Focusrite ISA One Analog Single Channel Preamp

SKU: # 326142   |   Model: # ISA ONE A   |    Product Reviews2 Reviews  Write a Review

ISA One Analog Single Channel Preamp

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ISA One Analog Single Channel Preamp
ISA One Analog Single Channel Preamp

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YouTube Video Focusrite ISA One
Sale Price: $829.00 CDN
Original Price: $899.00 CDN
or from $88 CDN/mo
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The Focusrite Heritage Sound in a versatile, transportable package.


Featuring a rugged, portable all-metal enclosure, the ISA One combines the classic Focusrite microphone preamp with a flexible, independent DI channel and optional 192kHz precision A/D conversion.

At the heart of the ISA range is the microphone preamplifier with its Lundahl input transformer - essentially the same circuit, based on the original ISA110, that has been used for 30 years in successive Focusrite designs. The input transformer imparts a special character to the sound that can't be truly emulated in any other way: inseparable from the microphone itself, the transformer input stage is ideal for use with classic microphones. But this mic pre has a twist the original didn't have, which makes it far more versatile: four carefully-selected impedances allow you to match microphone to input in different ways. Bring out the character of a classic mic or emphasise a special feature, or go for a totally transparent, modern sound - it's up to you.

Whether you're an artist, engineer or producer, you'll appreciate the versatility of the ISA One, with its front-panel DI input. The DI includes low/high impedance switching and an amplifier output, and its own feed to the optional A/D converter and separate rear-panel XLR output.

KEY FEATURES

ISA series transformer-based preamplifier - Encased in a rugged and portable chassis, ISA One offers the classic Focusrite microphone preamplifier in a highly cost-effective and flexible package.

Flexible, independent DI channel - ISA One is ideal for both engineers and demanding performers alike, featuring independent gain control, an output for routing to an amp, an independent XLR output on the rear and routing to the optional A-D converter.

Switchable impedance - Choose one of four carefully selected input impedances, including the original ISA110 setting, to suit any microphone.

Headphone output with volume control - ISA One can feed either a sum of the two inputs to the headphones output, or an external stereo cue mix (such as a stereo feed from an interface) via two TRS jack inputs on the rear of the unit.

Dedicated insert point - Allows you to place extra processing between the preamplifier or DI and the optional converter, such as an EQ or compressor.

Optional stereo 192kHz A-D converter - You can choose to upgrade your unit with an optional digital card that delivers the best A-D performance in its class, with a dynamic range of 118dB.

Lundahl LL1538 Input Transformer - The original mic transformer used in the original Red modules helps to provide the unique sound and performance of this groundbreaking design.

Backlit VU meter with variable calibration - ISA One has a moving coil VU meter with variable calibration to suit analogue and digital recording media, alongside two six-LED peak meters; inputs can be metered either pre- or post-insert.

SPECIFICATIONS

Mic Input Response
• Gain range = 0dB to 60dB in 10dB steps + 20 dB of variable gain
• Input Impedance, variable as follows: (Switched Impedance setting Equivalent Input Impedance at 1kHz)
Low = 600 Ohms
ISA110 = 1400 Ohms
Med = 2400 Ohms
High = 6800 Ohms
EIN (equivalent input noise) = -126dB measured at 60dB of gain with 150 Ohm terminating impedance and 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Noise at main output with gain at unity (0dB) = -97dBu measured with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Signal to noise ratio relative to max headroom (9dBu) = 106dB
• THD at medium gain (30dB) = 0.0009% measured with a 1kHz -20dBu input signal and with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Frequency response at minimum gain (0dB) = -0.5dB down at 10Hz and -3dB down at 125kHz
• Frequency response at maximum gain (60dB) = -3dB down at 16Hz and -3dB down 118kHz
• CMRR=98dB (Channel 1, 1kHz, maximum gain with +24 dBu input)
• Crosstalk Channel to Channel: with 10dB@1kHz input to chA, chB output =104dBrA. With 10dB@10kHz input to chA, chB output = 84dBrA

Line Input Response
• Gain range = -20dB to +10dB in 10dB steps + 20 dB of variable gain
• Input Impedance = 10kOhm from 10Hz to 200kHz
• Noise at main output with gain at unity (0dB) = -96dBu measured with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Signal to noise ratio relative to max headroom (24dBu)=120dB
• Signal to noise ratio relative to 0dBFS (+22dBu) = 118dB
• THD at unity gain (0dB) = 0.001% measured with a 0dBu input signal and with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Frequency Response at unity gain (0dB) = -0.3dB down at 10Hz and -3dB down at 200kHz

