Focusrite Clarett 8Pre 18×20 Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Focusrite Clarett 8Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface combines 24-bit 192 kHz A/D/A conversion, 119 dB real-world dynamic range, 1 ms roundtrip Thunderbolt latency, and eight microphone preamps that can model the sound of the company’s ISA transformer-based preamps using the “Air” effect. The high resolution recording and ultra low latency allows you to enable 64-bit AAX, AU, and VST compatible DA plug-ins while monitoring recordings. The interface comes with 64-bit AAX, AU, and VST compatible Red 2 and Red 3 plug-in suite.

In addition to the Red 2 and Red 3 Plug-in Suite, the interface includes the Softube Time and Tone Pack. Modeled after the Drawmer 1973 FET Stereo compressor hardware, the Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor is a plug-in that aids in balancing and shaping a mix. TSAR-1R Reverb adds space, depth, and width to a sound. Change settings with a single slider, from realistic three-dimensional rooms to dramatic and dreamlike halls. Tube Delay is an echo effect that can go from clean to rude by overdriving its three modeled tube stages – delivering everything from realistic room echoes, to rockabilly style slap back, to dub reggae echo. Saturation Knob is a modeled output distortion unit that adds grit and warmth – use it to fatten up bass lines, add some harmonics and shimmer to vocals, or simply destroy a drum loop.

Housed in a 1RU chassis, the interface features two front mic/instrument/line and six rear mounted mic/line combination TRS/XLR connectors-each with a separate gain knob, six line level ¼” TRS outputs, two ¼” TRS monitor outputs, a word clock output, 5-pin MIDI I/O, stereo S/PDIF I/O, and eight channels of ADAT I/O for expansion.
The front panel also features two ¼” TRS headphone outputs with separate volume controls. A pair of +48V phantom power switches allow you to turn on phantom power for condenser microphones on channels 1-4 and 5-8 respectively. A six-segment multi-channel LED meter provides visual feedback, as well as level control, a dim button, and a mute button.