The Focusrite Mic-pre

Focusrite has, over the past decade, built a reputation as the market leader for high quality recording equipment, with is mic-pre technology as the cornerstone of that enviable reputation. The original mic-pre, as featured in the early Focusrite Forte console, used rotary switched gain controls and high quality audio transformers. This mic-pre is still used by many of the industries greatest producers and is the sound of countless hit records. Today, Focusrite design equipment for a far greater audience, from professionals to amateur enthusiasts, all with varying budgets.

As with the Red and ISA ranges, the Mic-pre technology found in the Platinum and Saffire ranges is designed to the highest possible standards. They uphold the same wide bandwidth philosophy featured in the original forté console, back in 1989. All Focusrite mic-pres feature custom components which have undergone an intense testing and qualification process. With the facts and figures in, Focusrite designs then have to pass the essential listening stage. Any design can measure well on the test bench but only a great design can be qualified in the studio. The FET-based design in the Saffire range is no exception and ensures the same low noise and distortion performance as earlier transformer-based designs. It delivers clarity without colouration and exhibits the signature transparency for which Focusrite have become famous.

Recording Magazine quotes
Darwin Grosse
May 2006

"Focusrite engineers took a look at the digital card, and must have thought, 'I you have an ADAT input on this machine, why not use it for something more than clocking?' Wise folk these engineers, and they offered an option giving you eight channels of D/A conversion as a bonus feature. Eight channels of audio can be piped to the OctoPre and will appear at the analog outputs. This can really come in handy for effects sends, surround outputs or routing digital channels to an analog mixer. Hats off to Focusrite for this innovation"

"As we found with the original OctoPre, these preamps provide fast transient response, making them a great choice for drums, percussion and acoustic guitar. The 60dB of gain provided on each channel was sufficient to work with every mic in my collection, and the highpass filtering was great for removing mic stand thumps and floor rumble"

"The OctoPre LE offers tremendous bang for your buck, especially when you add the digital I/O card (and use the 8-channel ouputs options). The layout is convenient, and both metering and front-panel inputs jacks made for easy integration into my recording system"

"...you're going to get a set of great mic pres at an outstanding price."

Key Features

• Eight Focusrite Pre-amps
  Upholding Focusrite's high bandwidth (20Hz to 200kHz!) philosophy, ensuring low noise and distortion whilst delivering clarity without unwanted artifacts
• Two Instrument D.I.s
  OctoPre LE's first two channels feature high specification instrument inputs, instantly accessible on the front fascia.
• Two ‘Super Channels’
  These two channels offer mic impedance matching and instrument DI inputs, alongside phase reverse on the front fascia.
• Optional Eight channel CODEC
  With eight channels of A-D and D-A via ADAT, OctoPre LE helps make the most of often neglected ADAT* inputs and outputs for tracking and monitoring (see 'Related Products').
• Eight Front Panel Line Inputs
  Allows quick and easy connection of line level sources