Focusrite Clarett 8Pre Audio Interface 24-bit/192kHz with Thunderbolt Connectivity
Focusrite Clarett 2Pre
Focusrite create the best audio interfaces in the world. Now, combining this obsession with sound quality with the Thunderbolt world, they have released a range of audio interfaces that combine exceptional conversion and a new preamp design with the very latest in Thunderbolt™ technology, to offer with an unparalleled interface latency of under 1ms. Focusrite’s Clarett interfaces offer crystal clear conversion, with 24bit, 192 kHz sample rates and best-in-class dynamic range. This comprehensive attention to sound quality, combined with Thunderbolt latency performance that unlocks the real-time processing power of your DAW, makes the new Focusrite Clarett range the best-sounding, lowest latency interfaces in their class.
Better. Faster. Easier.
Excellent sound is the quality Clarett owners love most. With up to 119dB dynamic range, superbly low noise, precision 24/192 conversion and two specially-designed mic preamps with a unique analogue “Air” effect, Clarett 2Pre simply sounds great, easily out-performing other interfaces in its class and beyond. Meanwhile, its astonishing 1.38ms round-trip latency* simplifies your workflow and lets you use your favourite plug-ins in real time.
Hispasonic: Product of the year
“Where Focusrite have laid down the challenge to other manufacturers, though is in the sound quality of these devices, which offer audio specifications previously unheard of in this price bracket.”
“…the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre offers outstanding value for money (really), the latency claims seem to stand up to scrutiny and the sound is gorgeous, especially when used with the air option. Add to this the ease of set-up and you have a killer offering.”
“I was absolutely able to record and monitor through my DAW without noticeable delay.”
“A very solid interface for a whole host of applications – very highly recommended indeed.”
Two New Clarett Mic Pres with extra ‘Air’
The mic pres have been designed especially for the Clarett range, with plenty of gain, yet low noise and distortion. In addition, they include a special “Air” feature that switches in an analogue model of the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic pre. The Instrument inputs also feature extra headroom to handle the loudest pickup.
Precision Digital Conversion
Clarett features Focusrite’s class-leading 24/192 conversion: with up to 119dB dynamic range, Clarett offers the cleanest way yet to get music in and out of your DAW.
Plug Straight In
Do not underestimate the quality of the Clarett range DI. This newly designed instrument input allows for even the hottest of guitar pick-ups to be recorded without clipping, and the performance specifications easily match some of the finest dedicated DI’s on the market. Coupled with the low latency environment, now you can get the most out of recording through your favourite amp sim and guitar effect plug-ins in real time.
Revolutionise your Workflow
Clarett’s ultra-low round-trip latency completely transforms your workflow. If you’re used to having to build two different mixes – one using input monitoring to overdub, the other using the DAW for playback – the good news is that now, one is enough. Build your mix on the DAW and use it whether you’re overdubbing (monitoring the input you’re recording with the new Focusrite Control software mixer) or playing back, with all your plugins in place, all the time. Use your favourite plugins while recording too – whether it’s reverb on a vocal, a guitar amp simulator, or even virtual instruments live on stage.
Intuitive, Easy to Use Software Mixer and Sweet Sounding Plug-ins
Focusrite Control is a brand new software mixer designed for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, Focusrite Control offers a traditional mixer workflow and allows immediate access to internal hardware functions. Also included is a sweet sounding plug-in collection comprising Softube’s world-class Time and Tone Bundle, with TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay, Saturation Knob and Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor. This is complemented by the Red 2 & Red 3 AAX, AU & VST Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrite’s classic Red range equalizer and compressor hardware.
Gain Halos’ help keep levels in check
The front panel inputs include Focusrite’s signature “Gain Halo” – an illuminated ring around the gain control that lights up green when there’s signal and red when it’s too high. There’s a main monitor knob plus a high-power headphone output with its own volume control.
The ins and outs
Clarett 2Pre offers 10 audio inputs and four outputs, including two front-panel multi-function inputs and a headphone output, plus four rear-panel line outputs (one pair doubling the headphone feed). There are also eight channels of ADAT-format digital input – ideal for adding eight channels of digital mic pre.
