FOCUSRITE PLATINUM OCTOPRE LE 8 CHAN. MIC-LINE PREAMP

PLATINUM OCTOPRE LE NEW

OctoPre LE, the "lite edition" of the company's established OctoPre,
brings Focusrite pre-amplification and A/D-D/A conversion to a new
level of affordability for DAW and digital console users. OctoPre LE
provides eight channels of pristine Focusrite preamps, including two
“Super Channels" that offer mic impedance matching and instrument
DI inputs plus other features.
With the optional A/D-D/A board installed, OctoPre LE brings more to
the DAW via ADAT* lightpipe than ever before, allowing users to make
the most of often neglected ADAT* inputs and outputs for tracking and
monitoring. In addition, the A/D-D/A option provides wordclock in and
out as well as being the only converter in its class to feature 256x clock
 - a must-have for Pro Tools engineers.
Extremely easy to use, OctoPre LE helps to save session time and
engineer heartache. Auto switching front and rear panel inputs and
total control of the digital I/O from the front fascia allow the unit to
remain racked and patched, with every I/O solution available at the
flick of a switch. In typical Focusrite fashion, the OctoPre LE upholds
professional standards throughout, boasting class-leading specifications.

Specifications
Mic Input Response
    * Gain = +13dB to +60dB
    * Input Impedance = 2.5k/ 150 on Lo Z (Ch1 & 2)
    * EIN = 124dB @ 60dB Gain with 150 Termination & 22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * THD+N @ Min Gain (+13dB) = 0.0006% with 0dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * THD+N @ Max Gain (+60dB) = 0.003% with -36dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * THD+N @ Max Input (+9dBu) = 0.0008% with 22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * Frequency Response:
    * Min Gain (+13dB) with -13dBu input = -0.4dB @ 10Hz & -3dB @ 122kHz
    * Max Gain (+60dB) with -60dBu input = -2.3dB @ 10Hz & -3dB @ 67kHz
    * CMRR @ Max Gain (+60dB) = 80dB
Line Input Response
    * Gain = -10dB to +36dB
    * Input Impedance = 24k
    * Noise @ Unity Gain (0dB) = -88dBu with 22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * S/N Ratio relative to max headroom (+36dBu) = 124dB
    * S/N Ratio relative to 0dBfs (+22dBu) = 110dB
    * THD+N @ Unity Gain (0dB) = 0.001% with 0dBFS (+22dBu) input and
      22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * Frequency Response @ Unity Gain (0dB) = -0.5dB @ 10Hz & -3dB @ 110kHz
Instrument Input Response
    * Gain = +13dB to +60dB
    * Input Impedance = 1M?
    * Noise @ Min Gain (+13dB) = -87dBu with 22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * Noise @ Max Gain (+60dB) = -42dBu with 22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * THD+N @ Min Gain (+13dB) = 0.001% with 0dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz Filter
    * Frequency Response @ Min Gain (+13dB) with -13dBu input = -0.4dB @ 10Hz &
      -3dB @ 122kHz
Input Meter
    * Peak Level Moving Coil Meter
    * -24dBfs to +2dBfs (-2dBu to +24dBu), +22dBu = 0dBfs
    * Overload LED's triggered @ 0dBfs (+22dBu)
High Pass Filter
    * Roll off = 12dB per octave 2 pole filter
    * Cut off frequency:
      -3dB at 120Hz
      -6dB at 85Hz
      -12dB at 56Hz
Weight
    * 4.2 kg
Dimensions
    * 480mm (W) x 44mm (H) x 265mm (D)

The PRE-73 MKIII is a one-channel vintage style microphone-, line- and instrument preamplifier. The signal path uses only discrete components like resistors, capacitors and transistors. The in- and output is transformer balanced, using two different transformers, each one optimized for its purpose. This is the way audio components were built before integrated circuits became available.

The circuit used in the PRE-73 MKIII is similar to the preamp section in the classical 1073 module with a corresponding sound character that is warm, punchy, sweet and musical. These classic characteristics have been heard on countless recordings through the years and it is a versatile sound that works very well on most sound sources and in most genres.
The essence of this sound is now available at a surprisingly low cost, making it available to nearly everyone.

Features  :

• Vintage Style electronics. No intergrated circuits in the signal path.

• Maximum gain in MIC mode is 80 dB, enough to handle passive ribbon mics with quiet sound sources.

