Digidesign and Focusrite Announce Exclusive Distribution Agreement

February 7, 2000 -- Digidesign will be debuting the Focusrite ISA 110, ISA 430, and the MixMaster at NAMM in Los Angeles, booth #1401. Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd., the U.K.-based audio signal processing company, appointed Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, as exclusive distributor of the Focusrite product line in North America. Digidesign will distribute Focusrite hardware and software products for the United States (including Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Bahamas) and Canada. Terms of the agreement took effect as of January 1, 2000.

Serving both the home and professional audio markets, Digidesign will distribute all modular signal processing hardware and software currently sold and marketed by Focusrite. This includes the Platinum line of signal processors, the classic Red Range, legendary for its transparency and warmth, and the new ISA 430 Producer Pack and MixMaster.

The MixMaster is the fourth addition to Focusrite’s award-winning Platinum Range. Designed principally to support the final processing stage when mixing, the Mixmaster features a stereo line input, stereo expander, stereo multiband spectral compressor, stereo 3-band parametric equalizer, stereo image controller, stereo limiter and optional 24-bit/96 kHz digital output stage for state-of-the-art digital connectivity. Housed in a sturdy 2U 19" rackmount case, the MixMaster provides all the essential analog processing elements, with convenient analog controls to give the final polish and punch to every recording. Among other applications, it is ideal for live and club mixes.

The ISA 430 incorporates the microphone preamplifier and EQ circuits identical to those found on the original Focusrite mixing console. In addition, this unit provides dynamics processing based on the original Focusrite ISA 130, extensive signal routing capabilities and optional AES/EBU, S/PDIF or optical 24-bit/96 kHz stereo digital outputs. Digidesign will also distribute all of the ISA Range processors, such as the ISA215 EQ.

Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. and Digidesign announce the reissue of its foundation product, the ISA 110 Microphone Preamplifier and Equalizer Module in a special Limited Edition format.

The ISA 110 is the original, classic Focusrite channel, which has been the choice of countless recording engineers and producers since its introduction in 1986. This is the first time it has been made available as a stand-alone, single channel unit.

"This distribution agreement is a natural extension of a healthy relationship between Digidesign and Focusrite as all segments of the market increasingly shift towards DAW technology and Pro Tools in particular," comments Christopher Bock, Digidesign’s director of sales, Americas. "As this market shift continues, Digidesign customers will still require high quality analog input signals and processing. Carrying both the hardware and software Focusrite lines will allow us to meet the customer’s needs with a complete solution."

"Focusrite has been in partnership with Digidesign since 1996 when we jointly launched the d2 Equalizer TDM plug-in for Pro Tools and subsequently the d3 Dynamics plug-in. Both companies recognize the strategic benefits of this close relationship," says Phil Dudderidge, Focusrite’s Chairman. "Many of our dealers in the States are already Digidesign dealers and we see the two brands complementing each other in both the high end markets and in the home studio market where Focusrite Platinum and Digi 001 address the same customers. It truly is a perfect marriage."

All of the Blue Range processors, such as the Blue ISA 315 mastering EQ, will also be distributed by Digidesign. For more informational contact your local authorized Digidesign dealer or visit www.focusriteUSA.com.

For more information, visit Digidesign at www.digidesign.com.