User Guide www.focusrite.com Version 1.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OVERVIEW Introduction Thank you for purchasing a Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic, an eight channel mic-pre expansion unit incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-amplifiers. The Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic comprises eight natural sounding, low noise preamps with plenty of gain; eight line inputs and two high headroom instrument inputs, coupled with high quality digital conversion to ADAT format.
Box Contents Along with your Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic you should have: • AC mains cable with IEC connector • 4 x self-adhesive feet – stick to underside of unit for table-top use Printed on the inside of the box: • Getting Started Guide • Bundle Code for on-line product registration* *After registration, you will have access to downloads and licences for the following software: Softube Time and Tone bundle Focusrite Red 2 and Red 3 plug-in suite 4
Hardware Features Front Panel 14 1 2 7 6 8 5 11 10 9 4 3 12 13 14 All operational controls and metering for all eight channels are on the front panel. 1. Input gain controls 1 to 8 – eight rotary controls: adjust the input gain for the signals in Channels 1 to 8 respectively. 2. O/L – each input channel has a red “overload” LED; this illuminates if the signal level causes clipping at the input to the compressor section. If this occurs, reduce the gain so that the LED stays off. 3.
10. SYNC – a soft switch which steps through three available digital sync sources (Internal, ADAT or Word Clock), the current source being indicated by one of the adjacent red LEDs. The source in use is stored in memory so that it is retained when the unit is switched off. 11. – a green “Locked” LED which illuminates when the unit has locked to the available sync source, indicating that it is ready to use. 12. ADAT > LINE – this soft switch modifies the operating mode of the unit.
Rear Panel 15 21 16 17 20 19 18 All inputs and outputs are on the Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic’s rear panel. 15. MIC/LINE INPUTS 1 to 8 – 8 x “Combo XLR” sockets - connect microphones using XLR connectors or line level signals using ¼” jacks. Either TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack plugs can be used for line level signals. Note that Channels 1 and 2 also have INST mode for the direct connection of instruments (e.g., guitar), but are otherwise identical to those for Channels 3 to 8.
19. WORD CLOCK OUT – a BNC connector carrying the Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic’s word clock signal; this may be used to synchronise other digital audio equipment forming part of the recording system. The source of sample clock synchronisation is selected by the SYNC switch [10]. 20. WORD CLOCK IN – a BNC connector for the connection of an external word clock signal; select by setting SYNC to WORD.
USING THE SCARLETT OCTOPRE DYNAMIC Combo Inputs All eight of the analogue inputs use “Combo XLR” connectors. These can accept male XLR connectors, TS (unbalanced) ¼” jacks or TRS (balanced) ¼” jacks. When an XLR connector is used, the pre-amp automatically configures gain and impedance to receive microphone level signals. If a ¼” connector is used, the pre-amp is set to accept balanced or unbalanced line level signals.
Compressor Turning a channel’s COMPRESS control clockwise from its OFF position activates the channel’s compressor. As the control is moved from the OFF position, the yellow COMP LED will light briefly to confirm that the compressor is now active. As it is rotated clockwise, the compression threshold is progressively reduced, resulting in increasingly heavy compression.
Normal Mode dBFS 10.00 OFF MIN MID 0.00 -10.00 MAX -20.00 MAX MID -30.00 -40.00 MIN -50.00 OFF -60.00 -60.00 dBr -50.00 -40.00 -30.00 -20.00 -10.00 0.00 In Normal mode (MORE mode off), the compression ratio is 2:1. More Mode dBFS 10.00 OFF MIN MID 0.00 -10.00 MAX -20.00 -30.00 MAX MID MIN -40.00 -50.00 OFF -60.00 -60.00 dBr -50.00 -40.00 -30.00 -20.00 -10.00 0.00 In More mode (MORE button on) the compression ratio is increased to 4:1.
Line Outputs By connecting the line outputs of the Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic to the analogue line inputs of a mixing console (or any other device), the unit can be used either as a purely analogue, 8-channel microphone pre-amplifier, or as an analogue “break-out box” for ADAT signals when in ADAT > LINE mode. The line outputs are balanced: for a balanced connection use ¼” 3-pole (TRS) jacks, or ¼” 2-pole (TS) jacks for an unbalanced connection.
