Focusrite ISA C8X 26-in/28-out USB-C Audio Interface

Product Description

The Focusrite ISA C8X is a professional USB-C audio interface built around the classic ISA transformer-coupled preamp design Focusrite has produced since 1985. Featuring two ISA transformer mic preamps, six additional remote-controllable Focusrite preamps, and a total of 26x28 analog and digital I/O, the ISA CX8 delivers legendary analog character along with plenty of flexibility for modern studio workflows. RedNet-derived 24-bit/192 kHz conversion captures every detail of your tracks with maximum purity, while a full complement of digital I/O ensures compatibility with any studio setup. With fully recallable gain, tone, and routing settings, the ISA C8X delivers classic console character while keeping up with today's fast-paced workflows. Discover more about the ISA C8X below and learn why it's a top choice for today's recording, mixing, and immersive studios.

TWO ISA PREAMPS WITH DIGITAL CONTROL

The standout feature of the ISA CX8 is its two ISA preamps built around the same Lundahl LL1538 transformers that Rupert Neve selected for the ISA 110 module commissioned by Sir George Martin in 1985. Each ISA preamp offers up to 79 dB of gain with stepped and fine gain control, switchable impedance, high-pass filtering, and balanced inserts for patching outboard EQ or dynamics into the channel. Two relay-switched, all-analog circuits offer even more tonal flexibility: Console mode runs the signal through a variable soft-clip circuit for saturation and low-end weight, while 430 Air mode lifts the top-end using an inductor-based high-shelf filter based on the ISA 430 MkII. Since the circuits are digitally controlled, you can easily save and recall specific settings for your most-used microphones and input sources.

FRONT-PANEL INSTRUMENT INPUTS

Channels 1 and 2 include front-panel instrument inputs that route guitars, basses, and synths through the same Lundahl LL1538 transformers as the ISA mic inputs. Selectable impedance lets you match the input to the source, tightening or thickening the natural tone of the instrument in the analog domain to achieve the perfect tone before conversion. Both all-analog tone circuits (Console and Air) are available here, so even your DI tracks can be given console-style saturation or added high-end detail at the source.

SIX REMOTE-CONTROLLABLE MIC PREAMPS

Alongside the ISA transformer preamps, the ISA C8X provides six ultra-low-noise Focusrite mic preamps, each delivering up to 69 dB of ultra-clean gain. Each adds an analog Air mode for presence and a variable Drive DSP control for harmonic color, giving you tonal choices across all eight preamps rather than just the transformer pair. Auto Gain sets optimal levels across every channel in seconds and is accessible from the front panel, as well as within Focusrite Control 2. For full-band tracking, that means a complete drum kit, amps, and vocals captured on one unit with no outboard preamps required.

CLASS-LEADING AD/DA CONVERSION

Conversion is handled by the same 24-bit/192 kHz AD/DA converters used in Focusrite's RedNet range, supplying impressive dynamic range up to 125 dB with an equally impressive 0.00022% THD spec. That generous headroom and near-zero distortion ensures the character you add on the front end is exactly what reaches your DAW, with no added noise or conversion artifacts. On playback, the same quality supports confident mixing decisions, so you can trust what you're hearing and focus on the creative side.

COMPREHENSIVE ANALOG AND DIGITAL I/O

Eight fixed-gain balanced line inputs make it easy to integrate your favorite outboard preamps, compressors, EQs, and other equipment without worrying about gain staging thanks to a maximum input level of +24 dB. A set of 12 balanced line outputs lets you hook the ISA C8X up to a 7.1.4 monitor system for immersive mixing or control up to three monitor groups with front panel and remote switching. Two class AB headphone outputs provide ample headroom, independent level control, and 3 Ω output impedance for up to 130 mW of playback with as much as 116 dB of dynamic range. The rear panel hosts ADAT, S/PDIF, MIDI, and Word Clock I/O for expanded connectivity.

FOCUSRITE CONTROL 2 SOFTWARE FOR REMOTE-CONTROL RECORDING

Focusrite Control 2 gives you full control of every preamp, tone circuit, monitor group, and routing path right from your desktop or mobile device. Gain, impedance, filters, mixer settings, and routing can be stored and recalled at any time, speeding up setup and making changeovers between sessions seamless. Low-latency input monitoring lets performers hear themselves without delay, and separate headphone mixes allow everyone to hear exactly what they need to. If you run more than one Focusrite Control 2-ready device, you can switch between interfaces without leaving the app.

INCLUDED HITMAKER EXPANSION AND OXFORD REVERB SOFTWARE BUNDLES

Every focusrite ISA C8X ships with Hitmaker Expansion, a collection of 15 studio tools ready to use from the first session. It includes bx_console Focusrite SC by Brainworx, an emulation of the ISA 110 and 130 modules from the original Focusrite Studio Console, plus Celemony Melodyne for pitch and timing correction, Relab LX480 Essentials for classic digital reverb, and Oxford Reverb by Sonnox for bringing even more lushness and depth to your productions. This value-packed software bundle gives you everything you need to produce studio-quality mixes out of the box.

OPTIONAL SONNOX BUNDLE UPGRADES

Looking to add even more plug-in power to your workflow? Choose between two upgrade bundles. The Sonnox ISA Essentials Bundle adds four Oxford-series plugins covering tone shaping, dynamic control, de-essing, and intelligent drum gating. The Sonnox ISA Elite Bundle expands further into professional EQ, dynamics, and mastering processing. Both are built on plugins that have been trusted in professional studios for more than 20 years, so you can extend the ISA C8X into a complete in-the-box chain.