NAMM Focusrite ISA430 MK II PRODUCER PACK - Award

Believed to be the unit in the attached Youtube video from NAMM

Includes Award in photos.

BACK STORY:

I was the Focusrite Sales & Marketing Manager for North America for approximately 3 years in the early 2000's. Avid aka Digidesign was the distributor for Focusrite at the time and I was an Avid aka Digidesign employee. I was 100% dedicated to all things Focusrite during this time. When I was in the pro-audio/MI industry I worked for many great companies like E-mu Systems, Digidesign, Avid, Blue Microphones, and AKG amongst others but my time working with the great team at Focusrite I hold very dear. I am out of the pro audio business these days.

Head engineer (at the time), Rob Jenkins and I literally designed and spec'd this second-gen ISA 430 over many Guinness pints on a business trip in Chicago. The thought process was, "how do we make an outstanding channel strip even better?" The end result, was a product that won the prestigious 2004 Mix Magazine TEC award in fall of 2004. As you can see my the enclosed photo, Focusrite Chairman, Phil Dudderidge and I had fun backstage with our TEC award and we celebrated well into the morning as I recall! (kinda fuzzy).

The ISA series feature the amazingly transparent yet unique sonic signature if the ISA mic preamps, originally designed by Mr. Rupert Neve when we started the original Focusrite company. They were dedicated to building large fomat recording consoles when that was in vogue (analogue, pre-Pro Tools).

FEATURES:

-Classic Focusrite transformer-based 8 Pre-amp with variable impedance and ‘Air’ feature

-Multi format Compressor - transparent VCA and vintage optical circuits

-Unmatched signal path flexibility

-Ability to function as 4 separate modular processors simultanesouly

-Classic Focusrite EQ design; an expanded version of the original ISA 110

-Post mic pre output for the shortest possible signal path

-Proprietary Focusrite discrete Class A VCA Gate and Expander designs

-‘Listen’ feature for precise control over compression, gating, expansion and de-essing

-Soft Limiter to avoid critical digital overload

-Optional Stereo A/D – 24-bit 192 kHz Delta Sigma converter

-Precision VU metering

THIS UNIT:

Serial number 00260 was used at the NAMM show in January 2004. While the unit has a serial number sticker on it, I believe that this chassis is in fact a Series I ISA 430 used to assemble this unit for the NAMM Show. It was displayed in the main Focusrite demo rack within the AVID/Digidesign booth. While production was based in China, this particular unit was hand-assembled at Focusrite HQ when they were based in High Wycombe UK and hand-carried into the show. We used this unit to take orders for our new product(s) that year. I recently stumbled upon this unit cleaning up my storage unit. It literally has very little use as it's been sitting in storage for at least 20 years. I just did a basic audio test with a guitar and microphone and the VU meter started dancing immediately! All lights and buttons on the front panel seem to work just fine.

MISC.

Even though I described it as "good" in my ad, it is really more like good-very good (opinion) with typical scratches commensurate with a product of this vintage. I believe I am asking a reasonable price for this particular unit based on condition and its rich history. As much as it will be very emotional to do it, I will even consider throwing in the TEC award pictured with the channel strip if the price offered is reasonable. My mantra is "reasonable people do reasonable things" so be reasonable! This product is a special part of Focusrite's pro audio legacy, and the backstory is one you can share with friends and colleagues for many years!

I am happy to chat via phone if you have further questions. I will offer FREE UPS standard shipping within the continental USA ONLY based on the agreed upon price. Sorry no shipments outside of the continental USA due to the units weight (7.6 kg.).

Many people don't realize that there are only ten Focusrite consoles in the world, and they are almost priceless now. They were designed by Rupert Neve to be the most transparent, highest quality analog consoles possible, and he achieved it. George Martin and Rupert Neve then later get together and decide to make the ultimate channel strip based on the same components in the consoles, and the Focusrite ISA 430 was born. This channel strip could cost 5x more and it would be worth it. It starts with selectable impedance and and "air" function that adds analog depth to the signal. Then it passes through an amazing EQ section that individual parts can also be sent to the compressor. I'm not sure how they did it, but they crammed a true optical and VCA compressor / limiter in, an effective gate, analog de-esser, and a limiter in the final stage. You can also get an add on digital ADC should you ever need with quality second to none. I have two of these units which allows them to be used for mixes. The EQ is sweet and musical and the unit is heaven to the ears.