Hardware Features

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.

48V – two switches enabling 48V phantom power at the Combo connectors’ XLR contacts for mic inputs 1-4 and 5-8 respectively. (Note that inputs 3 to 8 are on the rear panel.) 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.

Gain 1 to 8 – eight rotary controls: adjust input gain for signals at Inputs 1 to 8 respectively.

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.

AIR – eight 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.

Meters – ten 6-segment LED bar graph meters showing:

The input meters show signal level after the input gain stage. The output meters show signal level before the monitor level control [10]. The LEDs illuminate at -42 (green, “signal present”), -18 and -12 dBFS (green), -6 and -3 dBFS (yellow) and 0 dBFS (red). 0 dBFS shows digital clipping, which you should always avoid.

(USB active) – a green LED which illuminates when the unit has established a connection with the computer to which it is connected.

MIDI – a green LED which illuminates when MIDI data is being received at the rear panel MIDI IN port.

(Locked) – a green LED which confirms clock synchronisation, either to the Clarett⁺ 8Pre's internal clock or to the external digital input.

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.

DIM and MUTE – two switches controlling the Clarett+ 8Pre’s monitor outputs; DIM reduces the output level by 18dB, MUTE turns the outputs off. By default, these switches affect the main monitor outputs 1 and 2, but you can configure them in Focusrite Control to control other analogue outputs. The switches are lit to show which function you've selected (DIM: yellow, MUTE: red).

(Headphones) 1 and 2 – connect one or two pairs of stereo headphones at the two ¼” TRS jack sockets below the controls.

The headphone outputs always carry the signals currently routed to analogue outputs 7/8 and 9/10 (as stereo pairs) in Focusrite Control.

POWER – AC power switch and green LED.

Rack ears for mounting the Clarett+ 8Pre in a standard 19” equipment rack

MIC/LINE INPUTS 3 to 8 – Combo XLR input sockets - connect further microphones or line level signals via XLR or ¼” jacks as appropriate. Either ¼” TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack plugs can be used for line level signals.

LINE OUTPUTS 3 to 10 – eight balanced analogue line outputs on ¼” jack sockets; use TRS jacks for a balanced connection or TS jacks for unbalanced. Signals routed to these outputs are defined in Focusrite Control, for driving alternative speakers (i.e., midfield, nearfield, etc.), the additional speakers in a multichannel monitoring system, or to send audio to outboard FX processors.

MONITOR 1 and 2 – two balanced analogue line outputs on ¼” jack sockets (with “anti-thump”); use TRS jacks for a balanced connection or TS jacks for unbalanced. These are also Line Outputs 1 and 2, and will generally be used for driving the main L and R speakers of your monitoring system. However, output routing may be customised in Focusrite Control.

OPTICAL IN and OUT – two TOSLINK™️ connectors, each 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 also capable of accepting a stereo optical S/PDIF source: this option is selected from Focusrite Control. Note that this input is disabled at sample rates of 176.4/192 kHz.

WORD CLOCK OUTPUT – a BNC connector carrying the Clarett⁺ 8Pre’s word clock; use this to synchronise other digital audio equipment.

USB-C connector; connect the Clarett⁺ 8Pre to your computer with either the supplied USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to USB-A cable.

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.

S/PDIF IN and OUT – two phono (RCA) sockets carrying two-channel digital audio signals in and out of the Clarett⁺ 8Pre in S/PDIF format. Like all other inputs and outputs, you can customise the S/PDIF routing in Focusrite Control.

AC mains – standard IEC (AC) connector. The Clarett⁺ 8Pre is fitted with a “Universal” power supply, and will run from any AC mains voltage from 100 to 240 V, at 50 or 60 Hz.