Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic Mic Preamp

Couldn't tell it was refurbished! Only minor drawback is it came in with type F and G IEC power cables (EU / GB) and no type B (US, CAN, MEX). No big deal as I had a few of those IEC cables lying around.

Adding the OctoPre to my existing 18i20 was a breeze (just one Toslink cable) and I finally had the 18 In/20 Out I'd been longing for! This was an "open box" purchase, though I wouldn't have been able to tell looking at the unit. It was in pristine condition, making the price I paid a real bargain. My DAW immmediately recognised the additional ADAT I/O ports, too, with zero additional configuration. What's not to like?

I had loads of trouble getting this to work. However, it turned out to be the cable. This unit is a great extension for my 18i20 G3. Works brilliantly and am very happy with the porocduct and the service received.

Amazing performance for drum tracking or any adat expansion needs!

Overall:I had been using my old Mackie 1604VLZ Pro for nearly 2 decades, and it served me well, but after so long it began getting a little flaky in the preamps. I had been using the Mackie's direct outs to feed the 1/4" analog inputs on my Focusrite Scarlett 18i6, and after losing a few takes to crackles and pops I decided to invest in a new preamp. I was afraid of a mediocre improvement for the money, but I was so happy upon trying it out. I am hearing more detail from my mics than ever before! It's so clear, rock solid so far, and runs quite cool compared to my 2 channel tube pre. SO happy with the Scarlett Octopre!

Better Get One While You Can-Too Good To Miss This Deal

Overall:Look at this unit as a 19" rack sized 8 channel mixer: 8 analogs in+ 8 analog outs + the 8 ADAT/Optical outs. Simple perfection setting it up. Preamps were the pleasant surprise, but man gotta admit, a lotta good going one here at very fair price! 1st time tracking with a full drum kit, yep--we knew then that the onboard preamps are performing well above average. Stellar pre's., for reals. We use it a summing mixer,too. Take some advice if reading...get one while you can!

Double the Awesome!

Sound:Awesome Focusrite preamp what more can I say? If you have the 18i6 or 18i20, this will open a large door to bigger mixes. Full mic drum sets, 2 guitars, bass, keys, vocals and still have room.I've been very pleased with the 18i20 but restricted to 3 and 4 mics on the drums, so now it's really on! I'm not reviewing the sound of the unit so much as the sound you can make with it. That's the key feature.Features:All of the necessary features are available on the front with tactile knobs and buttons. Knobs have weight to them and a soft coating. Buttons are momentary and toggle and feel like aluminum so I trust they'll survive for some time.Routing on the back is pretty much the same as the 18i20, straightforward ins and outs, but the cool part is it can ... MoreSound:Awesome Focusrite preamp what more can I say? If you have the 18i6 or 18i20, this will open a large door to bigger mixes. Full mic drum sets, 2 guitars, bass, keys, vocals and still have room.I've been very pleased with the 18i20 but restricted to 3 and 4 mics on the drums, so now it's really on! I'm not reviewing the sound of the unit so much as the sound you can make with it. That's the key feature.Features:All of the necessary features are available on the front with tactile knobs and buttons. Knobs have weight to them and a soft coating. Buttons are momentary and toggle and feel like aluminum so I trust they'll survive for some time.Routing on the back is pretty much the same as the 18i20, straightforward ins and outs, but the cool part is it can take ADAT in to give you the extra 8ch of balanced 1/4 out, with the press of a button or send the 8 inputs out directly with the press of a button. No software trickery. I use a rackmount headphone amp that occupies all of the 18i20 outs and still have 8 available outs for routing to mixers, outboard gear, or a PA!Ease of Use:Mount it in the rack, connect your ADAT, turn it on, set your clock mode, sample rate. Done.Quality:Aluminum chassis, solid knobs and buttons, confident connections.Value:I had a long debate over this unit and the standard version, and couldn't be happier. There's something to be said the effect of hardware compression in your mix and even more to the convenience of compressing hot inputs in life situations to keep things under control.Having 16 inputs is not a cheap venture, and Focusrite has made it easier to have quality and quantity for a reasonable price. They're popular for a reason and this unit is a prime example. The potential it offers and flexibility it gives is worth every penny and zZounds has a great price!Manufacturer Support:Excellent, register your Focusrite products and you have a direct channel to them for any questions or concerns.The Wow Factor:Recording a full band with a mic everywhere one should be has challenged me to create better static mixes and improve my recording techniques to achieve a better product! I couldn't be happier with Focusrite products and the quality, this unit is no exception. Quality and quantity, add simple hardware compression and you can have your cake and eat it too!Overall:I was unsure if this unit or the basic Octo was right for me. There's little to no info on the hardware compressors and since most of us use plugins it was tough to decide if it was worth the extra money.Now I know it is. It looks great alongside the 18i20, is superior for rack routing, a tad more flexible and for someone who records fully mic'd bands at jam sessions and live shows, a touch of compression can make the difference between a hot track and a hot mess of a track.To summarize, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I mean, its Focusrite. You know its gonna be great!

Exactly what I needed . . . at a great price.

Already had a Scarlett 18i20, needed 8 more inputs. Wanted/needed eight more (2nd generation) Focusrite pre's at a good price. Got everything I needed and nothing I didn't want/need. Hook-up to the 18i20 took 20 seconds. Now I have 16 incredible pre's in a small, beautiful package

Have been wanting one of these for a while...

Excellent addition to my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20. I'm running 16 direct inputs from Midas Venice F32 it's a dream. I also initially was running it into a Soundcraft Signature 22 MTK that is inputting into a Teac 80-8.Lovin' every minute of it!!!

Massive extension to the 18i20!

I can't tell you how much I regret putting off this addition. Having the extra 8 channels for recording - and doing it so seamlessly - is fantastic. no more going around to the back to change things out for my synth set-up. Can hit record or play live with everything running. well worth it!

Works with Avid Protools !!!

I have full recording home studio with rack mount/keyboard synths, V drums, a drum machine, and a guitar effects processor. I got tired of plugging and unplugging audio cables to track outboard gear into DAW. The Focusrite Scarlet 18i20 gave me 8 inputs. I found out the OctoPre could give me 8 more via ADAT connection through a Toslink cable. Syncing up the 2 units is done through Toslink cable. I use OctoPre internal digital clock (press hardware button on front of unit) and slave the 18i20 by selecting ADAT clock control on the Focusrite 18i20 software control panel. I can keep my outboard gear plugged in now. This will also enable several musicians to track record live simultaneously. I plan on upgrading my V drums to a Roland TD-20 or TD-30. These units have ... MoreI have full recording home studio with rack mount/keyboard synths, V drums, a drum machine, and a guitar effects processor. I got tired of plugging and unplugging audio cables to track outboard gear into DAW. The Focusrite Scarlet 18i20 gave me 8 inputs. I found out the OctoPre could give me 8 more via ADAT connection through a Toslink cable. Syncing up the 2 units is done through Toslink cable. I use OctoPre internal digital clock (press hardware button on front of unit) and slave the 18i20 by selecting ADAT clock control on the Focusrite 18i20 software control panel. I can keep my outboard gear plugged in now. This will also enable several musicians to track record live simultaneously. I plan on upgrading my V drums to a Roland TD-20 or TD-30. These units have individual outputs for each drum and cymbal. OctoPre gives me plenty of extra audio inputs so I can record 10 drums sounds simultaneously on different tracks in Protools DAW. This saves me time.