Focusrite ISA C8X USB Audio Interface

ISA C8X combines the trademark ISA sound with comprehensive remote control and all the analog and digital I/O, routing, and recallability you need to run your entire setup. The two Lundahl transformer–based ISA preamps feature all-analog Console and Air 430 modes for new tonal options plus switchable impedance, balanced inserts, and high-pass filtering — all controllable from the front panel and via the Focusrite Control 2 software.

Classic preamps, digital control

C8X’s two ISA preamps each feature Lundahl LL1538 input transformers that add subtle warmth and body to any signal, plus balanced inserts, stepped and fine gain control, switchable impedance, high-pass filter, and up to 79dB of gain — all digitally controlled via the Focusrite Control 2 app.

All-analog tone

Console mode introduces warm analog saturation and low-end punch, based on a soft-clip circuit with fully variable digital control. 430 Air, lifted directly from the ISA 430 MkII, adds high-end shimmer via an inductor-based high-shelf filter.

DI guitars, basses, and other instruments

Inspired by the ISA One’s well-regarded DI channel, the front-panel instrument inputs feature a selectable impedance for preserving the natural tone of guitar, bass, and other instruments. These also run through the ISA transformer circuitry, allowing you to apply both Console and 430 Air modes.

Six remote-controllable, ultra-low-noise mic preamps

Alongside the two ISA preamps are six remote-controllable, ultra-low-noise Focusrite mic preamps. Each one is designed to reliably capture every nuance with 69dB of clear, detailed gain and includes both analog Air processing for high-end clarity and variable Drive DSP for analog-style harmonic saturation.

Flagship AD/DA conversion

Whichever inputs you choose, you’ll be recording and mixing with the same 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA converters used in Focusrite’s RedNet range, offering 125dB of dynamic range and ultra-low distortion at 0.00022% THD. And C8X’s two headphone outputs each offer independent level control, extra headroom, and optimised impedance for powerful, detailed playback.

Run your entire studio

Designed for patch-bay setups and permanent installations, ISA C8X provides fixed line inputs that let you connect your outboard gear once and avoid awkward re-patching. For immersive formats, the 12 balanced line outputs enable everything from mono up to 7.1.4, with support for up to three monitor groups and switching via both the front panel and Focusrite Control 2. And the entire system is expandable, thanks to 16 additional channels over ADAT and 2 via S/PDIF for digital gear, plus MIDI and Word Clock I/O.

Remote-control recording

Focusrite Control 2 is designed for both desktop and mobile devices, making it easy to manage gain levels, route audio, save and recall preset mixes, and monitor with low latency — wherever you install ISA C8X in your studio. It also supports control of multiple connected interfaces simultaneously, so when expanding your setup via ADAT with other Focusrite Control 2-ready devices, you can switch between them and control each one directly from the app.

Backed by Focusrite

ISA C8X is future-proof and designed for reliability. It’s also backed by Focusrite’s three-year warranty and award-winning 24/7/365 technical support for added peace of mind.

Focusrite ISA C8X USB Audio Interface Features:

2U rack-mounted, 26x28 USB audio interface
Two remote-controllable ISA preamps
Analog tone at the touch of a button
Six remote-controllable, ultra-low-noise mic preamps
Two front-panel, transformer-based instrument inputs
Eight dedicated fixed-gain balanced line inputs
Automatically set your levels with Auto Gain
Flagship AD/DA conversion
12 balanced line outputs
Two dedicated class AB headphone outputs
ADAT, S/PDIF, MIDI, and Word Clock
Focusrite Control 2 software and mobile app
Award-winning support
Includes Sonnox Oxford Reverb and Hitmaker Expansion

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USB Audio Interfaces

About the Manufacturer

Phone: 310-322-5500

Warranty: 3 Years

Focusrite ISA C8X USB Audio Interface Specifications

Focusrite ISA C8X USB Audio Interface Specifications
Product Specifications	Microphone Preamps: 8 Phantom Power: Yes, independent per channel Line Inputs: 8 Instrument Inputs: 2 Insert Sends: 2 Insert Returns: 2 Line Outputs: 12 Headphone Outputs: 2 ADAT Inputs: 2 (16 channels at 44.1/48 kHz, up to 8 channels at 96 kHz) ADAT Outputs: 2 (16 channels at 44.1/48 kHz, up to 8 channels at 96 kHz) SPDIF Input: 1 (2 channels at 96 kHz) SPDIF Output: 1 (2 channels at 96 kHz) MIDI Input: 1 MIDI Output: 1 Word Clock Input: 1 Word Clock Output: 1 Talkback: Yes Loopback: Yes Connectivity: USB Type C Protocol: USB 2.0 Form Factor: Rack mountable, 2U Simultaneous I/O: 26 x 28 including loopback A/D Resolution: 24 bit / 192 kHz Maximum Power Draw: 40W Bus Powered: No ISA Microphone Inputs (Channels 1-2): Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.4 dB) Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 117 dB THD+N (minimum at minimum gain): -93 dB (0.0023%) Noise EIN (A-Weighted): -128 dB Maximum Input Level (minimum gain, Low impedance): +16 dBu Gain Range: 79 dB Input Impedance (switchable): 800Ω (Low), 1400Ω (ISA 110), 2400Ω (Med), 7000Ω (High) High Pass Filter (HPF): 75 Hz cut-off frequency, 18 dB/Octave Microphone Inputs (Channels 3-8): Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.1 dB) Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 116 dB THD+N (minimum at 8 dB Gain): -100 dB (0.001%) Noise EIN (A-Weighted): -127 dB Maximum Input Level (minimum gain): +16 dBu Gain Range: 69 dB Input Impedance: 3200Ω Fixed-level Line Inputs (Channels 1-8): Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.05 dB) Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 120 dB THD+N (minimum): < -105 dB (0.00056%) Maximum Input Level: +24 dBu Instrument Inputs (Channels 1-2): Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.5 dB) Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 117 dB THD+N (minimum): -89 dB (0.0036%) Maximum Input Level (at minimum gain): +14 dBu Gain Range: 79 dB Input Impedance (switchable): 400kΩ (Low), 1.2MΩ (High) Inserts (Channels 1-2): Connection: Balanced Maximum Output Level (send): +16 dBu Maximum Input Level (return): +16 dBu Line Outputs: Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.02 dB) Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 125 dB THD+N (minimum): -113 dB (0.00023%) Maximum Output Level: +24 dBu Headphone Outputs: Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.1 dB) Dynamic Range: 114 dB @ 33Ω, 116 dB @ 300Ω, 116 dB @ 600Ω THD+N: -102 dB @ 33Ω, -110 dB @ 300Ω, -110 dB @ 600Ω Max Output Level: +8 dBu @ 33Ω, +11 dBu @ 300Ω, +11 dBu @ 600Ω Max Output Power: 130mW @ 33Ω, 28mW @ 300Ω, 14mW @ 600Ω Output Impedance: 3Ω Compatibility: Windows: Intel, AMD, and Arm64 processors supported MacOS: Apple Silicon and Intel processors supported Linux: ISA C8X is UAC2 class compliant and should work on most Linux systems but this is not tested or supported