Digidesign and Focusrite Announce Exclusive
Distribution Agreement
February 7, 2000
Digidesign will be debuting the Focusrite ISA 110,
ISA 430, and the MixMaster at NAMM in Los Angeles, booth #1401. Focusrite
Audio Engineering Ltd., the U.K.-based audio signal processing company,
appointed Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, as exclusive distributor
of the Focusrite product line in North America. Digidesign will distribute
Focusrite hardware and software products for the United States (including
Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Bahamas) and Canada. Terms of the agreement took
effect as of January 1, 2000.
Serving both the home and professional audio markets, Digidesign will distribute
all modular signal processing hardware and software currently sold and marketed
by Focusrite. This includes the Platinum line of signal processors, the classic
Red Range, legendary for its transparency and warmth, and the new ISA 430 Producer
Pack and MixMaster.
The MixMaster is the fourth addition to Focusrite’s award-winning Platinum
Range. Designed principally to support the final processing stage when mixing,
the Mixmaster features a stereo line input, stereo expander, stereo multiband
spectral compressor, stereo 3-band parametric equalizer, stereo image controller,
stereo limiter and optional 24-bit/96 kHz digital output stage for state-of-the-art
digital connectivity. Housed in a sturdy 2U 19" rackmount case, the MixMaster
provides all the essential analog processing elements, with convenient analog
controls to give the final polish and punch to every recording. Among other applications,
it is ideal for live and club mixes.
The ISA 430 incorporates the microphone preamplifier and EQ circuits identical
to those found on the original Focusrite mixing console. In addition, this unit
provides dynamics processing based on the original Focusrite ISA 130, extensive
signal routing capabilities and optional AES/EBU, S/PDIF or optical 24-bit/96
kHz stereo digital outputs. Digidesign will also distribute all of the ISA Range
processors, such as the ISA215 EQ.
Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. and Digidesign announce the reissue of its
foundation product, the ISA 110 Microphone Preamplifier and Equalizer Module in
a special Limited Edition format.
The ISA 110 is the original, classic Focusrite channel, which has been the
choice of countless recording engineers and producers since its introduction in
1986. This is the first time it has been made available as a stand-alone, single
channel unit.
"This distribution agreement is a natural extension of a healthy relationship
between Digidesign and Focusrite as all segments of the market increasingly shift
towards DAW technology and Pro Tools in particular," comments Christopher
Bock, Digidesign’s director of sales, Americas. "As this market shift
continues, Digidesign customers will still require high quality analog input signals
and processing. Carrying both the hardware and software Focusrite lines will allow
us to meet the customer’s needs with a complete solution."
"Focusrite has been in partnership with Digidesign since 1996 when we
jointly launched the d2 Equalizer TDM plug-in for Pro Tools and subsequently the
d3 Dynamics plug-in. Both companies recognize the strategic benefits of this close
relationship," says Phil Dudderidge, Focusrite’s Chairman. "Many
of our dealers in the States are already Digidesign dealers and we see the two
brands complementing each other in both the high end markets and in the home studio
market where Focusrite Platinum and Digi 001 address the same customers. It truly
is a perfect marriage."
All of the Blue Range processors, such as the Blue ISA 315 mastering EQ, will
also be distributed by Digidesign. For more informational contact your local authorized
Digidesign dealer or visit www.focusriteUSA.com.
For more information, visit
Digidesign at www.digidesign.com. |
