Use the 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.

* IMPORTANT INFORMATION: FOCUSRITE, the FF logo, LIQUID TECHNOLOGY, TRAKMASTER PRO CONTROL and the TRAKMASTER PRO logo are trademarks of Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. DYNAMIC CONVOLUTION is a trademark of Sintefex Ltd. All other product names, trademarks, or trade names are the names of their respective owners, which are in no way associated, connected nor affiliated with Focusrite or its TRAKMASTER PRO product and which have not endorsed Focusrite's TRAKMASTER PRO product. These other product names, trademarks, and trade names are used solely to identify and describe the third party products the sonic behaviour of which was studied for the TRAKMASTER PRO product, and to accurately describe the functionality of the Liquid Mix product. The Liquid Mix product is an independently engineered technology which utilises the patented process of Dynamic Convolution to actually measure examples of the sonic impact of original analogue products upon an audio stream, so as to electronically emulate the performance of the original product studied. The result of this process is subjective and may not be perceived by a user as producing the same effects as the original products studied.

Q: What is the difference between +4dBu and -10dBV?
A: These are different signal operating levels. +4dBu usually refers to professional equipment and -10dBV usually refers to semi-professional or consumer equipment. It is important to make sure that any two or more devices connected to each other are operating at the same signal level. The +4dBu/-10dBV line outputs on the rear of the TrakMaster Pro give the option of either analogue output level. If the +4dBu output of a device feeds the -10dBV input of another device, this may cause the second device to overload. Alternatively, if the -10dBV output of a device feeds the +4dBu input of another device, the second device may receive a signal level which is too low (i.e. too quiet). -10dBV devices are usually connected using a mono 1/4" jack, this is known as an 'unbalanced' connection. +4dBu devices are usually connected using a TRS (stereo) 1/4" jack, or XLRs. This is known as a 'balanced' connection.

Q: Should I use balanced connectors with my TrakMaster Pro?
A: Preferably yes; the Line level analogue input and +4dBu output are balanced, operating at +4dBu. If you wish to connect unbalanced equipment to the TrakMaster Pro's line input however, this can be done, but the signal level will be 6dB lower. The 1/4" TRS input will expect to receive an unbalanced signal if the INST switch is engaged.

Q: Does the TrakMaster Pro have the same kind of spectacular bandwidth that has given the Red and ISA range units their reputation for 'open-ended' sound?
A: Yes. The audio bandwidth of the TrakMaster Pro is 10Hz to 200kHz!

Q: Can I take my TrakMaster Pro with me when I travel internationally?
A: It depends. There are three versions of the TrakMaster Pro mains transformer. One is suitable for use in North America and Japan, with mains voltages in the 100-120V range. The other two versions are designed for use in the UK and Europe (the only difference being the mains plug), with mains voltages in the 200-240V range. If you buy a TrakMaster Pro in a particular territory, it will be configured for ONLY that territory's mains voltage range. For example, if you're travelling from the USA to the UK, you CANNOT use your US model TrakMaster Pro with the supplied mains transformer. But if the mains voltage in the country you're visiting is in the same range, you can use the TrakMaster Pro with no problems - so taking a TrakMaster Pro from the USA to Japan, or from Germany to France, for example, would be fine. An external supply for different territories is available from your local Focusrite distributor.

Q: Can I retrofit a digital board to an analogue TrakMaster Pro at a later date?
A: Yes, and you can do it yourself - it can easily be retro-fitted by the customer without any soldering etc, just a few screws to undo and one clip-connector to join to the main PCB.

Q: What is the difference between +4dBu and -10dBV?
A: These are different signal operating levels. +4dBu usually refers to professional equipment and -10dBV usually refers to semi-professional or consumer equipment. It is important to make sure that any two or more devices connected to each other are operating at the same signal level. The +4dBu/-10dBV line outputs on the rear of the TrakMaster Pro give the option of either analogue output level. If the +4dBu output of a device feeds the -10dBV input of another device, this may cause the second device to overload. Alternatively, if the -10dBV output of a device feeds the +4dBu input of another device, the second device may receive a signal level which is too low (i.e. too quiet). -10dBV devices are usually connected using a mono 1/4" jack, this is known as an 'unbalanced' connection. +4dBu devices are usually connected using a TRS (stereo) 1/4" jack, or XLRs. This is known as a 'balanced' connection.

Q: Should I use balanced connectors with my TrakMaster Pro?
A: Preferably yes; the Line level analogue input and +4dBu output are balanced, operating at +4dBu. If you wish to connect unbalanced equipment to the TrakMaster Pro's line input however, this can be done, but the signal level will be 6dB lower. The 1/4" TRS input will expect to receive an unbalanced signal if the INST switch is engaged.

