Focusrite Trackmaster Pro

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Focusrite Trackmaster Pro

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Web Price: £159.00 GBP inc VAT

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Euro Price: €201.05 (1 GBP = 1.26444 EUR)

Manufacturer SKU: MOPF0013
Dolphin ID: 5827
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Reviewed 1 times - Average Rating 8/10

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TrakMaster Pro, a professional microphone preamplifier/compressor, is the latest in Focusrite's Platinum Pro series and the company's most affordable recording channel strip to date. Providing performance specifications never before seen at this price point, TrakMaster Pro features a mic preamp derived from Focusrite's award-winning Green range, front panel DI, problem-solving mid-scoop EQ, intuitive optical compression, latency-free monitoring, and the Platinum Pro series ADC option.

The preamp demonstrates the same wide bandwidth philosophy as past Focusrite preamps, ensuring low noise and distortion and delivering clarity without unwanted artifacts. The Low Impedance switch, a feature previously unavailable at this price point, brings yet further sound options to the recording process. Also featured are Phantom Power and a High Pass filter for controlling rumble, proximity effect and pop reduction.

The mid-scoop EQ is a quick and effective problem-solver, with two different cut depths and an adjustable frequency control. Ranging from 120Hz to 2K, it's ideal for problem solving or for great miked-up speaker cabinets. Staying true to the Focusrite philosophy, the intuitive optical vintage compressor has been tuned by ear and features Focusrite's custom fast-acting optos operating in Class A mode, allowing for smoother, lower distortion performance than comparative off-the-shelf VCA circuits. With the addition of variable attack and the unique 'Squash' mode (ideal for punchy drum sounds), this compressor is equally capable of transparent compression or imposing a character of its own. Either way, it brings professional compression within reach of a new audience.

The original TrakMaster's metering section has been massively augmented, and now features a unique 'porthole'-style peak level meter, alongside the trademark for the Platinum Pro series, latency-free monitoring. This section offers the capacity to monitor tracked signals within the mix directly at source, avoiding having to monitor via the DAW or digital desk. A headphone or monitor mix can be created for either the artist or the engineer, with immediate, tactile control over levels. Finally, TrakMaster Pro accepts the established Platinum Pro 24-bit, 96kHz stereo Analogue to Digital converter, providing a high quality direct digital route from the TrakMaster Pro to the DAW.

When asked what he believes the Platinum TrakMaster Pro means to the recording masses, Rob Jenkins, Focusrite's Director of Product Strategy, replied:"We've always been clear on the philosophy behind the Platinum range and we're only too aware of what we need to deliver to stay ahead of the game in this market. Whilst TrakMaster Pro is the most affordable unit Focusrite has ever produced, it still breaks barriers. Carrying on where the TrakMaster left off, you've now got switchable impedance and latency-free monitoring - features that previously just weren't available at this price point. Quite simply, I believe TrakMaster Pro provides more bang for your buck than any other unit on the market."

Mic Input Response

Gain = +13dB to +60dB
Input impedance = 2.5kƒ¶ (150ƒ¶ in Lo Z mode)
EIN = 126dB @ 60dB gain with 150ƒ¶ termination & 22Hz/22kHz filter
THD+N @ min gain (+13dB) = 0.001% with 0dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz filter
THD+N @ max gain (+60dB) = 0.009% with -38dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz filter
THD+N @ max input (+8dBu) = 0.001% with 22Hz/22kHz filter
Frequency response @ min gain (+13dB) with -13dBu input = -3dB @ 10Hz & -2.3dB @ 200kHz
Frequency response @ max gain (+60dB) with -60dBu input = -3dB @ 13Hz & -3dB @ 78kHz
CMRR @ max gain (+60dB) = 80dB

Line Input Response

Gain = -10dB to +36dB
Input impedance = 24kƒ¶
Noise @ unity gain (0dB) = -88dBu with 22Hz/22kHz filter
S/N ratio relative to max headroom (+36dBu) = 124dB
S/N ratio relative to 0dBFSs (+22dBu) = 110dB
THD+N @ unity gain (0dB) = 0.001% with 0dBFS (+22dBu) input and 22Hz/22kHz filter
Frequency response @ unity gain (0dB) = -2.8dB @ 10Hz & -3dB @ 200kHz

Instrument Input Response

Gain = +13dB to +60dB
Input impedance = 1Mƒ¶
Noise @ min gain (+13dB) = -87dBu with 22Hz/22kHz filter
Noise @ max gain (+60dB) = -45dBu with 22Hz/22kHz filter
THD+N @ min gain (+13dB) = 0.004% with 0dBu input & 22Hz/22kHz filter
Frequency response @ min gain (+13dB) with -13dBu input = -3dB @ 10Hz & -2.3dB @ 200kHz

Level Meter

Peak Level Moving Coil Meter
Input & Output: -24dBFS to +2dBFS (-2dBu to +24dBu), +22dBu = 0dBFS
Gain Change: 0dB to 24dB

Hi Pass Filter

Roll-off = 12dB/octave 2-pole filter
Cutoff frequency = -3dB @ 120Hz, -6dB @ 85Hz, -12dB @ 56Hz

Mid Scoop EQ

EQ shape = peak
Centre frequency = variable between 120Hz and 2kHz
Cut (DEEP switch out) = -5dB
Cut (DEEP switch in) = -10dB
Q (DEEP switch out) = 0.7
Q (DEEP switch in) = 2

Compressor

Threshold range (SQUASH switch out) = -54dBFS (-32dBu) to -18dBFS (+4dBu)
Threshold range (SQUASH switch in) = -37dBFS (-15dBu) to -4dBFS (+18dBu)
Compressor ratio (SQUASH switch out) = 2.5:1
Compressor ratio (SQUASH switch in) = 35:1
Noise = -90dBu measured with a 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter.
Make-up gain = 0 to +30dB.

