This is ISA evolved.
Introducing ISA C8X 🔵 The first audio interface in the ISA range and the next chapter in a story that began in 1985 ⏳
Designed to be the centrepiece of your studio, ISA C8X brings Focusrite’s ISA design philosophy
and expertise into a new era. Built for modern production workflows while rooted in four decades of engineering heritage, ISA C8X delivers the flexibility, connectivity, and sound quality required for professional recording and mixing environments🎚️
The ISA story began when Sir George Martin commissioned Rupert Neve to create something entirely new. The result, ISA 110, defined Focusrite’s approach to preamp design for decades and went on to shape consoles and standalone preamps used in studios around the world 🌍
ISA C8X continues that legacy with eight digitally controlled mic preamps, including two ISA preamps featuring Lundahl LL1538 transformers, analogue Console and 430 Air modes, switchable impedance, 79dB of gain, balanced inserts, and high-pass filtering.
Now available to order.
It started with a conversation in 1985 💬 George Martin asked Rupert Neve to build something special ✨
What followed helped shape the sound of recorded music for the next 40 years 🎛️
This is the full ISA story.
The people. The technology. The legacy that still runs through everything Focusrite builds.
Watch now on YouTube ▶️
Raised between London and Somerset, @lilylyonsmusic writes songs that feel both tender and quietly defiant.
Inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake and Big Thief, her songwriting holds softness and strength in equal measure.
Watch Lily perform “Cover The Trails”, recorded live at @realworldstudios during the making of The Story of ISA.
Watch the full piece via the link in our bio.
Let's do a deep dive into ISA C8X, our first ISA audio interface:
🎸Two instrument inputs routed through the Lundahl transformers for true console feel.
🎛️ Lundahl LL1538 transformers deliver warm, rich character to any signal. Up to 79dB of gain, switchable impedance, balanced inserts, and high-pass filtering.
✨Console mode adds warm saturation and low-end punch
✨430 Air Mode adds high-end shimmer
🎙️Six Focusrite mic preamps for capturing every nuance. 69dB of detailed gain per channel, plus analogue Air mode for added presence, and variable Drive for harmonic saturation.
⚡ Auto Gain sets optimal levels across all eight preamps simultaneously.
🎧Two class AB headphone outputs with independent level control, extra headroom.
🔌 Expand ISA C8X with 16 additional channels of I/O over ADAT. S/PDIF, MIDI and Word Clock connectivity.
...and much more.
Visit our website to explore everything that ISA C8X can do.
A moment of stillness inside one of the world’s most iconic recording spaces 🎤
Captured live at @realworldstudios during the making of The Story of ISA, @lilylyonsmusic performs “Cover The Trails”, tracked through the Focusrite ISA 828 MkII.
Raised between London and Somerset, Lily writes with a rare balance of softness and strength. Inspired by Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake and Big Thief, her music is rooted in honesty, human connection, and emotional depth.
Signed to Fiction Records, Lily is known for the powerful restraint and rare gentleness of her songwriting. She's toured with Paris Paloma, Willy Mason and Flyte, and appeared at Glastonbury Festival.
Watch now via the link in bio.
#TheStoryOfISA #FocusriteISA #RealWorldStudios
Been working hard in my remote studio this year, getting the best sound I have had so far thanks to this incredible @wearefocusrite ISA828 Mk II.
8 channels of the legendary ISA Preamps have been a game changer in my studio.
Currently running Kick, Snare, Toms and Overheads through, and loving the results.
Great mics, great Pres and a great room work wonders, allowing me to put my best foot forward in sessions for people around the world. Very blessed!! #focusrite #isa828mkii
Do you know the origin of our ISA preamps?🤔
It all started with a request from Sir George Martin to legendary recording console designer Rupert Neve to build a no-compromise mic pre and EQ for the console at Air Studios Montserrat.
Check out the full ISA documentary on YouTube.
We took a trip to Barcelona ☀️ to visit Room To Studio🎛️
Co-owner Jason shows us how integral Focusrite gear is to keeping workflows fast ⚡ and audio clean 🎙️
Having Barcelona as the backdrop doesn’t hurt either 🌴
Here’s how I recorded Some Kind of Way with just my laptop, guitar, bass and a Scarlett Solo from @wearefocusrite 🕺🏻 so many y’all found me through this song 🤍🙏🏻
The story behind ISA starts here ⚡
Meet Stephen Flood, founding partner of Master Rock Studios, home to the first-ever Focusrite Studio Console, designed by Rupert Neve and the origin of the ISA legacy.
Find out more about ISA's history in our documentary on YouTube.
