Focusrite Clarett 2Pre & 8Pre USB Audio Interfaces - Expert Review

In this double header video review for Production Expert, Dan & James thoroughly test a couple of Focusrite's new USB Clarett audio interfaces. In this review, we test the Clarett 2Pre and 8Pre. Watch the video to discover what we think about these interfaces and to hear both interfaces in action in a short full band recording session.
Focusrite says "Clarett lays down the challenge to interfaces twice the price." That's true in many ways, the Claretts really do sound and perform brilliantly. All the interfaces in the Clarett range are pricing in what we consider to be in the affordable price bracket but there's more to these interfaces than first meets the eye. The pres in the Clarett range are “Air” enabled, Air is an analogue model based on the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic pre, and we like those units a lot. All the Clarett interfaces deliver an expensive sound for relatively low cost. ADAT provides users with some future proofing, say one day you need more I/O for drum recording? No problem.
The range offers plenty of options that include a variety of different I/O count. Prices start at a very reasonable £359 for the 2Pre.

[@fazebank8549]

I am truly amazed at the quality of the preamps and ESPECIALLY the converters. It sounds a good as, and sometimes better than a certain interface that costs 3x as much. Kudos to you Focusrite.

[@GarryBurgess]

You sold me, and I also subscribed. And the Beatles T-shirt was cool.

[@obsquremusic]

Hi, thanks for the video. I ve been using the 2i4 2nd gen for a few years and thinking of upgrading. I need a better audio interface with 4 line input at least. Got a few questions : - Is there a major difference in built in sound quality from the 2i4? - Do you think this can beat the audient id44? Thanks

[@Paolo_Pino]

I think there is a bit of confusion about USB-C in this video. Usb-c is only physical shape of the connector (that is the "rounded" one). An USB-C cable can be of different *protocols* , such as USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.1 second generation, or even Thunderbolt. So, what protocol these interfaces are compatible to? If it is Usb 3.0 and above would be nice, maybe can contribute to a better RTL.

[@ledouu]

Do you know if the preamp & converters of the Clarett compete with apollo twin & rme babyface pro?

[@accentontheoff]

I’d really like to know the answer to that.

[@ledouu]

@@accentontheoff i still don’t no the answer as I still haven’t got to try a rme or Apollo. But I’ve had the claret now for over 6 months & I’ve had some good results. Preamps sound nice & the converters decent.

[@accentontheoff]

@@ledouu Nice. And thanks for replying. Would you say they are pro level, good enough to make an album.

[@ledouu]

@@accentontheoff definitely pro level & capable of good recordings for an album, especially for an artist not sure for a band though. Considering the price, the Claret is a bargain.

[@accentontheoff]

@@ledouu Great. For a band I guess you could get one with more inputs. Thanks!

[@thorntoneaudio5939]

Great video, thanks gentlemen. I’m sold

[@accentontheoff]

Are we saying that the Clarett and the Scarlett are equal when it comes to the quality of audio capture. Thanks.

[@ajsmith4181]

Is there a noticeable difference in Latency compared to the thunderbolt version?

[@PeterJaquesMusic]

my question too.

[@jameswallace5967]

I recently bought a new Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen. I didn't like it much and returned it. The new Motu M4 is awesome and it's made in the U.S.A.

[@jere471]

I’m thinking to buy a Clarett 8, but I already have and ID14 , so I don’t know if I should get the Focusrite , or just add an ASP800 to my ID14 , what do you recommend , whose pre’s are better ?

[@djfull4442]

How does Clarett compare to Steinberg if it comes to DAW composing? I heard earlier Scarletts had playback issues in 30-track projects already. While Steinberg could handle 60 tracks and more... is it true for Clarett?

[@faruzzy]

Can you please tell me where you got that stand for the 8Pre?

[@dan44762000]

That’s a normal monitor speaker stand I believe

[@VelvetBulldozer]

I have a basic question for you: Can I play songs in Windows and choose the Clarett 2xpre as a playback device, and listen to those songs via the headphone output of the Clarett? Btw I run Sennheiser 600 Ohms. Would that headphone amp drive my headphones without staying to quiet? Many thanks

[@RipOffImrul]

Will the clarett 8pre USB work with apollo twin mkii quad thunderbolt, expanding it via adat for 8 channels at 48kHz?

[@infinagon]

What is the difference between the scarlett 18i20 3rd gen and the clarett 8pre usb? To me seems the exact same.

[@PeterJaquesMusic]

preamp and a/d quality

[@dehamellin]

why didn't you guys try them on windows?

[@PeterJaquesMusic]

not sure if you'll see this comment a year later, but... i'm looking for real world info on latency differences between the usb-c and thunderbolt versions. did you notice a difference?

