Focusrite Scandalous Practices

[SongCzar]

I really like my ISA 428, I was considering the A/D limiter card option only to find out that the price has been increased by 50% and there's no mention of a limiter in the new card. I smell a crook, and there are high quality alternatives without having to deal with unscrupulous venders! If they're corrupt, let them burn to the ground!:angry:

[michaelhoddy]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but the old MH442 digital card for the ISA428 was a 4-channel card, while the new card is an 8-channel card and works in both the 428 and the 828. That would account for the increased cost.

It doesn't appear you can access the extra 4 channels on the card in any other way when it's used with a 428, but it makes sense to me that Focusrite would want to consolidate what is a low-volume item to work with two different products.

You could always just not buy it if the price offends you, but you'll be very hard-pressed to find 4 to 8 channels of decent AD conversion on the level of the Focusrite card for under $1000 anywhere else.

[Audioholic]

not sure what the prices are now, but I have the Digital card for my 428, have had it for many years, long before the 8 channel pre came out. The first 4 channels go to 1-4 on the Digital card obviously, but then there are 4 additional inputs to access the 5-8 channels, which I run another preamp into to take advantage of more channels going it, works and sounds very good.

As far as the limiter, it never really worked that great, as far as a limiter is concerned, if there were strong peaks, trust me, it will peak, best to just watch your gain.


looking at sweetwater, looks like they have the older 428 card for about 5 hundred bucks, I paid just a little more then that. the AD card for the 828 obviously is different as michael pointed out, which is why you are paying more money, redisigned to work with the 8 internal preamps.

[SongCzar]

Michael, Of course I understand the focusrite decision! They've walked away from their 428 users. I walked away from ProTools for the exact same reason! One year after you purchase, you can throw their $7000 card in the trash. Same with focusrite, they only care about their next release. They both SUCK and I hope they both go out of business! Buy Honda with confidence!