N8 is an advanced audio distribution hub that utilizes Cranborne Audio's C.A.S.T. system to convert network cable (Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 7) into 4-channel analog snakes and breakout boxes that can be routed through the studio or stage.
Place N8 in your control room and couple directly to your audio interface's IO via DB25. The N8 then converts the audio interface's analog IO into 4 discrete C.A.S.T. jacks that can be distributed to C.A.S.T. breakout boxes such as N22 and N22H in your studio or on stage.
A real-world example: a vocal booth with XLRs requires 2 XLR cables for microphones, another 2 XLR cables for a stereo sampler mix for the singer, and a headphone amp with power. And after that, unless you're handy with a soldering iron, you're left with trailing XLRs and no discrete box to patch to.
N8 and C.A.S.T. replaces all that complexity with one network cable and neat, compact breakout boxes over distances up to 100m (330ft).
Flexible output routing
Dedicated C.A.S.T. output routing switches on the front panel allow each C.A.S.T. jack on the N8 to send the same stereo signal to all connected C.A.S.T. devices or separate stereo signals to each if artists want to hear their own mix.This is perfect for broadcast installations where all outputs need to hear the program mix or for studio recordings where each output needs a separate mix.
Turn any room into a studio
C.A.S.T. is a high-quality, plug-and-play method of transporting audio from A to B with as few cables as possible. Best of all, network cable is very common in people's homes, so rewiring an entire studio with Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 7 and C.A.S.T. is cheaper than equivalent XLR looms and copper tubing. Even if you have an existing shielded Cat 5 infrastructure in your home, N8 and C.A.S.T. can connect to that system and easily connect distant rooms.With a fully passive design, no power is required for full operation and C.A.S.T. connectivity. Rugged enough for the stage, small enough to hide in the rack, or mount in the rack with the optional Half-Rack Kit, N8 is a cabling solution designed to transform your open space into a studio.
High-quality audio via Cat 5
Think Cat 5 is only meant for networking and can't be used for analog audio? Well, network cable is actually perfectly suited for analog audio - here's why!- Network cable is not only designed for networking, it is still an analog cable that carries signals and voltage over a copper line - just like an audio cable.
- Cat 5 is manufactured to a strict high standard to transport data reliably through buildings (which is very important to get around the world!), while XLR cables come in different grades and are not designed to perform to a specific technical standard.
- Network cables transport huge amounts of data at very high bandwidths (1000mHz on Cat 7.... which is 1,000,000,000Hz), so relatively speaking, transporting audio from 20Hz to 20kHz is quite easy and can be done with minimal crosstalk and no signal degradation.
- One Cat 5 cable can also be used to transport up to 4 channels of fully balanced analog audio. This is done in the same way as analog multi cable because there are 4 pairwise twisted cables, each with its own shield.
- Because network cables are ordered in trillions at a time, they are much more affordable than XLR cables, which are comparatively made in much smaller quantities. That means that a 10-m Cat 7 cable (carrying 4 audio channels) can be purchased at any retailer for a fraction of the price of a single XLR cable.
Compatible with all C.A.S.T. products
C.A.S.T. is a system that Cranborne Audio has developed for many of their products, allowing ingenious signal routing options with plug-and-play C.A.S.T simplicity. Connect the C.A.S.T. output of these devices to N8 and they are automatically patched into your audio interface and ready for use. Products that support C.A.S.T. include the N22 and N22H breakout boxes and our Camden EC2 and Camden EC1 preamps, headphone amplifiers and signal processors.Specifications:
- audio distribution hub
- analog audio splitter
- uses the C.A.S.T. system to convert analog audio cables to network cables
- passive design, so no external power adapter required
- fully balanced cable routing for professional transmission
- 8-in and 8-out via DB25 connector on back of panel
- CAST inputs A, B, C and D via RJ45 connectors and each with 2 permanently assigned inputs and outputs
- compatible with all shielded CAT5e, CAT6 or CAT7 cables
- up to 100 meters in length without signal loss
- well protected against signal interference
- solid metal housing
- compatible with all Cranborne Audio CAST equipment, such as N22, N22H, Camden EC1, Camden EC2
- 48 V phantom power supply
- mountable in 19-inch racks with the separately available Half Rack Kit (OBDRK001)
