Focusrite Octopre Mkii User Manual
OctoPre MkII
Dynamic
User Guide
Mode d'emploi
FA0346-03
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Important Safety Instructions
Read these instructions.1.
Keep these instructions.2.
Heed all warnings.3.
Follow all instructions.4.
Do not use this apparatus near water.5.
Clean only with dry cloth.6.
Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.7.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliers) that 8.
produce heat.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than 9.
the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for
your safety. If the provided plug does not t into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where 10.
they exit from the apparatus.
Only use attachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.11.
Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is 12.
used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.13.
Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such 14.
as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has
been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
It is important that the apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects lled with liquids, such as vases
shall be placed on the apparatus.
Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.•
Do not place any objects lled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.•
Do not install this apparatus in a conned space such as a bookcase or similar unit.•
Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it •
from overheating. Please ensure adequate space around the apparatus for sufcient ventilation. Ventilation should not be impeded by covering the ventilation openings with items such as newspapers, tablecloths curtains etc.
The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the AC outlet with its POWER switch in the off position.•
The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC outlet so that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at any time.•
An apparatus with Class 1 construction shall be connected to an AC outlet with a protective grounding connection.•
The MAINS plug or the appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device. Either device shall remain readily operable when the •
apparatus is installed for use.
No naked ames, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus.•
WARNING: excessive sound pressure levels from earphones and headphones can cause hearing loss.
GB This equipment must be earthed by the power cord
GB
FIN Laite on liitettävä suojamaadoituskoskettimilla varustettuun pistorasiaan
FIN
NOR Apparatet må kun tilkoples jordet stikkontakt
NOR
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Important Safety Precautions
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufcient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLICANCE
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
Environmental Declaration
Compliance Information Statement: Declaration of Compliance procedure
Product Identication: Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic
Responsible party: American Music and Sound
Address: 5304 Derry Avenue #C
Agoura Hills,
CA 91301
Telephone: 800-994-4984
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
For USA To the User:
Do not modify this unit! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modi-1.
cations not expressly approved by Focusrite may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use this product.
Important: This product satises FCC regulations when high quality shielded cables are used to connect with other equipment. Failure to use 2.
high quality shielded cables or to follow the installation instructions within this manual may cause magnetic interference with appliances such
as radios and televisions and void your FCC authorization to use this product in the USA.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. 3.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.•
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.•
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that •
to which the receiver is connected.•
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.•
For Canada To the User:
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
RoHS Notice
Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited has conformed
and this product conforms, where applicable, to the
European Union’s Directive 2002/95/EC on Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) as well as
the following sections of California law which refer
to RoHS, namely sections 25214.10, 25214.10.2, and
58012, Health and Safety Code; Section 42475.2,
Public Resources Code.
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Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4
Box Contents ................................................................................................................ 4
Hardware ...................................................................................................................... 5
Back Panel ........................................................................................................... 5
Front Panel ........................................................................................................... 5
Using the OctoPre MkII Dynamic ................................................................................... 6
Combo Inputs ....................................................................................................... 6
Phantom Power .................................................................................................... 6
Preamp Gain ......................................................................................................... 6
Compressor ......................................................................................................... 6
Compressor - Detailed Information ..................................................................... 7
Line Outputs ......................................................................................................... 8
5 LED Metering ..................................................................................................... 8
Digital Outputs ..................................................................................................... 8
Digital Inputs ........................................................................................................ 8
Digital Synchronisation ........................................................................................ 9
Example Setups ...........................................................................................................10
Specications ..............................................................................................................13
Troubleshooting...........................................................................................................14
Mode d'emploi (français) .............................................................................................15
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic. This unit will provide 8 channels of high quality Focusrite preampliers for you to use on microphone, line and instrument signals. You can use the OctoPre MkII Dynamic as part of your studio
set-up or live rig. The OctoPre MkII Dynamic offers 8 direct outputs via the balanced line outputs to connect to an analogue device,
or via a single or dual ADAT connection to a digital device.
If the main User Guide sections do not provide the information you need, be sure to consult http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase,
which contains a comprehensive list of common technical support queries regarding the product to date.
Box Contents
Along with your OctoPre MkII Dynamic you should have:
1 - IEC power cable
4 - Self-adhesive rubber feet - stick to the bottom of the unit for table-top placement
1 - Registration Card
1 - Focusrite / Novation Product Brochure
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Hardware
Back Panel
The back panel provides the all of the input and output connections on the OctoPre MkII Dynamic.
