Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
The Scarlett Solo and Scarlett 2i2 models are also available in bundles for beginner recording artists, offering sweet little bundles that include everything you need to get started. This includes headphones, a very nice collection of premium plugins, plus a condenser microphone with all the necessary cables and leads. Freebies
Relay-controlled analogue circuitry on each preamp replicates Focusrite's ISA110, swapping impedance to to 2.2kΩ, with the addition of two cumulative high shelves (granting a 4dB increase in higher frequencies) The Scarlett interfaces come with a more creative-based selection of plugins and have the widest selection of goodies out of the three.The main difference between the Clarett+ and the previous generation of Clarett interfaces is the addition of improved independent A-D/D-A converters. My own ISA828 preamp has switchable input impedance, and in my experience the effect this has is rarely profound and often inaudible. I was expecting the Air option to be similarly subtle, but it really isn’t! Switching the Air circuit in (which can be done on a per–channel basis) produces a pronounced treble lift which is very obvious on pretty much any source, even line–level signals and other things that shouldn’t be at all sensitive to input impedance. It’s a rather sweet and seductive sound which often mimics what you might want to do with EQ in any case. If I owned a Clarett I’d be tempted to use the Air setting all the time, though I suspect that there might be circumstances where, like the high–end sizzle that gives some capacitor mics instant appeal, it actually proves counter–productive further down the line. It’s perhaps a shame that it’s not variable, as it does make rather a drastic difference to the sound. However, it should be pointed out that this beautiful simplicity has been achieved partly by not including features that are available on some competing products. There is no provision at all for processing audio signals within Focusrite Control, so no equalisation, dynamics, or delay/reverb effects are available. This is clearly a conscious decision on Focusrite’s part: like Apogee, they believe that their Thunderbolt hardware is capable of such low–latency operation as to render the need for a separate cue–mixing utility redundant in most situations. It’s a decision that is fine with me, but then I rarely find myself having the time to set up processing and effects specifically for the cue mix in any case.
Out of the box, first impressions are very reassuring. The smart brushed aluminium front panel and all-metal case is complemented by a series of really sturdy controls, apart from a couple of slightly wobbly switches in the monitor section. The build quality is superb and is a definite improvement upon the early incarnations of Scarlett interfaces that had rough, sharp edges. Panel layout is extremely intuitive, with simple preamp controls, clear LED metering, and monitor and headphone controls on the right. Take the Air The Clarett is a ‘premium’ version of the Scarlett, providing the user with a different selection of features and technology across only three devices. Whereas the Scarlett family includes a larger number of products with seemingly more options. The Clarett 2PRE and the Clarett 4PRE are more or less the same thing, with the main distinct difference being the number of preamps and outputs available on each device. The 8PRE however, takes things up a notch. Fitted with two ultra-high impedance JFET instrument inputs, featuring mimic guitar amp inputs and a seriously broad audio bandwidth
The eight Clarett preamps have been meticulously engineered to bring authentic large-format studio sound to any recording session. All-analogue Air mode, with impedance switching, recreates the legendary effect of Focusrite's ISA mic pres, adding clarity and presence to drums, guitars and vocals. Two high-impedance JFET instrument inputs preserve your guitar’s true character and feel just like an amp. Independent A-D and D-A converters offer ultra-low distortion and up to 124dB dynamic range. Ten balanced outputs are hum-free for pristine monitoring, mixing and mastering with studio monitors. Eight channels in and eight out over ADAT allow 8Pre to grow with your studio. And it comes with some of the best-loved tools in the business – with plugins from legendary Auto-Tune® creators Antares®, Brainworx®, Softube®, Landr, XLN Audio®, Relab and more. Low distortion, 24-bit/192 kHz converters with up to 124dB dynamic range deliver incredible sound quality. The Octopre bundle has less stuff than the other ones, but considering the Octopre is sold as an add-on or extension module anyway, Focusrite are probably assuming you’ve already got most of their standard freebies as it is. Necessity may be the mother of invention, but a switch to Cirrus Logic converters has also significantly improved Focusrite's Clarett+ audio interfaces...
The Clarett range of interfaces use Focusrite’s very best microphone preamp technology, on a slightly higher tier than the Scarlett range. The Clarett preamp is a mainstay of the Focusrite brand and delivers next-level clarity, warmth and precision that is really hard to beat, especially at this price point.Focusrite have also retained the “all‑analogue Air EQ” feature, which can be applied to individual preamp channels. When activated, the high frequencies are boosted in two stages by +4dB overall to bestow crisp transients, enhance presence‑range clarity and, yes, to add ‘air’ to whatever you’re recording. It is quite an alluring effect on vocals and acoustic guitars, in particular, but one which should probably be used with cautious discretion, I think — you really can have too much of a good thing! Interestingly, activating the Air option also reduces the microphone preamps’ input impedance from 6.2kΩ to 2.2kΩ — but while that might alter the tonality of some dynamic mics slightly, any changes would be thoroughly swamped by the Air effect anyway!
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