[@waedi73]

Sounds great, but why the hell to mic snare bottom and kick inside ? Are these instruments build for having listeners on that location ? who has ever been sitting inside of a kickdrum for listen ? Who has ever been sitting under a snare ? And the recording situation is even better in studio ! After all it sounds great with a lot of time in mixing. And also I say thanks for having a real drum-performance in the music.

[@PeterJaquesMusic]

pretty standard recording technique, going back to john bonham

[@jackcrook4435]

Because when you stand in front of a drum kit you hear those elements. But when you mic a snare top, you don't hear the bottom part so well. Sure, room mics will hear the snare bottom from a far and to be honest, I prefer a minimalist drum mic setup if the drummers good enough. But yeah, its basically to be able to add more of what one hears when listening to a whole kit from a distance.

[@milo90col]

I have a apogee quartet do you think it's a good idea to keep it, or change it for a presonus studio 192 or this focusrite claret 8pre usb ? . I don't have thunderbolt connections.

[@sui-fanwong6878]

Into what kind of computer are you plugging the interface? Are you looking to change from your Apogee Quartet to something like a Presonus Studio 192 because you feel you need more inputs and/or outputs?

[@milo90col]

Sui-Fan Wong on a 8 core Windows 10 pc, yes I want more I/o and more headphones outputs, I know I can buy a preamp and a headphones amp but I preferd something all in one.

[@sui-fanwong6878]

Wow. Sound like you have a nice machine there.

[@theblackcountrybandit1430]

How would you guys rate the 2pre against the audient id14 for the preamp quality and converters ?

[@HATEregelt]

Im asking myself the exact same thing, give me a few hours till my unit arrives. :)

[@kimhansen6384]

@@HATEregelt You have had a little more than a few hours, so let us hear the verdict?

[@HATEregelt]

@@kimhansen6384 Oh i totally forgot, i didnt hear much of a difference to be honest until i activated the Air mode. It adds a good amount of mids/highs so be careful or sibilants will become a problem. But apart from the Air i felt no real difference.

[@beyondfrontiers2927]

We've got the Clarett 4pre. No matter what we do (Vocals), we can NEVER get -18 to -6db levels on the voices coming in. We'd have to crank up the gain until it maxes out, then it peaks, of course. We've been round and round and round with Focusrite about this. We're only metering -30 to -20 at the best. What are we doing wrong?

[@ProductionExpert]

What microphones are you using?

[@beyondfrontiers2927]

@@ProductionExpert Sennheiser MKH416, Audiotechnica 897 and a Fender P51.

[@متعةالروحمتعةالروح]

i have a problem with my clarette 2 pre the mic signal is too low what should i do

[@underpressureman]

This may be a dumb question, but how does one connect outboard gear to optical and SPDIF?

[@eman0828]

James Cassidy the outboard gear has to support at least an ADAT out generally an external mic pre. I turned my existing Scarlett 18i20 into an OctoPre Mic Pre amp that I ADAT into my Clarett 8 Pre.

[@underpressureman]

Right, I guess I sort of knew that some of the focusrite stuff had Adat and stuff and a few other project studio sort of ones like the presonus xmax pres etc, but Often on interfaces now you see that they are 16-64 channels of I/O but over Optical Adat/ SPDIf and Madi , so what about mic pres like the more expensive ones and 500 series ones and compressors etc, how the hell would you use the I/O your interface is capable of, thats what Idont get, because Ive never seen a stand alone mic pre or 1176 or La-2a etc etc that has any of those connections! I totally dont get it lol

[@underpressureman]

Like basically I want to eventually have like 20 mic pres like the neve portico, api 512c's etc, and a few outboard comps like an 1176 and an la2a, a neve Master Buss Processor, etc so I dont get how i would make use of that sort of I/O?

[@eman0828]

Most of those mic pre amps use a simple XLR line out connection. All you need is a Female XLR to TRS cable to plug into the line inputs into the Focusrite. However Focusrite Mic Pre amps aren't bypassible as the line inputs still connects to the a variable gain pre amp circuit. As long if you have the gain turned down to 0, it will not color the sound using an external mic pre amp.

[@underpressureman]

Right, ya I know. Im not even talking about how to plug into the clarett or other mic/line ins, I get how to do that. What Im wondering is how to make use of interfaces/converters ( not just the clarett) that have SPDIF, Optical, and Madi type I/O. But thanks for trying to help.

[@Leestevensmusic]

What cables do I need to connect my microphone to an interface like this? Also is this more expensive than other models with less mic inputs just because it has more inputs, or is the sound quality better on this compared to my litlle one that only has one mic input?