Instrument Input Response
• Gain range = 10dB to 40dB continuously variable
• Input Impedance:
High = greater than 1M
Low = greater than 300k
• Noise at minimum gain (+10dB) = -92dBu measured with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Noise at maximum gain (+40dB) = -62dBu measured with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• THD at minimum gain (+10dB) = 0.001% measured with a 10dBu input signal and with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Frequency Response at 10dB gain with -10dB input = 10Hz-100kHz +/- 0.6dB
• THD at unity gain (0dB) = 0.001% measured with a 0dBu input signal and with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Frequency Response at unity gain (0dB) = -0.3dB down at 10Hz and -3dB down at 200kHz

Instrument Input Response
• Gain range = 10dB to 40dB continuously variable
• Input Impedance:
High = greater than 1M
Low = greater than 300k
• Noise at minimum gain (+10dB) = -92dBu measured with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Noise at maximum gain (+40dB) = -62dBu measured with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• THD at minimum gain (+10dB) = 0.001% measured with a 10dBu input signal and with a 22Hz/22kHz band-pass filter
• Frequency Response at 10dB gain with -10dB input = 10Hz-100kHz +/- 0.6dB
• Frequency Response at 40dB gain with -40dB input = -2.5dB down at 10Hz and 0dB at 100kHz

High Pass Filter
• Roll off = 18dB per octave 3 pole filter
• Fixed Frequency 75Hz measured at the 3dB down point

Meters
• Moving coil (MC) meter is factory calibrated to 0VU = +4dBu with 1kHz sinewave. With the VU Cal button pressed the meter can be adjusted on the rear panel to allow 0VU to equal +10dBu to +26dBu with the centre detent being equal to +22dBu.
• Peak LED meters calibrated in the detent position for 0dBFS = +22dBu, calibration is adjustable on the rear panel to allow 0dBFS to equal +10dBu to +26dBu
• Routing for MC and Peak1 meter is after the HPF, pre insert send or switched post insert return. Peak2 is always pre ADC channel 2, which can be fed by external input or Instrument input.
• LED levels are as follows when peak calibration is set to center detent on the rear panel. (This is when using the internal ADC).
0 = +22dBu
-2 = +20dBu
-6 = +16dBu
-12 = +10dBu
-18 = +4dBu
-42 = -20dBu

FRONT AND REAR CONNECTIVITY
Analogue Channel Inputs:
• Mic input: XLR x 1
• Line input: XLR x 1 and TRS x1
• Instrument input TRS Jack: XLR x 1
• External ADC input: TRS Jack x 1
• Return: TRS Jack x 1

Analogue Channel Outputs:
• Send: TRS Jack x 1
• Balanced line output: XLR x 1
• DI output: XLR x 1
• DI through: TS Jack x 1

Analogue Channel Additional I/O:
• Cue mix left input: TRS Jack x 1
• Cue mix right input: TRS Jack x 1
• Headphones output: 1/4" TRS Jack x 1

• Weight: 3.9kg / 8.6lbs
• Dimensions: 220mm (W) x 104mm (H) x 254 - 290mm (D - top to bottom) / 8.66" (W) x 4.1" (H) x 10" - 11.4" (D - top to bottom)

Media


Focusrite ISA OneWatch Video
Youtube video product demo

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Reviews


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Isa One 8 of 9 customers found this review helpful
Features  
Quality  
Value  
Overall  
Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Nanaimo, British Columbia
Amazing Preamp, Di! For the money youre getting an amazing pre , and a Di! 4 selecteble impedences, cue mix, a button to switch between mic/line/instrument, an analog and digital meter, meter calibration, optional space for a digital card! And it looks great, and its built solid! Now performance! On Vox it is definately a fairly clean pre, not adding alot in the way of bottom end, but thats one thing I like about it, Youre getting a nice signal from the cinemag transformer , it sits great in the mix, takes well to stacking tracks and eq, and when you push it you can get a very nice transformer saturation! Some people talk bad about this preamp because on its own it doesnt sound big and bassy, but this thing truly is a beast! I also love running my guitar and bass through a Di and then the mic pre! Ive used just the Di of the isa one aswell and its great! Its a good pre for singer/songwriters too as you can have your mic go to the mic pre, and run your acoustic or electric straight to the di and then run those into seperate channels of your interface! I could go on and on, but if you are considering this, you cant go wrong! Rock On! quick tip- try this pre with an AT 4040(amazing for male rap vox, female vox, and acoustic/electric guitar! just use a pop filter)
Posted by James Cassidy on Jul 1, 2017
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Focusrite ISA 1 5 of 5 customers found this review helpful
Features  
Quality  
Value  
Overall  
Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Cambridge, Ontario
Great pre amp with TONS of headroom and ultra low noise floor! Great value for the money!
Posted by anonymous on Oct 29, 2012
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A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.

Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.

How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
  • Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
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Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.

If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:

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