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Focusrite ISA C8X Audio Interface
BACK-ORDER - Estimated Stock Arrival: 28-05-2026
SKU
MOIFC8XUK
£1,899.00
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Quick overview
The Focusrite ISA C8X brings the legendary ISA sound into a fully connected, modern studio hub. Built around two classic Lundahl transformer based ISA preamps, it delivers the warmth, depth and clarity the ISA range is known for, now paired with full digital control, flexible routing and total recall.
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The Focusrite ISA C8X brings the legendary ISA sound into a fully connected, modern studio hub. Built around two classic Lundahl transformer based ISA preamps, it delivers the warmth, depth and clarity the ISA range is known for, now paired with full digital control, flexible routing and total recall.
Each ISA preamp features the renowned LL1538 input transformers, adding subtle character and body to any source. You get up to 79dB of gain, switchable impedance, high pass filtering, balanced inserts and precise stepped and fine gain control. Everything is accessible from the front panel or remotely via Focusrite Control 2.
For added tonal flexibility, Console mode introduces smooth analogue saturation and low end punch, while 430 Air mode brings a refined high end lift inspired by the ISA 430 MkII. These are true analogue circuits with digital control, giving you the best of both worlds.
Instrument recording is just as impressive. The front panel DI inputs are designed to preserve the natural tone of guitars, bass and other instruments, with selectable impedance and full access to the ISA transformer character, Console mode and 430 Air.
Alongside the ISA channels, you get six ultra low noise Focusrite mic preamps. Each one delivers up to 69dB of clean gain, with analogue Air for added clarity and variable Drive DSP for subtle harmonic saturation.
At the core of the C8X is flagship level conversion. With 24 bit 192kHz AD/DA taken from the RedNet range, you get outstanding detail, 125dB dynamic range and extremely low distortion. Dual headphone outputs provide independent control, extra headroom and optimised performance for accurate monitoring.
Designed to run your entire studio, the ISA C8X features fixed line inputs for permanent outboard connections, removing the need for constant re patching. With 12 balanced outputs, it supports everything from simple stereo setups to immersive 7.1.4 monitoring. You can manage multiple monitor groups directly from the unit or via software.
Expansion is built in, with 16 additional channels over ADAT, 2 via S/PDIF, plus MIDI and Word Clock I/O for full system integration. Focusrite Control 2 gives you complete remote access from desktop or mobile. Adjust gain, route audio, create mixes and recall presets with ease, even across multiple connected interfaces.
Built for reliability and future proof performance, the ISA C8X is backed by a three year warranty and Focusrite’s 24/7 technical support.
- Two remote-controllable ISA preamps
- Analogue 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
- 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
- Three years warranty
Included Software
- Sonnox Oxford Reverb
- Hitmaker Expansion
In the Box
- ISA C8X audio interface
- USB type C-to-C cable
- Region-specific IEC cable
- Rubber feet (x4)
Hardware Overview
- 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
- Line Outputs: 10
- Headphone Outputs: 2
- ADAT Inputs: 2 (16 channels at 44.1/48kHz and up to 8 channels at 96kHz)
- ADAT Outputs: 2 (16 channels at 44.1/48kHz and up to 8 channels at 96kHz)
- SPDIF Input: 1 (2 channels at 96kHz)
- SPDIF Output: 1 (2 channels at 96kHz)
- 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: 26x28 (including Loopback)
- A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192 kHz
- Maximum Power Draw: 40W
- Bus Powered: N
ISA Microphone Inputs (Channels 1-2)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.4dB)
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 117dB
- THD+N (minimum at minimum gain): -93dB (0.0023%)
- Noise EIN (A-Weighted): -128dB
- Maximum Input Level (minimum gain, Low impedance): +16dBu
- Gain Range: 79dB
- Input Impedance (switchable): 800Ω (Low), 1400Ω (ISA 110), 2400Ω (Med), 7000Ω (High)
- High Pass Filter (HPF): 75Hz cut-off frequency, 18dB/Octave
Microphone Inputs (Channels 3-8)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.1dB)
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 116dB
- THD+N (minimum at 8dB Gain): -100dB (0.001%)
- Noise EIN (A-Weighted): -127dB
- Maximum Input Level (minimum gain): +16dBu
- Gain Range: 69dB
- Input Impedance: 3200Ω
Fixed-level Line Inputs (Channels 1-8)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB)
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 120dB
- THD+N (minimum): < -105dB (0.00056%)
- Maximum Input Level: +24dBu
Instrument Inputs (Channels 1-2)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.5dB)
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 117dB
- THD+N (minimum): -89dB (0.0036%)
- Maximum Input Level (at minimum gain): +14dBu
- Gain Range: 79dB
- Input Impedance (switchable): 400kΩ (Low), 1.2MΩ (High)
Inserts (Channels 1-2)
- Connection: Balanced
- Maximum Output Level (send): +16dBu
- Maximum Input Level (return): +16dBu
Line Outputs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.02dB)
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 125dB
- THD+N (minimum): -113dB (0.00023%)
- Maximum Output Level: +24dBu
Headphone Outputs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.1dB)
- Dynamic Range: 114dB @ 33Ω, 116dB @ 300Ω, 116dB @ 600Ω
- THD+N: -102dB @ 33Ω, -110dB @ 300Ω, -110dB @ 600Ω
- Max Output Level: +8dBu @ 33Ω, +11dBu @ 300Ω, +11dBu @ 600Ω
- Max Output Power: 130mW @ 33Ω, 28mW @ 300Ω, 14mW @ 600Ω
- Output Impedance: 3Ω
Compatability
- 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
Other
- Weight (without accessories): 5.558 kg / 12.26 lbs
- Weight (with accessories): 5.826 kg / 12.85 lbs
- Height: 89mm / 3.50"
- Width: 482.6mm / 19.00"
- Depth (length): 292.8mm / 11.53"
Got a question or need assistance? Get in touch, we're happy to help.
02380 784500.