Focusrite ISA C8X — a USB audio interface

Focusrite has released a 2U audio interface with 26 inputs and 28 outputs.

Photo: official website focusrite

The device has eight remotely controlled preamplifiers. The first two are ISA preamplifiers with Lundahl LL1538 transformers and up to 79 dB gain; inputs three to eight use Focusrite preamplifiers with up to 69 dB gain. ADCs and DACs offer up to 125 dB dynamic range. Fully analogue Console and 430 Air modes shape the sound. Independent per-channel phantom power, switchable impedance, balanced inserts and an adjustable high-pass filter are included.

Photo: official website focusrite

The front panel has two TRS instrument inputs and two independent Class AB headphone outputs. Other connections include eight separate TRS line and XLR microphone inputs, two TRS Send/Return pairs, two paired XLR and TRS outputs, ten TRS outputs, two pairs of ADAT I/O, S/PDIF I/O, Word Clock I/O, MIDI I/O and USB-C.

Photo: official website focusrite

Auto Gain sets all eight preamplifier gains at once. The interface supports immersive layouts up to 7.1.4, up to three monitor groups and full remote control through Focusrite Control 2. The included Hitmaker expansion contains Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC, emulating ISA 110 and 130 modules, and Sonnox Oxford Reverb.

Photo: official website focusrite

Focusrite ISA C8X will be available for around $2,500.