Focusrite Control and the driver software needed for the Clarett⁺ 2Pre are available for download from the Focusrite website: downloads.focusrite.com.
Click Clarett⁺ range on the Downloads page. This will take you to a page with all the downloads which are available for the Clarett⁺ range.
To download the Focusrite Control version you need, click the Download button.
Note
The Windows driver is included within the Focusrite Control download. No additional driver is needed for Macs.
If you are having trouble with the steps below, please watch our video guide here: getstarted.focusrite.com
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If you don't have Focusrite Group account, fill out your details to create an account.
If you do have an account, log in.
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Select your Clarett⁺ device from the Product drop-down list.
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Enter your device’s Serial Number at the bottom of the page.
You can find the serial number on the bottom of your Clarett⁺ 2Pre, and also on the gift box.
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Follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to finish registering your device.
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When registration is complete, your Clarett⁺ 2Pre appears in your Account under the My Hardware tab.
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All your bundled software can be found under the My Software tab in your account.
The Clarett⁺ 2Pre can be powered either with the supplied AC adaptor (PSU), or via the USB connection, provided your computer has a 15 W Type-C port.
The Clarett⁺ 2Pre has a USB-C port (on the rear panel). Once the software installation is complete, connect the Clarett⁺ 2Pre to your computer using one of the supplied USB-C cables.
Turn the unit on with the power switch.
After installing the drivers and connecting the hardware, you can start using the Clarett⁺ 2Pre with your DAW.
Your DAW may not automatically select the Clarett⁺ 2Pre as its default I/O device. In this case, you must manually select the driver on your DAW’s Audio Setup page, and selectClarett⁺ 2Pre (Mac) or Focusrite USB ASIO (Windows). Please refer to your DAW’s documentation or Help files if you are unsure where to select the Clarett⁺ 2Pre as your audio device.
The 1/4” jack OUTPUTS 1 and 2 on the back panel will normally be used to drive monitoring speakers. Self-powered monitors have internal amplifiers, and may be connected directly. Passive loudspeakers will require a separate stereo amplifier; in this case, the outputs should be connected to the amplifier’s inputs.
Connecting active speakers:
Connecting passive speakers with a stereo amplifier:
Professional equipment generally has balanced inputs. If your amplifier or powered speakers have balanced inputs, use 3-pole (TRS) 1/4” jacks to connect them to the Clarett⁺ 2Pre.
All line output connectors are 3-pole (TRS) ¼” jack sockets, and are electronically balanced. Typical consumer (hi-fi) amplifiers and small powered monitors have unbalanced inputs on RCA sockets.
You can connect two pairs of monitor speakers using the Clarett⁺ 2Pre's line outputs. You can adjust the level of each pair independently in software (via Focusrite Control), or the level of both pairs together with the hardware monitor knob.
Any mix sent to line outputs 3 and 4 (“Additional monitor speakers” in the diagram below) will also be sent to the headphone output.
The Clarett⁺ 2Pre doesn’t include speaker switching; but you can buy third-party hardware to do this.
Important
Line outputs 1 and 2 have “anti-thump” circuitry that protects your speakers if the Clarett⁺ 2Pre is turned on while the speakers (and amplifier if used) are connected and on.
The other line outputs do not have anti-thump circuitry. If you’re using additional speakers connected to these outputs, power your Clarett⁺ 2Pre on first, then turn on the speakers or power amplifier.
But get into the habit of following this rule- it is good audio practice to turn on any speaker system after turning on the equipment feeding it.