Focusrite OCTOPRE-MKII User manual
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OctoPre MkII
User Guide
FA0309-01
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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 produce heat.8.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type 9.
plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is 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 they exit from the apparatus.10.
Only use attachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.11.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.12.
Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or 13.
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.
The apparatus shall be connected to a Mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection. 14.
Laite on liitettävä suojamaadoituskoskettimilla va rustettuumpistorasiaan
Apparatet mǻ tikoples jordet stikkontakt
Apparaten skall anslutas till jordat uttag
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.15.
WARNING16. - To reduce the risk of re or electric shock do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
The appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.17.
No naked ame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus.18.
Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord.19.
If the mains plug supplying this apparatus incorporates a fuse then it should only be replaced with a fuse of identical or lower rupture value.20.
Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when 21.
moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injur y from tip-over.
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FIN
NOR
SWE
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Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 3
Box Contents ................................................................................................................ 3
Hardware ...................................................................................................................... 4
Back Panel ........................................................................................................... 4
Front Panel ........................................................................................................... 4
Using the OctoPre MkII ................................................................................................. 5
Combo Inputs ....................................................................................................... 5
Pre-amp Gain ....................................................................................................... 5
Phantom Power .................................................................................................... 5
Line Outputs ......................................................................................................... 5
Digital Outputs ..................................................................................................... 6
Digital Syncronisation .......................................................................................... 6
Example Setups ............................................................................................................ 7
Specications ............................................................................................................... 9
Troubleshooting...........................................................................................................10
Mode d’emploi .............................................................................................................11
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Focusrite OctoPre MkII. This unit will provide 8 channels of high quality Focusrite pre-ampliers for
you to use on Microphone, Line and Instrument signals. You can use the OctoPre MkII as part of your studio set-up or live rig. The
OctoPre MkII 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 Mk II 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 Product Brochure
1 - Novation Product Brochure
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Hardware
Back Panel
The Back Panel provides the majority of input and output connections on the OctoPre Mk II.
1 6 x Combo inputs for Inputs 3 - 8. Mic via XLR or Line via Jack*
2 8 x Line outputs (1 - 8)*
3 2 x Optical output socket **
4 1 x BNC Word Clock input connector
5 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 output port 1 for 8 channels - ADAT.
@ sample rates of 88.2 / 96 kHz use output port 1 and 2 for 2 x 4 channels - ADAT SMUX.
Front Panel
The Front Panel includes the input connectors for Mic, Line and Instrument signals, as well as the input gain controls and
monitoring controls.
1 Channels 1 and 2 with Combo input sockets for Mic / Line / Instrument
2 + 48 V Phantom Power switches with LEDs for Channels 1-4 and 5-8
3 Pre-amp gain control pots for Inputs 1 - 8
4 Instrument switches with LEDs for inputs 1 and 2 LED On - Instrument / LED Off - Line
5 Pad switches with LEDs for inputs 1 - 8 LED On - 9dB Attenuation
6 Separate 5 LED meter for each input channel -42, -18, -6, -3, 0
7 Sample Rate switch with separate LEDs for each sample rate
8 Clock Source switch with separate LEDs for sync source / status
9 Power switch with LED - LED On when the unit receives power and is turned on
10 Removable rack-ear covers - remove to install unit into a 19 inch rack
4 35 2 1
1 2 3
4
510 10
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7 8 9
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Using the OctoPre MkII
Combo Inputs
All eight of the audio inputs use Neutrik Combo connectors. These can accept male XLR connectors, TS (un-balanced) and TRS
(balanced) jack connectors.
If an XLR cable is used, then the pre-amp will automatically set to microphone level.
If a Jack cable is used, then the pre-amp will be at line level. For instrument signals connected to inputs 1 and 2 use the Inst button
to switch to high impedance instrument level.
Pre-amp Gain
The gain of each pre-amp should be set accordingly to the level of the input source. Use the LED metering to monitor the signal level
of each pre-amp.
Start with the preamp gain set to minimum. Ask the recording artist to play at the loudest level required by the performance.
If the LED metering is already showing a high level, then switch on the Pad for that channel.
Then slowly increase the gain until the signal level reaches orange (-3dB).
Then lower the gain by a few dB.
This should ensure that the signal level is unlikely to ever reach red (0dB) and overload the analogue to digital converters.
Phantom Power
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. If phantom power is only sent to the XLR connectors on the combo input, so if a group of 4
preamps is shared between e.g. 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.
Line Outputs
Use the line outputs to connect the OctoPre MkII to the line inputs of any analogue device.
The OctoPre MkII will accept either TS (un-balanced) or TRS (balanced) jacks.
TRS jacks will give a maximum signal level of +16dBu whereas TS jacks will give a maximum level of +10dBu.
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Digital Outputs
Use the ADAT output(s) to connect the OctoPre MkII to the ADAT input(s) of any analogue device.
The OctoPre MkII will send 8 channels of audio @ 44.1 / 48kHz via a single optical cable. The same 8 channels is sent out of both
optical ports.
The OctoPre MkII will send 4 channels of audio @ 88.2 / 96kHz via a single optical cable. Channels 1-4 and 5-8 are sent out of each
optical port.
Use the Sample Rate to select the desired sample rate. You must ensure that the sample rate selected on the OctoPre MkII matches
the sample rate set on the receiving digital device.
Digital Synchronisation
There are two synchronisation options available:
OctoPre MkII as Clock Source Master:
Connect the OctoPre MkII to the digital device via ADAT and ensure that the receiving device is set to receive clock from the ADAT
input (also ensuring the sample rates on both devices are matched).
The OctoPre MkII Clock Source should be set to Internal and the Locked LED will light up Green.
OctoPre MkII as Clock Source Slave:
Connect the OctoPre MkII to the digital device via ADAT and connect a BNC cable (from the receiving device or any other device in the
digital chain) to the Word Clock input (also ensuring the sample rates on both devices are matched).
The OctoPre MkII Clock Source should be set to Word Clock and the Locked LED will light up Green.
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