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1 8 x Combo inputs for Inputs 1 - 8. Mic via XLR or Line via Jack*
2 8 x Line outputs (1 - 8)*
3 2 x Optical input sockets **
4 2 x Optical output sockets **
5 1 x BNC Word Clock input connector
6 1 x BNC Word Clock output connector
7 1 x IEC Power input socket
* Either 1/4 inch TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) Jack connectors can be used.
** @ sample rates of 44.1 / 48 kHz use either output port 1 or port 2 for 8 channels - ADAT (a copy is sent to both ports)
@ sample rates of 88.2 / 96 kHz use output port 1 and 2 for 2 x 4 channels - ADAT SMUX.
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Front Panel
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1 Preamp Gain and Compression Compress and More controls for Inputs 1 - 8
2 Separate 5 LED meter for each input channel -42, -18, -6, -3, 0 dBFS. (NOTE: Metering is post preamp and compression)
3 The Mic 48V Phantom Power switches with LEDs for Channels 1-4 and 5-8
4 Inst Instrument switch with LEDs for inputs 1 and 2
5 Sample Rate switch with separate LEDs for each sample rate
6 Clock Source switch with separate LEDs for sync source / status
7 AD DA Switch to route ADAT input to line outputs
8 Power switch with LED - LED is lit when the unit receives power and is turned on
9 Removable rack-ear covers - remove to install unit into a 19 inch rack
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Using the OctoPre MkII Dynamic
Combo Inputs
All eight of the analogue audio inputs use professional combo connectors. These can accept male XLR connectors,
TS (un-balanced) and TRS (balanced) jack connectors.
If an XLR cable is used, then the preamp will automatically switch to microphone level.
If a jack cable is connected, then the preamp will automatically switch to line level. For instrument signals connected to
inputs 1 and 2 use the Inst button to switch to high impedance instrument level.
Phantom Power (MIC 48V)
The two phantom power switches turn on 48V phantom power to Mic inputs 1-4 and 5-8. Phantom power is required for
most condenser (capacitor) microphones. Phantom power is only sent to the XLR connector on the combo inputs, so if a
group of 4 preamps is shared between mic and line level signals, +48V is only sent to the microphones.
Dynamic microphones do not require phantom power but most will operate with phantom power supplied.
Ribbon microphones do not require phantom power and may be damaged if supplied with phantom power.
If you are unsure about your microphone DO NOT supply phantom power until you have conrmed the specications with the
manufacturer.
Preamp Gain
The gain of each preamp should be set with reference to the level of the input source. Use the LED metering to monitor the signal
level of each preamp.
Start with the preamp gain set to minimum. Ensure that the compression is set to off. Ask the recording artist to
play at the loudest level required by the performance.
The O/L LED will light if the signal level is too high. If the signal causes the O/L LED to light, even with the gain
set to a minimum then compression will be required.
Compression can also be applied to signals that don't overload the preamp, but require an amount of 'levelling' of the dynamics.
Compressor
The Compress control allows compression to be applied to the signal. With the control fully anti-clockwise, the compressor is set
Off: no compression is applied.
To turn on the compressor, rotate the Compress dial clockwise. As soon as the dial is moved from the Off position the yellow Comp
LED will briey light to indicate that the compressor is now active. As the control is turned further clockwise, the compression
threshold is progressively reduced, resulting in heavier and heavier compression of the signal. Now the yellow Comp LED will light
whenever compression is being applied to the signal.
A compressor acts as an automatic volume control, effectively turning down the volume of a signal if it gets too loud. As the
Compress dial is turned clockwise, the make-up gain is progressively increased, bringing up the overall signal level.
The More button will provide a greater ratio, thereby applying heavier compression to the signal.
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Compressor - Detailed information.
Prism Sound dScope Series III Page 1 of 1
OPE Dynamic Compression Curves
-60.00 dBr -50.00 -40.00 -30.00 -20.00 -10.00 0.00
-60.00
-50.00
-40.00
-30.00
-20.00
-10.00
0.00
10.00
dBFS
Prism Sound dScope Series III Page 1 of 1
OPE Dynamic Compression Curves
-60.00 dBr -50.00 -40.00 -30.00 -20.00 -10.00 0.00
-60.00
-50.00
-40.00
-30.00
-20.00
-10.00
0.00
10.00
dBFS
The following graphs show the compression curve for normal and more modes. These graphs include the effect of the make-up
gain to the overall signal level. The four lines represent Compress Off (OFF), Compress On - Min (MIN), Mid (MID) and Max (MAX)
settings.
