Focusrite ISA430 MKII

EveningSky · 3rd January 2007, 01:37 AM

I have a good offer for this unit.
It seems to be a quality unit with interesting abilities.
I am interested in a good channel strip.
I would appreciate greatly if readers with experience with this unit could share with me your opinions about its:
Strengths AND Weaknesses.
Thank you,
ES

Revelation · 3rd January 2007, 02:48 AM

It's a good channel strip, but the pre is one that does not have such a strong character such as some higher price channel strips. Of course tube pre's many times have a stong character. What kinds of pre's do you have in your studio now? What are your needs? I agree that having at least one channel strip in a studio is a good thing. The EQ is slightly colored and works well on most applications. Compressor is great and I actaully like it better than the Portico compressor which has limited meters and other issues that did not bowl me over though it is a decent compressor.

Read this reveiw of the 430 http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan0...riteisa430.htm

You should really try one out and see if you like it. That's all what really matters. A cheaper version with the same pre is the ISA 220. However the 430 has a more flexible EQ and some more bells on it.

DAWgEAR · 3rd January 2007, 03:58 AM

ISA 430 MkII

Pros: truly amazing routing capabilities, comprehensive metering, EQ is nice IMHO, Gate is useful (to me), compressor gets the job done. The pre itself is nice. Not amazing, but not bad. While I wouldn't call it thin, it is not a pre that is particularly thick or big sounding in my limited experience. I actually like the pre for a cleanish sound, but others may feel differently. The pre has lots of gain and selectable impedance: good for ribbon mics. Overall, considering what you get, it's a good value for the money. If you have only 2 DA and 2 AD, the extensive routing, especially the inserts, external sum, and mic/line/instrument inputs can get a lot of sources into your DAW with button pushes. Remembers button settings (if I'm not mistaken, the ISA 220 loses memory -- someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Cons: You can do better buying a dedicated pre, EQ, and comp -- if you have the budget, that is what I would recommend. Pre cannot be driven harder for different colors. Comp does not have much character in regular mode and it has character in the vintage mode, but it's not a character I care for. The Mk II is manufactured in China TTBOMK and several people have questioned its build quality and that is a legitimate concern. I've had no problems.

You should be able to find one new for approximately $2,300.00 in the US. If you pay more, my comment about good value applies correspondingly less.

Dan · 3rd January 2007, 11:28 PM

I've got the original 430. It's a solid unit. Yes, the pre is clean with a slight transformer coloration. I've had good luck with the comp on rap, and other stuff, the de'esser is a nice addition, but with as well as software deessers work, and software gates, I don't get to use it often. The pre, and the eq are basically the same as the 110, which gets constant use around here.

skip bitmin · 4th January 2007, 12:10 AM

I've used the original 430 also, The pre is pro quality kinda nuetral
I like the compressor alot and the eq to me is by far its strongest
feature.

Vinylizor · 4th January 2007, 07:23 PM

I've got the original 430 as well as 4 of the original 85110 modules racked up. I've not heard the mkII but here's my take on the mkI.

The pre and eq on the 430 mkI are supposed to be exactly the same as on the 85110's, but I find it to be cleaner in character all around. Whether that's down to the age of my units, or a slight difference in components, who knows.

I agree that the pre is fairly neutral sounding - but in a good way. To me it's kind of like the u87 mic, in that you will always be able to find a slightly better one for the job, 'if' you have the time, and 'if' you have the selection of alternative gear to choose from.

However, if you don't, be rest assured that it will pretty much always sound good, no matter what the mic and what the source.

People either love or hate the comp. I think the main problem for those that have gripes (and haven't really learnt it), is that the attack is quite slow. If you try and use it on vox for example (which is where many will have built this hate!) and set it to a 'safe' 12'o'clock, it lets a lot of harsh stuff through and can sound awful. You've usually gotta really wack it all the way down to it's fastest setting for it to work. Same with the auto release. Sometimes it's fine, others a fixed setting works noticeably better - especially with bass.

As said earlier, the EQ and de-esser are pretty nice, as are the DI and AD. However, I've never really played much with the gate.

I've got a reasonable selection of well regarded boutique and vintage units here (which I love), but without exception, I've learned what their strengths and weaknesses are. I think the truly great feature of the 430 is simply that it rarely sounds bad on anything.

EveningSky · 5th January 2007, 02:09 PM

Vinylizor: My intended use for the unit would be general guitar and voice.
I tend to play background/meditative/new age type music, often with heavy effects added.
Thank you again to all resondants; I really appreciate your taking time to share your experience with me.
Yours, ES

LoopQuantum · 5th January 2007, 02:55 PM

Lundahl transformers = good.

Also, I've yet to hear a DeEsser that good.

