Product details

The Focusrite ISA C8X is a professional 2U rackmount USB-C audio interface designed to serve as the central hub of a modern recording, mixing, and post-production studio. It combines eight digitally controlled microphone preamps with high-performance 24-bit/192 kHz analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion. Two of its preamps feature classic Lundahl LL1538 input transformers, delivering the characteristic ISA sound with up to 79 dB of gain, switchable input impedance, and balanced insert points for integrating external compressors, equalisers, and other analogue processors.

The ISA C8X combines traditional analogue character with extensive digital control. Its two transformer-based preamps feature Console mode for adjustable saturation and low-frequency punch, alongside 430 Air mode, which adds high-frequency presence through an analogue inductor-based shelf circuit. The remaining six preamps provide up to 69 dB of gain and feature analogue Air mode with variable Drive. Multichannel Auto Gain simplifies session setup by automatically setting recording levels across all eight preamps, while Focusrite Control 2 enables remote adjustment of preamp settings, routing, monitoring, and recallable studio configurations.

Designed for complex professional studios, the ISA C8X offers 26 inputs and 28 outputs, including 12 balanced analogue line outputs, eight fixed-gain line inputs, two independent headphone outputs, and dual optical ADAT connectivity. Its three monitor groups support configurations ranging from stereo monitoring to immersive formats up to 7.1.4. Additional S/PDIF, MIDI, word-clock, talkback, and loopback facilities make it a versatile solution for multichannel recording, hybrid analogue-digital production, and permanent studio installations.

Key Features

Product type: Professional USB-C audio interface and multichannel microphone preamp
Microphone preamps: 8 digitally controlled preamps, including 2 ISA transformer-based preamps
Transformer type: Lundahl LL1538 on ISA channels 1 and 2
Maximum preamp gain: 79 dB on ISA channels; 69 dB on channels 3–8
Analogue tonal processing: Console mode, 430 Air mode on ISA channels, and Air mode with variable Drive on channels 3–8
Input impedance: Switchable on ISA microphone and instrument inputs
Analogue inputs: 8 fixed-gain balanced line inputs and 8 microphone inputs; channels 1 and 2 also support instrument inputs
Instrument inputs: 2 front-panel Hi-Z inputs
Balanced inserts: 2 send-and-return insert paths on ISA channels 1 and 2
Analogue outputs: 12 balanced line outputs, with outputs 1 and 2 available on XLR and TRS
Headphone outputs: 2 independent Class AB headphone outputs
Digital connectivity: 2 optical ADAT inputs and 2 optical ADAT outputs, coaxial S/PDIF input/output, MIDI input/output, and word-clock input/output
ADAT expansion: Up to 16 additional channels of digital I/O at 44.1/48 kHz
Maximum sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
Dynamic range: Up to 125 dB A-weighted on line outputs
Maximum line output level: +24 dBu
Additional features: Multichannel Auto Gain, talkback, loopback, three monitor groups, phantom power, and recallable routing
Software: Focusrite Control 2; Hitmaker Expansion and Oxford Reverb included
USB connectivity: USB Type-C, USB 2.0 protocol
Rack format: 19-inch, 2U
Dimensions (W × H × D): Approximately 482.6 × 89 × 293 mm
Weight: Approximately 5.6 kg
Power consumption: 40 W maximum; external bus power is not supported