Digital Synchronisation A number of synchronisation options are available: Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic as Clock Source Master via ADAT: Connect the Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic to the receiving digital device via the ADAT OUT port(s) and ensure that the receiving device is set to source its clock from its ADAT input, and also that the sample rates on both devices match. On the OctoPre, SYNC should be set to INTERNAL and the LED will illuminate.
ADAT-to-Line mode Selecting ADAT > LINE mode ([12] on the front panel) reassigns the eight sources for the analogue LINE OUTPUTS [18]. In normal operation, the outputs of the mic pre-amplifier channels are available at these connectors; in ADAT > LINE mode, the connectors are fed with the ADAT digital signals at the ADAT IN port(s), following D-to-A conversion. DEMULTIPLEXER OPTICAL INPUTS and D-A CONVERSION 8 chs. ADAT > LINE mode selected LINE OUTPUTS 1-8 ADAT > LINE mode not selected Ch.
EXAMPLE SETUPS 1. Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic with audio interface: OctoPre as clock source Master Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic SYNC set to INTERNAL from the front panel Scarlett 18i20 Scarlett 18i20 Clock set to ADAT using Focusrite Control Optical TOSLINK Here ADAT OUT on the Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic is connected to OPTICAL IN on a Scarlett 18i20 audio interface with a single optical cable. Both units are running at 44.1 kHz sample rate.
3. Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic in ADAT > Line mode Optical TOSLINK Scarlett 18i20 Scarlett 18i20 Clock set to INTERNAL using Focusrite Control Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic To Mixer Channels 1 to 10 SYNC set to ADAT, and ADAT > LINE mode selected from the front panel To Mixer Channels 11 to 18 ANALOGUE MIXING DESK This example shows how to connect a greater number of DAW tracks to an analogue mixing desk for mixdown.
4. Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic with audio interface – SMUX-II and SMUX-IV modes Optical TOSLINK Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic SYNC set to W/CLOCK from the front panel Clarett 8PreX Clock set to Internal via Focusrite Control Coaxial (BNC) This example shows a similar setup to Example 2, but using a Focusrite Clarett 8PreX allows operation at a sample rate of 96 kHz (“SMUX-II” mode). Both units must be set to 96kHz; two optical cables are used, carrying four channels of audio each.
6. Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic with analogue mixing desk and digital record/backup Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic Optical TOSLINK SYNC set to INTERNAL from the front panel Optical TOSLINK Scarlett 18i20 Scarlett 18i20 Clocks set to ADAT using Focusrite Control Scarlett 18i20 To Mixer Channels 1 to 8 ANALOGUE MIXING DESK This example shows how the setup in Example 5 can be extended to add simultaneous digital recording, with or without secondary backup.
SCARLETT OCTOPRE DYNAMIC TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Performance Specifications (All performance figures are measured to the AES17 standard). Sample Rates Supported sample rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz & 192 kHz Microphone Inputs Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.5 dB Dynamic Range 107 dB (A-weighted) THD+N <0.002% Noise EIN –127 dBu Maximum input level +13 dBu Gain Range 50 dB Input Impedance 3 kΩ Line Inputs Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-1.
Physical and Electrical Characteristics Analogue Inputs Connectors “Combo XLR” sockets on rear panel; for Line use ¼” TRS jack, for Inst use ¼” TS jack. Mic/Line switching Automatic Line/Instrument switching (Chs. 1 & 2 only) via front 2 x front panel switches Phantom power +48 V, switchable Chs. 1-4, 5-8 in groups Outputs Analogue outputs 8 x balanced, on rear panel ¼” TRS jack sockets Other I/O ADAT I/O 4 x TOSLINK optical connectors: 8 channels at 44.1/48 kHz (RH port*) 8 channels at 88.
TROUBLESHOOTING For all troubleshooting queries, please visit the Focusrite Answerbase at https://support.focusrite.com where you will find articles covering numerous troubleshooting examples. COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES Focusrite is a registered trade mark and Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic is a trade mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All other trade marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. 2016 © Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All rights reserved.