Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre
Focusrite audio interface technical breakdown
- 24-bit / 192 kHz
- Ten inputs and four outputs
- Two Clarett microphone preamps with Air mode model the classic ISA110 micpreamp sound
- +48 V phantom power switchable
- USB-C bus power operation (15 watts USB-C port required)
- Two mic / instrument / line inputs: XLR / jack 6.3 mm combo
- Four line outputs: 6.3 mm jack
- MIDI in / out
- Combined ADAT / S/PDIF input optical
- Stereo headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
- USB-C connector
- Desktop housing
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 210 x 55 x 161 mm
- Weight: 1.11 kg
- Including USB cable (standard USB and USB Type-C) and Hitmaker Expansion Software Bundle (Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+ and Avid Complete Plugin Bundle)
- LANDR – AI-based mastering tool (two-month subscription)
- Softube Flow Guitar Essentials
- XLN Audio Addictive Keys Studio Grand Piano – Virtual Keyboard Instruments
- XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock – Virtual Drum Library
- Celemony Melodyne Essential
- Brainworx Bx_console Focusrite SC – Channelstrip
- Focusrite Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite – EQ and Compressor
- Relab’s LX480 Essentials – Reverb
- Native Instruments MASSIVE, FAST Balancer
Images
Additional Information
Customer Review Summary
The Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre is a well-built audio interface that delivers impressive sound quality, especially appreciated by users transitioning from older models like the Scarlett series. Its robust design and aesthetic appeal are notable, with many praising the premium feel of the controls and the overall build quality.
However, the interface is not without its flaws. Users have reported persistent driver issues, particularly on Windows systems, leading to audio clipping and dropouts during playback. While it performs admirably during recording sessions, these problems can detract from the overall experience, especially when using VSTs or when adjusting buffer sizes.
Another point of contention is the gain control. Several users found that achieving sufficient gain levels for microphones, even those requiring phantom power, proved challenging. The interdependence of the monitor and headphone controls has also been critiqued, complicating the workflow for those used to more straightforward setups.
Despite these drawbacks, many still regard the Clarett+ 2Pre as a significant upgrade, thanks to its superior preamps and audio fidelity. It is particularly well-suited for instruments and vocals, producing crisp recordings even at lower gain settings. For those with powerful computers capable of handling its demands, this interface could be a worthy investment, although potential buyers should be aware of the reported driver issues that may necessitate patience and troubleshooting.
Read more…
