Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic Mic Preamp

I needed to be able to have all my mics plugged in at once and to be able to record into more than two microphones at once. The two XLR inputs on my Scarlett 18i8 weren't cutting it. So adding this to my interface lets me keep my entire studio hooked up and in place without having to set up and tear down each day until I'm done with the entire session.Setup is very simple. You just use an ADAT cable (not included, just an optical cable you can get anywhere) to connect to your interface and it should automatically be detected by your computer as part of the interface.The one thing that tripped me up is that between the 8 inputs on this and the 8 on my interface my computer showed 20 available inputs which made sense sort of. The numbering of the inputs were not what I expected however and there were some loopback inputs and other things that may not have been there before or things you didn't expect. So my solution to this was to go through each input, one by one, in my DAW, selecting it, running audio into it, and seeing if that audio made it to the track. After mapping that out I figured out that the inputs were basically 5 through 20 mono and 1 through 4 were stereo inputs made up of sets of mono inputs.The LED display showing levels going into each input is very helpful and although I'd prefer to be able to turn on phantom power on an individual input basis, having the option for inputs 1-4 and 5-8 to be powered independently or the same time is still useful.

I just received the product this week and set it up with a Scarlett 18i8 USB interface. Setup was a breeze - connect it to the primary interface via optical cable (not provided), plug it in, set up the sync option on both the OctoPre and your primary interface (in my case "Internal" on the OctoPre and "ADAT" for the 18i8) and then set the sample rate (must match in both the primary and OctoPre) and you are up and running.The controls for setting up sync options and sample rate are on the front panel of the OctoPre (while on the 18i8 they have to be done in software) making it simple to configure the OctoPre. I was literally set up and recording within 5 minutes of taking the OctoPre out of the box.Focusrite support was also great. I had originally ordered the OctoPre Mk II, but after ordering realized that I may have not chosen the right unit for my needs. They were very patient with me through a series of e-mail exchanges answering a number of questions and eventually guiding me to the correct choice for my needs. They called out features that might be important to me, but also called out features that were available in the units but that I would not be able to utilize with my current setup. Overall a great experience with their tech support team, giving me a lot of confidence that they will be there if ever needed.The pre-amps on the Scarlett OctoPre sound great and, like all Focusrite products I own (2i2 and 18i8), the unit is well engineered. I like the fact that the front panel has access to inputs 1 & 2 (both are high-impendence inputs that can be used for guitar/base). This is great for me where I have 6 drum mics in inputs 3-8 in the back that I will leave permanently in place, and I can use inputs 1 & 2 in the front for guitar, base, or vocals.Initial impression is that this is another great product from the folks at Focusrite. I can't honestly comment on the durability of this particular unit, but I've had my other Focusrite products for a long time with zero problems and expect the same here. Highly recommend the Scarlett OctoPre and Focusrite.

I've got this product to expand my 18i20 to 16 channels for drum recording. Does the job well. Fit in my existing rack. And it was easy to sync.

I only know what mine is like, and it's clear that Focusrite is not doing much quality control. The knobs were all covered in some kind of residue. Ugly, sticky... WTF? And they do not include an Optical Cable, which is required to used the unit. But the unit does work, so I guess I can't return it... Functionally, it seems to connect to host unit OK, without any issues, meters displaying on 18i20 Control Software, sound output coming through... We'll have to see how it holds up over time.

I don’t even know what is this for, I bought it for my husband’s birthday. But he said that it’s necessary for something and that it helps other strange devices working together and who I am to judge such a serious statement :) Well, he is using this for over 2 months now, and I didn’t hear any complaints so far, so I’m guessing it works just fine.

It’s not plug and play have to use Focusrite Control and dial it in. But other then that works and sounds great.

Very good bang-for-the-buck here. The only design decision that I would have made differently was that it's sometimes hard to distinguish which meter as for which channel. I would rather have had the meters next to each volume control. But the sound quality and ease of connections is good, and the unit has good locking of signal. I recommend locking to a good word clock cable. The Midas preamps sound very good for the money.

This is an excellent audio interface and it s serving me well.