantum for tracking VST’s. The preamps on it aren’t great. I got it used just for the insane RTL. I’m looking to sell the Motu Ultralite mk5 I run everything else through.

Recently got 500 series gear for the first time and it’s adding the sound I want to glue the vox and VSTs. Was running into genres for some films that needed way more grit.

I really appreciate the feedback.

I could see myself recording vocals and any light instrumentation on the 500r8 and the VST’s on the Quantum or just going with the 500ADAT. Now I’ve got some thinking to do. Fortunately, just found out this month if you buy either one you get a free Camden so it looks like my timing is decent.

I love the Camdens, I'd jump on that deal if you were going to buy an R8 or 500ADAT anyway.

I had the prism lyra before i bought the 500 R8, and let's just say i no longer have the lyra lol... Now don't get me wrong, i loved my prism. But the feature set and expandability of the R8 is invaluable. and the converters are amazing.... I have 2 neve 542s i now i can't live without, and an spl big... and they sent me a camden pre free

i'm grabbing a tg2 mic pre, and 2 neve 551 eqs, and the new cranborne comp, and i should be good to go. Might replace the spl big since plugin alliance released the plugin version andd it literally sounds EXACTLY like it... Routing in studio one is simple. I load up the pipeline plugin on whatever channel i want to run through the hardware module and bobs your uncle lol...

Hello, Vdub Good to hear! I actually now (haha.. I never learnt audio professionally, so sorry for my ignorance..) A-D almost every source of recording through Cranborne 500ADAT because I finalized a/b test with my good old UFX ii rev1 so.. yeah, I think it sounds better and clearer. Also just changed all my personal projects to 96k recording and, I feel pretty good (that I was very skeptical for a long time, to me UFX ii 96k sounds just better than 48k, haha.. and recording sounds a little clearer less musher around mid and high area). Anyways, I gotta say, because UFX ii rev1 is a bit older than Cranborne 500adat, I stick to 500ADAT conversion mostly and it sounds fantastic! (Not many people talk about it but conversion quality is definitely up there I reckon! though I have not touched real real highest end converters.... just my experience note..) Your setup sounds awesome by the way.

Jumped on it and super happy. Loaded it with the Camden (makes me want another one) pair of Carnaby’s and the MQ 2. Once the Brick Lanes appear, I may need the 500ADAT. lol.