Tech Specifications
The world is full of innovative software companies creating a wealth of powerful plug-ins. With such variety, you’ll want to find exactly the right plug-ins for you, and use them in real time, thanks to Clarett’s ultra-low latency environment. To help you on this mission, we’ve formed the ‘Plug-in Collective’, working with the very best to bring you exclusive plug-in offers and content every month.
Supported Operating Systems
- OSX 10.9 Mavericks or 10.10 Yosemite
- Windows Compatible 64-bit 8.1 or 10 windows
The popular Clarett range of Thunderbolt™ interfaces are now compatible with PCs with the release of the Clarett Windows driver. The driver enables users to run these interfaces with the growing number of Thunderbolt-equipped Windows computers, delivering identical functionality to that experienced on the Mac. Windows users can enjoy sub 3 milliseconds round trip latency, and the same reliable, stable operation as Mac-based Clarett owners already experience. The low latency allows users to record and monitor while using their favourite plug-ins in real time, as well as other DAW workflow benefits.
The first release of the driver will support the Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 protocols for all Clarett interfaces. The driver is compatible with the latest 64-bit updates of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Further details of the driver specification and compatibility can be found. Future iterations will add support for Thunderbolt 3 Type C connectivity and the range of Red interfaces.
The driver also supports Focusrite Control, Focusrite’s included software mixer designed for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups, which is now available in a Windows version, again with identical functionality to the Mac version, including support for Focusrite Control iOS.
Focusrite’s Clarett audio interfaces are widely praised for their sound quality, performance and value for money. They feature specially-designed high-performance, low noise, low distortion mic preamps, which include the unique analogue “Air” effect, emulating the sound of Focusrite’s heritage transformer-based mic preamps. The interfaces include precision 24-bit/192 kHz conversion and offer super-low latency.
WHY THUNDERBOLT?
Thunderbolt differs a little from interfaces like USB and FireWire. It brings the PCI Express interface – used for super-fast graphics cards and other slots inside the computer – out to external devices. It’s not so much an interface as a bus that gives you direct access to the machine’s inner workings. And as a result, it’s ideal for audio, with exceptionally high speed and correspondingly low latency – making possible the astonishingly low round-trip latency figures that Clarett offers – and unparalleled flexibility. The Clarett range demonstrates many of the significant benefits that Thunderbolt provides.
ROUNDTRIP LATENCY PERFORMANCE
Round Trip Latency (ms) tested at 96 kHz on Windows 10 and a Molten Music Technology X99 machine
| Buffer Size | Cubase Pro 8 | Ableton Live 9 | Pro Tools 12 | Reaper 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 2.9 | 3.2 | n/a | 2.8 |
| 64 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 |
| 128 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
Round Trip Latency (ms) tested at 48 kHz on Windows 10 and a Molten Music Technology X99 machine
| Buffer Size | Cubase Pro 8 | Ableton Live 9 | Pro Tools 12 | Reaper 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
| 64 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.6 |
| 128 | 9.8 | 10.5 | 9.8 | 9.6 |
Supported Sample Rates
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Microphone Inputs
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB (min gain) |
| Dynamic Range | 118 dB (A-weighted) |
| THD+N | 0.001% |
| Noise EIN | –128 dBu (A-Weighted) |
| Maximum input level | +18 dBu |
| Gain Range | 57dB |
Line Inputs
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB |
| Dynamic Range | 118 dB (A-weighted) |
| THD+N | 0.001% |
| Maximum input level | 26dBu |
| Gain Range | 57dB |
Instrument Inputs
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz ± 0.1 dB |
| Dynamic Range | 116 dB (A-weighted) |
| THD+N | 0.001% |
| Maximum input level | +14dBu |
| Gain Range | 57dB |
Line & Monitor Outputs
| Dynamic Range (Line Outputs) | 119dB |
| Dynamic Range (Monitor Outputs) | 118dB |
| Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS) | +16 dBu, balanced |
| THD+N | 0.0007% |
Headphone Outputs
| Dynamic Range | 116dB |
| THD+N | 0.0008% |
| Maximum Output Level | +16dBu |
₨ 160,000
