Focusrite ISA Two 2-channel Microphone Preamp

In a single rack unit chassis, the Focusrite ISA Two Preamp captures the sound spirit of the renowned Forte and Studio consoles. Two channels are provided, including inputs for microphone, line-level, and direct instrument-level sources. A variable impedance selector also allows you to get the desired warmth without losing clarity. If warmth, transparency, and helpful features are important to you in a preamp, consider the Focusrite ISA Two.

Focusrite ISA Two Dual-mono Mic Preamp at a Glance:

• The Focusrite magic: warmth plus transparency
• Engineering it right
• The Neve connection

The Focusrite magic: warmth plus transparency

Focusrite’s ISA Two mic preamp has a distinguished heritage. Since its 1985 introduction, the transformer-based Focusrite pre amp has become something of a legend – and a benchmark for transparency. But there’s something else going on. That something is a subtle warmth, courtesy of transformer core saturation. It’s this apparent contradiction of warmth plus transparently open and unrestricted high frequencies, that identifies the Focusrite “sound” that continues to be in demand in top studios worldwide.

Engineering it right

The Focusrite ISA Two has some innovative thinking under its bonnet. Just what engineering innovations contribute to a superior-sounding mic preamp? For one thing, to eliminate the audible rolloff exhibited by preamps limited to the audible bandwidth, Focusrite ISA pres operate over a much greater range (10Hz-135kHz, in the case of the ISA Two). There’s also the ISA topology that gives you up to 80dB of undistorted gain. How about variable input impedance, which lets you fine-tune the amount of “character” in your signal – from pristine transparency, to vintage warmth.

The Neve connection

Rupert Neve selected the Lundahl LL1538 as the input transformer for the legendary Focusrite ISA 110, and it’s still the best microphone input transformer available – Focusrite specifies it in every one of their ISA Series mic pres. Mr. Neve also perfected the Zobel network (found in Focusrite’s ISA circuit), which is responsible for the broad-bandwidth, ruler-flat frequency response exhibited by ISA preamps.

Focusrite ISA Two Dual-mono Mic Preamp Features:

• Two channels of Focusrite goodness in a rackspace!
• Lundahl LL1538 mic input transformer
• Up to 80dB of gain
• Variable input impedance
• User-calibrated metering
• Front-panel instrument and rear panel line inputs
• Variable cut-off highpass filter
• Rear panel balanced inserts
• Free Brainworx bx_console re-creation of Focusrite’s ISA 110 and ISA 130 modules
• 3-year warranty