Focusrite ISA C8X 26-In, 28-Out USB-C Audio Interface w/ Eight Preamps

About: Focusrite ISA C8X 26-In, 28-Out USB-C Audio Interface w/ Eight Preamps

The Focusrite ISA C8X combines the trademark ISA sound with comprehensive remote control and all the analogue and digital I/O, routing, and recallability you need to run your entire studio, plus switchable impedance, balanced inserts, and high-pass filtering. The first two channels feature ISA preamps with classic Lundahl LL1538 transformers and Console and 430 Air modes for new tonal options. All eight are fully controllable from the front panel and via Focusrite Control 2.

• 2U rack-mounted, 26-in/28-out USB-C audio interface 
• Eight remote-controlled preamps with up to 79dB of gain, two of which are ISA preamps with Lundahl LL1538 transformers
• All-analogue Console and 430 Air modes for tonal shaping 
• 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion with up to 125dB of dynamic range

Classic preamps, digital control

C8X’s two ISA preamps each feature Lundahl LL1538 input transformers that add subtle warmth and body to any signal, plus balanced inserts, stepped and fine gain control, switchable impedance, high-pass filter, and up to 79dB of gain — all digitally controlled via the Focusrite Control 2 app.

All-analogue tone

Console mode introduces warm analogue saturation and low-end punch, based on a soft-clip circuit with fully variable digital control. 430 Air, lifted directly from the ISA 430 MkII, adds high-end shimmer via an inductor-based high-shelf filter.

DI guitars, basses, and other instruments

Inspired by the ISA One’s well-regarded DI channel, the front-panel instrument inputs feature a selectable impedance for preserving the natural tone of guitar, bass, and other instruments. These also run through the ISA transformer circuitry, allowing you to apply both Console and 430 Air modes.

Six remote-controllable, ultra-low-noise mic preamps

Alongside the two ISA preamps are six remote-controllable, ultra-low-noise Focusrite mic preamps. Each one is designed to reliably capture every nuance with 69dB of clear, detailed gain and includes both analogue Air processing for high-end clarity and variable Drive DSP for analogue-style harmonic saturation.

Flagship AD/DA conversion

Whichever inputs you choose, you’ll be recording and mixing with the same 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA converters used in Focusrite’s RedNet range, offering 125dB of dynamic range and ultra-low distortion at 0.00022% THD. And C8X’s two headphone outputs each offer independent level control, extra headroom, and optimised impedance for powerful, detailed playback.

Run your entire studio

Designed for patch-bay setups and permanent installations, ISA C8X provides fixed line inputs that let you connect your outboard gear once and avoid awkward re-patching. For immersive formats, the 12 balanced line outputs enable everything from mono up to 7.1.4, with support for up to three monitor groups and switching via both the front panel and Focusrite Control 2. And the entire system is expandable, thanks to 16 additional channels over ADAT and 2 via S/PDIF for digital gear, plus MIDI and Word Clock I/O. 

Remote-control recording

Focusrite Control 2 is designed for both desktop and mobile devices, making it easy to manage gain levels, route audio, save and recall preset mixes, and monitor with low latency — wherever you install ISA C8X in your studio. It also supports control of multiple connected interfaces simultaneously, so when expanding your setup via ADAT with other Focusrite Control 2-ready devices, you can switch between them and control each one directly from the app.

Backed by Focusrite

ISA C8X is future-proof and designed for reliability. It’s also backed by Focusrite’s three-year warranty and award-winning 24/7/365 technical support for added peace of mind.

Studio-Grade Tools, Right in the Box

ISA C8X comes with Hitmaker Expansion — a curated collection of 15 premium tools from respected names in audio included as standard. Inside is the bx_console Focusrite SC by Brainworx: a faithful emulation of the ISA 110 and 130 modules, bringing the warmth and character of the original Studio Console into your DAW. Oxford Reverb by Sonnox adds precise, musical spatial design.

