Celebrating 40 years of Focusrite

https://focusrite.com/about-us/40-years-of-focusrite

2025 marks the fortieth year of Focusrite, so we’re taking some time to pause, reflect, and celebrate our history — from a one-off commission in 1985 to a brand that’s today found in countless world-class facilities and home studios alike.

Our Story.

Explore the timeline below to see how our people and technology have helped shape the sound of the audio industry over the last four decades.

The first request

In 1985, Sir George Martin tasked Rupert Neve with designing a no-compromise mic preamp. The result, the ISA 110, set a new benchmark for clarity and musicality — qualities we strive towards in every Focusrite product to this day.

The original Forte Console

In 1988, we introduced the Forte. Designed to be the ultimate studio desk, it used the finest components for the highest possible sound quality and instantly became a symbol of engineering excellence. That same year, we released the ISA 115, a rack unit housing two channels of our ISA 110 preamp.

Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd.

In April 1989, current Chairman Phil Dudderidge acquired Focusrite, continuing Rupert Neve's vision with renewed energy and innovation. Classic ISA modules were reissued alongside new designs that catered to the evolving needs of the modern studio.

The classic Focusrite Studio Console

Released in 1990, the Focusrite Studio Console was built around the trusted ISA 110 and 130 circuits and received widespread acclaim for its sound quality. Just ten consoles were ever made, and a reputation for outstanding transparency and warmth made them highly sought after by top engineers.

Introducing the Red Range

In 1993, we launched the Red Range, a bold new series of analogue processors known for their bright red design and exceptional sound. Incorporating refined versions of the ISA 110 and 130 circuits, the Red Range carried our signature sound forward with sleek, modern mic preamps, EQs, and dynamic processors.

...and the Blue Range

Launched in 1995, the Blue Range high-end analogue processors are famed for their precision and control. With Class-A circuitry and VCA compression, they deliver transparent EQ and dynamic shaping, trusted by mastering engineers for clarity and accuracy.

The Green 3 Voicebox

Designed for smaller studios, the Green 3 Voicebox was a compact, single-channel unit combining a class-A mic preamp, expander, compressor, three-band EQ, and output fader. It gave producers the sonic performance the Focusrite brand had become known for without the need to invest in a full console.

The Platinum Range

The Platinum Range was our first attempt at bringing professional-grade audio to the home studio. A precursor to the later Scarlett interfaces, these effects processors paired inspiring creative features with trademark Focusrite quality, offering a new generation of musicians an affordable way to shape their sound.

Collaborating to create the M Box

Created together with Digidesign, the M Box was the first compact USB interface for Pro Tools LE. We supplied the mic preamp circuitry, giving the M Box a sonic edge over other interfaces in its class. A simple design, USB power, and portability made the M Box a go-to for home and mobile recording.

The cutting-edge Liquid Channel

In 2004, we launched the Liquid Channel, a groundbreaking channel strip that blended analogue input stages with digital modelling. Developed in collaboration with Sintefex, it used convolution technology alongside variable impedance matching to recreate the sound of vintage mic preamps and compressors in a single, flexible processor.

Focusrite goes digital with Saffire

We re-entered the digital interface market in 2005 with the launch of Saffire. Combining FireWire connectivity with trusted analogue mic preamps, this new range brought pro-quality I/O to the growing world of computer-based recording and quickly became a studio staple in both home and professional settings.

Scarlett revolution

In 2012, we introduced the Scarlett range, helping to revolutionise home recording. With bold, red enclosures, USB connectivity, and trusted Focusrite preamps, Scarlett delivered clean sound, quick signal processing, and easy setup — making professional audio more accessible than ever before.

Introduction to AoIP

RedNet marked a return for Focusrite to the professional audio market. Built on the Dante audio-over-IP protocol, RedNet enables studios, live venues, and broadcasters to route high-quality audio across networks with low latency and precision.

The Clarett Range

In 2015, we introduced the Clarett range, designed for the speed and performance of Thunderbolt™. Clarett combined ultra-low latency, 24-bit/192kHz conversion and new mic preamps modelled on our classic ISA design.

Scarlett 4th Gen

Our re-engineered 4th Gen Scarlett interfaces build on the studio-grade sound and advanced features of previous models. The latest generation offers even better audio performance alongside new features like Auto Gain and Clip Safe mode that make recording easier and more reliable than ever before.

Anniversary Edition

To celebrate four decades of Focusrite innovation, we’re taking the world’s most popular audio interface back to its roots; the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition packs the latest 4th Generation features into an iconic ISA-blue chassis that recalls the renowned channel strips that first bore the Focusrite name.

This limited production run features the historic ff logo embossed on the top of its aluminium casing and a hidden tribute to the company’s engineering legacy silkscreened on the underside in the form of the original ISA 110 and Studio Console schematics. Each Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition also comes packaged in its own collectible 40th-anniversary gift box.

The Anniversary Edition interface includes the full 4th Gen feature set and software bundle, plus an exclusive collection of additional plugins.

Key Features

• Strictly limited-edition audio interface with iconic ISA-blue aluminium chassis, embossed Focusrite Forte logo, and silkscreened artwork on underside inspired by ISA 110 and Studio Console schematics.  
• Comes with an exclusive Anniversary Edition plugin collection. 
• Sonnox Voca helps craft stunning vocals fast with compression, saturation, and tone softening. 
• Acustica Audio Rust is a faithful recreation of the legendary EQs that helped define the Motown sound 
• Softube Opto Compressor adds natural warmth and smooth control with true-to-life modelling of a classic optical tube compressor. 
• Also includes the full standard Scarlett collection with Pro Tools Intro+ for Focusrite, Ableton Live Lite, six months of FL Studio Producer Edition, and a suite of instruments, processors, and effects — now including the new Sonnox Soften. 
• Remote-controlled 4th Generation mic preamps boast a huge 69dB gain range for the clearest and most detailed sound ever found on a Scarlett. 
• Hi-Z instrument and line inputs allow connection of electric guitar, keys, synths and grooveboxes to the super-high-quality line inputs. 
• Huge 120dB dynamic range from the same studio-grade converters as Focusrite’s flagship RedNet interfaces. 
• Air Mode provides all the character of a big studio console with high-end presence and rich harmonic drive. 
• Auto Gain sets the perfect level for whatever you’re recording. 
• Clip Safe automatically adjusts the gain to reduce risk of clipping. 
• Dynamic Gain Halos allow easy monitoring of input and output signals directly from the hardware. 
• Powerful, custom-designed headphone amp provides independent level control for loud, clear, and accurate playback and monitoring. 
• Loopback allows easy creation of samples from computer audio using virtual inputs. 
• Focusrite’s tried-and-tested Easy Start tool makes setup quick and effortless. 
• Focusrite Control 2 software and mobile app make it easy to set up mixes and manage levels on the computer, or remotely from a mobile device. 
•  A three-year warranty is included.