The ISA C8X is the first audio interface in Focusrite's legendary ISA range, combining the Lundahl transformer preamp circuit that has defined professional recording since 1985 with modern I/O, remote control and all-analogue signal shaping modes.
The ISA preamp circuit has one of the more remarkable origin stories in pro audio. Rupert Neve selected the Lundahl LL1538 transformer for Sir George Martin’s Air Montserrat studio in 1985, and that same circuit has appeared in every ISA preamp Focusrite has ever built. The ISA C8X is the first time it’s made its way into an audio interface.
Housed in a 2U anodised aluminium rackmount in Focusrite’s original house colour, the C8X is a 26-in, 28-out USB-C interface with eight preamps. Two use the Lundahl LL1538 transformer with up to 79dB of gain, switchable impedance, balanced inserts and high-pass filtering – well suited to low-output dynamics and ribbons. The remaining six are ultra-low-noise Focusrite designs with 69dB of gain, and all eight are remote-controllable via Focusrite Control 2.
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The two ISA preamps also carry Console and 430 Air modes – both all-analogue and relay-switched. Console adds saturation and low-end punch, while 430 Air, taken directly from the ISA 430 MkII, brings high-end shimmer via an inductor-based high-shelf filter. Conversion uses the same 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA converters as the RedNet range, with up to 125dB of dynamic range. Twelve balanced line outputs handle monitoring up to 7.1.4, and ADAT, S/PDIF, MIDI and Word Clock are all on board.
“ISA is what Focusrite was founded upon, and it’s been beloved by artists and engineers worldwide for over 40 years,” said Jack Cole, Product Manager: Professional Solutions and Drivers at Focusrite. “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.”
The ISA C8X ships with Hitmaker Expansion, which includes the Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC plugin (an emulation of the original ISA 110 and 130 modules), along with Oxford Reverb by Sonnox. Bespoke Sonnox bundle options are also available online.
The ISA C8X is available now from focusrite.com and authorised retailers.
