The Clarett⁺ 4Pre is an excellent choice for many recording and monitoring applications. Some typical configurations are shown below.
This setup illustrates a typical configuration for multi-track recording with DAW software on your computer.
In this example we are making a live recording of a small band, consisting of electro-acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synth and two vocalists.
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Guitars: these are shown connected to the Clarett⁺ 4Pre’s front panel inputs. Note that only Inputs 1 and 2 can be configured to accept instruments directly, so we have used these two inputs for the two guitars. Ensure Instrument mode is selected for Inputs 1 and 2 from Focusrite Control, and the INST LEDs are illuminated.
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Mics: Two mics for vocals are plugged into Inputs 3 and 4; if they are condenser mics, press the 48V button to enable phantom power.
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Synth: The stereo line output from the synth is connected to LINE INPUTS 5 and 6 on the rear panel.
You can monitor the recording via Headphone Output 1 if you wish, using Focusrite Control to set up your monitoring mix. A second, different mix can be created for a musician and can be routed to Headphone Output 2.
In addition to the four microphone preamps, the Clarett⁺ 4Pre 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⁺ 4Pre’s input capability.
The Clarett+ OctoPre’s OPTICAL OUT port is connected to the Clarett⁺ 4Pre'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.
While recording, musicians often prefer to hear themselves along with other players, and when overdubbing, tracks that have already been recorded.
Focusrite Control lets you define several mixes, each of which may be either mono or stereo, and can be routed to any of the Clarett+ 4Pre’s outputs. This means each musician being recorded can have a unique mix. In their mix you can include any hardware inputs on the Clarett+ 4Pre and combine them with DAW tracks, such as click or pre-recorded backing tracks. See the Focusrite Control Guide (obtainable from focusrite.com/downloads) for details of how to configure different mixes, and how to route them to the Clarett+ 4Pre’s various outputs.
Each of the two headphone outputs on the front panel initially provide a default mix: Headphone 1’s mix is always the same stereo mix is routed to Line Outputs 3 and 4, while Headphone 2 has a completely independent mix dedicated for headphone monitoring use. You can adjust the content of both mixes in Focusrite Control. The mix sent to Outputs 3/4 defines what is heard at Headphone Output 1, while the mix sent to Outputs 5/6 defines what is heard at Headphone Output 2.
Either or both of these may be used for a musician’s mix; each output can drive a pair of headphones directly. This is the easiest method, and has the advantage the mixes are stereo. If you need to drive additional pairs of headphones, you’ll need to include an external headphone amplifier as part of your set-up:
Always remember - when sourcing monitor mixes from input signals, ensure the DAW channels on which you are recording are muted, otherwise the musicians will hear themselves “twice”, with one signal audibly delayed as an echo.