Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre Studio-Grade 18-in/20-out Audio Interface for Established Producers —Eight High-Performance, Low-Noise, Low-Distortion Mic Preamps Capture Audio with Precise Clarity

Product Information

The 8PreX occupies two rack spaces to the 8Pre’s one, despite providing exactly the same complement of analogue I/O. Also, there are mic preamps such as the ISA range that will improve the signal from a dynamic microphone even further. Focusrite haven’t fixed anything that wasn’t broken, so the form factor and selection of I/O on offer in the Clarett interfaces is largely unchanged from their predecessors. But this gain crowding thing is just plain bad design and really drops the ball for an otherwise nice unit. Users might need to invest in a suitable in-line booster for this type of mic to be on the safe side when using one with the Clarett+.

It’s simple to understand and operate but lacks the complex routing options, on-board DSP and monitor controller functions of some competing devices. Focusrite’s programmers have made a decisive break with the skeuomorphic ‘virtual analogue mixer’ graphics found in so many other control–panel utilities, and the result is a utility that’s refreshingly clear, simple and intuitive. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Publishers.Everyone’s preferences will vary, no doubt, but to me, it would enhance the flexibility of the Clarett interfaces if the Dim control were replaced with an assignable button that could be made to perform monitor switching, put the outputs into mono, engage talkback and so on.

Focusrite's Clarett low latency USB range features the same specially designed high-performance, low-noise (-128dB EIN) mic pres as its Thunderbolt predecessor. So the company was effectively forced into redesigning the Clarett product range to use alternative brands of converters — something which is far from a trivial task! Sweetwater engineers know that conversion is key to superior digital audio, and every Clarett+ features the latest in Focusrite's class-leading 24-bit/192kHz conversion. If you've always wanted vocals that shimmer with presence and silky air, then try recording with the Clarett+ 8Pre. Wherever you happen to be in the world, you can rely on a two-year warranty if any Focusrite hardware needs repairing or replacing due to a manufacturing fault.

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Focusrite have, alas, followed the lead of other companies in not supplying a Thunderbolt cable with either 8Pre.

Offering an expanded dynamic range and higher signal-to-noise ratio than previous models, the Clarett+ is the cleanest way to get sound in and out of your DAW. If you cannot exactly align the channels as required on location, re-balance in your computer when back at your edit / mix room. You can connect to both the XLR and TRS inputs simultaneously and select which one you'd like to record from in 'Device Settings' in Focusrite Control. With the Clarett+ 8Pre's exceedingly low round-trip audio latency over USB-C, you can record and monitor in real time with your favorite DAW plug-ins. Dynamic range is quoted as 118dB for the microphone inputs, 116dB for the line inputs, and 119dB for the line outputs, while figures for THD+Noise and EIN are equally impressive.