Focusrite Clarett+ Vs PreSonus Quantum HD8 - Which Audio Interface Is Best For You?

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

I apologize for my absence from my channel as of late. In July I became severely ill from black mold toxicity which ended up with us having to abandon our apartment and lose everything in the process down to the clothes on our back. I'm now settled in a new place but the neurological effects are still effecting me so going forward it will be a challenge to be as productive as I have been on this channel. The hope is that with time those effects will wear off but there is no time table and some don't recover. With that said if you'd like to help support not only the channel but my life consider using the links in the description to make your purchase. This is my sole income now and every dollar counts. Thank you.

[@notsure1135]

Could you sue the culpable parties? Did they rent it out to a new set of victims? Fkn horrible to read this, I hope you recover.

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

@@notsure1135 Unfortunately in Texas nobody covers mold. No lawyers will touch it and neither our renters nor business insurance would cover any property loss from it. If you're in TX or FL you're out of luck because they're high humidity states. It's ridiculous that something can destroy lives and there's nothing you can do but move on.

[@cxfilterstudios7691]

Get well soon. Similar scenario with an ex in Mississippi they re rented it. N😊early killed her she is now two years on oxygen with lung failure and no recourse legally

[@unknownadventures6248]

i know its not in the same price range but it was worth it for me: The Metric Halo Uln-8 has the pretty much undisputed best converters, some of the best analogue emulations that run natively with quasi 0 latency and all new plugins included for free in the driver, Perfect support, very stable drivers, 91.5 db of some of the world best and cleanest preamps, the ability to easily drive lower impedance headphones without a headphone amp from the normal outs, amazing headphone amps, great build quality and a fully modular always upgradeable design,you can always buy new preamps or converters individually, it has incredible connectivity and you can buy modules if you need specific ports, you can chain together as many units as you want via ethernet or adat, connecting to the computer via ethernet is great because it can be 100 meters long) and they sound just clearly sound better, i personally prefer them over protools hdx or rme converters, the routing in mioconsole 3d takes a little getting used to but once you get it there are no limitations and it can be used as a daw or to mix live. the technology is clearly supperior if you look at the numbers and most importantly the sound and they are independent small developers and you literally will never buy another interface because how upgradable/serviceable and high quality they are. highly recommend giving them a try, rme is my other favorite just because how user friendly it is. but metric halo is some really deep shit and you can even code your own plugins with theyre software and literally do anything you want.

[@MistahWhiteOfficial]

get well soon! ❤💛💚

[@nafawi7965]

You left the claret for this? Only a few months after deciding on the Clarett. Does it really sound that much better preamps and conversion?

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

I'd personally prefer the HD 8. Is it that much better? Probably not but due to the nature of my channel I typically get my hands on the latest gear so I'm constantly upgrading.

[@rjb7569]

Another straightforward, helpful review. I'm sweating out the Presonus HD8 or MOTU 828. Hope you're feeling well.

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

Thanks for the comment! I tried to get the 828 but MOTU left me hanging lol

[@kapgain]

I'm still deciding on both also

[@jessesimon2824]

GREAT Comparison video. Super helpful. Curious, and maybe a silly question.... but the big knob on the HD8, is it a free flowing rotary, or step rotary (little clicks)? Only asking as I recently got rid of an Antelope D8P interface (didn't love the Antelope lack of quality control and support) and I didn't love that the main control know was a step rotary knob.

[@LaidbackSounds]

does the hd8 sounds crispier than audient or apogee ?

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

I have an iD24 and prefer the HD8. Haven't had Apogee in a long time so not sure.

[@artysanmobile]

“Crispier” is rarely a compliment.

[@LaidbackSounds]

@@artysanmobile have you ever had crispy pata ?

[@artysanmobile]

@@LaidbackSounds Yes, and i still have some laying around somewhere.

[@LaidbackSounds]

@@artysanmobile clearly not familiar with that filipino dish smh lol... Crispy back in the days meant well defined in the high mids and top end

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Is the Quantum class compliant?

[@InspelaRecords]

Using Beyer DT770 Pro X, the headphone output on the Quantum HD2 I’ve just bought it very VERY loud! I’ve alway struggled with Focusrite’s weedy headphone output volumes on their interfaces (as I’ve had four Scarlett’s in recent years, even a 4th Gen), so I was surprised out your comments on the headphone out on their interfaces PreSonus!

[@CrowkeeperStudios]

Great review, man. The HD is sounding like a winner.

[@hondbanjer]

I'm in Europe, bought the EVO16 by Audient . Best bang for in/out. Expandable to 16 mics in by a EVO8. Don't know wheter they sell them in the US.

[@DanBires]

In my opinion if there is no way to physically bypass the preamps and presonus is saying when you plug something in like a TRS it does it automatically I am skeptical. Bypassing the preamp in a whole means you go straight to the converter and the preamp itself is cut off completely. Is there a way to physically bypass the preamp on the interface?

