Focusrite have just announced the launch of a new high-end audio interface that features a pair of their legendary ISA mic preamps. The ISA C8X is a 26-in, 28-out unit equipped with digitally controlled versions of the popular design, and includes new Console and 430 Air modes that expand the ISA’s tonal range and offer some additional character.
Housed in a 2U chassis with a striking anodised blue finish, the new arrival features a total of eight onboard mic pres along with an array of analogue line-level and digital connectivity. The first two channels employ the same Lundahl LL1538 transformer selected by Rupert Neve for the original ISA design, and offer the same performance and functionality as the company’s standalone ISA units: up to 79dB of gain, switchable impedance, balanced insert points and a high-pass filter.
New to the ISA C8X are Console and 430 Air modes, a pair of all-analogue circuits that offer some additional tonal options; the former uses soft-clipping to add some ‘weight’ to the low end, while the latter introduces some additional high-end ‘shimmer’ courtesy of an inductor-based high-shelf filter. The remaining six mic inputs then feature Focusrite’s low-noise mic pres and deliver up to 69dB of gain. There are also two front-panel instrument inputs that take advantage of the Lundahl transformer and Console/430 Air features. The ISA C8X is equipped with an Auto Gain function that can be applied across all eight inputs.
Each of the input channels will also accept line-level signals, and there’s a total of 12 balanced line-level outputs — the unit supports immersive channel layouts up to 7.1.4, and up to three monitor groups. Conversion is handled by the same 24-bit, 192kHz devices that power Focusrite’s flagship RedNet range, which boast up to 125dB of dynamic range. In terms of digital connectivity, the ISA C8X includes 16 channels of ADAT I/O along with S/PDIF, MIDI and Word Clock I/O.
Key Features
- 26-in / 28-out USB-C connectivity in a 2U rackmount chassis.
- Two remote-controllable ISA transformer mic preamps featuring Lundahl LL1538 input transformers — up to 79dB of gain, switchable impedance, balanced inserts and high-pass filtering.
- All-analogue Console and 430 Air modes — Console for variable saturation and low-end punch, 430 Air for high-end shimmer, lifted directly from the ISA 430 MkII.
- Six remote-controllable, ultra-low-noise Focusrite mic preamps with 69dB of gain, analogue Air mode and variable Drive DSP.
- Two front-panel transformer-based instrument inputs with selectable impedance and access to Console and 430 Air modes.
- 24-bit/192kHz A-D / D-A conversion with up to 125dB of dynamic range.
- Multi-channel Auto Gain across all eight preamps simultaneously.
- Twelve balanced line outputs with support for immersive systems up to 7.1.4 and three monitor groups.
- Two Class-AB headphone outputs with independent level control and 3Ω output impedance.
- ADAT, S/PDIF, MIDI and Word Clock I/O.
- Full remote control via Focusrite Control 2 desktop and mobile application.
- Includes Hitmaker Expansion, featuring Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC and Oxford Reverb by Sonnox.
- Backed by Focusrite's three-year warranty and 24/7/365 technical support.
"ISA is what Focusrite was founded upon, and it's been beloved by artists and engineers worldwide for over 40 years. The essence of the ISA sound remains the same, but we've taken some big leaps forward with ISA C8X in modernising the workflow. We felt it was important to augment those ISA preamps with features that befit the ISA name and benefit professional, project and home studios alike. We hope that users will see, feel, and most importantly, hear the attention to detail that the entire Focusrite team have put into the ISA C8X." - Jack Cole, Product Manager, Professional Solutions and Drivers, Focusrite
ISA Documentary
If you're keen to find out more about the ISA preamp, Focusrite recently released a 20-minute documentary that covers the full story of the iconic design. Click here to take a look.
Pricing & Availability
The ISA C8X is available to order now, priced at $2299.99£1899.99 including VAT / €1848.73.
