Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre User Guide

User Guide

Version 1.0

www.focusrite.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OVERVIEW..................................................................... 3

Introduction .................................................................3

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Box Contents ................................................................4

Hardware Features ...........................................................5

Front Panel ....................................................................5

Rear Panel ....................................................................6

USING THE SCARLETT OCTOPRE.................................................. 7

Combo Inputs................................................................7

Phantom Power ..............................................................7

Pre-amp Gain................................................................7

Pad Switch ..................................................................7

Line Outputs.................................................................8

LED Metering ................................................................8

Digital Outputs ...............................................................8

Digital Synchronisation ........................................................9

Scarlett OctoPre as Clock Source Master via ADAT ...................................9

Scarlett OctoPre as Clock Source Master via word clock...............................9

Scarlett OctoPre as Clock Source Slave via word clock ................................9

EXAMPLE SETUPS .............................................................10

1.Scarlett OctoPre with audio interface: OctoPre as clock source Master ..............10

2.Scarlett OctoPre with audio interface: audio interface as clock source Master ........10

3. Scarlett OctoPre with audio interface – SMUX-II and SMUX-IV modes ..............11

4.Scarlett OctoPre with analogue mixing desk ....................................11

5.Scarlett OctoPre with analogue mixing desk and digital record/backup..............12

SCARLETT OCTOPRE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ................................. 13

Performance Speciﬁcations ...................................................13

Physical and Electrical Characteristics ..........................................14

TROUBLESHOOTING ...........................................................15

OVERVIEW

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a Scarlett OctoPre, an eight channel mic-pre expansion unit incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-ampliﬁers.

The Scarlett OctoPre comprises eight natural sounding, low noise preamps with plenty of gain; eight line inputs and two high headroom instrument inputs, coupled with high quality digital conversion to ADAT format. You can now expand your studio set-up or live rig by adding Focusrite quality mic preamps and conversion to any interface with ADAT I/O.

The Scarlett OctoPre has both digital and analogue outputs: in addition to dual ADAT optical ports it also provides a balanced line output from each channel, enabling you to connect it directly to any analogue device.

This User Guide provides a detailed explanation of the hardware to help you achieve a thorough understanding of the product’s operational features. We recommend that you take the time to read through the Guide, whether you’re new to professional audio or a more experienced user, so that you are fully aware of all the possibilities the Scarlett OctoPre has to offer.

If the User Guide sections do not provide the information you need, be sure to consult

https://support.focusrite.com, which contains a comprehensive collection of answers to common

technical support queries.

Features

The Scarlett OctoPre is an eight-channel pre-ampliﬁer for use with microphone, line and instrument input signals. It converts the inputs into multi-channel, 24-bit digital audio at sample rates up to 192 kHz. The digital outputs are in ADAT format on optical TOSLINK connectors, which can be easily routed to ADAT inputs on your studio recording system, or any other ADAT-equipped interface using optical cables. The Scarlett OctoPre can transmit eight channels of audio at sample rates of 44.1, 48,

88.2, or 96 kHz, or four channels at 176.4 or 192 kHz provided, of course, that the receiving interface is able to handle the same number of channels at the sample rate in use.

The Scarlett OctoPre is an ideal “expansion” unit for adding up to eight more inputs to any audio interface with ADAT I/O.

The Scarlett OctoPre can be easily synchronised with other digital audio equipment in your studio, either as a slave to an external word clock signal, or by acting as the master clock source itself.

Box Contents

Along with your Scarlett OctoPre you should have:

• AC mains cable with IEC connector

• 4 x self-adhesive feet – stick to underside of unit for table-top use

Printed on the inside of the box:

• Getting Started Guide

• Bundle Code for on-line product registration*

*After registration, you will have access to downloads and licences for the following software: Softube Time and Tone bundle Focusrite Red 2 and Red 3 plug-in suite

Hardware Features

Front Panel

2 2 2

5 5 5 5 5

2 2 9 1111

55 5

7 1083 3

All operational controls and metering for all eight channels are on the front panel.

1. INPUTS 1 to 2 – 2 x “Combo XLR” input sockets for Channels 1 and 2 - connect microphones or line level signals via XLR or ¼” jacks: either TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack plugs can be used for instruments or line level signals. Note that the inputs for Channels 3 to 8 are on the rear panel [12].

2. Input gain controls 1 to 8 - eight rotary controls: adjust the input gain for the signals in Channels 1 to 8 respectively.

3. INST – two latching switches which put Inputs 1 and 2 into “Instrument” mode. When INST is selected, the gain range and input impedance are altered (relative to LINE), and the input is made unbalanced. This optimises it for the direct connection of instruments via a 2-pole (TS) jack plug. When INST is off, the inputs are suitable for the connection of line level signals. Line level signals may be connected either in balanced form via a 3-pole (TRS) jack or unbalanced, via a 2-pole (TS) jack. Each switch has an adjacent green LED to conﬁrm selection.

4. MIC 48V (1-4 & 5-8) – two latching switches, each enabling 48 V phantom power at the XLR contacts of four inputs: Channels 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 respectively. Each switch has an associated red LED indicating that phantom power is selected.

5. PAD – a latching switch for each channel, reducing the channel gain by 8 dB when selected. A red LED adjacent to each switch conﬁrms PAD selection.

6. Input signal level meters: eight LED meters, one per channel. These show the signal level in each channel post the input gain control, so you can see the level being sent to the output.

7. SAMPLE RATE – a soft switch which steps through the six available sample rate settings, the current rate being indicated by one of the adjacent green LEDs. The sample rate in use is stored in memory so that it is retained when the unit is switched off.

8. SYNC – a soft switch which selects the digital sync source for the Scarlett OctoPre (Internal or Word Clock), the selected source being indicated by one of the adjacent red LEDs. The source in use is stored in memory so that it is retained when the unit is switched off.

9. – a green “Locked” LED which illuminates when the unit has locked to the available sync source, indicating that it is ready to use.

10. POWER – AC power switch and green LED.

11. Rack ears for mounting the Scarlett OctoPre in a standard 19” equipment rack.

+ 10 hidden pages