Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro

An end to the search for that elusive perfect vocal; VoiceMaster Pro represents a new generation of Channel strip design. Taking as its starting point the award winning original VoiceMaster design, the unit features a whole host of new processors designed to ensure you have all you require to make the most of the artist you' re recording.

The award-winning Class A Pre-amp is capable of capturing every nuance from any source, while Latency-free Monitoring ensures direct and delay-free mix control. Tools such as the Voice optimized EQ, 'Vintage Harmonics' and 'Tube Sound' allow you to get creative with a touch of class, putting your own stamp on every recording. All of this, combined with the 24 bit, 96kHz A/D option means that VoiceMaster Pro is the perfect interface between your microphone and DAW or other recording media.

Class A Pre Amp
VoiceMaster Pro boasts the same award winning pre amp as its predecessor, the original, industry standard VoiceMaster. This Pre amp demonstrates the same wide-bandwidth philosophy featured in the original Focusrite units from years past, ensuring low noise and distortion, while displaying the signature sound for which Focusrite has become famous. Also found in this section are Phantom Power, Phase reverse and a variable High Pass filter for controlling rumble, proximity effect and pop reduction, enabling VoiceMaster Pro to handle any audio source with consummate ease.

Direct Input
Also included on the front panel are Mic and Instrument inputs, allowing quick and easy connection without the need for a separate DI box. Although optimized for Vocal use, VoiceMaster Pro can equally turn its hand to processing any instrument with outstanding results.

Optical Expander
A new, less intrusive optical expander is the perfect tool for removing ambient noise and headphone bleed, while avoiding signal degeneration. The release control is now variable, allowing for far more accurate set-up. While the Expander is optimized for vocal use and can operate as such inaudibly, with variable release it can also be tailored for a more aggressive approach on less sensitive signals such as electric guitar or drums.

Vintage Harmonics
Vintage Harmonics ensure your vocal sits prominently in the mix, while adding character to an otherwise sterile digital environment. It has been designed to emulate a classic tape-based vocal enhancement technique employed during the 1970' s.

During this period, engineers discovered that if vocals were recorded with a Dolby® A unit switched into the signal chain, and then played back with the Dolby® A unit switched off, a pleasing harmonic emphasis was added.

Focusrite' s 'Vintage Harmonics' processor reproduces this effect during recording by compressing the audio (relative to frequency) below a certain threshold. Unlike the original method however, this process has the added benefit of variable threshold (for both mid and high bands) and depth control, so that the effect can be instantly tailored to suit any voice.

To provide even further creative potential, the position of this powerful tool in the signal chain can be changed, operating either pre- or post- the compressor module.

Optical Compressor
The Optical Compressor design in the VoiceMaster Pro is, like all other features in this unit, optimized for vocal use, offering easy-to-set-up dynamic control of performance changes. The circuit is based on the original VoiceMaster compressor, yet newly improved, providing smoother performance. The addition of a 'post EQ' switch mirrors routing flexibility found in the legendary ISA range. Enabling frequency conscious compression, this function provides a huge boost to the creative potential of this compressor and the unit as a whole.

Tube Sound®
The 'Tube Sound' section offers cutting edge valve emulation technology, providing all the warmth and control, without the unreliability/unrepeatability that valves often entail. Focusrite' s Tube Sound circuit produces 2nd, 3rd and 5th order harmonics relative to the source audio, the frequencies being controlled by the Tone control knob ('Mellow' to 'Bright' ). The level of effect applied is displayed via a huge tricolor LED (Blue through Yellow, to Red) and is adjusted via the DRIVE' control, running from 'Cool' to 'Warm' . This section provides further creative flavor, helping to ensure you get exactly the sound you' re looking for.

Voice Optimized EQ
Focusrite' s British EQ has become a byword for excellence, and the VoiceMaster EQ is no exception, featuring controls specified to give immediate results with live or prerecorded vocals. The VoiceMaster Pro EQ is not just a fixed three-band circuit; Controls include:

• Breath - A shelving EQ, switchable from 16K to 10K to add air to both female and male vocals
  
• Mid - A bell curve at 1K3 to give vocals bite in a busy mix
  
• Absence - A notch filter with a narrow Q centered at 3K9 to remove harshness
  
• Warmth - A bell curve, tunable from 120kHz to 600kHz, adding depth and volume

Optical De-esser
VoiceMaster Pro features the same Optical De-esser as Focusrite' s award-winning flagship product, the ISA 430 Producer Pack. The circuit is based on a low-distortion optical design, allowing you to transparently remove excessive sibilance from your vocal. The circuit uses a combination of threshold-dependent EQ and phase cancellation to create a de-esser that is smoother and less intrusive than traditional compression-based designs. Included in the design is the 'Listen' switch, which allows you to isolate and monitor the excess sibilance which is triggering the De-esser, rather than trying to pick out the effect within a complex full-bandwidth signal. The most powerful, inaudible, yet effective De-esser in existence!

Output Features and Controls
VoiceMaster Pro is the first Platinum to feature a custom peak-reading meter. This meter, combined with the fader control and an overload LED, provide superb visual indication and instant control of your output levels. Also featured within the Output section is a global 'Process Bypass' switch, for instant A/B comparisons.

Optional Digital Connectivity
VoiceMaster Pro uses the same optional high quality A/D converter as TrakMaster, Penta and TT Pro. The converter is 24 bit and 128 x over-sampled, handling sample rates of up to 96kHz, with S/PDIF output and BNC word clock connection. Tracking a vocal direct into your DAW or any other digital recording media has never been easier or more affordable.

Latency-free Monitoring
VoiceMaster Pro is the only channel strip to offer latency-free monitoring, a major new development in recording technology. This section offers the capacity to monitor your source signal within the mix, direct from the unit, avoiding having to resort to monitoring via your DAW or digital desk, both of which may be prone to latency issues. A headphone mix can be created for either the artist or the engineer, with immediate and tactile control over levels, as well as the opportunity to feed in and control an external effect (e.g. reverb) for the source signal. With all the controls for latency-free monitoring available direct from the front fascia, VoiceMaster Pro means an end to latency issues. Capturing and creating the perfect vocal has never been easier, more enjoyable, or more affordable.

Features

• Latency-free monitoring section - a separate stereo monitoring circuit that allows the user to monitor vocal + FX loop + mix played back from e.g. DAW and control levels of these three sources, removing latency.
• 24/96 digital output option, using the same A/D card as Penta and Trak Master.
• Backlit VU output meter
• Instrument input in addition to line and mic inputs.
• Insert send and return, between mic pre and expander.
• Vintage Harmonics section.
• Routing flexibility (Vintage Harmonics and Compressor order can be reversed, and compressor and EQ order can also be reversed, hence 4 combinations of these 3 sections possible.
• 6-LED input meter.
• 6-LED expander meter.
• New lower noise opto compressor and opto expander.
• New Tube Sound section. VoiceMaster Pro circuit also includes new tone control feature and sexy, 3-color large LED.
• More flexible EQ - now has frequency shift for HF (10k or 14k) and depth of notch filter ("absence") can now be varied.
• New de-esser- now features the ISA 430 de-esser - includes the 'listen' function, so that the sidechain of the de-esser can be isolated, making setting up the frequency to de-ess very easy.
• 6-LED De-esser meter.
• L+R Monitor inputs and outputs.
• FX mono send and stereo return.

Click to view: Specifications

Dimension: 18.97" W x 3.46" H x 7.09" D, 2U
Weight: 11.03 lbs.

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