Focusrite is a musical equipment manufacturer based in High Wycombe

High Wycombe

High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...

, England. Focusrite design and market audio interfaces, microphone preamps, consoles, analogue EQs

Equalization (audio)

Equalization is the process commonly used in sound recording and reproduction to alter the frequency response of an audio system using linear filters. Most hi-fi equipment uses relatively simple filters to make bass and treble adjustments. Graphic and parametric equalizers have much more...

 and Channel strips, and digital audio processing hardware

Hardware

Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....

 and software.

Early Years

Founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve

Rupert Neve

Rupert Neve is an English electronics engineer and entrepreneur, who is particularly known as a designer of professional recording equipment. He is known for his work on microphone preamplifier, equalizers, and early large format mixing consoles...

, Focusrite's first contracts included a commission from George Martin

George Martin

Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...

 to build extensions to three custom Neve

Neve

Neve Electronics was a manufacturer of music recording and broadcast mixing consoles and hardware. It was originally founded as Neve Electronics in 1961 by Rupert Neve, the man credited with creating the modern mixing console.-Company formation:...

 consoles.

In 1988 Focusrite designed and built their first Forte console. The prohibitively expensive design limited the production to just two units, after which Focusrite fell into financial difficulties. The original company was dissolved and reformed in April 1989 by co-founder of soundcraft

Soundcraft

Soundcraft is a British manufacturer of mixing consoles and other professional audio equipment. It was founded by sound engineer Phil Dudderidge and electronics designer Graham Blyth in 1973.-History:...

, Phil Dudderidge

Phil Dudderidge

Phil Dudderidge, born February 6, 1949 in Hertfordshire, England, is a notable figure in the professional audio industry, having worked as Led Zeppelin's first dedicated live sound engineer, and later co-founding Soundcraft Electronics before serving as Chairman of Focusrite Audio Engineering,...

Acquisition of Novation

In August 2004, Focusrite acquired Novation

Novation Digital Music Systems

Novation Digital Music Systems Ltd. is a UK musical equipment manufacturer. Founded in 1992 as Novation Electronic Music Systems, the company specialises in MIDI controllers and analog modeling synthesizers, which they have manufactured in China....

and became a subsidiary called Novation Digital Music Systems Ltd. (later re-dubbed Novation)

Products

Current Products made by Focusrite include:

• Saffire Firewire Interface Range
  
• Scarlett USB Interface Range
  
• RedNet Range
• VRM Box
• Liquid Range
• ISA Range
• Control Range

Legacy Products made by Focusrite include:

• Red Range
• Blue Range
• Green Range
• Platinum Range