User Guide www.focusrite.com Version 1.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OVERVIEW Introduction Thank you for purchasing a Clarett OctoPre, an eight channel mic-pre expansion unit incorporating high quality Clarett analogue pre-amplifiers with the unique Focusrite AIR function, plus send-andreturn insert points on each channel. As well as offering purely analogue operation for stand alone live use, the Clarett OctoPre includes both A-to-D and D-to-A conversion, providing a perfect solution for expanding your input and output capabilities via ADAT for recording.
Box Contents Along with your Clarett OctoPre you should have: • AC mains cable with IEC connector The User Guide (in English, French, German and Spanish) can be downloaded from https://global.focusrite.com/downloads Hardware Features Front Panel 1 3 5 4 8 14 14 6 11 7 2 10 9 12 13 The front panel includes all operational controls, metering for all channels and two input sockets for mic, line or instruments. 4 1.
7. Input signal level meters: eight LED bargraphs, one per channel. Segments indicate -42, -18 & -12 dBFS (green), -6 & -3 dBFS (yellow) and 0 dBFS (red). Input signals are metered post the input gain controls, so you can see the levels being sent to the digital outputs. 8. INSERT and AIR function master switches: two soft switches with internal LEDs (INSERT = green, AIR = yellow) which determine the function of the per-channel INSERT/AIR switches [6]. 9.
Rear Panel 23 18 21 19 22 15 20 17 16 16 The remainder of the Clarett OctoPre’s inputs and outputs are on the rear panel. 15. INPUTS 3 to 8 – 6 x “Combo XLR” connectors; note that the inputs for Channels 3 to 8 do not have INST mode, but are otherwise identical to those for Channels 1 and 2. 16. INSERTS 1 & 2 – two ¼” TRS jack sockets, providing an access point for connecting external processing equipment into Channels 1 and 2.
20. LINE OUTPUTS 1 to 8 – eight balanced analogue line outputs on a 25-pin female D-sub connector. This connector is always active, and normally carries the outputs of Channels 1 to 8, enabling the Clarett OctoPre to be used as a stand-alone, high quality 8-channel analogue mic pre. In ADAT > LINE mode, the connector carries the signals applied at the OPTICAL IN ports [19].
Using the Clarett OctoPre Combo Inputs All eight of the analogue inputs use “Combo XLR” connectors. These can accept male XLR connectors, TS (unbalanced) ¼” jacks or TRS (balanced) ¼” jacks. When an XLR connector is used, the pre-amp automatically configures gain and impedance to receive microphone level signals. If a ¼” plug is used, the pre-amp is able to accept balanced or unbalanced line level signals.
Digital Outputs Use the OPTICAL OUT ADAT port(s) [18] to connect the Clarett OctoPre to the ADAT input(s) of an audio device using TOSLINK optical cable(s). The ports can transmit eight channels of audio at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sample rate via a single optical cable. At these sample rates, the two ports carry the same eight channels. At 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz sample rates, each port can transmit four channels of audio.
Digital Inputs Use the OPTICAL IN ADAT port(s) [19] if you need to convert digital audio (e.g., the output of a DAW) to analogue, using the Clarett OctoPre’s ADAT > LINE mode. The right-hand port can receive eight channels of audio at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sample rate via a single optical cable. At 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz sample rates, each port can receive four channels of audio.
ADAT-to-Line mode Selecting ADAT > LINE mode ([12] on the front panel) reassigns the eight sources for the analogue LINE OUTPUTS D-sub connector [20]. In normal operation, the outputs of the mic pre-amplifier channels are available at this D-sub connector; in ADAT > LINE mode, the D-sub connector is fed with the ADAT digital signals at the OPTICAL IN port(s), following D-to-A conversion. DEMULTIPLEXER OPTICAL INPUTS and D-A CONVERSION 8 chs.
Example Setups 1. Clarett OctoPre with audio interface: OctoPre as clock source Master Clarett OctoPre Clock set to Interal via the front panel Clarett 8Pre Clock set to ADAT using Focusrite Control Here the OPTICAL OUT on the Clarett OctoPre is connected to OPTICAL IN on a Focusrite Clarett 8Pre audio interface with a single optical cable. Both units are running at 44.1 kHz sample rate.
3. Clarett OctoPre with Clarett 8PreX – SMUX-II and SMUX-IV modes Clarett OctoPre Clock set to WORD via the front panel Clarett 8PreX Clock set to Internal via Focusrite Control This example shows the same setup as Example 2, but running at a sample rate of 96 kHz (“SMUX-II” mode). Both units must be set to 96kHz; two optical cables are used, carrying four channels of audio each. The Clarett 8PreX is the sync master as before.
socket to eight line inputs on the mixing desk; this will need a 25-way D-sub on one end and eight connectors appropriate to the desk’s line inputs on the other. (Pre-made looms are available from professional audio suppliers.) This setup would also be appropriate to use the OctoPre as an input stage with any type of 8-channel analogue device.
The setup in this example would allow 18 DAW tracks to be connected to the desk if only a single Clarett OctoPre was in use. The above channel counts are applicable at 44.1/48 kHz sample rate, providing that a Clarett 8PreX is used as the primary interface. 6.
CLARETT OCTOPRE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Performance Specifications (All performance figures are measured to the AES17 standard). Sample Rates Supported sample rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz & 192 kHz Microphone Inputs Frequency Response 20 Hz to 35 kHz, +/-0.1 dB Dynamic Range (Insert off) 118 dB (A-weighted) Dynamic Range (Insert active) 115 dB (A-weighted) THD+N 0.001% Noise EIN –128 dBu (A-weighted) Maximum input level +18 dBu +/-0.
Physical and Electrical Characteristics Analogue Inputs 1 & 2 Connectors “Combo XLR” sockets on front panel; for Line use ¼” TRS jack, for Inst use ¼” TS jack. Mic/Line switching Automatic Line/Instrument switching via front 2 x front panel switches Phantom power +48 V, switchable Chs. 1-4, 5-8 in groups Analogue Inputs 3 to 8 Connectors “Combo XLR” sockets on rear panel; for Line use ¼” TRS jack. Mic/Line switching Automatic Phantom power +48 V, switchable Chs.
TROUBLESHOOTING For all troubleshooting queries, please visit the Focusrite Answerbase at https://support.focusrite.com where you will find articles covering numerous troubleshooting examples. COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES Focusrite is a registered trade mark and Clarett OctoPre is a trade mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All other trade marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. 2016 © Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All rights reserved.
