Reviewing Focusrite Clarett+ 4 Pre

[@MrTomservo85]

I'm getting desperate since no forum seems to know so I'll ask here: in 2018 I bought a Dell 7573 2-in-1, and last week I bought a focusrite clarett + 4pre. It keeps disconnecting. I am NOT having an issue with my computer not seeing the device connected; quite the opposite: it always shows it's connected, just sometimes no audio comes out. And not just when I'm using my daw. All of my computer audio is routed through it, and all of it goes away intermittently and without warning i.e. it isn't a specific sound or level, or number of inputs plugged into the clarett. It disconnects at any volume, with zero inputs or 4 inputs. The only way to get it back on is to manually flip the focusrite power switch off and on, OR going into my studio set up in my daw, deselecting my focusrite ASIO, and then selecting it again. Has anyone found a fix? I'm running windows 11 22h2 using Cubase BTW. I've tried: -Cubase 9.5LE and Cubase 13 pro -2 different claretts and one scarlet -4 different USB cables -plugging into a different USB port (I have 3 A and 1 C, all are USB 3.0. No, I don't have a USB 2.0 port) -cleaning USB ports and cable ends with a cotton swab and alcohol solution -reinstalling focusrite drivers multiple times -making sure all software is up to date -freeing up memory space -making sure the power cable in my interface is plugged in correctly -increasing buffer size -prayer -witchcraft It always just disconnects randomly.

[@hunghoangmusic]

Thank you for reviewing, I just have some questions for this interface, so if you could answer me, I would appreciate it: 1/For the 4 inputs at the front, there're only 2 of them are instrument inputs, the rest are line/mic inputs, right? This means we cannot record more than 2 guitars/bass at the same time without the need of an external pre-amp? 2/ Does it have loopback feature? (to record/monitor internal audio from computer/KZbin/D.A.W...) 3/ I know that on the Clarett+ 2 Pre model, we can create custom mixes for the headphone and outputs using the Focusrite Control software, but the headphone and output 3-4 share the same routing, which means we can only create 2 custom mixes (1 for main output 1-2 and 1 for output 3-4 & headphone), so I was wondering on this Clarett+ 4 Pre model, can we create custom mixes for the 2 headphones and the outputs independently? for example, on headphone 1 I want to hear input 1&2; on headphone 2 I want to hear input 3&4, on output 3-4, I want to hear input 1 only and on the main output 1-2 I want to hear all inputs? Thank you in advance!

[@rolandsi]

Hi, let's see: 1) You are correct, if you want to record more than 2 guitars/bass simultaneously, you'll need external pre-amps for the other instruments. 2) The Clarett+ 4 Pre, like many other Focusrite audio interfaces, does come with loopback functionality :) 3) On this one you can create custom mixes for the two headphone outputs and the line outputs (3-4) independently. So, you should be able to achieve the configurations you mentioned!

[@hunghoangmusic]

@@rolandsi hi, thanks for answering, but I got confirmation on these questions from Focusrite Support, question 1 is exactly like you answered me but on question 2, there’s no loopback feature on this audio interface model, and on question 3, the headphone 1 is linked to output 3-4, and headphone 2 is linked to output 5-6, so I can’t customize these headphone outputs independently independently from the line outputs. But thank you again for answering me.

[@rolandsi]

@@hunghoangmusic Oh damn, loopback was on 4th gen, not clarett+ 4... my bad. Headphones question I guess I misread, sorry for that and I'm glad their support was faster to respond than me, lol

[@hunghoangmusic]

@@rolandsi it’s okay, at least I can bring these info for those who need, this model is kinda old compared to the 4th gen so that makes sense, but thanks again

[@aransenojak987]

nice job

[@marciolimongi]

Thank you for the video! I'm a little confused with the 18 inputs: 4 on the front + 4 on the back + 8 additional from the ADAT = 16. Where are the extra two inputs? Do they count input 1 and 2 on the front as two inputs each? Thanks!

[@rolandsi]

Hi! The extra two are meant to be MIDI IN and spdif In :)

[@matiascastrocomposer]

I understand that the spdif is stereo, MIDI IN doesn't count as an input.

[@dividedbytimestudios]

@@matiascastrocomposerit does because you can use the midi as an in for your midi keyboard or devices like e drums also

[@KurtCobain2021]

can the spdif works like a loopback? I want to record my pc sound to my DAW.

[@seqsual]

Yes, it works (I tried it at 48kHz).

[@dannymcneal]

I was going to ask a question, but appears no one follows up. Well, bye!

[@rolandsi]

and now I'm dying to know what was the question...

[@dannymcneal]

@@rolandsi - My question has to do with latency. In particular: Does the Clarett+ 4Pre with its USB-C output take care of initial processing so that the computer’s processor doesn’t have to work as hard, which results in a lower latency than, say, my 1st Gen Scarlett 2i2? If someone has an answer to that, I’m all ears.

[@rolandsi]

@@dannymcneal Well the Clarett+ 4Pre features Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, which has higher bandwidth compared to USB 2.0 used in the Scarlett 2i2. This increased bandwidth can allow for more data to be transferred between the interface and your computer in a shorter amount of time, potentially reducing latency. Additionally, Clarett+ includes built-in DSP chips. These DSP chips can handle certain processing tasks such as real-time effects, EQ, and mixing without putting much strain on your computer's CPU. This can indeed help lower latency by reducing the workload on your computer's processor. The 1st Gen Scarlett 2i2 is a USB 2.0 interface and does not have as much built-in processing power or as high a data transfer rate as the Clarett+ 4Pre. This could result in slightly higher latency, especially when handling multiple tracks or applying real-time effects.

[@dannymcneal]

@@rolandsi - Thanks for that excellent clarification! I’m settled then on the Clarett+ 4Pre as my next audio interface.