Scarlett VS Clarett | Interface Shootout w/ Orlando Drummer

[@pigpen4483]

Dude the quality of this video is top notch! Your speaking, editing, comparisons, everything. Keep up the great work!

[@MarkFeaGuitar]

Great comparison... as a video creator, I know how long this must have taken to set up and edit, so nice one man - great job!

[@arjan_l]

Wow. Didn't think that interfaces could differ in sound so much. Great vid!

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Really nice job. I have the Clarett 8Pre and am appreciating this information.

[@LewisTexidorMusic]

It is most noticeable on the top end of the snare. It is pretty crazy actually. I have both and never thought to compare them. I typically run other preamps into it but man that air on the snare sounds gOOOOOOOd !!!!

[@mattietaylor86]

Probably the best comparison video on the 2 interfaces you’ll find anywhere. I have been trying to decide on the 2 but wanted to know is there really a sound difference. Well this really helped me decide!! Thanks so much

[@thefreshies]

Top end on Clarett is impressive.

[@skylerthacreator]

its got a sparkliness instead of tinniness forsure

[@AnAmericanGuitarist]

The kit sounds great overall in this video .... (I can hear it easily mixed with other instruments) ... and it's one of the very few videos that has the hat and cymbals properly placed to make it sound like an actual drum kit. Most videos that I see have the hat and cymbals barely audible, buried beneath low end tones. The hat and cymbals provide a lot of the energy and I like to hear them as dominant as they are in Zeppelin's Rock and Roll & Kashmir and Deep Purple's Woman From Tokyo. The way the hats are played in those songs contributes so much to those songs. They are 2 great old examples, but that's where the legends are and they earned their status as legends. A lot of songs sound flat without the clear presence of the hat and cymbals. This is one of the best videos of preamps on drums that I have seen. Great job.

[@JeffreyMiddelveld]

Awesome comparison! In my opinion the Scarlett sounds a bit rounder, where the Clarett has a pretty flat character with a crispy high end with the Air mode on. I would pick the Scarlett and run the overheads through an SSL, API or 1073 plug-in in order to get that sweet and transparant high end boost.

[@PeterJaquesMusic]

thanks for this video! i've been trying to choose between then scarlett & the clarett 8pre (not x, but basically same quality i think as the 8prex). i actually preferred the scarlett in a few points - it seemed thicker & "ballsier" on the overheads & the snare. for me the sonic differences seemed not worth the extra cash. there's still that sweet thunderbolt latency to consider, but this really helped in my process!

[@maurodrums8061]

Hi Adam, just upgraded from a Scarlett 18i8 to a Clarett 8Pre USB. Just wanted to say yours is a really one of the best comparisons I’ve seen and after trying it for myself. I can tell that’s their real sound. Thanks a lot.

[@MystFanfare]

Love this video, best preamp comparison I've ever watched!

[@coin777]

Its more about the converters

[@n8_t8m]

These are the quality and un-bias as possible comparisons we need! Thanks!

[@LARESISTENZA]

Qhy I hear Kick from Scarlett on the left and on the right for Clarett?

[@rossrowley]

I just gt an 18i20 and honestly it also has the air fature and I feel like price point to quality you'd vbe hard pressed to find better, haing said that it's 5 years later so there is that

[@jamescassidy4045]

Does anyone know if the Focusrite uses the same Pres in the Red Interfaces and the Clarett Interface/Octo?

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

Wow! The overall detail on the Snare and Tom sample with the Clarrett is Night and day Through my in ear monitors. You can hear the snare wires and room and everything with the Clarrett. The Air feature is almost always "too much" maybe except for Hats

[@tenementmusic4320]

Appreciate you doing this. I clearly now know the difference sonically of the two units.

[@Carlo24515]

Dang, super helpful. Thanks! Clarett sounds a lot crispier and more present, though I almost prefer the darker sound of the Scarlett on some of the close mic'd stuff. Definitely worth keeping both around.

[@DuroSamples]

Where is the video where you do not use the AIR feature to properly A/B the preamps in a full mix...????

[@daltonidaho]

Great comparison! One thing I would've liked to hear was if adding highs to the Scarlett would match the clarity from the Clarett.