ADC Performance

Sample Frequency = 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz & 96kHz
Bit Depth = 24bit
Maximum analogue input level = +22dBu (0dBfs)
Dynamic Range = 109dB 'A' Weighted

EXT WORDCLOCK INPUT

BNC connector

ADC EXT IN

Balanced 1/4" TRS jack socket input (+4dBu)

MONITOR IN

2 x balanced 1/4" TRS jack socket inputs (+4dBu)

MONITOR OUT

2 x balanced 1/4" TRS jack socket outputs (+4dBu)

LINE OUT

Balanced 1/4" TRS jack socket output (+4dBu)
Unbalanced 1/4" TRS jack socket output (-10dBV)

Focusrite Trackmaster Pro

Mark Faben
August 22, 2007

Rating: 8/10

Having been attempting home recording on the PC now for some time, I was still struggling to get a \'recording sound\' I was entirely happy with from Bass and Electric guitars. In an attempt to do this, I spent some time researching and decided that my Soundcraft compact 4 was the weak point in my chain, and that the Focusrite Trackmaster Pro might just be the one piece of equipment in my price range able to give me the tone and sound I was after from my Bass and Guitars.
Equipment used in review;
PC; Asus P5B Delux, Intel Core 2 Duo E6420, 2 GB DDR2 PC2-6400/800MHz. Cakewalk Sonar LE. E-Mu 0404 Soundcard.

Instruments used with the Trackmaster Pro;
Guitars/basses; USA 1970\'s Standard Stratocaster, USA Fender Telecaster, Yamaha Pacifica (path pro pick ups and hotrails pickup), Honer 4-string Bass, Yamaha electro-acoustic, Washburn Tonewood, Microphone SN57.

For the basic set up I have the outputs from the trakmaster running into the stereo 1/4 inch jacks on the E-mu 0404, and tried setting Sonar to take the input from various combinations of these (with little or no differnce between selecting the different inputs).

The sound was amazing, I hate to think how much time I wasted on recording before getting this little Gem, and suddenly with it set up, a few simple tweeks on the controls on the front of the Trackmaster Pro and the sound I was after not only appeared from the monitors (M-Audio DX4) and headphones, but was also effortlessly then reproduced after recording and playing back the resultant tracks.

I\'d found that with many of the VST amp mod plugins that whilst they were fine if one wants to be Steve Vai, or any number of generic interchangeable metal guitarists, it was near impossible to \'dial up\' anything remotely like a realistic clean electric guitar sound.
With the trackmaster alone (and even before adding any dynamics, EQ or compression via VST in Sonar), immediately I could hear the differnce, and clean, but warm blues guitar sounds seemd to be dialed up with a minimum of fuss using the Trackmaster Pro and its simple controls.

It was also a delight to have actual controls that one can turn and buttoms to press on the unit, rahter than often less than easy to use controls on the GUI of a VST effect.

With all the electric guitars tested, and the electro-acoustic, this little unit immediately allowed me to dial up the sound I\'d been after all this time, and furthermore lookign at the metres on Sonar, gave a really strong, clean signal with peaking perfectly controled just by use of the compression on the Trackmaster.

When it came to Bass guitar, the compression on the unit came into its own. Directly plugging the bass into the 1/4 jack (in the same
mannor as for the guitars described above), and a quick turning down of the gain to control the peaking, it was then simple to fiddle with the well designed compression controls and pump the Bass signal very high into Sonar, again without clipping/peaking. AGain, as for the guitars, this finally gives both a really clean nice low bass sound for the blues and other styles, as well as the sweet earth shattering bass sound for my Dub recordings.

I\'ve not even mentioned the Mid Sweep EQ controls yet! Well maybe I have; these can add so much to any signal and I guess it what really shapes the tone so nicely on those clean guitar sounds.

Using the XLR mic input and the SN57 I had a few attempts at miking up the hotrod delux amp, and again this produced some pretty amazing sounds; Using the amp with high gain and some serious levels of distortion gave a good signal in to Sonar, and a fullness that I\'d found impossible to recreate previously using digital recording.

As yet I\'ve only had the briefest of time with the nylon Spanish guitar and the SN57 into the Trackmaster, but thus far the verdict from me at least is that its really able to capture the full range of the nylon sound, and have the room acoustics coming through without overpowering the actual guitar sound.

To the unit itself.
The Trackmaster Pro is a very nice looking rack unit, with very solid looking rotery knobs on the front, firm to press buttons and the jack sockets all look as solid as they oughta be. The good looks of the unit certainly don\'t do anything to detract from its favourable review, but really they could have made it as ugly as all hell and it\'d still have gotten a 12 out of 10 from me.
This has just solved so many problems, Perhaps I should get the old SR16 out and see what it is like with drum trakcs?

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Competition - Have your say

Have your say and submit your own product review on the Focusrite Trackmaster Pro
Please let us know what you think of the Focusrite Trackmaster Pro or any other product on our site. The best review chosen from all that are submitted this month will win a fantastic pair of M-Audio IE-30 - High-Definition Professional Reference Earphones with Dual-Driver Technology worth £189.00