Focusrite Voicemaster Pro

Overview

With every project, you need to capture that perfect vocal and make the sound your own. VoiceMaster Pro represents a new generation of voice recording equipment.

Many of the elements from the award-winning VoiceMaster have been innovated upon. In addition, 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 preamp captures every nuance from any source, whilst latency-free monitoring ensures direct and delay-free mix control. Tools such as the voice-optimised 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 optional 24 bit, 96 kHz digital output board means that VoiceMaster Pro is the perfect interface between your microphone and your DAW or other recording media, placing the ultimate tracking solution firmly within your grasp.

Specifications

Mic Input Response

Gain range = 0dB to 60dB continuously variable
Input Impedance = 1k4 Ohms from 10Hz to 200kHz
EIN = 128dB measured at 60dB of gain with 150 Ohm terminating impedance and 20Hz/22KHz bandpass filter
THD at minimum gain (0dB) = .0004% measured with +16dBu input signal and with a 20Hz/22KHz bandpass filter
THD at maximum gain (60dB) = .003% measured with a –36dBu input signal and with a 20Hz/22KHz bandpass filter
THD at maximum Input level (26.5dBu) = .005% measured with a 20Hz/22KHz bandpass filter
Frequency response at minimum gain (0dB) = flat at 10Hz and –2dB down at 200kHz
Frequency response at maximum gain (60dB) = –2dB down at 10Hz and 200kHz
CMRR at full gain (60dB) = 80dB

Line Input Response

Gain range = -10dB to +10dB continuously variable
Input Impedance = 10k Ohms from 10Hz to 200kHz
Noise at main output with gain and fader set to unity (0dB) = -94dBu measured with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter
Signal to noise ratio relative to max headroom (27dBu) = 121dB
Signal to noise ratio relative to 0dBfs (+22dBu) = 116dB
THD at unity gain (0dB) = .0006% measured with 0dBFS (+22dBu)
Input signal with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter
Frequency Response at unity gain (0dB) = 0.25dB down at 10Hz and –3dB down at 200kHz

Instrument Input Response

Gain range = 0dB to 40dB continuously variable
Input Impedance >1MOhm
Noise at minimum gain (0dB) = -90dBu measured with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter
Noise at maximum gain (40dB) = -78dBu measured with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter
THD at minimum gain (0dB) = .006% measured with –10dBu input signal and with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter
Frequency Response at unity gain (0dB) = 0.5dB down at 10Hz and –1dB down at 200kHz
Frequency Response at maximum gain (60dB) = 6dB down at 10Hz and –1dB down at 200kHz

Input Meter

6 LED meter is calibrated relative to 0dBfs where 0dBfs = +22dBu (the maximum level which can be correctly converted by the optional internal A/D converter before overload occurs). The meter calibration points are as follows:

O/L dBFS (converter overload) = +22.4dBu (equivalent value)
0dBFS = +22dBu
-3dBFS = +19dBu
-6dBFS = +16dBu
-10dBFS = +12dBu
-20dBFS = +2dBu (average level to allow 20dB of headroom for EQ and Dynamics

High Pass Filter

Roll off = 18dB per octave 3 pole filter
Frequency Range = continuously variable from 30Hz to 400Hz measured at the 3dB down point

Optical Expander

Threshold hold range = -20dBFS (0dBu) to –60dBFS (-40dBu)
Expander ratio = 2:1
Attack time = 750us
Release time = 0.25s to 4s
Noise with maximum expansion = -96dBu measured with a 20Hz/22KHz bandpass filter
Signal to noise ratio relative to max headroom (27dBu) = 123dB
Signal to noise ratio relative to 0dBfs (+22dBu) = 118dB
6 LED meter shows downward expansion calibrated in dB increments

Vintage Harmonics

Threshold range = -10dBFS (+12dBu) to –40dBFS (-18dBu)
Compression ratio Depth switch out = 1:1.5
Compression ratio Depth switch in = 1:3
Mid band centre frequency = 3.5kHz
High band centre frequency = 20kHz
Band Q = 0.2
6 LED meters show the amount of boost at the centre frequency of the band, meter calibrated in dB increments

Optical Compressor

Threshold hold range = -15dBFS (7dBu) to –40dBFS (-18dBu)
Compressor ratio Hard Ratio switch out = 2.5:1
Compressor ratio Hard Ratio switch in = 6:1
Attack time Slow Attack switch out = 0.5ms
Attack time Slow Attack switch in = 5ms
Release time = 100ms to 1s and then auto release mode when the release knob is turned fully clockwise. Auto release creates a release time dependent upon the average level of the incoming signal
Noise = -94dBu measured with a 20Hz/22KHz bandpass filter
Makeup gain = 0 to +18dB

Tube Sound

Harmonic generation = 2nd, 3rd and 5th harmonics generated from fundamental frequency of the incoming signal relative to position of the Drive knob
THD with Drive knob at cool = 0.6% with a –10dBFS (+12dBu) 1kHz input signal measured with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter
THD with Drive knob at warm = 6% with a –10dBFS (+12dBu) 1kHz input signal measured with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter
The effect can be monitored visually using the drive led as follows: Blue to Green = Mostly 2nd with some 3rd, Yellow to Orange = More 3rd and 5th, Orange to Red = Large amounts of all harmonics above the fundamental frequency
Tone = 6dB per octave roll off low pass filter
Tone frequency Range = continuously variable from 4.5kHz to 30kHz measured at the 3dB down point

Voice Optimised EQ

Breath

EQ shape = Shelving
Peak frequency Shift switch out = 10kHz
Peak frequency Shift switch in = 16kHz
Gain range = +/-8dB

Mid

EQ shape = Peak
Centre frequency = 1.3kHz
Q in boost mode = 0.5
Q in cut mode = 2
Gain range = +8 to -12dB

Absence

EQ shape = Peak
Centre frequency = 3.9kHz
Q = 3.5
Gain range = 0dB to -10dB

Warmth

EQ shape = Peak
Centre frequency range = 120Hz to 600Hz
Q in boost mode = 0.5
Q in cut mode = 2
Gain range = +8 to -12dB

De-esser

Threshold hold range = -10dBFS (+12dBu) to –40dBFS (-18dBu)
De-esser ratio at centre frequency = 2:1
Centre frequency range = 2.2kHz to 10kHz
Q of cut = 3.5
Attack time = 0.5ms
Release time = 100ms
Noise = -94dBu measured with a 20Hz/22KHz bandpass filter

Output Meter

Calibrated for 0dBFS = +22dBu and indicates the level after the output fader being sent to both the internal AD converter and the VoiceMaster Pro XLR output
O/L LED = is lit when any section of the unit (including the cans output) reaches a level greater than 0dBFS (actual level is +22.4dBu)

Please note: The power supply featured in VoiceMaster Pro is not a switching power supply. Consequently, 120v VM Pros are not suitable for use in 220-240v territories, and vice versa.

Inta Audio recommends the Focusrite Voicemaster Pro by Focusrite

The Focusrite Voicemaster Pro offers great value for money, features, build quality and reliability.