Focusrite Celebrates 40th Anniversary

	To mark its 40th anniversary, Focusrite hosted an exclusive gathering of artists, producers, engineers, and educators.

Focusrite is officially celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with a series of activities honoring its storied past and looking forward.

Founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve, Focusrite was born from a special commission by Beatles producer Sir George Martin that challenged the company to create a world-class recording console for high-end professional studios. Only ten of those original Forte consoles were ever made, but their reputation cemented Focusrite's place in recording history.

In 1989, leadership passed to industry veteran Phil Dudderidge, currently chairman and founder of Focusrite plc. Dudderidge's career has spanned nearly six decades since he began in live sound engineering, famously serving as Led Zeppelin's touring sound man in 1970. He went on to co-found Soundcraft in 1973, helping define modern mixing console design. After the sale of Soundcraft to Harman, Dudderidge acquired the assets of Focusrite in 1989, building a 40-year legacy of shaping how music is created and experienced.

Among the company's many milestones are:

*2004: The introduction of the Liquid Channel, a channel strip that blended analog input stages with digital modeling. The year also saw the acquisition of Novation, a leader in keyboards, synthesizers, and controllers, expanding Focusrite's reach into electronic music making.

*2009: Launch of Novation Launchpad, whose grid controller spawned countless performances and YouTube videos with billions of views.

*2012: Introduction of the Scarlett range of audio interfaces, which became the world's best-selling audio interface. Also launched in 2012, Focusrite RedNet quickly established itself as a benchmark in the adoption of Dante-enabled audio-over-IP networking. RedNet systems are now deployed in world-class recording studios, post-production facilities, broadcast centers, and live sound environments worldwide. By enabling high-channel-count audio with ultra-low latency over standard Ethernet, RedNet has transformed professional workflows, the company says.

*2014-2019: Expansion into cross-platform software and successive Scarlett generations. The company also added pro-audio names to its portfolio, including ADAM Audio (studio monitors), Martin Audio (touring and installed loudspeakers), and Optimal Audio (commercial installs).

*2021-2022: Strategic acquisitions of Sequential, Oberheim, Linea Research and Sonnox, adding synthesizers, advanced DSP/amplification, and award-winning software to the Group's capabilities.

*2023-2024: Launch of Scarlett Gen 4 and acquisitions of OutBoard Electronics (TiMax immersive sound, rigging control) and Innovate Audio (panLab spatial tools), securing Focusrite Group's leadership in immersive and live sound.

Today, Focusrite Group encompasses 13 brands in studio recording, live sound, software, and immersive audio. To mark the anniversary, Focusrite hosted an exclusive gathering of artists, producers, engineers, educators, and press on Thursday, September 25, at the Custom House at Guitar Center in Nashville's studio-centric Berry Hill district. The standing room only event featured Southern-style catering, custom Focusrite-inspired cocktails, a photo booth, raffle prizes, a 3D sculpted cake in the shape of the new Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition, and listening sessions in the ADAM Audio and Focusrite immersive audio room.

Focusrite chose Nashville as the location for its US anniversary celebration because of the city's unique role as a global music hub and its thriving community of engineers, producers, educators, and musicians.

Guests also experienced the unveiling of the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition, a limited-edition reimagining the popular audio interface in Focusrite's iconic ISA blue, first seen on the ISA 110 and 130 modules. This special two-in, two-out interface combines two remote-controlled mic preamps, Hi-Z instrument/line inputs, and converters from Focusrite's flagship RedNet range. It also features the cleanest preamps ever included in a Scarlett and a re-engineered Air mode for added presence and character.

The Anniversary Edition pays tribute to Focusrite's heritage with its ISA-blue chassis, the historic "ff" logo, and a hidden schematic tribute beneath the unit inspired by the ISA 110 and Studio Console. Each interface comes packaged in a collector's black-and-gold gift box.

To honor 40 years of partnerships, the Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition also comes bundled with three premium plug-ins in addition to the standard Scarlett software suite: Sonnox Voca, which features all-in-one vocal production toolkit combining smooth compression, rich saturation, and tone-shaping; Acustica Audio Rust, a faithful recreation of the EQs that defined the Motown sound; and Softube Opto Compressor, for classic optical tube compressor emulation for natural warmth and control.

Visit the brand's 40th anniversary timeline here.