Best
Recording Audio Interface
-
Overall: Comes With Two XLR/Line Inputs And Two Extra Line Inputs
-
Best Feature: Focusrite Control compatibility provides flexibility for setting up monitor mixes and routing.
-
TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Audio Interface
for Podcaster
-
Overall:
Extremely low latency monitoring -
Best Feature: High-performance mic preamps with a dynamic range of up to 118 dB
-
TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Professional
Audio
Interface
Scarlett 18I20 VERSATILE AUDIO INTERFACE
-
Overall:
Eight-Mic Preamps With Switchable Air Mode -
Best Feature: High-Headroom Instrument Inputs
-
TedScore™: 7/10
When it comes to picking the perfect audio interface, whether you’re creating a jazz masterpiece or testing out your new Yamaha CLP 735, finding the right gear can feel like a wild goose chase. Luckily, I’ve got just the thing to make your life easier—the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre.
Designed to be the centerpiece of any studio, it delivers precision and clarity with its 18 inputs and 20 outputs, ensuring your music sounds exactly how you imagined.
The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre isn’t just about numbers; it’s about understanding what creative minds need to excel. From its high-headroom, low-noise preamps to expandable connectivity, it’s built to keep up with your innovative ideas.
Trust me, once you get behind the controls, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Overview of
Focusrite Clarett 8Pre
The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre is a remarkable audio interface tailored for producers and audio engineers who demand pristine sound and high dynamic range. Its state-of-the-art preamp design offers impressive headroom and low distortion.
The Clarett Range
The Clarett range by Focusrite is renowned for its professional-grade audio interfaces.
Each model in this lineup is designed to deliver studio-quality sound, perfect for both home and professional settings. I appreciate how each unit, including the 8Pre, boasts exceptional A-D and D-A conversion.
This assures minimal noise and high dynamic range, capturing every detail of your recording.
Across the Clarett lineup, the goal is clear: provide the sound quality of a high-end studio. The Clarett+ 8Pre stands out with its robust build and reliable performance.
It embodies Focusrite’s commitment to innovation in audio technology.
Key Features and Advantages
With eight Clarett preamps, the Clarett 8Pre ensures clear and powerful recordings. Each preamp is engineered to replicate the authentic sound of a large-format studio, a feature I admire for elevating any recording session. The USB-C connectivity enhances the user experience by delivering fast, seamless data transfer.
Its compatibility with both Mac and PC platforms makes it versatile. The unit also comes with Focusrite Control software, allowing for intuitive management of inputs and outputs. Every component of the Clarett+ 8Pre is crafted to maintain signal integrity and deliver unparalleled audio quality.
Whether you’re recording multiple instruments or hosting a complex session, the Clarett 8Pre is designed to effortlessly meet your needs. Its balance and performance ensure that every project reaches its maximum potential.
Focusrite Clarett 8Pre
FEATURES: Extremely low latency monitoring
OTHER INFO: High-performance mic preamps with a dynamic range of up to 118 dB
- High-quality preamps and a wide dynamic range
- Low-latency performance and built-in DSP
- Limited Compatibility
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Design and Build Quality
The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre audio interface boasts a meticulous design characterized by its robust build quality. Its physical construction and panel layout allow for seamless integration into professional recording studios or personal setups.
Physical Construction
When it comes to physical construction, the Clarett 8Pre is impressive. Its durable metal chassis not only looks great but is designed to withstand the rigors of constant use. I appreciate how this solid build provides peace of mind; it feels like the kind of equipment that will last for years.
There’s a satisfying heft to the unit, indicative of its quality. The controls and knobs, crafted with precision, offer smooth operation.
This attention to detail is what makes the Clarett 8Pre stand out, creating a reliable experience for any user. Studio-grade components ensure the highest quality in audio performance.
Front and Back Panel Layout
The Clarett 8Pre’s panel layout is intuitive, which makes my work so much smoother. On the front panel, each control is thoughtfully placed, with eight mic preamps easily accessible. I love how the controls are labeled clearly, reducing any guesswork during a session.
The back panel houses additional inputs and outputs, including 10 analog outputs and MIDI I/O. With eight channels of ADAT I/O and stereo S/PDIF, the connectivity options are plentiful. This layout not only simplifies wiring but also enhances my workflow, helping me focus more on creativity rather than technical complications.
Technical Specifications
The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre is packed with cutting-edge specifications that cater to the needs of audio enthusiasts and professionals alike. I’ll walk you through some critical aspects, including sample rates, dynamic range, and other essential features.
Sample Rates and Audio Bandwidth
The Clarett 8Pre shines with its high sample rates, reaching up to 192 kHz. This ensures superior audio fidelity, capturing the nuances of every sound.
The audio bandwidth is expansive, allowing for detailed sound reproduction. It is designed to meet the AES17 standards, which guarantees high-quality audio performance.
This feature makes it an excellent choice for recording studios striving for clarity and precision. With such specifications, you can expect your recordings to have remarkable depth and richness.
Dynamic Range and THD+N
Dynamic range is crucial for musical recordings, and the Clarett 8Pre does not disappoint. It offers an extensive dynamic range, providing headroom for a variety of audio sources without distortion.
