Focusrite ISA 220 Session Pack Instructions Manual

Focusrite ISA 220 Session Pack Instructions Manual

Session pack

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Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the ISA 220 Session Pack brought
to you by the Focusrite team - Trevor, Peter, Martin,
Helen, Raf, Tom, Mick, Phil, Chris, Micky, Pauline, Jo, Chris,
Bryn, Giles, Rob and Simon.
The chaps at Focusrite are a jolly hard working bunch and
take a great deal of pride in designing, building and delivering
the best audio units around. We hope your new Focusrite
unit lives up to that reputation, and that you enjoy many
years of productive recording.
If you would like to tell us about your recording
experiences then please email us at: sales@focusrite.com
The Focusrite Team

Contents

Introduction ..............................................................................................1
Contents.....................................................................................................1
Important Safety Instructions.............................................................1
Power Connections ...............................................................................1
Signal Connections .................................................................................2
Getting to know the ISA 220.............................................................3
Metering .....................................................................................................3
Input Stage .................................................................................................4
EQ Module ................................................................................................4
Compressor..............................................................................................6
De-esser .....................................................................................................7
Limiter.........................................................................................................8
Output.........................................................................................................8
Stereo A/D ................................................................................................8
Applications...............................................................................................9
FAQs.........................................................................................................11
Specifications .........................................................................................13
Warranty.................................................................................................14
Accuracy..................................................................................................14
Copyright ................................................................................................14
Focusrite Distributors .......................................................................71
Reset Sheet.............................................................................................72

Important Safety Instructions

Please read all of these instructions and save them for
future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions
marked on the unit.
Do not obstruct air vents in the rear panel. Do not
insert objects through any apertures.
Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord.
Unplug the unit before cleaning. Clean with a damp
cloth only. Do not spill liquid on the unit.
Unplug the unit and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions:
If the power cord or plug is damaged; if liquid has
entered the unit; if the unit has been dropped or the
case damaged; if the unit does not operate normally or
exhibits a distinct change in performance. Adjust only
those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised or
grounding-type plug. A polarised plug has two blades
with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug
has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wider
blade or the third prong are provided for your safety.
When the plug provided does not fit into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
THIS UNIT MUST BE EARTHED BY THE POWER
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE
MAINS EARTH BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE
This unit is capable of operating over a range of mains
voltages as marked on the rear panel. Ensure correct mains
voltage setting and correct fuse before connecting mains
supply. Do not change mains voltage settings while mains
supply is connected. To avoid the risk of fire, replace the
mains fuse only with the correct value fuse, as marked on
the rear panel.
The internal power supply unit contains no user serviceable
parts. Refer all servicing to a qualified service engineer,
through the appropriate Focusrite dealer.

Power Connections

There is an IEC mains lead supplied with the unit, which
should have the correct moulded plug for your country.
The wiring colour code used is:
For units shipped to the USA, Canada, Taiwan and Japan:
Live - Black Neutral - White Earth - Green
For units shipped to any other country:
Live - Brown Neutral - Blue Earth - Green and Yellow
1
ENGLISH
WARNING:
CORD.
MAINS LEAD

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Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for Focusrite ISA 220 Session Pack

  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    Bryn, Giles, Rob and Simon. insert objects through any apertures. The chaps at Focusrite are a jolly hard working bunch and take a great deal of pride in designing, building and delivering Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord.
  • Page 2: Signal Connections

    ENGLISH Signal Connections (Optional A/D Card shown fitted) XLR (Audio) Inputs and Outputs Output All 3-pin XLR audio connectors (Output, Mic IP, Line IP, This output is used as the main analogue internal signal and EXT A/D IP) are wired as follows: output, and is fed by whatever is connected to the Mic IP, Pin 1 Screen/Chassis...
  • Page 3: Getting To Know The Isa 220

    ENGLISH Getting to know the ISA 220 Metering Power VU Select Applies power to the unit. Turn on the ISA 220 before The VU meter can display input level or the compressor powering up devices to which the outputs are connected. gain reduction.
  • Page 4: Input Stage