[@eyedunno8462]

Gen 3 Scarlett has the air feature now too. Should do an updated comparison

[@jefjaeger]

In addition to the better pre-amps, I am told that the Analog to Digital converters on the Clarett are some of the best available at it's price point. Not many reviews have addressed this, but that would also make the higher price easily worth paying. I was told this by one music store sales rep however, so not sure if that is indeed the case.

[@AldyWaani]

i’m doing blind hearing thru studio headphone and in my opinion both has the same result without air enabled. i think it’s great to have Air features on an interface if we don’t have ISA pres

[@mgtow-balance3409]

damn that piece looks so sexy; it would look cool no matter where it's mounted!

[@msw812]

I hear more highs definition with claret(air off). You really didn’t catch that?

[@imnotjacob.]

This is a really well done comparison, Thank you very much. Seems i'll be getting the new USB-C Clarett when it comes to Australia.

[@fireyourrocketts]

Hmm, I am about to get the Thunderbolt one, is this the same you are talking about or there is a newer one?

[@Kyle7K]

Good video. I was in the same boat for awhile, now own both. I use my Clarett 8PreX in the main studio and use Scarletts in a mobile set up, as well as for running backtracks with Ableton live. As a former saffire pro 40 user, I'd say both of these are great in comparison.

[@larrylynch8113]

i need one for record out of my studio ; do you think it's better to have a scarlett or clarett USB or Thunderbolt ??

[@RonCoy]

Clarett Thunderbolt if you have the Thunderbolt port free for it. The latency is better. I also think the Clarett's pres sound better, they can handle a higher dB level, and the AIR feature is a great option to have. The gen 2 Scarletts aren't bad by any means, but if you're gonna throw the money down, the Clarett is the better interface

[@rickmoore52]

definitely one of the very best comparison videos I've seen. Good job!

[@sartoriusrock]

Clarett 8Pre X also has dual ADAT, allowing for 16ch digital I/O at 44.1/48kHz, or 8ch at 88.2/96. Also has word clock in *and* out, whereas the Scarlett only has clock output

[@danontheair]

What's up with that kick drum test? Sounds like the Scarlett is in stereo

[@SirenaWF1]

There's a little more low end on the Clarett, but I also assume that because of the price, Focusrite is able to build high end components into the design. I'm also listening on a pair of Focal Spirit Pros.

[@Robdust]

I've had my Clarett Octopre for a few months now and I'm super happy with it. I own other "higher end" pre amps and I've been using the Clarett more than the others! I love the AIR feature, it's super clear and I leave it on all the time but it's nice to have the option of it in or out, it's like getting 2 sets of preamps for the price of one. I actually owned a Neve 1073 DPA and sold that! The INSERT is great as well for some front line compression, eq, etc. You cannot beat the features and sound of these 8 channels of preamp for the cost.

[@carlpowell0]

Even with my phones audio card and apple earphones i can hear an obvious difference. Incredible. Credit to great drum playing as well

[@thomastucker5686]

From what I am hearing an input eq could contour the same sound. Not that it wouldn't take some time to find the right frequencies to enhance and which ones to pull out.

[@ericmulder5057]

Awesome comparison, was wondering the very thing. I had picked up a Scarlett 18i8... but I already had a few outboard pres, and didn't need the pres on the interface to be amazing. By going for the less expensive interface I could afford to also pick up a Warm wa73-eq, WA-47jr, and a SM57. I like the trade off.

[@gerardrum1]

thanks Orlando this video help me a lot ,im a drummer too and im thinking change my old project mix to a scarlett, also i have an octopre and i love it.

[@bobbyhofermusic]

The Scarlett kick was panned a little left where the Clarett was dead center.

[@Piplodocus]

Would like an updated version with the latest Scarlett. I’ve got an rme the 8pre is a great expansion option for mic pres to ADAT, so interesting comparison still. 🙂

[@fuzzylightning]

Awesome review, and badass set up! I love the monitor by the drums. I bet it makes workflow so much easier!

[@Lovenpain]

Great video! I actually bought the 18i20 3rd gen. The difference is you can apply the phantom power 1-4 and 5-8 at the same time and they added the air feature along with rearranging the knobs on the front. And you have talkback. A few other new options. And for the same price!

