Focusrite ISA One Mic Pre

Reviews | Focusrite ISA One
84
L
et’s be honest, standalone
mic pres are hardly the most
inspiring bits of kit, and yet if
you’ve been lucky enough to
use some quality ones, you’ll know the
difference can be like removing a veil
from the sound. With their Producer
Pack and Session Pack units, Focusrite
bundled some of their nicest circuitry
(the so-called ISA variety) into hefty
well-spec’d rack units. With a £499
price tag, it’s also much cheaper
(although the optional AD card bumps
that up a lot). So what are you actually
getting for your hard-earned cash?
First up, the unit is a single mic
preamp (the name’s the giveaway,
right?). But strangely enough there’s
also a separate DI input with its own
gain. As both inputs have their own
outputs (XLRs on the back) if you’re
recording one mic and one DI, the ISA
One is effectively a twin input stage.
The other big news feature is a built in
‘Cue Mix’ option.
Now, obviously the ISA One isn’t an
audio interface, so we’re not talking a
complex software-driven system (á la
MOTU et al). But the front panel
phones output points to some form of
latency-free monitoring (see the box on
p87 out for more).
One vision
Focusrite gear always includes plenty of
options, and the ISA One is no
exception. Top of the list has to be the
fl exible mic pre, which includes four
input impedances (including the
original ISA 110 option), phase reverse,
high-pass fi lter and up to 80dB of gain.
You’ll also fi nd the instrument input
includes two impedance options and
also a DI box-style ‘thru’ output
(labelled as ‘amp’).
The general layout and metering
(including the rather nice VU meter) is
also in line with the more expensive ISA
units. A look round the back reveals
plenty of connectivity, with all main ins
and outs available on XLR, plus
balanced TRS jacks for everything else.
This includes individual send and return
for the insert (rather than the
unbalanced single jack option you often
see), left and right inputs for the cue
mix, a standard TRS line input and an
external input for the second channel.
Chip off the old block
From a technical perspective the ISA
One ticks many of the same boxes as
other ISA units. The transformer-based
mic pre is the same Rupert Neve design
found in the original 1980s desk
design. Its Lundahl L1538 transformer
combined with a bespoke zobel network
and massive frequency bandwidth
results in a mic pre that’s both
transparent and warm.
The optional AD card is the same
one used in the top of the range ISA
430II. This adds back panel connectors
for optical S/PDIF and word clock, with
Focusrite ISA One
Mic Pre
| £499
Focusrite’s ISA One is their most compact all-in mic
preamp yet.
Jon Musgrave plugs in...
WHAT IS IT?
Desktop mic and
instrument pre with
optional A/D board
CONTACT
Who: Focusrite
Tel: [phone]
Web: focusrite.com
HIGHLIGHTS
1 Excellent Ergonomics
2 Flexible input impedance
3 Built in cue mix
PRICING
Optional 192kHz A/D Card
£299
FMU204.rev_fcsrite 84 16/7/08 17:54:06