From Avid
Sonically exceptional, Pro Tools | Carbon Pre is an 8-channel preamp that provides the same transparent preamp design and stacked ADCs as Carbon, providing 32-bit conversion to capture every sonic detail. With a Carbon Expanded system, you can tap into the Pro Tools Hybrid Engine for low-latency input processing—with remote preamp control through Pro Tools. Or use Carbon Pre to expand or replace preamps in a Pro Tools | HD system.
PRO TOOLS | Carbon Pre Features
Expand your studio
Get all the inputs you need for large tracking sessions and multi-mic live recordings. Each Pro Tools | Carbon Pre provides eight mic/line preamps and eight line outputs, enabling you to expand your Pro Tools | Carbon-based studio up to 24 mic/line inputs and 24 line outputs total. Two Variable Z instrument inputs, 8 x 8 line I/O, ADAT I/O, and Word Clock I/O provide even more connection versatility. See all specs
Sound exceptional
Get impeccable sound quality across your entire system, from capture to output. With superior audio conversion, stacked ADCs, double resolution clocking, and our most transparent preamp design ever—the same preamps as in Pro Tools | Carbon—you can capture every sonic nuance of a performance with the greatest depth, dimension, and clarity. Even optimize or color the tone of any mic or instrument input with Variable Z impedance switching.
Speed up your workflow
No need to access your interface to make changes. You can remotely control, save, and recall all of your preamp settings—including phantom power, gain, and impedance switching—directly in Pro Tools across all Pro Tools | Carbon-connected interfaces. And with instant session recall, courtesy of the virtual assistant, you can quickly switch between sessions without any manual setup and reconfiguration delay.
Extend your workflow capabilities
With up to 24 mic/line inputs available in a Carbon Expanded system, you can capture live performances easily in pristine sound quality, making it an ideal companion for your next gig. You can also use Pro Tools | Carbon Pre as a standalone 8-channel preamp, enabling you to use it to expand other systems. And because it’s EUCON-enabled, it integrates with Avid control surfaces for seamless recording and mix control.
Expand an existing Pro Tools | HD system
Got an existing Pro Tools system that needs more mic press? Use Pro Tools | Carbon Pre as an 8-channel preamp expansion unit to scale up your I/O, with the flexibility of remotely controlling and recalling all preamps right from Pro Tools. Or replace an aging Pro Tools | PRE and enjoy better performance and pristine sound quality. Integrate up to nine Carbon Pres in an HD system through your interface’s ADAT inputs — get all the configuration details here.
| Pro Tools | Carbon | Pro Tools | Carbon Pre | |
| System requirements | Avid-qualified Ethernet or Thunderbolt-equipped macOS-based computer (see details) | Pro Tools | Carbon or ADAT interface for system expansion; can also be used as a standalone mic preamp |
| General | ||
| Simultaneous I/O | 25 x 34 | 24 x 24 |
| Audio resolution | Up to 32-bit, 192 kHz | Up to 32-bit, 192 kHz |
| Mic preamps | 8 | 8 |
| Phantom power | +48V | +48V |
| Integrated monitoring and talkback | Yes | No |
| Form factor | 1U rack | 1U rack |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.8 x 19 x 13.5 inches (45 x 482 x 343 mm) | 1.8 x 19 x 13.5 inches (45 x 482 x 343 mm) |
| Weight | 17.3 lbs (7.8 kg) | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Connectivity | 2 AVB Ethernet ports for host connection and expansion | 2 AVB Ethernet ports for Pro Tools | Carbon I/O expansion |
| Maximum I/O expansion | Pro Tools | Carbon supports up to two Pro Tools | Carbon Pre interfaces for up to 24 mic/line inputs and 24 line outputs | |
| Inputs and outputs | ||
| Analog inputs | 8 balanced XLR/TRS mic/line inputs with Variable Z (impedance) on inputs 5–8, remote controllable from Pro Tools— learn more 2 unbalanced Variable Z 1/4-inch TS instrument inputs 8 balanced line inputs (DB25) | 8 balanced XLR/TRS mic/line inputs with Variable Z (impedance) on inputs 5–8, remote controllable from Pro Tools— learn more 2 unbalanced Variable Z 1/4-inch TS instrument inputs 8 balanced line inputs (DB25) |
| Analog outputs | 8 balanced line outputs (DB25) 2 balanced 1/4-inch TRS monitor outputs 4 stereo 1/4-inch TRS headphone outputs | 8 balanced line outputs (DB25) |
| Digital inputs | ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–48 kHz, 8 channels @ 88.2–96 kHz, 4 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz | ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–48 kHz, 8 channels @ 88.2–96 kHz, 4 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz |
| Digital outputs | ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–48 kHz, 8 channels @ 88.2–96 kHz, 4 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz | ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–48 kHz, 8 channels @ 88.2–96 kHz, 4 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz |
| Digital outputs | ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–48 kHz, 8 channels @ 88.2–96 kHz, 4 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz | ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–48 kHz, 8 channels @ 88.2–96 kHz, 4 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz |
| Other I/O | Word Clock I/O Footswitch input | Word Clock I/O |
| A/D conversion | ||
| Mic preamps | Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -105 dB (0.00056%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB EIN: -129 dB (A-weighted) | Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -105 dB (0.00056%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB EIN: -129 dB (A-weighted) |
| Line inputs | Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -106 dB (0.0005%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB | Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -106 dB (0.0005%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB |
| Line inputs (True Bypass) | Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -113 dB (0.00022%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB | Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -113 dB (0.00022%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB |
| Instrument inputs | Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -103 dB (0.0007%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB | Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -103 dB (0.0007%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB |
| D/A conversion | ||
| Line outputs | Dynamic Range: 120 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -110 dB (0.0003%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB | Dynamic Range: 120 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -110 dB (0.0003%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB |
| Monitor outputs | Dynamic Range: 120 dB (A-weighted) THD+N: -110 dB (0.0003%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB | |
| Headphone outputs | Power: 100 mW into 300 Ohm; 200 mW into 32 Ohm Dynamic Range: 116 dB (A-weighted) THD+N (32 Ohm): -87 dB (0.0045%) THD+N (300 Ohm): -100 dB (0.001%) Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB | |
| DSP acceleration | 8 HDX DSP processors (2.8 GHz aggregated processing) |
What’s included
| Pro Tools | Carbon | Pro Tools | Carbon Pre |
|---|---|
| Pro Tools | Carbon audio interface Pro Tools Ultimate perpetual license and software bundle with 1-year Software Updates + Support Plan Carbon premium plugin bundle Power cable Ethernet cable Rackmount screws and desktop feet Registration card | Pro Tools | Carbon Pre audio interface Power cable Ethernet cable Rackmount screws and desktop feet Registration card |
Free 3-Year Warranty
Sound Pure stands behind our products. Free three-year warranty on this item. Coverage exclusions live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Level of support and expertise that simply isn't available at big-box megastores. Read the warranty →
Returns
Not eligible for Try Before You Buy or the 48-hour approval period. Standard return policy applies — see Terms & Conditions, Section 18 for details.
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