Focusrite TrakMaster PRO

Use the Platinum Series TrakMaster Pro as a front end to your system and enjoy quality vocal and instrument recordings, tracked in seconds. The TrakMaster Pro boasts professional quality preamp and compression circuits, providing enviable performance specifi cations and setting a new standard for project studio signal processing. A high quality preamp, front panel DI, problem-solving midscoop EQ, intuitive optical compression and latency-free monitoring come together in this unit to ensure you have all you require to get a quality signal tracked. You even have the option to fi t a Focusrite A-D card, taking you directly from the TrakMaster Pro into your digital workstation, whilst retaining the Focusrite signature sound as you fl ow from analogue to digital.

TrakMaster Pro utilises a preamp derived from the award-winning Green range, exhibiting a quality never before seen at this price point. This preamp demonstrates the same wide-bandwidth philosophy and ensures low noise and distortion. It delivers clarity and warmth without unwanted artefacts, displaying the sonic signature for which Focusrite has become famous. Also available alongside this section are Phantom Power and a High Pass fi lter for controlling rumble, proximity effect and pop reduction, enabling TrakMaster Pro to handle any audio source in style. The Low Impedance switch brings yet further sound options to your recording, allowing you to get more from your microphone and make the most of ribbon mics, which perform best when combined with a low impedance preamp.
An Optical Compressor is provided, featuring Focusrite’s custom fast-acting optos and operating in Class A mode, which allows for smoother, lower distortion performance than off-the-shelf VCA-derived circuits. With the addition of variable attack and the unique ‘Squash’ mode (ideal for intense drum sounds), this compressor gets you the compression sound you need in seconds. Add to this the ability to create latency-free monitor mixes, blending backing tracks from the DAW with the input signal, and stylish ocean blue ‘port-hole’ style peak level metering and you have a unit that both plays and looks the part as the centrepiece of your project studio.


The FF Pre :
Focusrite has, over the past decade, built a reputation as the market leader for high quality recording equipment, with is mic-pre technology as the cornerstone of that enviable reputation. The original mic-pre, as featured in the early Focusrite Forte console, used rotary switched gain controls and high quality audio transformers. This mic-pre is still used by many of the industries greatest producers and is the sound of countless hit records. Today, Focusrite design equipment for a far greater audience, from professionals to amateur enthusiasts, all with varying budgets.

As with the Red and ISA ranges, the Mic-pre technology found in the Platinum and Saffire ranges is designed to the highest possible standards. They uphold the same wide bandwidth philosophy featured in the original forté console, back in 1989. All Focusrite mic-pres feature custom components, which have undergone an intense testing and qualification process.

With the facts and figures in, Focusrite designs then have to pass the essential listening stage. Any design can measure well on the test bench but only a great design can be qualified in the studio. The FET-based design in the Saffire range is no exception and ensures the same low noise and distortion performance as earlier transformer-based designs. It delivers clarity without colouration and exhibits the signature transparency for which Focusrite have become famous.


Focusrite TrakMaster Pro Features :

• Award-winning Class A discrete transistor-based Focusrite preamps - This pre-amp demonstrates the same wide bandwidth philosophy featured in the original vintage Focusrite units, ensuring low noise and distortion.
• 'Pro Series' Latency-free monitoring - Monitor your source signals within the mix, directly at source, avoiding having to resort to monitoring via your DAW or digital desk, both of which may be prone to latency issues.
• Custom Opto Compression - With the addition of variable attack and the unique ‘Squash’ mode (ideal for intense drum sounds), this compressor gets you the compression sound you need in seconds.
• Optional Stereo 24 bit / 96kHz ADC - Tracking a vocal direct into your DAW or any other digital recording media has never been easier or more affordable. The Platinum Pro ADC provides a stereo digital S/PDIF audio output and can be retro-fitted at any time.
• Switchable impedance - The Low Impedance switch brings yet further sound options to your recording, allowing you to get more from your microphone and make the most of ribbon mics, which perform best when combined with a low impedance preamp.
• Front Panel Direct Instrument Input - For quick and easy connection without the need for a separate DI box. A High Gain switch provides the option to boost the incoming signal by 20dB - ideal for passive guitars.
• Mid Scoop EQ - The Mid Scoop EQ is a quick and effective problem-solver. With two different depths of cut and an adjustable frequency control, it’s ideal for vocal problem solving or for creating great miked-up cabinet ambience.