FWIW>

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3rd January 2007, 01:37 AM	#1
EveningSky Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY, USA Posts: 65	Focusrite ISA430 MKII I have a good offer for this unit. It seems to be a quality unit with interesting abilities. I am interested in a good channel strip. I would appreciate greatly if readers with experience with this unit could share with me your opinions about its: Strengths AND Weaknesses. Thank you, ES

3rd January 2007, 03:58 AM	#3
DAWgEAR Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 992	ISA 430 MkII Pros: truly amazing routing capabilities, comprehensive metering, EQ is nice IMHO, Gate is useful (to me), compressor gets the job done. The pre itself is nice. Not amazing, but not bad. While I wouldn't call it thin, it is not a pre that is particularly thick or big sounding in my limited experience. I actually like the pre for a cleanish sound, but others may feel differently. The pre has lots of gain and selectable impedance: good for ribbon mics. Overall, considering what you get, it's a good value for the money. If you have only 2 DA and 2 AD, the extensive routing, especially the inserts, external sum, and mic/line/instrument inputs can get a lot of sources into your DAW with button pushes. Remembers button settings (if I'm not mistaken, the ISA 220 loses memory -- someone correct me if I'm wrong). Cons: You can do better buying a dedicated pre, EQ, and comp -- if you have the budget, that is what I would recommend. Pre cannot be driven harder for different colors. Comp does not have much character in regular mode and it has character in the vintage mode, but it's not a character I care for. The Mk II is manufactured in China TTBOMK and several people have questioned its build quality and that is a legitimate concern. I've had no problems. You should be able to find one new for approximately $2,300.00 in the US. If you pay more, my comment about good value applies correspondingly less. __________________ " the wrist of the listener will always turn up the volume for you more effectively than any brick wall compression ever could." -- Stav from Mixing With Your Mind

3rd January 2007, 11:28 PM	#4
Dan Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,268	I've got the original 430. It's a solid unit. Yes, the pre is clean with a slight transformer coloration. I've had good luck with the comp on rap, and other stuff, the de'esser is a nice addition, but with as well as software deessers work, and software gates, I don't get to use it often. The pre, and the eq are basically the same as the 110, which gets constant use around here. __________________ Rent some gear in Dallas! http://www.transientrecording.com/Eq...%20Rental.html Or, come use it at my studio! http://www.januarysound.com/

5th January 2007, 02:09 PM	#7
EveningSky Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY, USA Posts: 65	Thank you to all respondants Vinylizor: My intended use for the unit would be general guitar and voice. I tend to play background/meditative/new age type music, often with heavy effects added. Thank you again to all resondants; I really appreciate your taking time to share your experience with me. Yours, ES

3rd January 2007, 02:48 AM	#2
Revelation Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York Posts: 1,131	It's a good channel strip, but the pre is one that does not have such a strong character such as some higher price channel strips. Of course tube pre's many times have a stong character. What kinds of pre's do you have in your studio now? What are your needs? I agree that having at least one channel strip in a studio is a good thing. The EQ is slightly colored and works well on most applications. Compressor is great and I actaully like it better than the Portico compressor which has limited meters and other issues that did not bowl me over though it is a decent compressor. Read this reveiw of the 430 http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan0...riteisa430.htm You should really try one out and see if you like it. That's all what really matters. A cheaper version with the same pre is the ISA 220. However the 430 has a more flexible EQ and some more bells on it.

4th January 2007, 12:10 AM	#5
skip bitmin Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: canada Posts: 141	I've used the original 430 also, The pre is pro quality kinda nuetral I like the compressor alot and the eq to me is by far its strongest feature.

4th January 2007, 07:23 PM	#6
Vinylizor Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: London UK Posts: 34	I've got the original 430 as well as 4 of the original 85110 modules racked up. I've not heard the mkII but here's my take on the mkI. The pre and eq on the 430 mkI are supposed to be exactly the same as on the 85110's, but I find it to be cleaner in character all around. Whether that's down to the age of my units, or a slight difference in components, who knows. I agree that the pre is fairly neutral sounding - but in a good way. To me it's kind of like the u87 mic, in that you will always be able to find a slightly better one for the job, 'if' you have the time, and 'if' you have the selection of alternative gear to choose from. However, if you don't, be rest assured that it will pretty much always sound good, no matter what the mic and what the source. People either love or hate the comp. I think the main problem for those that have gripes (and haven't really learnt it), is that the attack is quite slow. If you try and use it on vox for example (which is where many will have built this hate!) and set it to a 'safe' 12'o'clock, it lets a lot of harsh stuff through and can sound awful. You've usually gotta really wack it all the way down to it's fastest setting for it to work. Same with the auto release. Sometimes it's fine, others a fixed setting works noticeably better - especially with bass. As said earlier, the EQ and de-esser are pretty nice, as are the DI and AD. However, I've never really played much with the gate. I've got a reasonable selection of well regarded boutique and vintage units here (which I love), but without exception, I've learned what their strengths and weaknesses are. I think the truly great feature of the 430 is simply that it rarely sounds bad on anything.

5th January 2007, 02:55 PM	#8
LoopQuantum Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 552	Lundahl transformers = good. Also, I've yet to hear a DeEsser that good. FWIW>

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