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Description

The Focusrite Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre brings the legendary sound of the classic Red circuit to your rack, offering the transformers and tone originally crafted by Rupert Neve for AIR Studios. This 500 Series module combines cutting-edge technology with classic design, providing musicians and producers with a versatile tool for both studio and location recording. Its robust construction and military-grade Grayhill gain switch ensure durability and precision, while the real VU metering offers an intuitive visual reference for your audio levels.

Designed for both the seasoned professional and passionate amateur, the Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre delivers a rich, warm sonic character that enhances vocals and instruments alike. Whether you're capturing the subtle nuances of a jazz performance or the raw power of a rock band, this preamp is ready to elevate your recordings to new heights. With its compact form factor, it's a perfect fit for any studio setup, bringing the renowned Focusrite sound within reach of every musician.

Key Features:

  • Classic transformers designed by Rupert Neve
  • Real VU metering for accurate level monitoring
  • Military-grade Grayhill gain switch for precise control
  • Compact 500 Series format for modularity and portability
  • Ideal for both studio and on-location recording sessions

Product specs

Brand Focusrite
Model Red 1 500 Series Mic Preamp Module
Finish Red
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories 500 Series Modules and Frames, Microphone Preamps

FAQs

What type of connectivity does the Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre offer?

The Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre is designed to fit into a 500 series rack, providing standard XLR inputs and outputs for seamless integration with other studio gear.

Does the Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre provide phantom power?

Yes, the Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre supports phantom power, allowing you to use condenser microphones that require this feature.

How does the Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre enhance microphone recordings?

The Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre amplifies the microphone signal with high-fidelity, offering clear and transparent sound reproduction ideal for professional studio recordings.

Is the Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre compatible with all microphones?

The Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre is compatible with most microphones, including dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mics, making it versatile for various recording applications.

What are the standout features of the Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre?

The Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre is renowned for its classic transformer-based design, offering a warm and rich sound that is highly sought after in professional audio recordings.

Focusrite

Focusrite

Focusrite // Recording with the Red 1 500 & Charlie Andrew

Video thumbnail for Focusrite // Recording with the Red 1 500 & Charlie Andrew by Focusrite

Focusrite // Recording with the Red 1 500 & Charlie Andrew

Focusrite

Focusrite

Video thumbnail for Real World Review of the Focusrite Red 1 500 series preamp by Production Expert

Real World Review of the Focusrite Red 1 500 series preamp

Production Expert

Production Expert

Video thumbnail for Focusrite Red One 500 Series Preamp NAMM 2014 by DV247 Music Store UK TV

Focusrite Red One 500 Series Preamp NAMM 2014

DV247 Music Store UK TV

DV247 Music Store UK TV

Video thumbnail for Focusrite Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre - Sweetwater at Winter NAMM 2013 by Sweetwater

Focusrite Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre - Sweetwater at Winter NAMM 2013

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Focusrite Red 1 500 - Musikmesse 2013 by Sound On Sound magazine

Focusrite Red 1 500 - Musikmesse 2013

Sound On Sound magazine

Sound On Sound magazine

Video thumbnail for Focusrite -- Neff-U Recording with Red 1 500 Microphone Preamp | Full Compass by Full Compass

Focusrite -- Neff-U Recording with Red 1 500 Microphone Preamp | Full Compass

Full Compass

Full Compass

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre.

Comparisons

  • The Focusrite Red 1 500 is recommended over newer models for its classic preamp sound, with notable endorsements from producers like Charlie Andrew.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Red 1 500 is often favored for its versatility in professional studio settings, especially valued for capturing detailed vocals and instruments.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note a scarcity in the market, indicating high demand and suggesting checking platforms like Reverb for availability.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • It's been observed that the Red 1 500 maintains its value well, often listed for competitive prices when available second-hand.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Focusrite Red 1 500

soundonsound.com

The Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre is a beautifully engineered, high-quality preamp that stays true to the original Red 1 design. It delivers a clean, neutral sound with excellent headroom and minimal distortion, thanks to the Lundahl input and Carnhill output transformers. While its elegant simplicity and technical performance are commendable, its lack of additional features like an instrument input or high-pass filter can make it seem pricey, especially against competitors like API's 512C and Rupert Neve's Portico 517. Nonetheless, it's a solid choice for those seeking a reliable, transparent preamp.

positive

macProVideo.com

macprovideo.com

The Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Preamp impresses with its sleek design and durable build, featuring a simple interface that's perfect for those seeking transparency in sound. With an extremely low noise floor, it maintains the high audio quality expected from the Focusrite Red line. However, users may need to apply considerable gain to fully saturate signals, making it less ideal for some mics. Still, at an affordable price of $999, it's a solid addition to any 500 series rack, appealing to those wanting a versatile and reliable preamp without unwanted color in their audio.

positive

Focusrite Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre

barryrudolph.com

The Focusrite Red 1 500 Series Mic Pre is a commendable revival of the iconic Red Range sound. Priced at $999, it boasts super clean gain and is built with first-class construction, reminiscent of a Bentley GT Speed. The pre-amp offers clarity and detail across various instruments and vocals, making it a versatile addition to any studio. While it excels in providing a clear and smooth tone, it could benefit from a peak LED indicator for easier level monitoring. Overall, it's a nostalgic yet modern piece that captures the essence of the original, highly recommended for those who missed out on the Red Range's first release.

positive

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ben Grosse uses Focusrite Red 1  500 series Mic Pre

Ben Grosse

Keyboardist, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In an interview video titled "Ben Grosse Interview and Studio Tour" by Produce Like A Pro, at the 37:48 mark, Ben Grosse confirms using the Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Focusrite Red 1 500 series Mic Pre, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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