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 8Pre USB hardware 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.
Box Contents Along with your Clarett 8Pre USB you should have: • AC mains cable with IEC connector • 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 8Pre 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 one XLN Audio
GETTING STARTED IMPORTANT - FOR WINDOWS USERS: PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU INSTALL THE CLARETT 8PRE USB DRIVERS BEFORE CONNECTING THE INTERFACE TO YOUR COMPUTER. Software Installation All software required by the Clarett 8Pre 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 8Pre USB contains validation codes which you will need to enter at the above web address.
Hardware Features Front Panel 1 3 2 7 5 14 4 4 5 8 6 9 10 12 14 11 13 The front panel includes all the input gain and monitoring controls as well as two of the input connectors for Mic, Line and Instrument signals. 1. INPUTS 1 & 2 – Combo XLR input sockets - connect microphones, instruments (e.g., guitar), or line level signals via XLR or ¼” jacks as appropriate. Either TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack plugs can be used for instruments or line level signals. 2.
9. (Locked) – a green LED which confirms clock synchronisation, either to the Clarett 8Pre USB’s internal clock or to an external digital input. 10. MONITOR – main monitor output level control – this control will normally control the level at the main monitor outputs on the rear panel, but can be configured in Focusrite Control to adjust the level of multiple pairs of outputs. 11.
Rear Panel 9 6 8 7 3 4 2 1 5 1. MIC/LINE INPUTS 3 to 8 – Combo XLR input sockets - connect further microphones or line level signals via XLR or ¼” jacks as appropriate. Either ¼” TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack plugs can be used for line level signals. 2. LINE OUTPUTS 3 to 10 – eight balanced analogue line outputs on ¼” jack sockets; use TRS jacks for a balanced connection or TS jacks for unbalanced.
Connecting your Clarett 8Pre USB IMPORTANT: Before you connect the Clarett 8Pre 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 8Pre USB should be connected to AC mains with the supplied AC power cable. Plug the IEC connector into the rear panel IEC receptacle and turn the unit on with the front panel power switch.
Connecting Clarett 8Pre USB to loudspeakers The 1/4” jack MONITOR outputs on the rear panel (Line Outputs 1 and 2) will normally be used to drive monitoring speakers. Self-powered monitors (e.g., typical computer speakers) incorporate internal amplifiers, and may be connected directly. Passive loudspeakers will require a separate stereo amplifier; in this case, the rear panel outputs should be connected to the amplifier’s inputs.
When mixing, you can connect several pairs of additional speakers (mid-field, near-field, etc.) to pairs of outputs and use Focusrite Control to route your mix to the different outputs as desired, to check your mix on the different types of speaker. IMPORTANT: MONITOR 1 and 2 outputs incorporate “anti-thump” circuitry that protects your speakers if the Clarett 8Pre USB is turned on while the speakers (and amplifier if used) are connected and active. LINE OUTPUTS 3 to 10 do not have this circuitry.
Examples of Usage The Clarett 8Pre USB is an excellent choice for numerous recording and monitoring applications. Some typical configurations are shown below. 1. Recording a band Guitar Bass Guitar Engineer’s Headphones (Front Panel) (Rear Panel) Stereo Keys This setup illustrates a typical configuration for multitrack recording with DAW software on your Mac. A selection of sources – microphones, guitars and a keyboard – are shown connected to the Clarett 8Pre USB’s inputs.
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. Using the optical connections In addition to the eight analogue inputs, the Clarett 8Pre 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 Focusrite Clarett OctoPre – provides a simple and excellent method of expanding the Clarett 8Pre USB’s input capability.
3. Using the Clarett 8Pre USB as a stand-alone mixer The Clarett 8Pre USB has the ability to store a mix configuration defined in Focusrite Control within the hardware. This feature lets you configure it – for example, as an on-stage keyboard mixer – using your computer, and then upload the configuration to the device itself. Then you can use the Clarett 8Pre USB as a simple, rack-mounting mixer as part of your keyboard rig to control the overall mix of multiple keyboards.
4. 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 8Pre USB’s outputs.
FOCUSRITE CONTROL - OVERVIEW Focusrite Control is the software application used with the Clarett 8Pre 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 8PRE 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.
Physical and Electrical Characteristics Analogue Inputs Inputs 1 & 2 Connectors Combo XLR sockets: Mic/Line/Inst, on front panel Mic/Line switching Automatic Line/Instrument switching via Focusrite Control Phantom power +48 V switches for inputs 1 to 4, 5 to 8 Analogue Inputs 3 to 8 Connectors Combo XLR sockets: Mic/Line, on rear panel Mic/Line switching Automatic Phantom power +48 V switches for inputs 1 to 4, 5 to 8 Analogue Outputs Main outputs 10 x balanced ¼” TRS jacks (on rear panel) S
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 8Pre 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.
