Focusrite, which makes hardware audio processing equipment, will unveil their latest Focusrite processor, the Platinum OctoPre, at this week’s NAMM show. (NAMM is the International Music Products Association).
The OctoPre is an eight-channel Focusrite mic preamp featuring eight Focusrite channels. Designed to work with any Pro Tools system (or other digital audio workstation), it routes directly to any digital audio workstation via analog outputs or a new 24-bit/96 kHz A/D converter. (Pro Tools is the sound editing and manipulation program from Digidesign.)
Each channel features a compressor/limiter circuit. The mic pres employed in OctoPre are the same as those featured elsewhere in the Focusrite Platinum range. Output from OctoPre can be either analog or digital/ Choices include eogjt balanced analog outputs, or an optional A/D (with 8 AES, S/PDIF and ADAT lightpipe digital outputs.) An external Word Clock input is also provided.
Focusrite will also exhibit both analog signal processors and their software equivalent at this week’s NAMM show. One such goodie is the Trak Master, a single channel analog processor contained in a 1U, 19-inch rack mount chassis that includes the following sections: discrete Class A mic/line/instrument preamp with phantom power and high-pass filter; optical compressor; a newly designed 3-band EQ; and a master output level control. The compressor and EQ sections can be individually bypassed, and the compressor can be switched to follow the EQ in signal flow, if you wish.
The EQ includes switched presets on both the low and high bands that have been optimized for either vocal or instrumental work. Trak Master also includes Focusrite’s Tube Sound circuit that lets you emulate the sonic characteristics of tube-based devices. Trak Master’s microphone and instrument inputs are accessed via a front panel XLR and 1/4-inch TRS connector, respectively.
Located on the rear panel, line input/output are provided via 1/4-inch TRS jacks and are operable at -10 dBV or +4 dBu. Optionally, Trak Master can be fitted with a 24-bit/96 kHz A/D card that can be connected to digital devices in the studio. A BNC-style connector is also provided on the rear panel for external Word Clock sync, and the front panel includes a “lock” LED to indicate clock lock.
Trak Master is currently shipping and carries a manufacturers suggested retail price of US$450. An optional 24-bit/96 kHz A/D board will follow for $250.
Finally, Focusrite will exhibit its analog signal processors line and roll out the new ISA Range product called ISA 220 Session Pack, a single channel analog processor contained in a 2U, 19-inch rack-mount enclosure. ISA 220 is currently shipping for US $2,295, and an optional 24-bit/96 kHz A/D board will follow soon for $525.