[@mustafamalimi]

The clarett is a bit more clear and crisp. Its catching the more sensitive nuances from the room and kit! Awesome video! 👍👍👍

[@simonash8912]

Phenomenal video, thanks for taking the time. This is so good and so informative. Love it!

[@caspermaster-com]

Its kinda increddible how much better the clarett sounds. Definetly the difference between project studio and pro studio. The difference on the drums is approaching almost tuned vs not so tuned drums, everything is just more spot on with the clarett.

[@abbdrums]

dat Clarett tho 👀

[@rik-keymusic160]

awesome review brother!! This is some quality content you make ! thanks man !

[@DadRockAndGuitars]

Thank you for this great comparison - just what I was looking for! I have a Saffire Pro 40 and have been thinking about getting the Clarett. The Clarett definitely has a more open and detailed sound that I prefer even without the Air turned on.

[@freedom4830]

Thank you for this well done comparison, it’s exactly what I needed

[@kcstorytime4898]

Thank you for this shootout, this was exactly what I needed to hear to get a better idea of what interface to get.

[@sartoriusrock]

The Clarett 8Pre X (in particular) lends itself to line level sources (such as external mic pre's) much better than the Scarlett 18i20. The separate line-level inputs on the Clarett go through a unity-gain circuit. On the other hand, there is no way to bypass the variable gain stage on the 18i20, which can make feeding it consistent levels from an external media source, preamp, or effects processor difficult.

[@apenwangshu8476]

Hi,,,Adam brother,,am from Nagaland your subscriber,,,, i have been having problems in choosing between yamha EAD10,focusrite Scarlett and clarett,, could you kindly give me some of your experience advise am really confusing,,,, AS well as i need more channels For my drums please 👍

[@attemarttinen]

Did not expect such am obvious difference. I recently went from a Behringer X18 to a Steinberg UR824+Clarett octopre... Cant wait to do some recording, gonna be great :D

[@michaelrice6620]

Wow its crazy how different they sound! I honestly thought going into this there wouldn’t be much difference at all. Im deciding between the 2 so thank you for doing this comparison!

[@DontaBeats]

This is awesome my friend love this ❤

[@shawnreese6538]

absolute best demo of these equipment lines I have seen. The air feature is a notch better, and easy, but i believe the effects can be near duped on a scarlett track, and not that distinguishable in a mix. Thanks a bunch for diong this. You know what you're doing.

[@jordancraighead]

how much of a difference would there be using external pre's with the interface pre's gain turned all the way down??

[@carlpowell0]

I read a comment that in a full song mix it might not be as noticeable. Well now im curious of a full guitar, bass, vocals, drums comparison. All recoreded with scarlett and then with clarett. I also wonder if the clarett is worth it in a bedroom setting....

[@asexydeath]

I just upgraded from scarlett to clarett. And what blew me away is what nobody is talking about. The AD DA conversion is far superior... Dynamics and Freq range scarily improved on monitor out. Enough to wish I'd just forked out for the clarett in the first place. And the headphone amp is gorgeous for the price point. The Scarlett ones were trash. As for the preamps.. I would rather cut air than add air on the scarlett if you know what I mean

[@billyhenley6968]

This is exactly what I needed to know! My Scarlett 18 i20 MKii does the job but has a horrible stale headphone circuit. I know because I love those particular headphones on multiple other sources. Nobody has touched on this in any of the other reviews. Thank you!

[@Judasz696]

What about when I use only for recording synths and drums on line cables? Am i getting strange feeling that clarett is only superior in mic and acoustic recording from mics? So my question is do I rly need clarret or scarlett when recording from line inputs? Or should I go for clarett maybe?

[@jessejafrnd]

Thank you. Very few people get in to converters. I’m glad I have a school instructor that emphasized this, and I listened and got the Clarett Octopre.

[@jessejafrnd]

@@Judasz696To convert analog signal to digital information to record into a computer you have to have AD Converters. Analog to Digital Converters. The quality of the converters in the Clarett is a huge jump up from the Scarlett’s converters. So it’s irrelevant whether it’s a mic or line signal, the conversion is still equally as important. As an instructor in school told me, think of it as the snapshot of your music or audio.. The quality of that snapshot. Are you happy with a 720 or 1080p image or do you want a superior 4-8k image.

