Focusrite has had a firm foothold in the growing world of Dante-networked hardware for several years, and one of the cornerstones of their RedNet products has been the PCIeNX card, designed for use with tower computers or expansion enclosures. With many studios and artists now using desktop or laptop computers with the equivalent processing power of those larger towers, they no longer have a PCI slot for expansion but may still require the power of low-latency, high-track-count interfacing. Focusrite has addressed this need with their new RedNet TNX Dante interface, which connects to both Mac and PC computers via Thunderbolt 3 protocol and serves as the hub for up to 128 channels of I/O at sample rates from 44.1 to 192 kHz, depending on the attached Dante-equipped devices. If you need even more I/O, a paid Dante+ upgrade is available, which allows for 256 channels of I/O, all running through the TNX at up to 96 kHz.
The RedNet TNX is an unassuming box wrapped in Focusrite’s now-familiar anodized red aluminum body with perforated black front and back panels for ventilation. The back panel also sports two Thunderbolt 3 ports, two Dante RJ45 ports that use Cat 5e (or higher) network cables, a power supply jack, a Reset button, and four embedded LEDs to display sync for the primary and secondary Dante ports. That’s it! The TNX is very slick and is essentially the aforementioned PCIeNX card in a portable enclosure that can be used with any modern computer.
Focusrite’s RedNet Control is a free, downloadable utility app for Mac and PC that allows for configuring all of the devices connected to the RedNet TNX and how they are routed. Dante is extremely flexible, and RedNet Control puts all of the important managing/routing controls in one place. Different configurations can be saved and quickly recalled if you, for example, want to have one tracking layout with Dante-equipped headphone amps for the performing musicians being fed independently from the main input and output converters, and a second configuration for a large mix session with additional output converters being brought into the routing. It really is an extraordinarily customizable setup, and once you get your head around the system it’s easy to start dreaming up more possible configurations.
I used the RedNet TNX while reviewing the new Grace Design m701 converters [Tape Op #169], and it was instantly recognized in the RedNet Control app; I was able to route and record/mix from both Pro Tools and Apple Logic [Tape Op #74] without any fuss. This was one of the most pain-free configurations of computer hardware I have ever experienced. There isn’t a ton to report about the TNX, as it’s a straightforward device that does exactly what it claims to do and it does it with a minimum of fuss.
The RedNet TNX ships with a Thunderbolt 3 and a Cat 6a cable (each two meters long), so right out of the box, you can patch in your converters and your computer without the immediate need to buy any additional cabling. There is a fan in the unit that appears to be controlled by the operating temperature; it did come on under the load of a mix and I could hear it from my mix position, so if you are sensitive to fan noise (or noise in general) in your studio, moving the TNX to a machine room might be recommended. With the RedNet TNX, Focusrite has updated an existing piece of gear (the PCIeNX) to work better with current computer technology, making it easy to integrate into a studio environment. Highly recommended!