Published 15/9/09
Focusrite expand & update
Focusrite have been busy this summer: they’ve launched the Saffire 6 into their audio interface range, updated their project‑studio stalwart the Octopre LE, and announced the discontinuation of their Red 3 compressor/limiter. Let’s start with the new gear.
The Saffire 6 is the most affordable Focusrite interface yet, costing £161 including VAT, and described by its manufacturers as the “best‑sounding interface in its class”. It’s a two‑in, four‑out, MIDI‑equipped, USB‑powered device, and each input is equipped with a preamp that will accept line, mic and instrument inputs. Phantom power can be applied to condenser mics using a button on the front panel, and the input level can be adjusted using a gain knob and a pad switch.
With the DJ in mind, there are RCA phono sockets for each of the outputs — so users can route two stereo pairs from DJ software to two channels of a DJ mixer — and outputs 1+2 are mirrored as monitor outputs on TRS jack sockets, for studio users who prefer balanced connections to their monitoring system. Another DJ‑friendly feature is a switch beside the headphones jack that latches the monitoring source from the default output 1+2 to output 3+4, enabling them to cue up the next track without it playing over the main system.
Also new from Focusrite is the Octopre MkII, which will supersede the Octopre LE. Like its predecessor, the MkII is a 1U rackmount device with eight mic preamplifiers, but the manufacturers have given it some useful features not found on the LE. For example, phantom power is switched in groups of four channels, so four of the preamps can be left unpowered, for use with delicate ribbon mics, for example. In addition, there’s five‑step LED metering for each input, instead of the single VU meter with ‘source’ toggle switch found on the Octopre LE. Also new are front‑panel combi-XLR inputs for easily connecting mics and instruments to channels 1+2.
Another difference between the Octopre LE and the Octopre MkII is its approach to A‑D/D‑A conversion. The new device only has A‑D conversion on board, and therefore a sole ADAT output, with no provision for D‑A conversion, as with the LE. However, the MkII ships with A‑D functionality and ADAT ouput built in, so the extra digital converter board is no longer required. The Octopre MkII costs £379 including VAT.
The final piece of news from Focusrite is the discontinuation of the Red series of processors, starting with the Red 3 compressor/limiter. Launched in the mid-’90s, the Red products featured Rupert Neve‑designed circuitry and were recognisable by their claret‑coloured faceplates with carved legending. Contact Focusrite if you’d like to get your hands on one of the very last units.
The Saffire 6 is the most affordable Focusrite interface yet, costing £161 including VAT, and described by its manufacturers as the “best‑sounding interface in its class”. It’s a two‑in, four‑out, MIDI‑equipped, USB‑powered device, and each input is equipped with a preamp that will accept line, mic and instrument inputs. Phantom power can be applied to condenser mics using a button on the front panel, and the input level can be adjusted using a gain knob and a pad switch.
With the DJ in mind, there are RCA phono sockets for each of the outputs — so users can route two stereo pairs from DJ software to two channels of a DJ mixer — and outputs 1+2 are mirrored as monitor outputs on TRS jack sockets, for studio users who prefer balanced connections to their monitoring system. Another DJ‑friendly feature is a switch beside the headphones jack that latches the monitoring source from the default output 1+2 to output 3+4, enabling them to cue up the next track without it playing over the main system.
Also new from Focusrite is the Octopre MkII, which will supersede the Octopre LE. Like its predecessor, the MkII is a 1U rackmount device with eight mic preamplifiers, but the manufacturers have given it some useful features not found on the LE. For example, phantom power is switched in groups of four channels, so four of the preamps can be left unpowered, for use with delicate ribbon mics, for example. In addition, there’s five‑step LED metering for each input, instead of the single VU meter with ‘source’ toggle switch found on the Octopre LE. Also new are front‑panel combi-XLR inputs for easily connecting mics and instruments to channels 1+2.
Another difference between the Octopre LE and the Octopre MkII is its approach to A‑D/D‑A conversion. The new device only has A‑D conversion on board, and therefore a sole ADAT output, with no provision for D‑A conversion, as with the LE. However, the MkII ships with A‑D functionality and ADAT ouput built in, so the extra digital converter board is no longer required. The Octopre MkII costs £379 including VAT.
The final piece of news from Focusrite is the discontinuation of the Red series of processors, starting with the Red 3 compressor/limiter. Launched in the mid-’90s, the Red products featured Rupert Neve‑designed circuitry and were recognisable by their claret‑coloured faceplates with carved legending. Contact Focusrite if you’d like to get your hands on one of the very last units.
Focusrite +44 (0)1494 462246
www.focusrite.com
www.focusrite.com
