Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic MK2

This is cool. Focusrite’s Octopre MkII Dynamic does more than take advantage of your interface’s lonely, unused ADAT input for a beefed-up channel count. It actually features eight “single-dial” Focusrite compressors, aimed to give you much of the character of the renowned Focusrite Red 3 (without the hefty price tag). So, let’s go over it again. The Octopre MkII Dynamic sports eight award-winning preamps from Focusrite that you can pipe into your existing audio interface via ADAT. That means you can get ready to track an entire band at once. And while you track, rather than use all of your computer’s bandwidth calling up a CPU-hungry compression plug-in, you can score just the right amount of compression, right from the get go. What else do you need to know about the Focusrite Octopre MkII Dynamic?

Well, you’ll definitely want to know that these microphone inputs have a lot of gain. And the preamps are also optimized to handle super-extreme sound sources without clipping, so you’ll have no problems tracking acoustic drums. As for the built-in compression — it sports a classic soft-knee design that “does the job,” without squashing your sound. Rather, these compressors caress it. There’s also Focusrite’s unique “More” switch that doubles the ratio to get more of that effect-like compression, when you want it.

What about the I/O? All of it’s on the rear panel, with eight mic/line inputs all in a row. The first two channels even feature DIs, so you can plug your guitar or bass straight in and start recording your ideas. And while the Focusrite Octopre MkII Dynamic makes for a great analog-to-digital solution when you connect it to the ADAT input of your trusty audio interface, this feature-packed 1U box can also handle digital-to-analog needs as well. Thanks to the ADAT inputs and eight TRS line outputs, you can monitor any digital ADAT feed. Handy. And of course, when you talk about digital gear, the issue of “clocking” is going to come into play. Rest assured that the Octopre MkII Dynamic features a stable internal clock with rock-solid JetPLL jitter-elimination technology, so your gear sounds as clean and clear as possible.

All in all, if you’re wanting to expand the I/O capabilities of your recording rig and you have an audio interface you already know and love… well, the Focusrite Octopre MkII is a steal at this low price. Just connect it up to the ADAT input of your interface, park eight mics on the band you’re wanting record, and you’re good to go. And the built-in compression? It’s there to sweeten your sound — and it certainly sweetens this Focusrite Octopre MkII deal.

Focusrite Octopre MkII Dynamic 8-channel Preamp with ADAT Features at a Glance:

• 8-channel preamplifier and AD/DA converter
• ADAT output, so you can add eight channels to your current audio interface
• Eight built-in “single-dial” Focusrite compressors with soft-knee design
• Built-in 8-channel 24-bit/96kHz ADAT I/O
• Eight analog outputs for monitoring the digital or analog inputs
• Switchable phantom power in groups: channels 1-4 and 5-8
• Word clock I/O with industry-standard JetPLL jitter-elimination technology
• Internal clocking, master clocking, and external clocking via BNC or ADAT
• 5-input LED metering on every channel
• Capable of 24-bit resolution and 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96kHz sampling rates