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Focusrite Clarett 8PreX 26 In/28 Out Thunderbolt Audio Interface
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Designed primarily for permanent studio installation, Focusrite's Clarett 8PreX Thunderbolt audio interface offers an impressive 26 inputs and 28 outputs, including eight analogue inputs, 10 analogue outputs, stereo S/PDIF I/O and 16 channels of ADAT I/O for the connection of addition inputs and outputs such as a multichannel digital mic pre or an external D/A for additional line outputs. The 2U rack-mount unit combines eight newly-designed Clarett mic preamps with class-leading dynamic range conversion and extraordinarily low round-trip latency so low that plugins can be used while monitoring recordings through the DAW.
The new Clarett mic pre offers superbly low noise and distortion, plus the unique, switchable 'Air' effect that models the sound of Focusrite's renowned ISA transformer-based preamps. It also features gain controls with a special law that makes changes smoother and more precise.
The Clarett 8PreX, like the rest of the Clarett range, includes class-leading precision Focusrite digital audio conversion with up to 118dB (A/D) / 119dB (D/A) real-world dynamic range, and combines it with the lowest round-trip latency available making it possible to monitor recordings via effects plugins on the DAW such as reverberation, for the best possible recording environment.
A central metering and monitoring panel provides ten 6-segment LED meters covering analogue and digital inputs and monitor levels, with a large-diameter monitor level control knob plus mute and dim buttons. There are two independently-controlled headphone outputs on the front panel, with enough level to drive even high impedance headphones to provide suitable monitoring levels.
The Clarett range is now fully compatible with Windows-based computers, offering stable, reliable operation with identical functionality on both platforms. The Windows driver offers sub-3ms latency. Also provided is a Windows version of the Focusrite Control software mixer for monitoring and routing configuration.
A new software mixer, Focusrite Control, is included for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, Focusrite Control also allows immediate access to internal hardware functions. Every Clarett also includes the Red 2 & Red 3 AAX, AU & VST Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrite's classic Red range equalizer and compressor hardware.
Remote control from iPhone or iPad - Download the free Focusrite iOS Control app and adjust cue mixes created with the Focusrite Control desktop app remotely from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
Word Clock I/O is provided, allowing the Clarett 8PreX to either provide the master clock for the system or to be clocked from an external master digital device.
For the modern day musician or producer, there are now a vast amount of innovative software companies, creating a wealth of powerful plug-ins. With such variety, you'll want to find exactly the right plug-ins for you, and use them in real time, thanks to Clarett's ultra-low latency environment. To help you on this mission, Focusrite has formed the 'Plug-in Collective', working with the very best to bring you exclusive plug-in offers and content every month. There's never been a better, faster or easier way of getting audio into or out of a DAW.
Key Features:
• The heart of the studio
Specially designed for studio installation, Clarett 8PreX includes separate rear panel inputs for mic, line and instrument, as well as ADAT I/O to add 16 more channels, dedicated phantom power, phase reverse and high pass filters on every channel.
• Eight New Clarett Mic Pres with extra 'Air'
The mic pres have been designed especially for the Clarett range, with plenty of gain, yet low noise and distortion. In addition, they feature a special Air feature that switches in an analogue model of the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic pre. Instrument inputs feature extra headroom to handle the loudest pickup.
• Use DAW plugins in real time
Latency is the delay to a signal as it passes through your DAW system from interface input to interface output. Clarett Thunderbolt offers the world's shortest. Signals go round so fast that you can record and monitor through your DAW with plugins such as EQ or compression.
• Precision digital conversion
Clarett features Focusrite's class-leading conversion quality: with up to 119dB dynamic range, Clarett offers the cleanest way yet to get music in and out of your DAW.
• Exceptional I/O capability
26 audio inputs and 28 outputs within a 2U rack space, including 8 analogue inputs, 10 analogue outputs, stereo S/PDIF I/O and 16 channels of ADAT I/O. Connect up to 16 more mic preamps over ADAT for a 24 channel microphone setup.
• Accessible metering and monitoring
Central panel provides analogue and digital input levels, and main monitor outputs, via a 6-segment, multichannel hardware meter. Accessible monitor features include a large-diameter level control, plus dim and mute buttons.
• Dual high-power headphone outputs
Two wide dynamic range headphone outputs powerful enough to deliver plenty of level even on high impedance headphones perfect for tracking and mixing.
• Software Mixer for maximum control
Focusrite Control is a brand new software mixer designed for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, Focusrite Control offers a traditional mixer workflow and allows immediate access to internal hardware functions.