In both modes the attack time is 1.2ms. The release time the 28ms
Normal Mode
MIN
MID
MAX
MAX
MID
OFF
MIN
OFF
In Normal mode (More button switched out) the compression ratio is 2:1
More Mode
MAX
MID
MIN
MID
MAX
OFF
MIN
OFF
In More mode (More button switched in) the compression ratio is 4:1
In both modes, as the Compress dial is turned clockwise, the threshold is reduced and the make-up gain increased. As More mode
utilises a higher ratio (hence more compression) there is more make-up gain to compensate.
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Line Outputs
Use the line outputs to connect the OctoPre MkII Dynamic to the line inputs of any analogue device.
The OctoPre MkII Dynamic will accept either TS (unbalanced) or TRS (balanced) jacks.
TRS jacks will give a maximum signal level of +16dBu whereas TS jacks will give a maximum level of +10dBu.
These analogue output levels correspond to 0dBFS.
NOTE: When the AD DA button is switched in, the line outputs are switched to output the signal received at the ADAT inputs (see
below).
5 LED Metering
The 8 x 5 LED meters show the level of the signal just before it reaches the analogue to digital
Converters - i.e after both the preamp and compressor.
Each LED represents the following values in dBFS: -42, -18, -6 (Green), -3 (Yellow), 0 (Red).
When connected to a digital device, you should ensure that both the preamp and compressor settings
are such that the signal level never reaches 0dBFS (Red).
Digital Outputs
Use the ADAT output(s) to connect the OctoPre MkII Dynamic to the ADAT input(s) of any digital device.
The OctoPre MkII Dynamic will send 8 channels of audio at 44.1 / 48kHz via a single optical cable. The same 8
channels are sent to both optical output ports.
The OctoPre MkII Dynamic will send 4 channels of audio at 88.2 / 96kHz via a single optical cable. Channels 1-4 and
5-8 are sent out of optical ports 1 & 2 respectively.
Use the Sample Rate button to select the desired sample rate. You must ensure that the sample rate selected on the OctoPre MkII
Dynamic matches the sample rate set on all connected digital devices.
Digital Inputs
The OctoPre MkII Dynamic will also act as a digital to analogue converter. For example, if you are using the OctoPre
MkII Dynamic with a computer audio interface, then you can connect the interface ADAT outputs to the ADAT inputs of
the OctoPre MkII Dynamic, thus increasing the number of analogue outputs from your computer.
Press the AD DA button to send the digital ADAT input to the 8 Line outputs.
NOTE: The analogue to digital and digital to analogue converters are synchronised to the same clock source. This means that both
must run at the same sample rate.
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Digital Synchronisation
There are a number of synchronisation options available:
OctoPre MkII Dynamic as clock source master - ADAT:
Connect the OctoPre MkII Dynamic's ADAT output to the digital device's ADAT input and ensure that the receiving device is set to
receive clock from it's ADAT input (also ensuring the sample rates on both devices are matched).
The OctoPre MkII Dynamic's Clock Source should be set to Internal and the Locked LED will light up green.
OctoPre MkII Dynamic as clock source master - word clock:
Connect the OctoPre MkII Dynamics ADAT and word clock outputs to the digital device's ADAT and word clock inputs and ensure that
the receiving device is set to receive clock from the word clock input (also ensuring the sample rates on both devices are matched).
The OctoPre MkII Dynamic Clock Source should be set to Internal and the Locked LED will light up green.
NOTE: The ADAT connection will transmit the digital audio; the word clock is only providing the synchronisation.
OctoPre MkII Dynamic as Clock Source Slave - ADAT:
Connect the OctoPre MkII Dynamic ADAT output to the digital device's ADAT input. Connect the digital device's ADAT output to the
OctoPre MkII Dynamic's ADAT input (also ensuring the sample rates on both devices are matched).
The OctoPre MkII Dynamic Clock Source should be set to ADAT and the Locked LED will light up Green.
OctoPre MkII Dynamic as Clock Source Slave - word clock:
Connect the OctoPre MkII Dynamic's ADAT output to the digital device's ADAT input and connect a BNC cable from the digital device
(or any other device in the digital chain) to the OctoPre MkII Dynamic's word clock input (also ensuring the sample rates on both
devices are matched).
The OctoPre MkII Dynamic Clock Source should be set to word clock and the Locked LED will light up Green.
NOTE: The OctoPre MkII Dynamic's word clock input is termintated (75Ω). Therefore the OctoPre MkII Dynamic should be the last
device in a chain of word clock connected digital devices.
See the following Example Setups section for digital synchronisation examples:
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