SeriesFocusrite ISA

The Focusrite ISA 220 'Session Pack' is a mono channel strip that consists of a microphone preamp, an equalizer, a compressor, a limiter, and a de-esser. It is an analog piece of gear and has mostly XLR connections for mic and line input, as well as for your output. It has a Hi-Z 1/4" input on both the front panel and in the back. It also has digital connection options for AES/EBU, S/PDIF, optical, and word clock. It is rack mountable and will take up two rack spaces in a traditional casing. UTILIZATION Using the Focusrite ISA 220 isn't too difficult, but since there are a lot of components you're definitely going to have to break it down section by section when you first sit down with it. I haven't used the digital features on here, as I've just used the analog inputs and outputs, so that's a section of the channel strip that I don't have much experience. However, the rest of the ISA 220 is pretty straight forward if you have basic knowledge of mic pres, compressors, and EQ. A manual shouldn't be necessary, but if you're a beginner it's probably worth having around. SOUND QUALITY The Focusrite ISA 220 is a very clean sounding piece of gear in general, with a very transparent sound. I find that the sound usually comes in quite clear and it seems true to the original source sound. It doesn't seem to have too much bottom end magic happening as you'll find on tube gear or older channel strips, but it still sounds quite good. I've used a pair of them for recording drum overheads, using the on board compression and EQ during tracking. The result was a nice and vibrant sound, with a lot of detail. I probably wouldn't use this for recording everything, but when used in the right situation it's a great sounding channel strip. OVERALL OPINION I can't say that the Focusrite ISA 220 would be my first choice for a front end channel strip, but it's still a very powerful piece of gear and is extremely flexible in what it can do. If you're working in the box in a digital environment, you might want to add something with a bit more warmth if you're looking for a channel strip for your front end, but the 220 is probably the most worth looking at from Focusrite, or at least amongst the gear that I've used from them. The price is reasonable depending on which way you look at it, but personally there are other channel strips in this price range that I'd rather have...

The Focusrite ISA 428 is a four channel set of mic preamps. These are solid state preamps where each channel has XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs. There are also 1/4" inputs on the front of the box for each of the channels if you want to go direct. It is rack mountable and will take up two spaces in your rack case. UTILIZATION The make up of the Focusrite ISA 428 does take a second look as it's got the full spectrum of parameters for each of the channels. Each has built in phantom power, phase flip, mic/line/instrument input selector, and impedance. To set your input gain, you've got a fixed line input parameter as well as a separate knob for making finer adjustments. It also has a button that changes the range of the input gain, as well as a built in filter. I've never had a look at the manual. SOUND QUALITY The sound of the Focusrite ISA 428 is pretty clean and transparent. It reminds me somewhat of an API, but doesn't sound as pristine to me. While these are respectable preamps, personally I prefer the Neve sound when compared to something more transparent like this or and API. Of course it depends on what you're recording, and these can be great for a variety of applications. They're perfect for a smaller or home studio owner who wants a set of cheap preamps that will certainly sound better than your audio interface's stock pres. OVERALL OPINION While the Focusrite ISA 428 preamps are pretty good sounding and will do a nice job of capturing your microphone's sound, I do think it's a bit steep for the price. While you do get four good preamps, I'd probably put the money into something like a 500 series where I could get better preamps and expand upon it. This said, it's not a bad overall deal at all and I can see how many would be attracted to it. I'd say yes for the home studio owner, but no for the pro.

The Focusrite ISA One is a single channel, solid state microphone preamplifier, modeled after the vintage style Focusrites. It's an all analog piece of gear and has more connection options than you'd ever need in terms of connections, including separate XLR mic and line inputs, as well as a 1/4" line input, digital connections in the form of word clock and AES/SPDIF. It also has an XLR output for both a DI and a main output in addition to 1/4" cue and insert sends. There are 1/4" connections on the front of it for using the ISA One as a DI, along with a connection to send to an amplifier and for plugging in headphones. The casing is a unique box with a handle, meant to sit on your desk, and isn't rack mountable. UTILIZATION I wouldn't say that the Focusrite ISA One is hard to use, but there are a lot of features available that one should be aware of. For setting your input level, there is a main fixed level parameter to get your initial level and then a finer trim knob for getting more exact levels. The fixed gain knob also has a corresponding button where you can double the amount of gain used, serving as a pad when not engaged. There is built in phantom power, a phase button, a high pass filter, and controls for assigning your input and impedance. You can also set your headphone and DI levels with separate controls. A manual probably isn't necessary but could be useful if you're looking to use all of the features available here. SOUND QUALITY The sound of the Focusrite ISA One is super clear and is definitely one of the best sounding Focusrite preamps that I have used. It sounds similar to an API preamp to me, but has a lot more features to work with and is even a bit cleaner than that. It's very transparent and provides a pretty accurate picture of what you're recording, although personally I prefer a thicker sound like you'd hear with a Neve. Still, the ISA One is a great sounding mic preamplifier. OVERALL OPINION The Focusrite ISA One is a great choice for those looking for a very nice single channel mic preamp with a lot of the amenities that you won't often see in a single channel preamp. The sound is great but the price is the best part of this, as it's one of the most complete preamps that you will find for the price. Definitely worth a test drive for anyone in the market for a single channel preamp for their home studio on the cheap without sacrificing options and quality.

The Focusrite ISA One is a analog portable preamp. I have been using it for about 8 months though it has been out longer than that. It does come with a user manual in digital format in case you need some help getting started but the manual is not necessary to understand how the ISA One works. The ISA One has cue mix stereo inputs and a single channel pre amp. It has an option to go with A to D for a converter as well. If you are looking for a portable preamp that will give your sound the boost it needs to get it to fit better in your mix then the Focusrite ISA One has hit the nail on the head. It has phantom power and the frequency response is 10Hz-125kHz. There is no EQ on the ISA One and no compression. Since it is fully analog there are no connection options like USB so you can connect it to your computer. UTILIZATION This unit is small but well made and it has a handle on the top of it so you can pick it up easily and take it to another place if needed. The ISA One may not be pretty to look at, but it will get the job done. SOUND QUALITY The variable impedance selector will allow you to channel in on the warmth of your sound and get it just the way you want it to be, and it will do this without messing up the overall quality of your audio sound source. OVERALL OPINION I am very happy the ISA One and it has done nothing but help us in many ways. We do not use it a lot but when we do use it; it works wonders for our sound. I highly recommend this portable and affordable fully analog preamp. You will be using it for years to come.