The total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) is incredibly low, which is vital for clean audio. These specifications ensure that your audio is reproduced faithfully, maintaining its authentic character.
The careful engineering behind the Clarett 8Pre makes it a formidable tool in audio production, capturing sounds that are true to life.
Impedance and Gain Range
Impedance and gain range are essential for compatibility with various microphones and other audio equipment. The Clarett 8Pre’s mic preamps boast impressive impedance switching capabilities and are engineered to handle a wide range of gain settings.
This flexibility allows seamless integration with other tools in your studio.
Whether you are connecting low- or high-impedance microphones, the Clarett 8Pre adapts effortlessly. Such adaptability enhances the recording experience, enabling flawless capture of audio, no matter the source.
Preamps and Outputs
The Focusrite Clarett⁺ 8Pre boasts high-quality preamps and versatile outputs, making it a powerful tool for producers seeking natural tones with low noise and distortion.
Studio-Quality Preamps
When I take a look at the Clarett⁺ 8Pre, its preamps stand out with their all-analog Air circuitry. This feature enhances the natural tone and offers a high dynamic range.
With eight mic preamps and two Hi-Z JFET instrument inputs, I record with confidence, knowing that the ultra-low distortion and low noise levels maintain audio fidelity.
Phantom power is available for channels 1 to 8, which is essential for my condenser microphones. Each preamp delivers clarity, ensuring that my recordings are both crisp and professional. The preamps’ headroom handles various sound sources, from subtle vocals to intense instruments.
Versatile Outputs and S/PDIF Interface
Focusing on the outputs, the Clarett⁺ 8Pre impresses me with ten balanced outputs and a stereo headphone output.
I appreciate its ability to seamlessly interface with studio monitors and headphones, ensuring accurate monitoring. Equipped with a S/PDIF interface, it provides connectivity options that expand my studio’s capability.
The inclusion of ADAT inputs allows me to add up to eight extra audio channels. This flexibility is invaluable when I need to expand my setup. Using this interface, I often manage complex routing efficiently, allowing me to focus on creativity.
Connectivity Options
I’m excited to share the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre’s connectivity options. This device offers versatile digital and analog connections, making it suitable for various recording setups.
Key connections include ADAT for expanding input channels, MIDI for integration with external gear, and Thunderbolt 3 for speedy data transfer.
ADAT
When I think of ADAT on the Clarett 8Pre, I’m reminded of its ability to significantly expand input channels. Connect additional digital devices to extend recording setups. Using ADAT, this interface can handle up to eight extra channels. It’s perfect for capturing large sessions or when you need more input.
MIDI
Next up is MIDI, a staple for anyone working with electronic instruments or external controllers. The Clarett 8Pre’s MIDI ports ensure reliable integration with synths, drum machines, and other gear. I use it to synchronize and control multiple devices, giving me flexibility and precision in digital audio workstations.
Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 3 is another standout feature. This connection provides high-speed data transfer and ultra-low latency. It’s compatible with both Windows and macOS, making my workflow smoother.
Whether recording, playback, or mixing, Thunderbolt 3 keeps everything running efficiently. Plus, the stereo headphone output is perfect for monitoring in real-time.
Other Models and Units
FEATURES: Comes with two XLR/line inputs and two extra line inputs
- Focusrite Control compatibility provides flexibility for setting up monitor mixes and routing.
- You can use two virtual inputs to record a stereo feed with any hardware input and software playback channels
- Enhanced monitoring features provide improved audio reference
- Audio conversion optimized to deliver top-quality sound consistently
- Does not include any pre-packaged software or plugins
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
PERFECT FOR: professional studios and home recording alike
FEATURES: Eight-mic preamps with switchable Air mode
OTHER INFO: High-headroom instrument inputs
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
- Dual headphone outputs with individual-level controls
- Affordable
- Supports Thunderbolt 3
- Variety of input/output options
- Software can be finicky
- Some users report reliability issues
- No onboard DSP processing
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Your Ideal Recording Partner:
Focusrite Clarett 8Pre
The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre is a powerful USB audio interface designed to elevate your music production experience.
With its high-quality preamps and low-latency performance, it seamlessly integrates with virtual instruments, allowing you to capture your creativity with precision.
Whether you’re recording vocals or layering tracks with virtual instruments, the Clarett 8Pre ensures that every sound is rich and dynamic. This interface is perfect for musicians and producers looking to enhance their setup and bring their musical ideas to life.
So, if you’re ready to take your audio recordings to the next level, the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre is waiting for you! Grab your gear, plug in, and let the music flow!
But before you go…
If you’re looking to set up a budget-friendly home studio without compromising on sound quality, check out 5 Cheap Studio Monitors for some excellent recommendations!
hey Robert Emery, was reading ur piece on the Clarett 8Pre & gotta ask, does the thunderbolt 3 connectivity really make a difference in latency for live sets? trying to figure if it’s worth the upgrade. thx!
SammyG, Thunderbolt 3 significantly reduces latency, essential for tight live performances. Definitely a worthy upgrade for seamless audio production.
just picked up a Clarett 8Pre and omg, the sound quality is outta this world! the preamps are super clean, and setup was a breeze. High five to Focusrite for knocking it out of the park. Anyone sitting on the fence, hop off and get one!