DISC Focusrite ISA 220 Session Pack 4 Microphone Preamp

Full Description

The ISA 220 features many of the original circuits of the flagship ISA 430 Producer Pack along with some new features of its own. It also features the same digital option as the ISA 430, providing you with a high quality digital route direct from the 220 into your digital recording system.

• Precision VU metering of input level or compressor gain reduction (switched)
• 16 LED Digital Output meters for both internal and external inputs.
• Classic Focusrite transformer based Mic pre
• Switched High and Low pass filter controls
• Switched High and Low shelving filter frequency controls
• Optional Stereo A/D 24 bit 96 KHz Delta Sigma converter running at 128KHz oversampling - dithers down to 20 or 16 bit
• Proprietory Focusrite discrete Class A VCA Compressor side chain design for lower distortion and Noise performance
• Illuminated push button for switching the compressor between pre and post EQ
• New Blend feature for adding dynamics into the compressed signal path
• New De-esser design based on optical technology for lower distortion and transparency
• 'De-esser Listen' for precise control over sibilance
• Frequency adaptive limiter

Overview:

The unit begins with a Precision VU meter which is switchable to allow you to monitor either input level or compressor gain reduction. Situated above the VU meter is a 32 LED digital meter for monitoring from either the internal input or an external input which gives access to the second channel of conversion on the optional high quality stereo A/D card. To the right of the Digital Output meter is a global bypass switch to allow for real A/B comparisons.

Three input options are provided to give compatibility with Mic, Line or Instrument sources. Switching between these input options is available on the front fascia with LED s indicating the active input. All inputs are transformer based contributing to that all important Focusrite signature sound of clarity without colouration, with incredibly low noise and distortion figures.

The Mic Pre is the classic Focsurite transformer based design as featured in the ISA 110 and Red 1 and 8 (see pages 3, 8 and 9) with illuminated switches for Phantom power and Phase reverse, all immediately available on the Front fascia.

Other switchable controls available on the front fascia include controls and indicators for the Digital option, in/out selectors for each of the sections and a select switch between Mic, Line or Instrument inputs. An instrument jack is immediately available on the front fascia for quick plug and play access.

The EQ featured on the 220 is similar in design to the Red 2 and ISA 110 with the exception of the Shelving EQ s having four positions rather than six. The focusrite EQ is renowned for its musical empathy. For more on the Focusrite EQ, please refer to pages 10 and 11.

Prior to the Compressor section, which utilises the same compressor circuit as the ISA 430, the ISA 220 features a Compressor Pre EQ switch. Normally the compressor is featured post the EQ. With this switch you can choose to place the Compressor either pre or post EQ. Also featured in the compressor section, alongside the auto release is the new Blend feature, a unique feature to the ISA 220 allowing smoother compression at more extreme settings. When switched in, Blend allows you to mix the uncompressed signal with the compressed, thus retaining a variable level of dynamics from the original source.

Finally, a variable control adjusts the module output level between -60dB and +6dB ensuring optimum levels exiting the unit.