• GAIN switch range 20 - 80 dB. GAIN/LINE mode switch, gain is reduced by 30 dB in LINE mode.

• Selectable two position high frequency AIR boost eq, 3 or 6 dB @ 30 kHz.

• Selectable 6 dB/octave two frequency high pass filter at around 40 (HP1) and 170 Hz (HP2).

• Tantalum capacitors in the signal path.

• Switchable impedance in MIC mode, 1200 or 300 Ohms, will change the tone of most mics. The input impedance in LINE mode is 10 kohm.

• Switchable phantom power and absolute phase.

• A high-impedance instrument input for any sound module, electric guitar or bass.

• A simple but effective 4-step LED output level meter.

• The output level control makes it possible to make fine gain adjustments and also to overload the main gain stage(s) for more character and then lower the signal to a suitable level before the output stage.

• Combo XLR/TRS input jack and separate output XLR and TRS jacks for flexible connections.

• Insert jack for inserting EQ´s and other units.

• Selectable 600 ohm output termination.

• The pcb is prepared for the Carnhill input transformer.

• External power supply to avoid interaction with the audio circuits and transformers.

• A solid build quality that will last many years of normal use.

The MKIII has the following new features compared to the MKII:

• Tantalum capacitors in the signal path.

• Selectable two position high frequency AIR boost eq, 3 or 6 dB @ 30 kHz.

• Selectable two frequency high pass filter, 6 dB/octave at 40 or 170Hz.

• The pcb is prepared for the Carnhill input transformer.

• Revised and less complicated GAIN switch with a separate switch for MIC/LINE selection.

• All GAIN settings can also be used in LINE mode .

Having had great success with the PRE-73 preamp, we have received many requests for a version for the 500 eries rack format. We are therefore happy to present the PRE-573, expected to start shipping in late September.
 
The PRE-573 is a one width module that has the sound and the features that made the PRE-73 so successful and a few additional ones.
The circuit still uses the preamp and output section from the classic 1073-module, adapted to work in the api rack format. It has a total  gain range from -15 to +80 dB. The 10 - 70 dB range is handled by a turn switch  and there is a separate toggle switch to select an additional 5 or 10 dB gain. The input can be configured to accept line level signals by another switch, the gain is then lowered by about 25 dB and the input impedance increased to about 15 kohm.
 
The input impedance of the mic input mode can be switched between 1200 and 300 ohm. Phantom power and phase reverse is also selectable by front panel switches.
 
An added feature, using the same circuit as in the PRE-73 DLX, is the active DI-input with a high input impedance of about 1,5 Mohm. The output signal from the active DI circuit passes through the input transformer for some extra character.
The DI-input is very flexible since it can be changed to a purely passive one by a front panel switch. The DI input is then exactly the same as in the PRE-73 Mk2 where the signal is feed directly into the second gain stage, bypassing the transformer and with an input impedance of about 100 kohm.

These two DI-options makes it possible to get different tones from electric instruments and the passive DI input mode is more suited for injecting active units like sound modules. 
 
A new feature is the switchable AIR mode that  adds a small boost above 10 kHz that peaks at 2 dB at about 35 kHz.

A simple but effective signal and overload indicator is offered by a single LED that starts glowing red at about +4 dBu and then increases its intensity up to the maximum output level.
 
The PRE-573 has a dedicated insert connector at the back allowing it to interface with other GAP 500 modules. The insert can be activated by removing a jumper connector at the back of the module.
The second Golden Age Project module for the api 500 rack will be the EQ-573, expected to ship in November 2012. The EQ-573 consists of the inductor based high pass filter section  and the 3-band eq section from the classic 1073 module with some added frequencies. These two modules together will offer a fully fledged 1073-module in a compact format at a very low cost.
 
There is a second jumper at the back of the module that selects 600 ohm termination on the output. The standard mode is termination on, since it gives the flattest response when the PRE-573 is used with modern line inputs that typically has an input impedance of 10 kohm or more. The user can chose to remove the jumper and deactivate the termination resistor, this will increase the level above 10 kHz and create a peak in the response for an even more pronounced  "Air" effect.
The output is transformer balanced and fully floating and can drive a 600 ohm load up to level of about 28 dBu.

The PRE-73 Mk2 pre-amp and the FC3 condenser microphone in one bundle. The bundle also includes Golden Age P1 Pop Filter, Proel RSM180 mic stand and Proel CHL250 5m cable.