User Guide Version 2 focusrite.
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 must only be connected to USB Type 2.0+ or Thunderbolt 3.0+ ports. Introduction Thank you for purchasing this Clarett+ 8Pre, a high-performance and immensely capable studio centrepiece for PC or Mac.
Features The Clarett+ 8pre has eight next-generation, high-performance Clarett+ preamps to capture clear and powerful sounds with a preamp design that brings masses of headroom, low distortion and low noise. New and improved high-performance A-D and D-A converters maintain the purity of analogue and deliver extremely low noise and high dynamic range. Vocals will shine with the All-analogue Air, its analogue circuitry emulating the classic Focusrite ISA 110 preamp.
Box Contents Along with your Clarett+ 8Pre you should have: • AC mains cable with IEC connector • USB-C to USB-A cable • USB-C to USB-C cable Focusrite Control is available at focusrite.com/downloads. On Windows, Focusrite Control will also install the driver required. Mac users: Clarett+ 8Pre is class-compliant on Macs, therefore no drivers are required. As a Clarett+ owner, you are also entitled to a selection of third-party software. Go to focusrite.
GETTING STARTED Software Installation Focusrite Control and the driver software needed for the Clarett+ 8Pre are available for download from the Focusrite website: focusrite.com/downloads. Click Clarett+ range on the Downloads page. This will take you to a page with all the downloads which are available for the Clarett+ range. To download the Focusrite Control version you need, click the appropriate Download button. Note that the Windows driver is included within the Focusrite Control download.
3. If you do have an account, log in and select REGISTER A NEW PRODUCT: 4. S elect your Clarett+ device from the Product drop-down list and enter your device’s Serial Number at the bottom of the page. You can find the serial number on the underside of the Clarett+ 8Pre, and also on the gift box. Then click Set Serial Number. 5. Follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to finish registering your device. 6.
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 input gain and monitoring controls as well as two 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.
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. DIM and MUTE – two switches controlling the Clarett+ 8Pre’s monitor outputs; DIM reduces the output levels by 18 dB, while MUTE turns the outputs off. By default, these switches affect the main monitor outputs 1 and 2, but may be configured in Focusrite Control to act on any of the analogue outputs.
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 The Clarett+ 8Pre 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. The Clarett+ 8Pre has a USB-C™ port (on the rear panel). Once the software installation is complete, simply connect the Clarett+ 8Pre to your computer using a USB cable.
Connecting Clarett+ 8Pre 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 have 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.
Connecting additional monitors When mixing, you can connect several pairs of additional speakers (midfield, nearfield, etc.) to output pairs and use Focusrite Control to route your mix to the different outputs as desired, to check your mix on the different speakers. IMPORTANT: MONITOR 1 and 2 outputs have “anti-thump” circuitry that protects your speakers if the Clarett+ 8Pre is turned on while the speakers (and amplifier if used) are connected and active. LINE OUTPUTS 3 to 10 do not have this circuitry.
Working with surround sound Because the Clarett+ 8Pre is equipped with ten line outputs, it is suitable for working in multichannel sound formats – LCRS, 5.1 surround or 7.1 surround, for example. To route each channel to the correct output you will need to route the DAW outputs to the Line Outputs in Focusrite Control (e.g. DAW Output 1 > Line Output 1, DAW Output 2 > Line Output 2, etc.). Windows users: In Windows, surround sound can only be used in software supporting multichannel ASIO.
The example below shows how you would connect the six loudspeakers in a 5.
EXAMPLES OF USAGE The Clarett+ 8Pre is an excellent choice for many recording and monitoring applications. Some typical configurations are shown below. 1. Recording a band Guitar Bass Guitar Engineer’s Headphones (Front Panel) (Rear Panel) USB Stereo Keys This setup illustrates a typical configuration for multitrack recording with DAW software on your computer. A selection of sources – microphones, guitars and a keyboard – are shown connected to Clarett+ 8Pre’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 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 recording situations, 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 eight analogue inputs, the Clarett+ 8Pre has an ADAT input port (OPTICAL IN) which can provide an additional eight 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’s input capability.
3. Using the Clarett+ 8Pre as a stand-alone mixer The Clarett+ 8Pre can 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 retain the configuration in the device itself. Then you can use the Clarett+ 8Pre as a rackmounting mixer as part of your keyboard rig to control the overall mix of multiple keyboards.
4. Providing foldback while recording While recording, musicians often prefer to hear themselves along with other players, and when overdubbing, tracks that have already been recorded. Focusrite Control lets you define several different mixes, each of which may be either mono or stereo, and can be routed to any of the Clarett+ 8Pre’s outputs. This means each musician being recorded can have a unique mix.
FOCUSRITE CONTROL - OVERVIEW Focusrite Control is the software application used with the Clarett+ 8Pre, which can be downloaded from focusrite.com/downloads. An iOS app allowing WiFi control of Focusrite Control is also available, from the Apple App Store. Focusrite Control allows you to create a custom monitor mix for each musician, and specify the routing of all audio signals to the physical audio outputs. Sample rate and clock source selection are also available from Focusrite Control.
CLARETT+ 8PRE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Performance Specifications Where possible, specifications are measured to AES17. Unless stated, all specification measurements are unweighted. 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 Custom mixes 10 mono Maximum custom mix inputs 18 mono Digital Performance Supported sample rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.
Line and Monitor Outputs Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +/-<0.02 dB; 20 Hz – 35 kHz, +/-<0.02 dB Dynamic Range Outputs (1-2) 124 dB (A-Weighted) THD+N Outputs (1-2) -106 dB Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS) 18 dBu Balanced Line/TRS Outputs Impedance 68 � Headphone Outputs Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +/-<0.06 dB; 20 Hz – 35 kHz, +/-<0.
Other I/O ADAT input 2 x TOSLINK optical connectors: 8 channels at 44.1/48 kHz 4 channels at 88.2/96 kHz S/PDIF I/O 2 x phono (RCA); can be re-assigned to ADAT ports in software Data connector (to computer) 1 x USB-C™ connector MIDI I/O 2 x 5-pin DIN sockets Weight and Dimensions WxHxD 482.5 mm x 43.9 mm x 291 mm 19” x 1.73” x 11.46” Weight 4.08 kg (9.
TROUBLESHOOTING For all troubleshooting queries, please visit the Focusrite Help Centre at support.focusrite.com. COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES Focusrite, Clarett and OctoPre are registered trade marks of Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. in the United States and other countries. ADAT is a registered trademark of inMusic Brands in the US and other countries. iOS, iPhone, iPad and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries and regions.