[@kimhansen6384]

A standard XLR microphone cable. It has combi inputs that will accept either a stereo jack, a mono jack or a XLR male. I havn´t tried this yet but he says in the video that the input with ´Air´ enabled sounds much better than the other.

[@Leestevensmusic]

@@kimhansen6384 Thanks for the reply

[@slaycon9652]

I just bought this product and i am really having problem with microphones sound its too low i cant even listen my voice but the meter moves little bit/ cou; you solve this problem plz

[@oranobrien872]

Make sure phantom power is turned on for the preamp

[@oranobrien872]

Hello Sunday veryyy weird then, I assume the pad is off too then 😂

[@TheMaijicalKingdom]

Great track!

[@zentatonic]

Are the preamps on these better than the Scarlett pres?

[@LucyAmberon]

Mountain Mirrors yes I had both and they are better

[@zentatonic]

@@LucyAmberon best channel name ever

[@LucyAmberon]

Mountain Mirrors thank you I must do some gear reviews and make the most of such an excellent name 🤔

[@bastianmaze_beats8730]

If you have had the chance to test the SSL 2 or SSL2+, can you leave a comment for me about the preamps, air vs 4K button, and most importantly, converters, please? Thank you!

[@Fiveash-Art]

They're terrible. At least mine was. 2nd channel didn't work and the first one buzzed like crazy even with nothing plugged in. Stay away from those. They're cheap overhyped plastic pieces of junk. Save up a little more cash for the Clarett .. I just hooked mine up and it works great. I had a bit of routing issues in my headphones with one side being louder than the others.. but with a bit of fiddling with the software I got it handled. The Clarett is worth the bit more you're going to spend. Stay far away from the SSL models. They're junk in my opinion.

[@Robert-Dubwise-Browne]

does the Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic Mic Preamp work with this interface?

[@iamkingriot]

Yes

[@Robert-Dubwise-Browne]

Thanks

[@hihu6324]

Are the knobs made out of plastic or metal?

[@monsieurjarriot735]

metal knobs on all clarett models!

[@hihu6324]

Monsieur Jarriot thank you very much

[@LowCMusiq]

Thanks for the video! Can I use it with a Thunderbolt 2 iMac?

[@TruthSurge]

I wouldn't give 700 squid for that! I don't even have a fishing boat!

[@Cluless02]

I could never tolerate that red color.

[@5664788]

Great review ,....not real happy about that song bein stuck in my head first thing on a sunday morning,......"praise junkie? Man thats bad.

[@asitsantra3491]

Lattency..??

[@ValentineGoloubev]

Focusrite Control show NO HARDWARE CONNECTED. SUPPORT NOT RESPOND! don't recommend!

[@bigdaddykurt]

whats up with your eyes dude?

[@ProductionExpert]

Nystagmus- What’s wrong with that?

[@megapengmusic]

@@ProductionExpert some people ar simply obnoxious...

[@Empir3StateOfMind]

Ignore him asking dumbass questions

[@TheRealgSe7eN]

@@ProductionExpert I'd never heard of that until today. Thanks for the education!

[@stupidusername38]

shame that Focusrite seem to have abandoned the Clarett Thunderbolt on Windows device.

[@brandondithberry]

The newer Clarett USB-C range was released in 2018 while the older Thunderbolt range was released in 2015. USB-C is 20 Gbps faster than Thunderbolt 2, so this was a genius move by Focusrite to stay with the port type of the current and future age. We'll have USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 for a very long time. If Focusrite hadn't released a USB-C and stuck with Thunderbolt 2 a lot of musicians and engineers would be scratching their heads. USB-C is the fastest, lowest latency option at the moment.

[@clawe6379]

Yes and no. I have that setup but just updated with the mac version and it works just fine. It even includes a USB update in the mac version.

[@DigiArc]

Not at all. Focusrite has rock solid thunderbolt drivers on Windows on my machine. USB 3 can't match the low latency of Thunderbolt 2. It's not about the speed, it's how block transfer and clock cycles work with USB that limits low latency.

[@TheRealgSe7eN]

@@brandondithberry Those figures are very incorrect. USB-C is based on USB3 and has a max speed of 10 gbs. Thunderbolt 2 is 20gb/s, and Thunderbolt 3 is 40gb/s. Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C, though they share the same bus, are NOT the same. A thunderbolt 3 (or 2 with a 3 adapter) device will NOT work on a USB-C bus, but a USB-C device WILL work on a Thunderbolt 3 bus. Thunderbolt is a superior technology to USB. My Windows machine is a beast of a machine and has a couple on board USB-C buses. The Clarett USB would work in it. My Thunderbolt 2 Clarett does not even with the adapter. That has nothing to do with Windows, it's a hardware limitation. Thunderbolt buses on a Windows machine would be so rare, it's no wonder they wouldn't support it well if at all.