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focusrite.com

Version 2

User Guide

User Guide

Summary of Contents for Clarett 4 Pre USB

Page 1: ...focusrite com Version 2 User Guide User Guide ...

Page 2: ... Computer audio setup 10 Audio Setup in your DAW 10 Connecting Clarett 4Pre USB to loudspeakers 11 Examples of Usage 13 1 Recording a small band 13 2 Recording a drum kit with and without the optical connection 15 3 Providing foldback while recording 17 FOCUSRITE CONTROL OVERVIEW 18 CLARETT 4PRE USB TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 19 Performance Specifications 19 Physical and Electrical Characteristics 2...

Page 3: ...a stand alone interface on stage bringing the benefits of Focusrite s high quality analogue microphone preamps to your live performance This User Guide provides a detailed explanation of the hardware to help you achieve a thorough understanding of the product s operational features We recommend you take the time to read through the Guide whether you re new to computer based recording or a more exp...

Page 4: ...ing new AIR function Individually selectable on each channel AIR subtly modifies the pre amp s frequency response to model the impedance and resonance characteristics of Focusrite s classic transformer based ISA mic preamps When recording with good quality microphones you will notice an enhanced clarity and definition in the important mid frequency range just where it is most needed for vocals and...

Page 5: ...iver required Mac users Clarett 4Pre USB is class compliant on Macs therefore no drivers are required As a Clarett owner you are also entitled to a selection of third party software To find out what s included go to focusrite com usb c audio interface clarett usb clarett 4pre usb System Requirements IMPORTANT Please visit the following link for up to date information on computer and operating syst...

Page 6: ...arett USB range To download the Focusrite Control version you need click the appropriate Download button Note that the Windows driver is included within the Focusrite Control download No additional driver is needed for Macs Registering your Clarett USB If you are having trouble with the steps below please watch our video guide here focusrite com get started 1 Go to focusrite com register 2 If you ...

Page 7: ...e page You can find the serial number on the rear or underside of the Clarett and also on the gift box Then click Set Serial Number 5 Follow the rest of the on screen instructions to finish registering your device 6 When registration is complete your Product will appear in your Account under the My Hardware tab 7 All your bundled software can be found under the My Software tab in your account ...

Page 8: ... 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 5 AIR four yellow LEDs one per input which illuminate when the AIR function is selected for the input from Focusrite Control AIR modi...

Page 9: ...Hz This input is disabled at 176 4 192 kHz sample rates This input is also capable of accepting a stereo optical S PDIF source 4 USB C connector connect the Clarett 4Pre USB to your computer with the supplied USB C to USB C or USB C to USB A cable 5 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 M...

Page 10: ...ound right click on the Focusrite device and select Set as Default Device in both Recording and Playback tabs In case of difficulty full details of how to select the Clarett 4Pre USB as the audio device on all operating systems can be found at focusrite com get started clarett 4PreUSB On all subsequent connections your OS should automatically select the Clarett 4Pre USB as the default audio device...

Page 11: ...s case the outputs should be connected to the amplifier s inputs Professional power amplifiers will generally have balanced inputs If your amplifier or powered speakers have balanced inputs use 3 pole TRS jacks to connect them to the Clarett 4Pre USB All the line output connectors are 3 pole TRS jack sockets and are electronically balanced Typical consumer hi fi amplifiers and small powered monito...

Page 12: ...rporate anti thump circuitry that protects your speakers if the Clarett 4Pre USB is turned on while the speakers and amplifier if used are connected and active LINE OUTPUTS 3 and 4 do not have this circuitry If you re using additional speakers connected to these outputs we recommend you power your Clarett 4Pre USB on first then turn on the speakers or power amplifier But get into the habit of foll...

Page 13: ...Pre USB 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 INST mode is selected for Inputs 1 and 2 from Focusrite Control and the INST LEDs are illuminated The two mics for vocals are plugged into Inputs 3 and 4 if they are condenser mics press the 48V button to enable phantom power The st...

Page 14: ...y high CPU load within your DAW most DAWs have CPU readouts If you experience this on a Mac you can raise the buffer size from the DAW application itself on a Windows PC you will need to change this from the ASIO ControlPanel which can usually be accessed from your DAW Setup Preferences The Clarett 4Pre in conjunction with Focusrite Control allows low latency monitoring which overcomes this proble...

Page 15: ...output such as the Clarett OctoPre provides a simple and excellent method of expanding the Clarett 4Pre USB s input capability This could for example extend the scope of the recording example above to include a close miked drum kit as shown below The Clarett OctoPre s OPTICAL OUT port is connected to the Clarett 4Pre USB s OPTICAL IN port with a single TOSLINK optical cable The two devices must be...

Page 16: ...y use of the optical port may be routed using Focusrite Control in exactly the same manner as the other inputs The additional inputs can also form part of any musician s headphone mix as required If an ADAT equipped mic pre amp is not available a satisfactory method of recording drums with four mics and the Clarett 4Pre USB is shown below ...

Page 17: ...e Clarett 4Pre USB s various outputs Each of the headphone outputs on the front panel initially provide a default mix Headphone 1 s mix is always the same stereo mix that is routed to Line Outputs 3 and 4 while Headphone 2 has an independent mix dedicated for headphone monitoring use You can adjust both mixes in Focusrite Control that for Outputs 3 4 defines what is heard by Headphones 1 and that ...

Page 18: ...m the Apple App Store Focusrite Control allows you to create a custom monitor mix for each musician and specify the routing of all audio signals to the physical audio outputs Sample rate and clock source selection are also available from Focusrite Control Focusrite Control has its own dedicated User Guide which has detailed operating instructions for all aspects of the software This may be downloa...

Page 19: ...at minimum gain Dynamic Range 118 dB THD N 0 0009 Noise EIN 128 dB A weighted Maximum input level 18 dBu at minimum gain Gain Range 57 dB Line Inputs 1 4 Variable Gain Frequency Response 20 Hz 35 kHz 0 5 dB at minimum gain Dynamic Range 118 dB THD N 0 001 Maximum input level 26 dBu at minimum gain Gain Range 57 dB Line Inputs 5 8 Fixed Gain Frequency Response 20 Hz 35 kHz 0 5 dB Dynamic Range 118 ...

Page 20: ...te Control Phantom power 48 V switches for inputs 1 2 3 4 Analogue Inputs 5 to 8 Connectors 4 x balanced TRS jacks on rear panel Analogue Outputs Main outputs 4 x balanced TRS jacks on rear panel Stereo headphone outputs 2 x TRS jack on front panel Main monitor output level control On front panel Headphones level controls Other I O ADAT Input TOSLINK optical connector 8 channels at 44 1 48 kHz 4 c...

Page 21: ...States and other countries ADAT is a registered trademark of inMusic Brands in the US and other countries iOS iPhone iPad and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc registered in the US and other countries and regions USB Type C and USB C are registered trademarks of USB Implementers Forum Thunderbolt is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the US and or other countries 2021 Focu...

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