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Audio Interface

Focusrite ISA C8X

Focusrite ISA C8X USB-C Audio Interface. Plan its source-defined physical connections and placement in your rig.

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Documented outputs
2323 destination connections
Documented inputs
26Based on documented inputs
Rack space
2UBuilder checks available rail space
Power draw
UnverifiedPower requirement is not verified in the catalog
Catalog estimate
~$2,299.99Use retailer rows for current price and stock

01 · What it does—and what that changes in your rig.

Product overview

Start with the payoff, then work through how it functions, where it fits, and the details that change a real build.

The payoff

Audio Interface decisions, organized around the whole rig.

Focusrite ISA C8X USB-C Audio Interface. Plan its source-defined physical connections and placement in your rig.

Documented outputs
2323 destination connections
Documented inputs
26Based on documented inputs
Rack space
2UBuilder checks available rail space
Focusrite product panel2U · Unverified

02 · Know the whole path before you buy.

Signal path

Learn the route as a block diagram: source, product function, transport, and destination. Select any block to see what enters, what changes, and what leaves.

Interactive block diagramAuto-looping · hover, focus, or tap to hold a stage
Port-type signalProduct functionSystem boundary
Follow one signal from source to destination

Each block answers the same three questions: what arrives, what changes here, and what leaves.

01 · Source · selected
01 · Source

26 documented inputs

¼-inch TS + XLR female

Arrives as
26 documented inputs
Connector
¼-inch TS + XLR female
Signal
analog audio

03 · What this product asks of the rest of the system.

Compatibility

Treat connector names as the start of the check—not the answer. These are the boundaries that determine a complete working path.

Best fit · Audio Interface

Use it when 2U and 325 mm of depth fit the case.

Plan the companion path

Complete the path with upstream and downstream gear that matches connector, direction, signal type, protocol, and wiring standard.

Connector boundary

Documented connectors: ¼-inch TS, ¼-inch TRS, XLR female, XLR male. Match connector, direction, and signal type—not shape alone.

04 · Every connector, grouped by job.

I/O ports

Switch the product view and the documented port inventory updates with it—hardware and data stay side by side.

Every connector, grouped by job.

Switch panels to keep the hardware view and the documented port list in sync.

Front panel
Rear panel
All documented ports for Focusrite ISA C8X
PortPanelConnectorDirectionSignalChannels
ISA INSTRUMENT INPUT 1 · TSfront¼-inch TS inputanalog audio—
ISA INSTRUMENT INPUT 2 · TSfront¼-inch TS inputanalog audio—
HEADPHONES 1 · STEREO TRSfront¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
HEADPHONES 2 · STEREO TRSfront¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
MIC INPUT 8rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 8rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
MIC INPUT 7rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 7rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
MIC INPUT 6rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 6rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
MIC INPUT 5rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 5rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
MIC INPUT 4rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 4rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
MIC INPUT 3rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
LINE INPUT 3rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
ISA MIC INPUT 2rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
ISA LINE INPUT 2rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
ISA MIC INPUT 1rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
ISA LINE INPUT 1rear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 11rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 12rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 9rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 10rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 7rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 8rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 5rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 6rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 3rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 4rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 2 · TRSrear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 2 · XLRrearXLR male outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 1 · TRSrear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
LINE OUTPUT 1 · XLRrearXLR male outputanalog audio—
ISA 2 INSERT SEND · TRSrear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
ISA 2 INSERT RETURN · TRSrear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
ISA 1 INSERT SEND · TRSrear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
ISA 1 INSERT RETURN · TRSrear¼-inch TRS inputanalog audio—
AC POWER INPUT · IECrearIEC C14 inputpower—
USB-C · HOST AUDIO / DATArearusb c bidirectionaldata—
WORD CLOCK OUTrearbnc outputdata—
WORD CLOCK INrearbnc inputdata—
S/PDIF OUTrearrca outputdata—
S/PDIF INrearrca inputdata—
MIDI OUTrearmidi din5 outputdata—
MIDI INrearmidi din5 inputdata—
OPTICAL OUT 2 · ADAT / S/PDIFreartoslink outputdata—
OPTICAL OUT 1 · ADAT / S/PDIFreartoslink outputdata—
OPTICAL IN 2 · ADAT / S/PDIFreartoslink inputdata—
OPTICAL IN 1 · ADAT / S/PDIFreartoslink inputdata—

Showing 50 of 50 documented physical ports. Scroll to review the remaining rows.

05 · Compare the decision, not just the price.

Alternatives

The rows are organized around fit, power, I/O, and system role so a cheaper unit cannot hide a more expensive workflow.

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MOTU 112D Audio Interface
Fit📐 2U📐 1U📐 1U📐 1U
Power⚡ Unverified⚡ 30W⚡ Unverified⚡ 30W
Weight⚖️ 12.3 lb⚖️ 9.1 lb⚖️ 7.3 lb⚖️ 6.4 lb
I/O🔌 50🔌 24🔌 33🔌 13
Estimate💵 ~$2,299.99💵 ~$899.99💵 ~$769.99💵 ~$2,495
Deep diveCurrent selectionFull comparison →Full comparison →Full comparison →

06 · Resolve the questions that can change the purchase or build plan.

Planning questions

Short, source-backed answers surface rack fit, power, cabling, and connection details before they become surprises.

How will the Focusrite ISA C8X affect rack fit and case depth?

It occupies 2U. Its documented depth is 325 mm.

How much power does the Focusrite ISA C8X draw?

Its power requirement is not yet verified in the catalog.

What connections does the Focusrite ISA C8X have?

50 documented physical ports, including ISA INSTRUMENT INPUT 1 · TS, ISA INSTRUMENT INPUT 2 · TS, HEADPHONES 1 · STEREO TRS, HEADPHONES 2 · STEREO TRS, MIC INPUT 8, LINE INPUT 8.

07 · See this unit inside a real rack plan.

Builder preview

Placement is only the start. Builder checks space · depth · weight, power headroom, dependencies, and compatible signal paths around this exact catalog item.Open in Builder
ISA C8X positioned in a rack planA simplified plan shows the unit taking 2 rack units, with its documented connection path continuing to a planned destination.FocusriteISA C8XCONNECTED GEARnext signal destination2U · 325 mm deep

08 · Related gear, in the order you may need it.

Planning guides for audio interface systems.