Focusrite TrakMaster PRO Specifications :

Mic Input Response
• Gain = +13dB to +60dB
• Input impedance = 2.5k Ohm (150 Ohm in Lo Z mode)
• EIN = 126dB @ 60dB gain with 150 Ohm termination & 22Hz/22kHz filter
• THD+N @ min gain (+13dB) = 0.001% with 0dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz filter
• THD+N @ max gain (+60dB) = 0.009% with -38dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz filter
• THD+N @ max input (+8dBu) = 0.001% with 22Hz/22kHz filter
• Frequency response @ min gain (+13dB) with -13dBu input = -3dB @ 10Hz & -2.3dB @ 200kHz
• Frequency response @ max gain (+60dB) with -60dBu input = -3dB @ 13Hz & -3dB @ 78kHz
• CMRR @ max gain (+60dB) = 80dB

Line Input Response
• Gain = -10dB to +36dB
• Input impedance = 24k Ohm
• Noise @ unity gain (0dB) = -88dBu with 22Hz/22kHz filter
• S/N ratio relative to max headroom (+36dBu) = 124dB
• S/N ratio relative to 0dBFSs (+22dBu) = 110dB
• THD+N @ unity gain (0dB) = 0.001% with 0dBFS (+22dBu) input and 22Hz/22kHz filter
• Frequency response @ unity gain (0dB) = -2.8dB @ 10Hz & -3dB @ 200kHz

Instrument Input Response
• Gain = +13dB to +60dB
• Input impedance = 1M Ohm
• Noise @ min gain (+13dB) = -87dBu with 22Hz/22kHz filter
• Noise @ max gain (+60dB) = -45dBu with 22Hz/22kHz filter
• THD+N @ min gain (+13dB) = 0.004% with 0dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz filter
• Frequency response @ min gain (+13dB) with -13dBu input = -3dB @ 10Hz & -2.3dB @ 200kHz

Level Meter
• Peak Level Moving Coil Meter
• Input & Output: -24dBFS to +2dBFS (-2dBu to +24dBu), +22dBu = 0dBFS
• Gain Change: 0dB to 24dB

Hi Pass Filter
• Roll-off = 12dB/octave 2-pole filter
• Cutoff frequency = -3dB @ 120Hz, -6dB @ 85Hz, -12dB @ 56Hz

Mid Scoop EQ
• EQ shape = peak
• Centre frequency = variable between 120Hz and 2kHz
• Cut (DEEP switch out) = -5dB
• Cut (DEEP switch in) = -10dB
• Q (DEEP switch out) = 0.7
• Q (DEEP switch in) = 2

Compressor
• Threshold range (SQUASH switch out) = -54dBFS (-32dBu) to -18dBFS (+4dBu)
• Threshold range (SQUASH switch in) = -37dBFS (-15dBu) to -4dBFS (+18dBu)
• Compressor ratio (SQUASH switch out) = 2.5:1
• Compressor ratio (SQUASH switch in) = 35:1
• Noise = -90dBu measured with a 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter
• Make-up gain = 0 to +30dB

ADC Performance
• Sample Frequency = 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz & 96kHz
• Bit Depth = 24bit
• Maximum analogue input level = +22dBu (0dBfs)
• Dynamic Range = 109dB 'A' Weighted

Ext Wordclock Input
• BNC connector

ADC Ext In
• Balanced 1/4" TRS jack socket input (+4dBu)

Monitor In
• 2 x balanced 1/4" TRS jack socket inputs (+4dBu)

Monitor Out
• 2 x balanced 1/4" TRS jack socket outputs (+4dBu)

Line Out
• Balanced 1/4" TRS jack socket output (+4dBu)
• Unbalanced 1/4" TRS jack socket output (-10dBV)


Dimensions
• 19" (W) x 1.7" (H) x 7.2" (D)

Weight
• 5.2Ibs