User Guide www.focusrite.com Version 1.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OVERVIEW WARNING: Excessive sound pressure levels from earphones and headphones can cause hearing loss. WARNING: This equipment is only compatible with USB Type 2.0, 3.0 or 3.1 ports, or Thunderbolt™ 3 ports. More information regarding the compatibility of computer serial ports can be found at: https://support.focusrite.
Features The Clarett 4Pre USB audio interface provides the means for connecting microphones, musical instruments, line level audio signals and digital audio signals to a computer through the computer’s USB port. The signals at the physical inputs can be routed to your audio recording software / digital audio workstation (referred to throughout this user guide as the “DAW”); similarly, the outputs from the DAW can be configured to appear at the unit’s physical outputs. Audio sources – mics, instruments, etc.
Box Contents Along with your Clarett 4Pre USB you should have: • External 12 V DC mains Power Supply Unit (PSU) • USB-C to USB-A cable • USB-C to USB-C cable • Important Information, with codes for accessing the following on-line resources: - Focusrite Control* - Drivers for Windows* (Clarett 4Pre USB is class-compliant for Macs: no drivers required) - 2 GB of Loopmasters sounds and samples - Focusrite Red 2 and Red 3 Plug-in Suite - Softube Time & Tone plug-in bundle - Your choice of o
GETTING STARTED IMPORTANT - FOR WINDOWS USERS: PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU INSTALL THE CLARETT 4PRE USB DRIVERS BEFORE CONNECTING THE INTERFACE TO YOUR COMPUTER. Software Installation All software required by the Clarett 4Pre USB, including several powerful and useful extras, is available for download from the Focusrite website (www.focusrite.com/register). The Important Information provided with your Clarett 4Pre USB contains validation codes which you will need to enter at the above web address.
Hardware Features Front Panel 5 3 4 1 4 5 2 1 3 5 1 3 5 2 1 3 10 6 7 8 9 9 The front panel includes input gain and monitoring controls as well as four of the input connectors for Mic, Line and Instrument signals. 1. Inputs 1 to 4 – Combo XLR input sockets for each channel - connect microphones via XLR connectors, or line level signals via ¼” jacks. Instruments (e.g., guitar) may also be connected via ¼” jacks to Inputs 1 and 2.
Rear Panel 8 7 4 6 9 3 2 1 5 1. LINE INPUTS 5 to 8 – four balanced analogue line inputs for Channels 5 to 8, on ¼” TRS jack sockets. Connect further line level signals here using ¼” TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack plugs. 2. LINE OUTPUTS 1 to 4 – four balanced analogue line outputs on ¼” jack sockets; use TRS jacks for a balanced connection or TS jacks for unbalanced.
Connecting your Clarett 4Pre USB IMPORTANT: Before you connect the Clarett 4Pre USB to your computer, please complete the software installation according to the instructions on page 6. This will ensure that the hardware uses the correct drivers, and will prevent unexpected behaviour. The Clarett 4Pre USB must be powered using the supplied AC adaptor (PSU). Connect the PSU to the rear panel power socket and turn the unit on with the power switch. The Clarett 4Pre USB has a USB-C™ port (on the rear panel).
Connecting Clarett 4Pre USB to loudspeakers The 1/4” jack LINE OUTPUTS 1 and 2 on the rear panel will normally be used to drive monitoring speakers. Self-powered monitors incorporate internal amplifiers, and may be connected directly. Passive loudspeakers will require a separate stereo amplifier; in this case, the outputs should be connected to the amplifier’s inputs. Connecting active speakers Connecting passive speakers Professional power amplifiers will generally have balanced inputs.
When mixing, you can connect an additional pair of speakers (mid-field, near-field, etc.) to LINE OUTPUTS 3 and 4 to check your mix on different types of speaker. You can easily configure Focusrite Control to route the mix to these outputs as well as Outputs 1 and 2.
Examples of Usage The Clarett 4Pre USB is an excellent choice for numerous recording and monitoring applications. Some typical configurations are shown below. 1. Recording a small band This setup illustrates a typical configuration for multitrack recording with DAW software on your computer. In this example we are making a live recording of a small, largely acoustic band, consisting of electroacoustic guitar, bass guitar, synth and two vocalists.
A note about latency You will probably have heard the term “latency” used in connection with digital audio systems. In the case of the simple DAW recording application described above, latency is the time it takes for your input signals to pass through your computer and audio software, and back to you. While not an issue for most simple recording situations, under some circumstances, latency can be a problem for a performer who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals.
2. Recording a drum kit with (and without) the optical connection In addition to the eight analogue inputs, the Clarett 4Pre USB has an ADAT input port (OPTICAL IN) which can provide an additional 8 audio inputs at 44.1/48 kHz sample rate or four at 88.2/96 kHz. Using a separate 8-channel microphone preamplifier equipped with an ADAT output – such as the Clarett OctoPre – provides a simple and excellent method of expanding the Clarett 4Pre USB’s input capability.
Device Settings tab of Focusrite Control. The two devices must be set to operate at the same sample rate. The additional inputs realised by use of the optical port may be routed using Focusrite Control in exactly the same manner as the other inputs. The additional inputs can also form part of any musician’s headphone mix, as required.
3. Providing foldback while recording While recording, musicians will often prefer to hear themselves along with the other players, and when overdubbing, the tracks that have already been recorded. A mix created for this purpose, which the musician can hear on headphones while performing, is called foldback. Focusrite Control lets you define several different mixes, each of which may be either mono or stereo, and which may be routed to any of the Clarett 4Pre USB’s outputs.
FOCUSRITE CONTROL - OVERVIEW Focusrite Control is the software application used with the Clarett 4Pre USB. It allows you to create a custom monitor mix for each musician, and also to specify the routing of all audio signals to the physical audio outputs. All sample rate selection, digital syncing and buffer size settings (Windows only) are available from Focusrite Control. Note: Focusrite Control is compatible with other hardware interfaces in the Focusrite product range.
CLARETT 4PRE USB TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Performance Specifications Configuration Inputs 18: analogue (8), S/PDIF (2), ADAT (8) Outputs 8: analogue (4), S/PDIF (2), HP (2) Mixer Fully assignable 26-in/10-out mixer Digital Performance Supported sample rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz & 192 kHz Microphone Inputs Frequency Response 20 Hz - 35 kHz +/-0.5 dB at minimum gain Dynamic Range 118 dB THD+N 0.
Line & Monitor Outputs Dynamic Range 118 dB THD+N 0.0006% Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS) +18 dBu, balanced line/TRS outputs Headphone Outputs Dynamic Range 115 dB (A-Weighted) THD+N 0.
TROUBLESHOOTING For all troubleshooting queries, please visit the Focusrite Answerbase at www.focusrite.com/answerbase where you will find articles covering numerous troubleshooting examples. COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES Focusrite is a registered trade mark and Clarett 4Pre USB is a trade mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All other trade marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. 2017 © Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All rights reserved.