[@Caba-Rojo]

Great video. I can definitely hear the differences. Really made a difference for me. Thanks!

[@TheBSABand]

Awesome comparison, very eye (or ear) opening! Not just for the differences between Clarett vs. Scarlett, but for preamps in general. The Air feature is very obvious of course, but the sound is very different even without it. We use the 8PreX, and after watching this, we're happy that we do!

[@ARKenMan]

I have a Scarlet 18i20 already. If I wanted to add the Clarett and hook it up via adat...will that work? I'm new at all this but was curious if that would work and the daw (logic) would see all the scarlet AND clarett ports?

[@pantherinemedia8678]

thanks a lot for this video. i was more concerned about the latency and ability to use it live with software vsts and plugins and i would appreciate some thoughts on that.

[@NONE2NONE]

Ive always used a PCI Express sound card, but I'd like to switch to this USB3 to save an express slot. Im worried about the latency of USB3 vs PCI-E. Is there a difference in latency, with respect to playing VST instruments and using multiple VST plugins at once in Pro Tools? This question is about the scarlett

[@tristandeniet]

Really well balanced and thought-out comparison. Thanks! I have a 500-series preamp that has a "color" button for some of that airy sizzle so I think I don't really have a reason to upgrade. (I already have a Scarlett)

[@US3Rofficial]

You're a very consistent drummer! nice job

[@karmalord]

Thanks, this will help in my search for a decent drum interface.

[@rvr_xx]

You can take that top end away, compress it a little and make the clarett sound more 'dead' and 'closed in' like the scarlett. You can't, however, make the scarlett sound more dynamic, or bring that high end back. The clarett is simply giving you much more information to work with

[@charlesyuen7071]

Clarett really worth it's price. nice transient and depth of the sound. Thanks, good work

[@ThomasSteves]

Best comparison I've heard! Thanks, so helpful!

[@qlqnen]

So how does the Air feature actually work? Could you replicate the same effect in post with EQ and/or other edits? It does sound better raw, though. EDIT: Commented before finishing the video, got it :)

[@rocxNroll]

ok focusrite but 2nd gen ord 3rd?? thanks

[@QuentinDamour]

Clarett has more presence and dynamic to my ears but I quite like the darker sound of scarlett as well.. Great playing !

[@JD..........]

Can the Clarett record using 32 bit float?

[@EverythingMusicRecording]

I have an 18i20 first gen that I have had for a number of years now and it's been great. But eventually I'll have to replace it so I have been looking more at the Clarett (RED is overkill for my needs) and I think this sold me. The Scarlett pres are fine, but sound a little dull in comparison to the Clarett. I feel less EQ would be needed on the Clarett. They also sound a little more open to my ears with a clearer, more defined lowend. (this was very apparent on the kick drum) And the nice thing with the Clarett Octopre (if you decided to add it) is that you also get insert points (mind you they are unbalanced for some reason) so you could track thru any outboard gear you might have on the way in to your DAW 🙂

[@alessandrobernardi3938]

You did an Amazing job with this Tutorial!!one of the best ever seen.thumbs up!

[@ewewell]

How do you know which generation of Scarlett you have

[@braintube76]

Very professional comparison! Thank you!

[@bassface84]

Definitely seems like the clarett has more headroom or less distortion or something. just sounds like more 'space'.

[@mosslover69]

You can get an 18i20 second gen for way under $500 nowadays. It’s a solid purchase option

[@tangosierra9649]

A comparison vid of the Clarett octapre vs Universal Apollo x8p would be great

[@AdamTuminaro]

If you’re buying 😉

[@tangosierra9649]

Gulp

[@TheToothGoose]

Can you achieve Clarett sound with a bit of EQ?

[@bryanlopez7458]

I have an issue with my Scarlett, after recording I’m not able to hear anything through my MacBook Pro speakers, but once I put headphones it works. also.. when I try to monitor myself, I can’t hear anything. 😒 ? help.