    ENGLISH +48V Input Stage This provides +48V phantom power for condenser mics when pressed. This switch does not affect the other inputs. Three input options are provided to give compatibility with If you are unsure whether your microphone requires microphone, line or instrument level sources. phantom power, refer to its handbook, as it is possible to damage some microphones by providing phantom power.
  • Page 5 ENGLISH PARAMETRIC EQ SHELVING EQ Two separate bands of parametric EQ are provided, each High and Low frequency shelving sections are available, each with continuously variable boost/cut with centre detent, with continuously variable boost/cut with centre detent, and sweep control with two ranges, and variable Q. The first a four position rotary switch for selection of rolloff band covers the range 40Hz to 400Hz (120Hz to 1k2Hz frequency.
  • Page 6: Compressor

    ENGLISH Compressor Comp Pre EQ The COMP PRE EQ switch allows the compressor to be placed before the EQ in the signal path. With this switch disengaged, the compressor is placed after the EQ (default position). Attack Comp In ATTACK determines how quickly compression is applied Press COMP IN to switch the compressor into the signal once the level of the source signal has risen above the path.
  • Page 7: De-Esser

    ENGLISH The unique 'blend' switch on the ISA 220 recombines the Release direct unprocessed signal with the post-compression signal RELEASE determines how quickly compression is removed at the gain make-up stage. The direct (uncompressed) signal once the level of the source signal has fallen below the is lowered by 6dB to compensate for possible overload.
  • Page 8: Limiter

    ENGLISH Active LED Stereo A/D This LED illuminates when the de-esser is active at the chosen frequency, and shines more brightly with increasing level reduction. The ISA 220 can be used as a high quality stereo A/D converter for final mastering, or for analogue transfer to Setting up the de-esser digital, with the addition of the optional ISA 220 digital output board.
  • Page 9: Applications

    ENGLISH Applications Record Channel This example shows the ISA 220 being used for mic or guitar recording. Stereo A/D Converter The optional A/D card is a stereo device which can convert two channels simultaneously. Stereo or dual mono conversion can be accessed by connecting the two audio signals to the EXT A/D IP and INT A/D DIRECT inputs (directly accessing the A/D inputs via the limiter and digital meters).
  • Page 10 ENGLISH Stereo ISA 220 Units It is possible to send audio from an ISA 220 to an A/D card in a second ISA 220 via the EXT A/D input. This configuration creates a stereo/dual mono record channel with only one A/D Card. Stereo control of Dynamics section The example above also shows how to link two ISA 220s together, allowing them to be used as a stereo/dual mono record channel.
  • Page 11: Faqs

    Focusrite-quality audio throughout, e.g. huge bandwidth: 10Hz- 150KHz 10. What is the ‘blend’ feature in the Focusrite professional Mic Pre (dual-gain transformer-based) Upgraded version of the original ISA 130 Class A Focusrite VCA compressor section? Compressor Focusrite 4-band parametric EQ derived from the original Focusrite...
  • Page 12 20. Is there an optional digital input card? post mic pre/pre EQ, post EQ/pre-compressor, or post compressor/pre- limiter. The ISA 430’s EQ is the original Focusrite EQ with 6 frequency No, because all the processing in the ISA 220 is entirely analogue - so even...
  • Page 13: Specifications

    ENGLISH Comp Key IP Specifications Connector: TRS (Stereo) Jack Signal: Balanced Operating Level: +4dBu Signal Connections Maximum IP Level: +26dBu Drives the sidechain of the compressor. Mic IP Connector: XLR Dynamic Link Signal: Balanced (Transformer) Operating Level: +4dBu Connector: TRS (Stereo) Jack Maximum IP Level: +26dBu Links two ISA 220 units, allowing control of the dynamics Gain Range: 0dB to +60dB in 10dB steps...
  • Page 14: Warranty

    All Focusrite products are covered by a warranty against manufacturing defects in material or craftsmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. Focusrite in the UK, or its authorised distributor worldwide will do their best to ensure that any fault is remedied as quickly as possible.

Table of Contents