Q: Does the TrakMaster Pro have the same kind of spectacular bandwidth that has given the Red and ISA range units their reputation for 'open-ended' sound?
A: Yes. The audio bandwidth of the TrakMaster Pro is 10Hz to 200kHz!

Q: Can I take my TrakMaster Pro with me when I travel internationally?
A: It depends. There are three versions of the TrakMaster Pro mains transformer. One is suitable for use in North America and Japan, with mains voltages in the 100-120V range. The other two versions are designed for use in the UK and Europe (the only difference being the mains plug), with mains voltages in the 200-240V range. If you buy a TrakMaster Pro in a particular territory, it will be configured for ONLY that territory's mains voltage range. For example, if you're travelling from the USA to the UK, you CANNOT use your US model TrakMaster Pro with the supplied mains transformer. But if the mains voltage in the country you're visiting is in the same range, you can use the TrakMaster Pro with no problems - so taking a TrakMaster Pro from the USA to Japan, or from Germany to France, for example, would be fine. An external supply for different territories is available from your local Focusrite distributor.

Q: Can I retrofit a digital board to an analogue TrakMaster Pro at a later date?
A: Yes, and you can do it yourself - it can easily be retro-fitted by the customer without any soldering etc, just a few screws to undo and one clip-connector to join to the main PCB.

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.

"Like many voiceover talents, I work from a fairly well-equipped home studio with ISDN. I've had just about every mid-line mic preamp and processor out there and really haven't liked any of them. Then, I read about your Trackmaster Pro and ordered one. I am so impressed. It's what I was looking for--that clean, uncolored, recording console compressor strip sound...and the price was certainly right. Congratulations on a great product. I'm happy to recommend it to fellow talents."
Sean Hall - www.seanhall.com

"My sax has never sounded so good, it sure beats using my regular soundcard. The compressor vintage mode is awesome."
Geoff Martin, NY

"Lots of control over the audio. I'm very impressed."
Michael Stephens, London

"Lovely sound, clean but warm, really adds quallity to my mix."
Claire Parker, Brighton

Future Music Magazine quotes
Future Music Magazine - Issue 163
October 2005

“Another channel strip from the Platinum range at a price that
leaves no room for excuses.

A low impedance button which, to cut a long story short, offers an alternate tonal option for microphone input, quite unusual to see that on a unit of this price bracket.

In fact, there’s almost everything you could wish to see in a pre-amp.

The TrakMaster Pro is simplicity itself to use. The pre-amp section delivers the same noiseless and rich sound as the TwinTrak Pro

The EQ is limited but effective, for taking a bit of boom out of a close mic vocal, for example. Most of the time I left it off, which says good things about the mic amp.

The compressor is very useable, especially on vocals. It’s capable of very fast attack times, and I could make any sound sit pretty well in my mix while recording. The Squash limiter function is like turning on an entirely different compressor, and is particularly good on bass sounds.

The monitor section works brilliantly. So often there’s not enough welly for a vibey headphone mix. In this case the TrakMaster delivers a loud clear mix with easy control of the whole balance, making it easy and fun to record a vocal, which, overall, is no mean feat.

The TrakMaster represents incredible value for money. It does its job brilliantly and will add quality and improved workflow to the simplest of budget set-ups. The latency free monitoring will be a revelation to anyone working with a basic soundcard set-up, but
its mic amp and compressor are good and characterful enough to see the TrakMaster earning a home in all levels of studio.?

I always used my Focusrite converters instead of the ones on my Digidesign 888s where possible. If used well, the combination of the TrakMaster and the digital board can enable you to make very high quality recordings.”

Music Tech Magazine quotes
Music Tech Magazine - issue 25

"The TrakMaster Pro's compressor is loads of fun: it can sound clean for vocals and acoustic guitar, but it excels at crushing drum loops. The Slow Attack switch enables you to set the compressor to extreme levels without losing too much punch on kick drums and snares, so you can really get things pumping. The Squash setting behaves more like a limiter: if you set it carefully, you can contain transient peaks without impacting too much on the musical quality."

Audio Media Magazine quotes
December issue - Simon Tilbrook

“Focusrite Platinum units are always clearly and simply laid out, and the Trakmaster Pro is no exception.

The Trakmaster Pro is very quiet, and the input preamplifier delivers sonically pleasing results with all the input source options.

It is the Squash function that will interest most users. For crushing punchy drum sounds, in particular full drum loops, the compressor in Squash mode will certainly appeal.

The quality of the digital output was very good, as was the performance of the latency-free monitor section.
In a number of simple monitoring tests this proved to work well.

Focusrite has added another good quality unit to its Platinum range with the Trakmaster Pro.

The quality of the signal path from input pre-amplifier to digital output is exactly what we expect from Focusrite.