The front panel includes input gain controls and input connectors for Mic, Line, and Instrument signals for both channels, and also monitoring controls.
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Inputs 1 and 2
Combo XLR input sockets for each channel - connect microphones via an XLR connector, or instruments (e.g., guitar) or line level signals via ¼” jacks. Either TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack plugs can be used for instruments or line level signals.
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48V – two switches enabling 48V phantom power at the Combo connectors’ XLR contacts, formic inputs 1 and 2. Each switch has a red LED to show when phantom power is enabled.
Not all microphones require phantom power. If you are unsure whether your microphone needs it to work, please read the microphone documentation.
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Gain 1 and 2 – two rotary controls: adjust input gain for signals at Inputs 1 and 2 respectively.
The gain controls have LED ‘halos’ to confirm signal level: green indicates an input level of at least -42 dBFS (i.e., ‘signal present’), the ring then turns orange when the signal level reaches -6 dBFS, and red at 0 dBFS.
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INST – two red LEDs which illuminate when Instrument mode is selected for the jack Inputs 1 or 2 from Focusrite Control software. When Instrument mode is selected, the line input is converted to a high impedance unbalanced input. You can connect instruments via a 2-pole (TS) jack plug here.
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AIR – two yellow LEDs which illuminate when the AIR function is selected for each input from Focusrite Control. AIR modifies the input stage’s frequency response to model classic, transformer-based Focusrite ISA microphone preamps.
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(USB active) – a green LED which illuminates when the unit has established a connection with the computer to which it is connected.
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(Locked) – a green LED which confirms clock synchronisation, either to the Clarett⁺ 2Pre's internal clock or to the external digital input.
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MONITOR – main monitor output level control – this normally controls the level at the main monitor outputs on the back panel, but you can configure it in Focusrite Control to adjust the level of multiple pairs of outputs.
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(Headphones) – connect a pair of stereo headphones at the ¼” TRS jack socket below the control. The headphone output always carries signals routed to analogue outputs 3 and 4 (as a stereo pair) in Focusrite Control.
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POWER – green LED confirming DC power is connected.
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LINE OUTPUTS 1 to 4 – four balanced analogue line outputs on ¼” jack sockets; use TRS jacks for a balanced connection or TS jacks for unbalanced. Line Outputs 1 and 2 will generally be used for driving the main L and R speakers of your monitoring system, while Outputs 3 and 4 can be used for connecting additional line level equipment (e.g., outboard FX processors). Signals routed to all the outputs may be defined in Focusrite Control.
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OPTICAL IN – a TOSLINK™️ connector carrying eight channels of digital audio in ADAT format at 44.1/48 kHz sample rate or four channels at 88.2/96 kHz. This input is disabled at 176.4/192 kHz sample rates. This input is also capable of accepting a stereo optical S/PDIF source.
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MIDI IN and MIDI OUT – standard 5-pin DIN sockets to connect external MIDI equipment. You can send/receive MIDI data between your computer and external MIDI devices.
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External DC power input – power the Clarett⁺ 2Pre via the separate AC adaptor (PSU) supplied.
The PSU is a 12V DC unit rated at 1.5A and centre-positive polarity.
You can also power your Clarett⁺ 2Pre from a computer via USB connection, provided the computer has a 15 W Type-C™ port. See Clarett⁺ 2Pre USB Bus Power Information to check if your computer has this port: if not, please use the supplied AC adaptor.
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Power On/Off switch.
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Kensington security slot– secure your Clarett⁺ 2Pre to a suitable structure if desired.