If you know high end audio gear, you surely know the name Focusrite. And if you're like me, you've probably lusted after more than one of their top quality products. Well, things haven't changed. Focusrite products are still made with the same attention to detail, incredible sound quality and totally impressive specs. The only diffference is that Digidesign has now become the exclusive North American distributor of all the modular signal processing hardware currently designed and manufactured by Focusrite. All of which means that getting your hands on a Focusrite product won't involve waits of up to 60 or 90 days while the item travels via some obscure route to you from the United Kingdom. Need a Focusrite processor? It will be in stock and ready to ship right to your door!

This includes the Platinum Line of signal processors (ideal for Digi 001 systems), the classic Red Range (legendary for its transparency and warmth), and the ISA Series (including the exciting new ISA 430 Producer Pack and the ISA 110 Vintage Reissue Mic Pre and EQ). Digidesign will also distribute the Blue Range processors, which are designed for critical mastering applications (such as the Blue 315 mastering EQ).

The Focusrite ISA430 Producer Pack: Combining the best of analog and digital technologies

Focusrite and Digidesign have actually been partners since 1996, when the two teamed up to release the d2 Equalizer TDM Plug-In for Pro Tools, followed by the d3 dynamics Plug-In. The agreement to make Digidesign the sole North American distributor of Focusrite gear is a natural step, since Focusrite processors make ideal front ends for Pro Tools systems. What's more, most of the top Digidesign dealers in the Nortth America area are already Focusrite dealers

While this article will attempt to give you an overview of the entire Focusrite line of productts, keep in mind that there's an awful lot we won't have room to tell you about, so naturally we recommend that you discuss your specific needs with your Sweetwater Sales Engineer to assure you get all the information you need to make an informed decision on which product (or products) are right for you.

The Focusrite Platinum Range. The Platinum line of signal processing tools has been designed for the serious recording musician and project studio owner. The line is an ideal complement to the Digi 001 and is also a perfect choice for live sound. All Platinum processors are one or two unit, 19" rack
mount analog signal processors. Platinum Range products include vocal and instrument channel strips, mic pre-amps, and dual/stereo multi-band compressors and EQ.

The Platinum 1 VoiceMaster ($795 list) is a complete vocal processor for recording and live use. Features include a Class A mic preamp, and a host of effective and creative tools including a noise-reducing expander, vocal saturator, opto-compressor, voice-optimized EQ and an opto de-esser.

The Platinum 2 ToneFactory (also $795 list) is a full-featured instrument processor for recording and live use. Featuring a Class A mic / line / instrument preamp, versatile filters, opto-compressor, tone controller, parametric EQ and noise gate, the ToneFactory is the perfect processor for guitars, basses, synths and samplers.

Need a dynamics processor that brings you a rack full of high performance Focusrite Class A compression, limiting and gating in one unit? The Platinum 3 ComPounder ($895 list) includes a dual mono or stereo compressor / limiter / gate with Bass Expander. The Platinum 3 is an essential tool for dance music engineers, live engineers and project studios. Hmm, that's just about everyone . . .

This Platinum 4 MixMaster ($1395 list) is a stereo analog mixdown processor that comes with a wide range of mastering tools in a cost-effective two-space unit. The MixMaster comes packed with balanced, stereo line inputs, direct inputs, stereo expander, multi-band compressor, 3-band parametric EQ, stereo image controller and a limiter. Optionally, the MixMaster can be fitted with a 24-bit, 96kHz A/D card, just in case you want flawlessly detailed audio.

The classic Focusrite Red Range is the company's high-end line of analog processors, which are legendary for their unique combination of transparency and buttery-smooth
warmth. Used in many of the world's leading music and post-production studios, the Red Range represents what must be considered the absolute standard in analog processing. Functionally elegant, with easy to use front panel controls, each Red Range product features a distinctive, brushed red aluminum body whose appearance conveys quality and durability (translation: It'll look way cool in your rack not that we think that will influence your buying decision, but it's a nice plus!).

The Red 1 ($3745 list) is a quad mic preamp featuring four perfectly matched channels of the ultimate mic pre for multi-channel recording. Using the same circuit topology as the ISA215 pre-amps (see information later in this feature), the Red 1 and 8 (see below) offer, respectively, four and two channels of ultra-high quality Focusrite mic amplification.

