Focusrite Clarett 8Pre 18x20 Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Description

Designed for recording studios, 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 is now fully compatible with Windows-based computers, providing stable operation with identical functionality on both platforms, while offering sub-3 ms latency. Also provided is a Windows version of the Focusrite Control software mixer for monitoring and routing configuration.

The interface comes with 64-bit AAX, AU, and VST compatible Red 2 and Red 3 plug-in suite. In addition to the Red Plug-in Suite, the interface includes the Softube Time and Tone Pack. Modelled 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 modelled tube stages - delivering everything from realistic room echoes, to rockabilly style slap back, to dub reggae echo. Saturation Knob is a modelled 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 metre provides visual feedback, as well as level control, a dim button, and a mute button.

Features

Eight New Clarett Mic Pres with Extra "Air"
Features a special "Air" setting that switches in an analogue model of the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA microphone preamplifier while the instrument inputs provide extra headroom to handle the loudest pickup

Use DAW Plug-ins in Real Time
Thunderbolt connectivity provides a round trip latency of 1 ms which enables you to monitor through your DAW with your favourite plug-ins such as AEQ, reverb, or compression

Precision Digital Conversion
Offers 24-bit 192 kHz conversion with up to 119 dB of dynamic range

I/O
Provides 18 audio inputs and 20 outputs within a 1U rack space, including eight analogue inputs, 10 analogue outputs, stereo S/PDIF I/O and eight channels of ADAT I/O. The ADAT ports are ideal for sending audio to an external D/A for line output expansion, or adding eight channels of digital mic pre

Front Panel I/O
Offers two convenient front panel inputs for when the unit is rack mounted

Accessible Metering and Monitoring
Provides analogue and digital input levels and main monitor outputs, via a 6-segment, multichannel hardware metre. The monitor features include a level control, plus dim, and mute buttons alongside dual high-power headphone outputs

Downloadable iOS Remote Control
Downloadable Focusrite iOS Control app adjusts cue mixes remotely from iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch)

Softube Time and Tone Bundle
Contains Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor, TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay echo effect, and Saturation Knob, a modelled output distortion unit