Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Rackmount 8-Channel Microphone Preamp with ADAT Outputs

Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Rackmount 8-Channel Microphone Preamp with ADAT Outputs

Expand your system's recording capability with the Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre, a slim 1 RU rackmount device laden with eight Scarlett microphone preamps and onboard high-resolution AD converters—a perfect addition to any home/project studio, live sound mixing console, or mobile recording rig that has available ADAT digital inputs or unused analog line inputs.

All eight XLR-1/4" combo inputs can accept mic- or line-level signal, and the front-panel input jacks can also accommodate the 1/4" outputs of instruments, letting you plug a guitar or a bass straight into the Scarlett OctoPre. Pads on every channel allow you to capture the sound of high-level sound sources such as drums and cranked guitar amps, and 48V phantom power can be instantiated in two 4-channel banks to run condenser microphones and active DI boxes.

These features, combined with the word clock sync I/O and 5-segment LED metering, render the unit quite suitable for use in the studio. But that's only one of its intended uses: the Scarlett OctoPre also operates well in live sound environments, providing eight additional preamps for the stage, all feeding their respective line outputs, so they can feed a multitude of mixers, consoles, and PAs. You can even route the line outputs to a console while simultaneously recording digitally via the ADAT outputs. As with other items in the Scarlett series, the OctoPre ships with the included software, giving you access to the Focusrite Red 2 and Red 3 plug-ins, the Softube Time and Tone Bundle, and Focusrite's Plug-In Collective, which provides exclusive new downloads with every couple of months.

The Scarlett OctoPre is outfitted with eight natural-sounding Scarlett microphone preamps on XLR-1/4" TRS combo jacks. All eight inputs can accept mic- or line-level signal; the first two inputs (located on the front panel) can also accept Hi-Z signal from instruments thanks to Hi-Z switches. The +48V phantom power is selectable per 4-channel bank (for channels 1-4 and 5-8), allowing the Scarlett OctoPre to handle dynamic or condenser microphones.

All inputs on the Scarlett OctoPro are running through Focusrite precision 24-bit conversion at up to 192 kHz resolution with 109 dB dynamic range. Dual TOSLINK optical ADAT outputs support eight channels at up to 96 kHz or four channels at 176.4/192 kHz.

With high-headroom inputs and a pad (-8 dB) on every channel, the Scarlett OctoPre is ideal for tracking drums as well guitars, keyboards, vocals, and more.

Eight balanced line-level outputs sourced directly from the inputs, allow the Scarlett OctoPre to be used in a live situation whilst capturing the recording via the digital ADAT output.

The rear panel offers BNC jacks for word clock input and output, enabling proper synchronisation with other digital equipment such as a mixing console or an audio interface.

Clustered together for visual convenience, 5-segment meters show your input levels for all channels at a glance.

Form Factor

Rackmount (1 RU)

Number of Mic Preamps

8

Input Level Adjustment

8 x Knob

Pad

-8 dB (Selectable per Channel)

Analog Audio I/O

2 x XLR-1/4" TRS Combo Balanced/Unbalanced Mic/Line/Hi-Z Inputs (Front Panel)
6 x XLR-1/4" TRS Combo Balanced Mic/Line Inputs
8 x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Outputs

Phantom Power

+48 V, On/Off Switchable in 4-Channel Banks (1-4 and 5-8)

Digital Audio I/O

2 x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Outputs (SMUX and SMUX 4 Support)

Sync I/O

1 x BNC Female Wordclock Input
1 x BNC Female Wordclock Output

Frequency Response

Inputs: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+0.5 dB, -1.5 dB)

Gain Range

Inputs: 50 dB

Max Input Level

Mic Input (Pad Off): +8 dBu
Mic Input (Pad On): +16 dBu
Line Input: +22 dBu
Hi-Z Input: +13 dBu

Max Output Level

> +16 dBu at 0 dBFS
> +21 dBu Where ADAT Output Is Not Used

Impedance

Mic Input: 3 Kilohms
Line Input: 49 Kilohms
Hi-Z Input: 1 Megohm
Line Output: 136 Ohms for Units with Serial Number ≤ W860083007515
Line Output: 576 Ohms for Units with Serial Number ≤ W860083007515
Wordclock Input: 75 Ohms
Wordclock Output: 75 Ohms

Dynamic Range

Mic/Line Inputs: 109 dB (A-Weighted)
Hi-Z Inputs: 108 dB (A-Weighted)

THD+N

Mic Inputs: <0.001%
Line Inputs: <0.002%
Hi-Z Inputs: <0.01%
Line Outputs: <0.001%

EIN

Mic Inputs: -127 dBu

Word Clock Specs

Input Voltage: 2.5 V
Output Voltage: 5 V

Sample Rates

44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz

Bit Depths

24-Bit

AC Input Power

Universal: 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz

Dimensions

19.0 x 1.8 x 11.3" / 48.3 x 4.4 x 28.6 cm

Weight

7.1 lb / 3.2 kg