[@beaueatbutterflyyummy4151]

Make sure your audio preferences are set correctly

[@allenmitchell09]

I think for my sound I need the cheaper option. I always prefer a more raw sound. But I keep reading all these comments saying how different they are, but I don’t know if I have some hearing loss or cheap sounding Bluetooth headphones (they’re Samsung btw) but I can’t hear much of a difference at all from these examples. Especially considering other instruments will be recorded as well.

[@halidharis]

Well. I choose scarlet for "budget" air feature can solve with EQ (i think)

[@larrylynch8113]

same opinion so far

[@Manofmanytallets]

There is a huge difference, the scarlet is more muddy where as the other has less low mids even without the air function.

[@EmilKleinGearAndBeer]

You read my mind! \m/ \m/

[@anhedonia0]

You ever hear of the phrase “garbage in garbage out?”.

[@Antipulse]

Clarett has more presence and balanced sound for me (this can be mixing issue or gain level situation too). AIR feature is not so important for me cause it's mainly just analog eq boost at mid and high frequencies after preamp. But there is noticeable difference in preamps and imo Clarett is worth for the money. Scarlett is not really bad at it's pricepoint tho. I really want to hear differences between Clarett 8Pre/8PreX and new Scarlett 18i20 3gen. ;)

[@smoreshaunted]

Can I connect this to my windows 10 laptop with just usb 2.0 ports

[@williamgallant9814]

Great video. Do you bring down the gain in FocusRite control for cymbals? On my Scarlett, my gain knobs are literally all the way at 0 and still receiving signal. I barely have them up at all and it's clipping

[@ronaldirawan3643]

How was the DA both of them? Need your help

[@skylar1242]

OMG I need to upgrade now...

[@Swagdicate]

Is there any way to adjust the Scarlett so that it has the punch/clarity of the Clarett?

[@Meteotrance]

ok i vote for the clarett i don't have the budget for an RME or other fancy top end, but this can be a serious challenger for Presonus and other brand.

[@gabrielrootsok]

Tremendo trabajo hermano, amazing job brother. Gracias por ser baterista y por ser sonidista. Thank you for being a drummer and sonic. So........ Entonces...... GOOD LUCK!

[@riellymorton]

Dammit man, I didn't want to hear a difference because of the price but I hear it for sure. Mainly to me the Clarett is just way tighter on the mid - low frequency range. But I also have to say the groove starting at 7:09 sounds great on both. I'm curious how much of this could be tuned to sound like the clarett with eq?

[@nicholaspowers1864]

Very helpful video. Great comparison method and explanation. Simple and to the point. Now if only I had double my budget i could get the one I want!

[@abandonshipproductions]

Really great video. Thanks so much for doing this!!!!

[@christiancanalita6487]

Thanks for doing this Adam. I’m deciding between the Clarett PreX and the Presonus Studiolive 3 rackmount digital mixer.

[@maxp6174]

You should have done the whole kit through both interfaces as well, without processing

[@NickoPrabowo]

awesome video men. im considering buying scarlett from saffire cause wanted to go to usb from firewire. but since i watch this, i was wondering what wud it be like to compare between clarett and the saffire one. hope to see that comparison soon..

[@bornabaharloo7495]

Hello Sir . My question is : zoom F8n recorder good enough to make good quality sounding videos for streaming on KZbin and instagram? Or an 8 line audio interface for drums recording ? And wich one of these microphones sets have better qualities for drums recording : Audix Fp7 or Akg session 1 or audio-technica Dk7 ? Tanks 🙏🏼

[@captn_hanky]

scarlett sounds more vintage right away. But you have to use eqs anyway. So not much difference here. I love my scarlett 18i20 and will stay with it. Good comparison though

[@pierreg8562]

i hear more dynamics in the clarett, i prefer the sound of the snare from the scarlett, but the rest sounds better on the clarett. i agree the air feature is kind of just eq.

[@zbaudio178]

do not take it as personal but you should try to listen more acurately and focused bro, I had Scarlett range too and when I went for my Clarett, uff my mixing and rec life was so much easier

[@hansenfutz3969]

Great Video best comparison video for any product to date. Best of all it was these two units I was thinking about purchasing. Thanks!

[@CKDrumming]

This is Awesome man!! totally hooked me up with exactly what i was searching for!! you rock bro!! big time thank you buddy 🙏👊👊