[@frankymino8773]

The issue I have with the Clarett+8Pre is the headphone jacks at the front don't work unless you sacrifice either outputs 7+8 or 9+10. I had no idea when purchasing the interface. All my outputs are committed to external gear so the headphone jacks at the front are useless. Why on earth would focusrite do this is beyond me. Makes no sense. I will be selling it and picking up the quantum at some point. Thanks for the video.

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

Wow I had no idea, no wonder I ran into some confusing issues when I tried to run a bus compressor through 7/8. Good info, thanks!

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Better off going with the Motu 16A or other of the same tier Motu if you need built in pres etc. Better all around.

[@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats]

Having the same issue, also one side of my headphones is lower, and monitors. I’ve reached out to focusrite last week, they gave me a million things to try by sending me down a rabbit hole. I just gave up, will be selling it for either RME or Motu, not really sold on Presonus yet even though I have a couple of there products which is amazing but a interface is the heart of it all for me.

[@frankymino8773]

@@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats Yeh I've been looking into Motu and am actually considering the refreshed 828 and to have it connected to my Black Lion Revolution EXP via ADAT. Will eventually pick up an RME ADI-2 Pro for printing masters. The other issue I have with the Clarett is when it's connected via ADAT to an expansion it de syncs sometimes. Never have that issue when testing the expansion with other interfaces. I just want to see the end of my clarett. I think focusrite are cutting too many corners.

[@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats]

@@frankymino8773 Nice I do want to keep my Clarett as ADAT which is connected to my Pro40. The only issue with the Pro40 is there’s not more software updates. So it’s either the Ferrofish pulse 16, Sell the Clarett for the Motu 828 as well. I love how simple there mix control is compared to RME. I do Boombap so I’m printing from a Tascam portastudio cassette. What is the name of your expansion you’re trying to sync to the Clarett?

[@2Kings315]

I'm still using a Presonus FireStudio Project which I like but I'm going to have to make the jump to light speed at some point so I really appreciate this video. The one thing I will miss that I have now is the first two channels send/return jacks after the preamp that I use for an expander/compressor. Thanks again for a very clear and thorough review.

[@GaryInHell]

Liked and subbed from both of my channels cuz this was an excellent video. Can you please compare the HD8 to the MBOX Studio? I have the MBOX Studio but thinking of getting the HD8 for Studio One since I got my Mbox last year when it was $900 and only got year of pro tools vs now they have it for $600 with Perpetual Pro Tools. I honestly feel kind of ripped off for real. $300 off and lifetime of Pro Tools just a year later?

[@CarolinaClaude]

I’m trying to decide if I want the HD 8 or the new Motu 828. Great comparison of these two tho.

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

Yea that's the other competitor in the range unfortunately I couldn't get anyone at MOTU to send me one to review and compare

[@kapgain]

same here

[@1tabularasa1]

I myself using the RME UCX interface and I love it a lot- But to see that more praxis orientet test were two of the industry giants are in direct compatition is intresting.

[@jerryc316]

can you do a versus between the Quantum HD 8 and the SSL 12?

[@amechemurray2610]

The 32bit really has to do with headroom when recording. You can never CLIP an audio recording with 32bit. If you visibly clip the audio, just turn down volume of the waveform to display the unclipped portion.

[@nafawi7965]

This isn’t 32-bit floating though.

[@amechemurray2610]

@ the presonus is 32 bit

[@nafawi7965]

@@amechemurray2610It is. But its 32-bit fixed not 32-bit floating point.

[@obangamuzik]

I don’t like interfaces with mic lines in the front I like all my cables tucked in the back. I have the focusrite 18i20 but definitely looking into the quantum

[@drumphil1879]

Can U do a video on stacking the HDs?

[@wewe-kq8fw]

I get round trip latency on m audio 192/6 is the same as these interfaces

[@mare_he]

Unfortunately, I can't find any information about the USB Version of the Presonus Quantum HD8. The USB type is USB-C, but what USB version is it? 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2?

[@b4time718]

Yeah, Presonus sells the USB-C like it is somehow advantageous. As you know USB-C is just the connector and offers no advantage whatsoever unless the device uses USB 3 or higher. These units are on the USB2 protocol. Fact is that people that know - incl the engineers at Presonus - understand that USB2 is way more than adequate for the vast majority of users. RME I believe published a statement attesting to this fact. That's why there are very very few thunderbolt or USB3 interfaces . And that's no doubt why Presonus "dumbed down" the Quantum line from Thunderbolt to USB2 (because it is more than adequate and less expensive to properly implement. I like Presonus a lot and am a loyal Studio One user but their ad copy touting USB -C is more than a little bit scammy and a real turn off for me. I def will look elsewhere for hardware. They have lost my trust because it is obvious that they are trying to hide the fact that it is USB2 even though there is no reason to do so - unless trying to build market share with misleading ads.

