Focusrite
English audio group designing studio and live sound equipment.
Focusrite is a British music and audio equipment company headquartered in High Wycombe, England, tracing its roots to Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. It creates and sells audio interfaces, microphone preamps, mixing consoles, analogue equalizers and channel strips, as well as digital audio processing software and hardware for both professional studios and home setups. The Focusrite Group operates through eight brand names: Focusrite, Focusrite Pro, Martin Audio, ADAM Audio, Novation, Ampify Music, Optimal Audio, and Sequential.
The company was founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve. Its first projects included a commission from George Martin to build microphone preamplifiers and equalisers for the vintage console at AIR Montserrat studio in the Caribbean. In April 1989, audio industry entrepreneur Phil Dudderidge—co-founder of Soundcraft Electronics Ltd—bought the company’s assets, set up Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd, and re-released the original modules alongside new designs. A new console, the Focusrite Studio Console, followed in 1990.
In August 2004, Focusrite bought electronic instrument maker Novation, which became a subsidiary called Novation Digital Music Systems Ltd. The company was listed on the AIM market as Focusrite plc on 12 December 2014. It acquired monitor speaker manufacturer ADAM Audio in July 2019, and in December 2019 bought Martin Audio, a maker of loudspeaker systems for sound reinforcement. In April 2021, Focusrite purchased Sequential, a designer of analogue synthesizers. In March 2022, it acquired UK audio equipment firm Linea Research Holdings for £12.6 million.
Quick Facts
- Founder
- Rupert Neve
- Hq Location
- Artisan, Hillbottom Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England
- Key People
- Phil Dudderidge
- Industry
- Electronics, Professional Audio
- Products
- Vocaster
- Divisions
- Focusrite · Focusrite Pro · Ampify Music · Optimal Audio
- Subsidiaries
- Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited (with subsidiaries Focusrite Novation Inc and Focusrite Novation Asia Limited) · ADAM Audio GmbH · Martin Audio Limited · Novation · Sequential
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Focusrite was founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve. Its first contracts included a commission from George Martin to build extensions to AIR Studios' custom Neve consoles, initially the vintage recording console in Martin's AIR Montserrat studio in the Caribbean – specifically a microphone preamplifier and equaliser. Audio industry entrepreneur and co-founder of Soundcraft Electronics Ltd, Phil Dudderidge, purchased the company's assets in April 1989, establishing Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd and reissuing the original modules along with some new designs. The company also designed a new console, the Focusrite Studio Console, released in 1990.
In August 2004, Focusrite acquired electronic instrument manufacturer Novation, which became a subsidiary called Novation Digital Music Systems Ltd. On 12 December 2014, Focusrite was floated on the AIM market as Focusrite plc. In July 2019, Focusrite acquired monitor speaker manufacturer ADAM Audio, and in December 2019 acquired Martin Audio, who manufacture loudspeaker systems for sound reinforcement. In April 2021, Focusrite acquired Sequential, a designer of analogue synthesizers. In March 2022, Focusrite acquired the UK audio equipment maker Linea Research Holdings for £12.6 million.
Reader's Guide
Focusrite's significance lies in its evolution from a boutique console and equaliser designer founded by Rupert Neve into a publicly traded group encompassing multiple audio brands. The company's early work on George Martin's AIR Montserrat console established its reputation for high-quality microphone preamplifiers and equalisers. After Phil Dudderidge acquired the assets in 1989, Focusrite reissued original modules and introduced the Focusrite Studio Console in 1990, solidifying its place in professional studio equipment. The acquisition of Novation in 2004 expanded the group into electronic instruments, while later purchases of ADAM Audio, Martin Audio, Sequential, and Linea Research broadened its reach into monitor speakers, sound reinforcement, analogue synthesizers, and audio processing hardware. The group's eight brands cover a wide spectrum of music production and live sound, from home studio interfaces to large-format consoles and loudspeaker systems. Its legacy is that of a company that began with a single commission for a custom console component and grew into a diversified audio technology group serving both professional and home studio markets.
Did You Know?
- The company's first commission came from George Martin for extensions to AIR Studios' consoles.
- Focusrite acquired Novation in August 2004.
- Focusrite was floated on the AIM market on 12 December 2014.
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