The Clarett⁺ 2Pre is an excellent choice for many recording and monitoring applications. Some typical configurations are shown below.
This setup shows a typical configuration for multitrack recording with DAW software on your computer.
In this case, two sources – a microphone and a guitar – are connected to the Clarett⁺ 2Pre's inputs. As the guitar is connected to Input 2, ensure Instrument mode is selected for Input 2 from Focusrite Control, and the INST LED is illuminated.
The connection to the computer running DAW software is via a USB cable. This will carry all input and output signals between the DAW and the Clarett⁺ 2Pre. Once the audio setup is correctly configured in the DAW, each input source will be available for recording.
A mix of the recorded tracks will be available at Line Outputs 1 and 2, so you can hear the results in the speakers.
It is possible the performer may prefer to hear a monitor mix of voice and instruments adjusted to their taste. Focusrite Control lets you define a custom monitor mix for the artist, and this mix may include the current input signals as well as previously recorded DAW tracks.
You can route a musician’s stereo monitor mix to Outputs 3 and 4, and it will then be available at the Clarett⁺ 2Pre’s headphone socket. If you need to send the monitor mix to more than one musician, you can use the rear panel line outputs to send the mix to a headphone amplifier.
When you monitor inputs directly, make sure you mute any DAW channels you record to. If the DAW channels are not muted, the musician will hear two signals: one direct, and one delayed via the DAW.
Please refer to the Focusrite Control User Guide (download from downloads.focusrite.com) for more details on setting up monitor mixes.
A note about latency
You will probably have heard the term “latency” used in connection with digital audio systems. In the DAW recording application described above, latency is the time it takes for your input signals to pass through your computer and audio software, and back to you.
While not an issue for most recording situations, latency can be a problem for a performer who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals. This might be the case if you need to increase your buffer size, which could be needed when you record overdubs on a large project using many DAW tracks, software instruments and FX plug-ins.
Common symptoms of a buffer setting that is too low could be glitching audio (clicks and pops), or a particularly high CPU load within your DAW (most DAWs have CPU readouts). If you experience this on a Mac, you can raise the buffer size from the DAW application itself; on a Windows PC you will need to change this from the ASIO Control Panel which can usually be accessed from your DAW Setup Preferences.
The Clarett⁺ 2Pre, in conjunction with Focusrite Control, allows “low latency monitoring”, which overcomes this problem. You can route your input signals directly to the Clarett⁺ 2Pre's headphone and line outputs. This enables the musicians to hear themselves with ultra-low latency – i.e., effectively in “real time” – along with computer playback. The input signals to the computer are not affected in any way by this setting. However, note that any effects being added to the live instruments by software plug-ins will not be heard in the headphones in this case, although the FX will still be present on the recording.
In addition to the two microphone preamps, the Clarett⁺ 2Pre has an ADAT input port (OPTICAL IN) which can provide eight additional audio inputs at 44.1/48 kHz sample rate or four at 88.2/96 kHz. Using a separate eight-channel microphone preamplifier equipped with an ADAT output – such as the Clarett+ OctoPre – provides a simple method of expanding the Clarett⁺ 2Pre’s input capability.
The Clarett+ OctoPre’s OPTICAL OUT port is connected to the Clarett⁺ 2Pre's OPTICAL IN port with a single TOSLINK™️ optical cable. The two devices must be synchronised to ensure audio passes cleanly, without clicks and pops. To do this in Focusrite Control go to Device Settings and set the Clock Source to ADAT.
Important
Both devices must be set to the same sample rate.
You can route the additional ADAT inputs in the same way as other inputs in Focusrite Control. The ADAT inputs can form part of any musician’s headphone mix, as needed.
The Clarett⁺ 2Pre automatically stores Focusrite Control settings within the hardware. This feature lets you configure it as a pair of inputs – mic, line, or instrument – for use as a stand-alone device. This allows you to use it on stage in a live environment where no computer connection is needed, for example.
In the example illustrated, a mic and a guitar are connected to the Clarett⁺ 2Pre’s inputs; Outputs 1 and 2 go to the main PA system. The performer can adjust the mic and guitar volume separately from the front panel.