Focusrite ISA220

[dcisive]

Build
What can one say, this is built like a brick outhouse. Heavy, solid as a rock with superb feel. All knobs are detented and have NO play in them whatsoever. Very accurate and repeatable to adjust as well. Meters are what and where they should be delivering the needed feedback for accurate results.

Sound Quality
This is of course where the rubber meets the road. In this case NO traction is lost. The vast number of feature sets make this truly an "all in one" channel. Provided are a 3 band parametric (designed by none other than Rupert Neve) so you know this is sweet. The compressor (also a Neve design) is optical and very accurate providing transparent results when desired. The unique "blend" circuit allows not only makeup gain but restoration of some of the lost ummph from the compression scheme. The De Esser is also optical and is wonderful with ability to set both audibly and visually for the necessary offending frequencies when tracking vocals.

Since the input is transformer buffered (like many top pre's) this provides a certain PUNCH while maintaining that open transparency so often attributed to the Focusrite sound. This unit does NOT disappoint that's for sure. One can add a digital card for straight digital recording in's and out's on this pre for additional cost. For 2 Grand this preamp is about as good as it gets. Quiet, punchy, transparent and yet with an element of ****th that is hard to describe. In NO way diminishes the openness of the output. This is NOT a preamp for those wanting a dark or colored sound. It allows a quality mic to really shine and open up. Particularly a tube mic.

Recommendation
HIGHLY recommended