Focusrite OctoPre

NAMM 2002 saw the unveiling of the latest Focusrite processor, the Platinum OctoPre. Providing eight pristine discrete channels of Focusrite Class A mic pre and compression, OctoPre routes directly to any digital audio workstation via eight standard analogue outputs, or via a choice of two optional 24-bit, 96kHz A/D converters (see below for details). The new OctoPre offers the unique qualities associated with the Focusrite name at an affordable price.

Each channel features a revolutionary compressor/limiter circuit, providing a warm-sounding compressor, which morphs into a brick wall limiter to avoid those critical overs, ensuring total control over all eight channels.

The mic pres featured in OctoPre are the same as those featured elsewhere in the award winning Focusrite Platinum range. They are a transistor-based Class A design utilising the same full-bandwidth philosophy as the legendary Red and ISA mic pres, ensuring detail and clarity without colouration. The first two 'super channels' also feature phase reverse, as well as TRS jack inputs on the front fascia for quick and easy, DI-free instrument plug-in.

Eight line level balanced (+4 dBu) analogue inputs and outputs are provided as standard via 25-pin D-type connectors. These D-type connectors may be routed to 8 XLRs by means of an 8-way 25-pin D-type to 8 XLR breakout cable, available separately . In addition to the analogue outputs, the OctoPre can be fitted with one of the following two digital output options:

24-bit/96 kHz ADAT™ interface card
This card provides digital outputs for all eight OctoPre channels, which operate over the full sample frequency range (44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz) and can be dithered to 16-, 20-, or 24-bit depths depending upon the destination. External word clock synchronisation is possible using the rear panel BNC connector. The card features two ADAT™-type lightpipe output connectors. For speeds up to 48KHz both connectors transmit all 8 channels simultaneously. However, ADAT™-type connectors are bandwidth limited at sample rates above 48 kHz - each audio channel uses two ADAT™ digital channels to accommodate the increased quantity of data, hence the need for two ADAT™ connectors to allow 8 channels of conversion at high speed.

24-bit/96 kHz AES/SPDIF/ADAT™ interface card
This card contains exactly the same ADAT™-type digital output facilities as described above, with the addition of AES and SPDIF format outputs via a 9-pin D-type connector on the rear panel. As with the ADAT™-type outputs, the full range of sample rates and bit depths are available, and the converter may be synchronised to an external word clock source if required. To access the digital signals from the 9-pin D-type AES/SPDIF output connector the A/D card must be purchased with either an AES or SPDIF D-Type conversion cable, available separately. Either 8 AES or 8 SPDIF outputs can be used simultaneously with 8 ADAT™ outputs and the OctoPre’s analogue outputs.

With Class A Focusrite processing and almost all the interface options known to man, the Platinum Octopre is the perfect partner for any Pro Tools system or any other digital audio workstation, making high quality, multi-channel recording easy. Equally it could be utilised as an instant location recording solution, or as an additional set of mic pres for any analogue or digital console, or hard disk recorder.