• Remote control from iPhone or iPad
Download the free Focusrite iOS Control app and adjust cue mixes created with the Focusrite Control desktop app remotely from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
• Digital sync on-board
Includes Word Clock I/O, enabling it to act as master for clocking multiple digital devices, or sync to word clock from an external digital device.
• Classic processor plugins included
Every Clarett includes the Red 2 & Red 3 AAX, AU & VST Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrite's classic Red range equalizer and compressor hardware.
Included Software
XLN Audio Addictive Keys: one of four inspiring and interesting keyboard instruments
Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite: accurately models Focusrite's classic Red 2 equaliser and Red 3 compressor
Softube Time and Tone Bundle: four of Softube's world-class reverb, delay, mastering and distortion plug-ins
Focusrite Plug-in Collective: exclusive offers, tutorial content and more, from some of the most innovative and prestigious plug-in companies
Loopmasters: 2GB of royalty-free sample libraries
Focusrite Control
Specs:
Supported Sample Rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Microphone Inputs
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range: 118 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: 0.001%
Noise EIN: -128 dBu (A-Weighted)
Maximum input level: +18 dBu
Gain Range: 57dB
Line Inputs
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range: 116 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: 0.005%
Maximum input level: +26dBu
Gain Range: 57dB
Instrument Inputs
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range: 111 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: 0.001%
Maximum input level: +14dBu
Gain Range: 57dB
Line & Monitor Outputs
Dynamic Range (Line Outputs): 119dB
Dynamic Range (Monitor Outputs): 117dB
Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS): +18 dBu
THD+N: 0.0007%
Headphone Outputs
Dynamic Range: 112dB
THD+N: 0.0008%
Maximum Output Level: +16dBu
Supported Operating Systems:
For an up to date list of supported operating systems please visit focusrite.com/downloads/os.
The new Clarett mic pre offers superbly low noise and distortion, plus the unique, switchable 'Air' effect that models the sound of Focusrite's renowned ISA transformer-based preamps. It also features gain controls with a special law that makes changes smoother and more precise.
The Clarett 8PreX, like the rest of the Clarett range, includes class-leading precision Focusrite digital audio conversion with up to 118dB (A/D) / 119dB (D/A) real-world dynamic range, and combines it with the lowest round-trip latency available making it possible to monitor recordings via effects plugins on the DAW such as reverberation, for the best possible recording environment.
A central metering and monitoring panel provides ten 6-segment LED meters covering analogue and digital inputs and monitor levels, with a large-diameter monitor level control knob plus mute and dim buttons. There are two independently-controlled headphone outputs on the front panel, with enough level to drive even high impedance headphones to provide suitable monitoring levels.
The Clarett range is now fully compatible with Windows-based computers, offering stable, reliable operation with identical functionality on both platforms. The Windows driver offers sub-3ms latency. Also provided is a Windows version of the Focusrite Control software mixer for monitoring and routing configuration.
A new software mixer, Focusrite Control, is included for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, Focusrite Control also allows immediate access to internal hardware functions. Every Clarett also includes the Red 2 & Red 3 AAX, AU & VST Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrite's classic Red range equalizer and compressor hardware.
Remote control from iPhone or iPad - Download the free Focusrite iOS Control app and adjust cue mixes created with the Focusrite Control desktop app remotely from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
Word Clock I/O is provided, allowing the Clarett 8PreX to either provide the master clock for the system or to be clocked from an external master digital device.
For the modern day musician or producer, there are now a vast amount of innovative software companies, creating a wealth of powerful plug-ins. With such variety, you'll want to find exactly the right plug-ins for you, and use them in real time, thanks to Clarett's ultra-low latency environment. To help you on this mission, Focusrite has formed the 'Plug-in Collective', working with the very best to bring you exclusive plug-in offers and content every month. There's never been a better, faster or easier way of getting audio into or out of a DAW.
Key Features:
• The heart of the studio
Specially designed for studio installation, Clarett 8PreX includes separate rear panel inputs for mic, line and instrument, as well as ADAT I/O to add 16 more channels, dedicated phantom power, phase reverse and high pass filters on every channel.
• Eight New Clarett Mic Pres with extra 'Air'
The mic pres have been designed especially for the Clarett range, with plenty of gain, yet low noise and distortion. In addition, they feature a special Air feature that switches in an analogue model of the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic pre. Instrument inputs feature extra headroom to handle the loudest pickup.
• Use DAW plugins in real time
Latency is the delay to a signal as it passes through your DAW system from interface input to interface output. Clarett Thunderbolt offers the world's shortest. Signals go round so fast that you can record and monitor through your DAW with plugins such as EQ or compression.
• Precision digital conversion
Clarett features Focusrite's class-leading conversion quality: with up to 119dB dynamic range, Clarett offers the cleanest way yet to get music in and out of your DAW.
