Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic

Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic – Microphone Preamp with Compression.

With eight channels of Focusrite microphone preamplification, eight VCA-based Red 3-derived compressors and built-in 24-bit / 96kHz digital inputs and outputs, OctoPre MkII Dynamic is Focusrite’s feature-rich expansion upgrade for any digital audio workstation. It’s equally an ideal expansion for any analogue or digital console, or hard disk recorder.

Digital inputs and outputs let you make the most of often-neglected ADAT I/O; ideal for expanding the number of mic pre inputs on your interface or for providing analogue monitoring from any digital ADAT feed.

With this entire package fitting into a single 1U chassis complementing Focusrite’s Saffire PRO range, and all controls adjustable from the front fascia, OctoPre MkII Dynamic sets the standard for modern, compact, multi-channel recording expansions.

Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic Features:

• Eight award-winning Focusrite preamps- Focusrite’s unparalleled preamp legacy forms the foundation of this new device, with preamps optimised to handle extreme levels from sound sources like acoustic drums.
• Eight ‘single-dial’ Focusrite compressors- A single dial gets you to the right amount of compression, fast. These new VCA-based, feed-forward compressors model the character of the celebrated Focusrite Red 3.
• Compress transparently or with effect- The classic soft-knee design achieves beautifully transparent compression that caresses your sound. Focusrite’s unique “More” switch doubles the ratio to deliver ‘compression with effect’.
• Built-in eight-channel 24-bit / 96kHz digital outputs- Make the most of your interface’s ADAT input for tracking, with eight channels of analogue to digital conversion via ADAT, boasting a ‘real world’ dynamic range performance of 110dB.
• Built-in eight channel 24-bit / 96 kHz digital inputs- Switchable from the front panel, digital to analogue conversion via ADAT provides analogue monitoring of any digital ADAT feed, as well as the ability to clock from any ADAT device.
• State-of-the-art clocking solutions- OctoPre MkII Dynamic’s internal clock delivers a jitter performance of +/- 20 PPM. For external clocks, industry-standard JetPLL™ jitter elimination technology is employed
• Two high-quality instrument inputs- OctoPre MkII Dynamic’s first two channels feature DI’s, ready for you to plug in your guitars and bass. No expensive external DI required.

Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic Specifications:

We always quote ‘real world’ performance figures (measured to the AES17 standard). Some companies choose to quote chipset performance, which is misleading, and here’s why.

Mic Input

• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
• THD+N: 0.001% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: EIN > 125dB (128dB analogue to digital): measured at ~60dB of gain with 150 Ohm termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Mic Gain: +10dB to + 55dB
• Phantom power switched in 4 channel groups on Mic. 1-4 and 5-8
• Maximum input level +16dBu

Line Input

• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
• THD+N:
• Noise: -90dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Line 1-8 Gain: -10dB to +36dB
• Maximum input level +26dBu

Instrument Input

• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
• THD+N: 0.004% (measured with 0dBu input and 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: -87dBu (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Instrument Gain: +10dB to +55dB
• Maximum input level +16dBu

Analogue Output

• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.2dB.
• THD+N
• Nominal output level 0dBFS = 16dBu, balanced.

Compression

• Threshold Range: -44dBFS (Max setting) to -4dBFS (Min setting)
• Compression Ratio Normal: 2:1, More: 4:1
• Auto Make Up Gain: 4dB (Min setting), 18dB (Max setting)
• Attack Time: 1.2ms, Release Time: 28ms (-3.5dB method)
• Compression Curve: Classic Focusrite Soft Knee
• THD+N (maximum at any compression threshold, input

Digital

• A/D Dynamic Range 110dB ‘A-weighted’ (all inputs)
• D/A Dynamic Range 110dB ‘A-weighted’ (all outputs)
• Clock Jitter
• Sample rates: 44.1kHz to 96kHz
• Sample Rate Clock Accuracy: +/- 20PPM
• JetPLL technology providing superb jitter reduction for class leading converter performance
• Clock sources: Internal, Word Clock and ADAT (from ADAT1 input only).

FRONT AND REAR CONNECTIVITY

Analogue Channel Inputs:

• 2x Mic / Line / Instrument inputs on the rear panel (Inputs 1 and 2). Switches automatically between Mic (XLR) and Line (TRS). Instrument selected via front panel buttons.
• 6x Mic / Line inputs on the rear panel. Switches automatically between Mic (XLR) and Line (TRS).

Analogue Channel Outputs:

• 8x Balanced 1/4″ TRS Jack on the rear panel
• Switching to enable monitoring of A/D inputs or ADAT inputs with ADDA switch on front panel.

Digital I/O:

• 2x ADAT Lightpipe (TOSLINK) inputs. Provides 8 channels at 44.1 and 48kHz (please note that in this mode, only ADAT input 1 is active, allowing for a total of 8 ADAT input channels at 44.1 / 48kHz). Provide 4 channels per port (8 total) at 88.2 and 96kHz (S-MUX).
• 2x ADAT Lightpipe (TOSLINK) outputs. Provides 8 channels per port (16 total) at 44.1 and 48kHz (please note that in this mode, the digital outputs are mirrored, providing outputs 1 – 8 on both ports). Provides 4 channels per port (8 total) at 88.2 and 96kHz (S-MUX).
• Word-Clock in and out on rear panel BNC connectors.

Front Panel Indicators:

• 8x Five segment input LED meters (-42, -18, -6, -3 and 0dBFS)
• 4x Sample Rate LED’s (44.1k, 48k, 88.2k and 96k)
• 3x Sync Source LED’s (Internal, Word Clock and ADAT)
• ‘Lock’ indicator LED
• ADDA Switch for analogue output source selection (A/D’s or ADAT inputs).