[@hbonthetrack]

I got a 8 PreX and I’m gotten my hands on an HD8. With all due respect , the Focusrite drivers are way better than the HD8 … the running joke is that they mistakenly put the 8 Red Line Drivers in them … the transients were noticeably better and the stereo separation was second to none ( 3D ) . Look wise , that blue Color hurts your eyes even when you turn it down to 7%. Sorry but that slick red looks better… Also their software is complicated … you can tell it was catered only to Studio One Users ( which I use by the way ) Not straight forward to do simple things you can do in Focusrite control … gave it a chance but I had to return it. Not a terrible interface but naaaa they don’t have anything on Focusrite IYKYK.

[@VoxTone2009]

Clarette is a good line, but I prefer the Focusrite Red line and the RME Fireface or even better the Apogee Symphony line.

[@hbonthetrack]

@@VoxTone2009 oh ya ? Have you had both to be able to compare the two ? ( Red vs Clarett ) if so. What did you hear ?

[@VoxTone2009]

@@hbonthetrack I have a Clarett only and use my Midas M32 mixer with 32 stage box sometimes to record if I want a warmer sound. I know it doesn't have the same resolution, but the Midas preamps are so warm. I don't have the red, rme or apogee but I have friends that have these different ones, and I tried them in their settings. My recordings are usually in live settings.

[@hbonthetrack]

@@VoxTone2009 thanks for getting back to me

[@levigonzalez2498]

Was it a true side by side comparison? how did you compare?

[@DuroSamples]

Mmm! Yet all I see online is people complaining about Presonus ASIO drivers doing horrible things. The Focusrite mix matrix is horrible, and the direct out monitoring gets in the way while you want to play back. You have to go back and forth foe each channel... both are a joke at this point.

[@raskull_]

The only problem i have with this video is that it was made 8 months too late!! I was undecided on which interface to get and had used presonus studiolive mixer before i opted and got the focusrite clarett+

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

My bad, I blame Presonus for not releasing it sooner lol

[@raskull_]

@@JacobDarkOfficial i know but good video

[@dpinskey]

Thanks for the fair comparison. Go Birds!

[@DaveChips]

Quantum really needs some medium sized version...

[@Ftravelers]

I bought the quantum HD2 and I got studio one pro 5 and 6

[@tri-unetrl3966]

Focusrite Clarett (Chuck Norris) VS. PreSonus Quantum (Bruce Lee) Bruce WHOOP THAT ASS!! 🤣🏆💪🏽👊🏽

[@david_onbass]

Can you link two Presonus hd 8 units together for 16 simultaneous inputs?

[@GusLozadaTV]

Not "link" but use one as interface and the second and third one as an ADAT expansion.

[@jamesoconnor5903]

This is the biggest step backwards Presonus made compared to the previous generation Quantum which allowed thunderbolt linking/chaining 4 units for 32 channels, each of which could additionally support 16 channels of ADAT for a total of 96 channels. Which is why I’m not letting go of my thunderbolt quantum’s.

[@GusLozadaTV]

@@jamesoconnor5903 This is because these are NOT Thunderbolt interfaces.

[@Icko_VOT]

Jacob How does the DAC of the Presonus stack up against the Audient id24?

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

Subjective but to my ears the Presonus sounds louder and punchier probably because I barely push the HD 8 to about 25% gain to get a nice loud environment while I have to raise the gain on the iD24s big knob closer to 70% to get around the same loudness.

[@Icko_VOT]

@@JacobDarkOfficial Completely understandable

[@costak7679]

I know Clarett has awesome pre amps on par with Arturia but Presonus design is juck too fire 🔥 their interfaces look like they belong on a UFO or a fighter jet.

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

Ha yea it does look pretty slick in my rack, just wish I could customize the color options!

[@AkVellie]

Presonus killed it this generation 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

Agreed!

[@caffeinastudio832]

The Presonus looks more pro too, not to dis ffocusrite tho

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

They both have their pros and cons but the HD 8 does look sexy in my rack lol

[@JayHartMusic]

dope video bro what's ya gamer tag?

[@casade2831]

Hi, is there a way to control the presonous volume knob with another satandlaone knob as to not having to reach over to the rack all the time? Something that is purely digital function? Thank you for the comparison video.

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

I don't think so unless you get an external monitor controller, I would like something myself however just use my mouse to control the volume via Universal Control

[@casade2831]

@@JacobDarkOfficial It seems like something obvious they should make.

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

@@casade2831 Yea I suggested something to them since all their faderport stuff only controls stuff inside a DAW, a Universal Control controller would be great!

[@casade2831]

@@JacobDarkOfficial So, I got the following from the PreSonus team. However, I do not know what they mean. What do you think? "You should be able to use Universal Control to control the device digitally."

[@JacobDarkOfficial]

They are correct, you can control via your mouse which is what I do, they didn't understand you want a physical knob

[@artysanmobile]

The Clarett, and below, line comes with such a terrible software user interface as to be almost unusable. I don’t know how it has never been remedied as it is a major deterrent to sales with superb sonics.

[@digitaldiezel5870]

So at the end….PRESONUS! The low end is dope!! 💯🔊🫡

[@savoirfaire8979]

HUGE DIFFERENCE on variable not discussed: MACOS versus Windows.