• Exceptional I/O capability
26 audio inputs and 28 outputs within a 2U rack space, including 8 analogue inputs, 10 analogue outputs, stereo S/PDIF I/O and 16 channels of ADAT I/O. Connect up to 16 more mic preamps over ADAT for a 24 channel microphone setup.
• Accessible metering and monitoring
Central panel provides analogue and digital input levels, and main monitor outputs, via a 6-segment, multichannel hardware meter. Accessible monitor features include a large-diameter level control, plus dim and mute buttons.
• Dual high-power headphone outputs
Two wide dynamic range headphone outputs powerful enough to deliver plenty of level even on high impedance headphones perfect for tracking and mixing.
• Software Mixer for maximum control
Focusrite Control is a brand new software mixer designed for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, Focusrite Control offers a traditional mixer workflow and allows immediate access to internal hardware functions.
• Remote control from iPhone or iPad
Download the free Focusrite iOS Control app and adjust cue mixes created with the Focusrite Control desktop app remotely from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
• Digital sync on-board
Includes Word Clock I/O, enabling it to act as master for clocking multiple digital devices, or sync to word clock from an external digital device.
• Classic processor plugins included
Every Clarett includes the Red 2 & Red 3 AAX, AU & VST Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrite's classic Red range equalizer and compressor hardware.
Included Software
XLN Audio Addictive Keys: one of four inspiring and interesting keyboard instruments
Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite: accurately models Focusrite's classic Red 2 equaliser and Red 3 compressor
Softube Time and Tone Bundle: four of Softube's world-class reverb, delay, mastering and distortion plug-ins
Focusrite Plug-in Collective: exclusive offers, tutorial content and more, from some of the most innovative and prestigious plug-in companies
Loopmasters: 2GB of royalty-free sample libraries
Focusrite Control
Specs:
Supported Sample Rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Microphone Inputs
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range: 118 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: 0.001%
Noise EIN: -128 dBu (A-Weighted)
Maximum input level: +18 dBu
Gain Range: 57dB
Line Inputs
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range: 116 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: 0.005%
Maximum input level: +26dBu
Gain Range: 57dB
Instrument Inputs
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range: 111 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: 0.001%
Maximum input level: +14dBu
Gain Range: 57dB
Line & Monitor Outputs
Dynamic Range (Line Outputs): 119dB
Dynamic Range (Monitor Outputs): 117dB
Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS): +18 dBu
THD+N: 0.0007%
Headphone Outputs
Dynamic Range: 112dB
THD+N: 0.0008%
Maximum Output Level: +16dBu
Supported Operating Systems:
For an up to date list of supported operating systems please visit focusrite.com/downloads/os.
Media
Youtube video product demo
Q & A
There are currently no questions for this product.
Reviews
3.141.193.237
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Best in Class 0 of 1 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Stouffville (formerly Markham), Ontario
This Thunderbolt Interface ranks up there with UA and Apogee with regards to sound and build quality. Solid A/D converters, excellent preamps and true Zero Latency along with lots of connectivity - Work Clock, Midi, Digital Audio, Lightpipe, XLR and TRS 1/4" selectable right in the companion software. I'm very happy with this replacement to my old Saffire 56 and would highly recommend the Clarett 8PreX to anyone looking in this price range.
I have mine connected to an OctoPre Dynamic Mk II for 8 additional inputs. Stellar system.
Posted by Alan Palmquist on Mar 24, 2019
Run Screaming from this product 7 of 12 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Burlington, Ontario
Although this product has great features, you can not count on it working. I have had two so far that have lost the ability to work with S/PDIF optical. And in one case channel 4 stopped altogether. To make matters worse, this product is unstable at sample rates above 48 kHz. As I understand it, this is a driver issue. Whatever the case, this is a serious flaw if, like me, you need to work at 96 kHz.
Posted by Andy Stark on Jan 26, 2017
Incredible Interface!!! 4 of 4 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Oshawa, Ontario
I purchased this to replace my aging Digi002 I spent months researching different interfaces and I decided to purchase the Focusrite Clarett 8preX.
The mic preamps sound amazing. they sound warm without sounding dull. My microphones have woken up. When Air is selected, the sound is bright without being harsh. Air sounds silky.
I like that each channel has separate phantom power, Hi-pass filter, phase, switches located on the front of the unit.
Latency on this unit is so low that you can track straight into your DAW without noticeable delay.
A professional sounding interface.
Posted by Andrew on Jan 13, 2016
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Clarett 8PreX 26 In/28 Out Thunderbolt Audio Interface | 433937 |