Specifications

• Hardware Overview
  • Microphone Preamps: 8
  • Phantom Power: Yes (Independent per-channel)
  • Line Inputs: 8
  • Instrument Inputs: 2
  • Insert Sends: 2
  • Insert Returns: 2
  • Line Outputs: 12
  • Headphone Outputs: 2
  • Line Outputs: 10
  • Headphone Outputs: 2
  • ADAT Inputs: 2 (16 channels at 44.1/48kHz and up to 8 channels at 96kHz)
  • ADAT Outputs: 2 (16 channels at 44.1/48kHz and up to 8 channels at 96kHz)
  • SPDIF Input: 1 (2 channels at 96kHz)
  • SPDIF Output: 1 (2 channels at 96kHz)
  • MIDI Input: 1
  • MIDI Output: 1
  • Word Clock Input: 1
  • Word Clock Output: 1
  • Talkback: Yes
  • Loopback: Yes
  • Connectivity: USB Type-C
  • Protocol: USB 2.0
  • Form Factor: Rack Mountable (2U)
  • Simultaneous I/O: 26x28 (including Loopback)
  • A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192 kHz
  • Maximum Power Draw: 40W
  • Bus Powered: No
• ISA Microphone Inputs (Channels 1-2)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.4dB)
  • Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 117dB
  • THD+N (minimum at minimum gain): -93dB (0.00023%)
  • Noise EIN (A-Weighted): -128dB
  • Maximum Input Level (minimum gain, Low impedance): +16dBu
  • Gain Range: 79dB
  • Input Impedance (switchable): 800Ω (Low), 1400Ω (ISA 110), 2400Ω (Med), 7000Ω (High)
  • High Pass Filter (HPF): 75Hz cut-off frequency, 18dB/Octave
• Microphone Inputs (Channels 3-8)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.1dB)
  • Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 116dB
  • THD+N (minimum at 8dB Gain): -100dB (0.001%)
  • Noise EIN (A-Weighted): -127dB
  • Maximum Input Level (minimum gain): +16dBu
  • Gain Range: 69dB
  • Input Impedance: 3200Ω
• Fixed-level Line Inputs (Channels 1-8)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB)
  • Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 120dB
  • THD+N (minimum): < -105dB (0.00056%)
  • Maximum Input Level: +24dBu
• Instrument Inputs (Channels 1-2)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.5dB)
  • Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 117dB
  • THD+N (minimum): -89dB (0.0036%)
  • Maximum Input Level (at minimum gain): +15dBu
  • Gain Range: 79dB
  • Input Impedance (switchable): 400kΩ (Low), 1.2MΩ (High)
• Inserts (Channels 1-2)
  • Connection: Balanced
  • Maximum Output Level (send): +16dBu
  • Maximum Input Level (return): +16dBu
• Line Outputs
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.02dB)
  • Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 125dB
  • THD+N (minimum): -113dB (0.00023%)
  • Maximum Output Level: +24dBu
• Headphone Outputs
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.1dB)
  • Dynamic Range: 114dB @ 33Ω, 116dB @ 300Ω, 116dB @ 600Ω
  • THD+N: -102dB @ 33Ω, -110dB @ 300Ω, -110dB @ 600Ω
  • Max Output Level: +8dBu @ 33Ω, +11dBu @ 300Ω, +11dBu @ 600Ω
  • Max Output Power: 130mW @ 33Ω, 28mW @ 300Ω, 14mW @ 600Ω
  • Output Impedance: 3Ω
• Compatibility
  • Windows: Intel, AMD, and Arm64 processors supported
  • MacOS: Apple Silicon and Intel processors supported
  • Linux: ISA C8X is UAC2 class compliant and should work on most Linux systems but this is not tested or supported

• Power Requirements
  • External: 40W
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 19 x 11.53 x 3.5 in (482.6 x 292.8 x 89mm)
• Weight: 12.26 lbs (5.558 kg)

What’s in the Box

• ISA C8X audio interface
• USB type C-to-C cable
• Region-specific IEC cable
• Rubber feet (x4)