The Red 8 ($2495 list) features two perfectly matched channels of the ultimate mic pre-amp for stereo recording (essentially, half of a Red 1). Designed for high-bit recordings using high quality ribbon, valve and condensor mics, the Red 1 and Red 8 offer the best route to a cost-effective and ultra-transparent input stage.

The Red 2 Dual Equalizer ($3995 list) features Focusrite's much sought-after combination of warmth and smoothness. The Red 2 offers two full channels of classic Focusrite EQ with line-level inputs and outputs, providing a simple and effective EQ for almost any mixing or mastering system.

The Red 3 ($3,995 list) is a Class A VCA-based dual mono / stereo compressor / limiter. The Red 3 employs an unusual and original single-VCA design to achieve high quality and truly independent compression and limiting, without the compromise and over-processing typically involved in traditional designs.

A powerful and versatile direct recording processor, the Red 7 ($2995 list) includes a compressor, de-esser and exciter. It features a single Red Range mic pre, plus a mono channel of the dynamics from the Red 3, with the addition of a de-esser and exciter. The combination of mic pre-amp and dynamics section, makes the Red 7 a cost-effective single-channel processor.

The Focusrite ISA Range products (ISA actually stands for Input Signal Amplifier) are based on designs from the original Focusrite recording console. The current ISA Range comprises three products, each of which feature the legendary microphone preamplifier and EQ circuits from this console. They are truly high-end, professional analog signal processing solutions that are used in many of the worlds leading music, television and film studios.

The ISA110 ($2000 list) is the original Focusrite channel of uncompromised microphone pre-amplification and EQ, which has been the choice of countless recording engineers and producers since its introduction. However, this is the first time it has been made available as a stand-alone, single channel unit.

The Focusrite ISA215: A superb equalizer plus dual mic preamps

The EQ design of the ISA215 ($4995 list) is comparable to that of the Red 2 but also features two mic pres and two input trim controls for a wider range of gain control with its companion "stepped and fine tune" controls. The 215 also has separate in / out buttons to drop all bands of EQ in and out. It also features the original mic preamp and EQ circuits from the Focusrite console.

The wide variety of different processor modules, in combination with the digital output, makes the ISA430 ($3495 list) a true "Producer's Pack," combining the very best of analog and digital technologies. The ISA430 is designed primarily for use in commercial and larger project recording studios, audio / video post-production facilities, voice-over facilities, etc.

The Focusrite Blue Range Mastering Solution. The Blue Range is Focusrite's world-class analog mastering range of products. All Blue products are designed to perform to the very high standards established by Focusrite's legendary analog processors, and provide unparalleled fidelity in mastering, transfer and recording work. Blue Range products do not feature transformers, since all transformers introduce a slight coloration in the signal path that is usually not desired at the mastering stage. In many cases, however, mastering facilities desire input and output transformers, so they are available as optional modifications on the Blue products. Blue signal processors also feature a high percentage of stepped controls to allow exact channel matching and repeatability.

The Blue 330 ($7745 list) is the ultimate analogue mastering compressor. Featuring the same compressor as a Red 3, but with a single set of controls, the 330 operates as a true ultra high resolution stereo compressor. The Blue 315 ($7745 list) is the ultimate analogue mastering stereo EQ. Truly a product of the Focusrite heritage, the Blue 315 is extensively based on the topology of the Focusrite console circuits, with added sensitivity, accuracy and control.

The Blue 230 ($4495 list) is a Class A VCA-based dual mono / stereo compressor and limiter with separate controls for the compressor and limiter functions, PPM metering and a true stereo mode. The Blue 300 ($6995 list) is a mastering system controller, allowing centralized control of all mastering functions, monitoring, and complex analog and digital audio routings.

Finally, for those of you who need or want the finest A/D and D/A converters, Focusrite offers the Blue 245 20-bit A/D Converter ($4955 list) and the companion 20-bit Blue 260 D/A Converter ($3995 list).

By now you've probably figured out that these processors are not for everyone. They are terrific performers that will fiind a place in studios that are looking for the quality construction, design and audio that comes only from a company with a heritage like Focusrite. For additional information and your special Sweetwater pricing, call your Sales Engineer today.