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When mixing, you can connect several pairs of additional speakers (mid-field, near-field, etc.) to 

pairs of outputs and use Focusrite Control to route your mix to the different outputs as desired, to 

check your mix on the different types of speaker.

IMPORTANT: 
MONITOR 1 and 2 outputs incorporate “anti-thump” circuitry that protects your speakers if 
the Clarett 8Pre USB is turned on while the speakers (and amplifier if used) are connected 
and active.

LINE OUTPUTS 3 to 10 do not have this circuitry.

If you’re using additional speakers connected to these outputs, we recommend that you 
power your Clarett 8Pre USB on first, 

then turn on the speakers or power amplifier.

But get into the habit of following the general rule in any case - it is 

always good audio 

practice to turn on a speaker system of any kind 

after turning on the equipment feeding it.

Summary of Contents for Clarett 8Pre USB

Page 1: ...www focusrite com Version 1 0 User Guide ...

Page 2: ...Audio Setup in your DAW 10 Connecting Clarett 8Pre USB to loudspeakers 11 Examples of Usage 13 1 Recording a band 13 2 Using the optical connections 15 3 Using the Clarett 8Pre USB as a stand alone mixer 16 4 Providing foldback while recording 17 FOCUSRITE CONTROL OVERVIEW 18 CLARETT 8PRE USB TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 19 Performance Specifications 19 Physical and Electrical Characteristics 20 TROUB...

Page 3: ...ge 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 that you take the time to read through the Guide whether you re new to computer recording or a more experienced user so that you are f...

Page 4: ... 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 ma...

Page 5: ...ers required 2 GB of Loopmasters sounds and samples Focusrite Red 2 and Red 3 Plug in Suite Softube Time Tone plug in bundle Your choice of one XLN Audio Addictive Keys software instrument Ableton Live Lite recording software These software items may also be accessed directly at www focusrite com downloads System Requirements IMPORTANT Please visit the following link for up to date information on ...

Page 6: ...llow the on screen instructions entering the Bundle Code into the form where prompted Your Bundle Code can be found on the Important Information packed with the unit 3 You will then be able to access the My Products page where the software products to which your registration entitles you are available for download complete with activation codes where applicable Windows users only 4 Download and in...

Page 7: ...made unbalanced This optimises it for the direct connection of instruments via a 2 pole TS jack plug When INST is off the inputs are suitable for the connection of line level signals Line level signals may be connected either in balanced form via a 3 pole TRS jack or unbalanced via a 2 pole TS jack 5 AIR eight yellow LEDs one per input which illuminate when the AIR function is selected for the inp...

Page 8: ...ut levels by 18 dB while MUTE turns the outputs off By default these switches affect the main monitor outputs 1 and 2 but may be configured in Focusrite Control to act on any of the analogue outputs The switches are internally illuminated DIM yellow MUTE red indicating that the function is selected 12 Headphones 1 and 2 connect one or two pairs of stereo headphones at the two TRS jack sockets belo...

Page 9: ... sample rate or four channels at 88 2 96 kHz These are simply additional inputs and outputs respectively to from the Clarett 8Pre USB The OPTICAL IN connector may alternatively be configured to receive a two channel S PDIF signal from an external source equipped with an optical S PDIF output This option is selected from Focusrite Control 5 WORD CLOCK OUTPUT a BNC connector carrying the Clarett 8Pr...

Page 10: ...d select the Focusrite device on both the Input and Output pages Windows selection is made in Control Panel Sound 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 8Pre USB as the audio device on all operating systems can be found at www focusrite com get started clarett 8PreUSB O...

Page 11: ...ase the rear panel outputs should be connected to the amplifier s inputs All the line output connectors are 3 pole TRS jack sockets and are electronically balanced Typical consumer hi fi amplifiers and small powered monitors will have unbalanced inputs either on phono RCA sockets or via a 3 5 mm 3 pole jack plug intended for direct connection to a computer In either case use a suitable connecting ...

Page 12: ...rotects your speakers if the Clarett 8Pre USB is turned on while the speakers and amplifier if used are connected and active LINE OUTPUTS 3 to 10 do not have this circuitry If you re using additional speakers connected to these outputs we recommend that you power your Clarett 8Pre USB on first then turn on the speakers or power amplifier But get into the habit of following the general rule in any ...

Page 13: ... a keyboard are shown connected to the Clarett 8Pre USB s inputs Note that only Inputs 1 and 2 can be configured to accept instruments directly so we have chosen to plug the guitars into Inputs 1 and 2 Ensure that INST mode is selected for Inputs 1 and 2 from Focusrite Control and the INST LEDs are illuminated The connection to the Mac running DAW software is via a USB cable This will carry all th...

Page 14: ...ticularly 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 but on a Windows PC you will most likely need to change this from the ASIO ControlPanel which can usually be accessed from your DAW Setup Preferences The Clarett 8Pre USB in conjunction with Focusrite Control allows zero latency monitorin...

Page 15: ...le word clock synchronisation may be achieved by connecting the Clarett 8Pre USB s WORD CLOCK output to the Clarett OctoPre s WORD CLOCK IN and setting the Clarett OctoPre to use this as its sync source alternatively the Clarett 8Pre USB may be set in Focusrite Control to synchronise via the ADAT format signal at the OPTICAL IN port NOTE when interconnecting two digital devices by any method alway...

Page 16: ...vice itself Then you can use the Clarett 8Pre USB as a simple rack mounting mixer as part of your keyboard rig to control the overall mix of multiple keyboards To FOH Mixer In the example illustrated three stereo keyboards are connected to the rear panel inputs of the Clarett 8Pre USB Outputs 3 and 4 go to the main PA system The performer can adjust the volume of the individual keyboards from the ...

Page 17: ... s various outputs Each of the two 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 7 and 8 while Headphone 2 has a completely independent mix dedicated for headphone monitoring use You can adjust the content of both mixes in Focusrite Control that for Outputs 7 8 defines what is heard by Headphones ...

Page 18: ...dows only are available from Focusrite Control Note Focusrite Control is compatible with other hardware interfaces in the Focusrite product range When you connect your Clarett 8Pre USB to your computer and launch Focusrite Control the model of interface is automatically detected and the software correctly configured to suit the hardware Focusrite Control has its own dedicated User Guide which cont...

Page 19: ...A weighted Maximum input level 18 dBu at minimum gain Gain Range 57 dB Line Inputs 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 Instrument Inputs Frequency Response 20 Hz 35 kHz 0 5 dB at minimum gain Dynamic Range 117 dB THD N 0 001 Maximum input level 14 dBu at minimum gain Gain Range 57 dB Lin...

Page 20: ...nputs 1 to 4 5 to 8 Analogue Outputs Main outputs 10 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 2 x TOSLINK optical connectors 8 channels at 44 1 48 kHz 4 channels at 88 2 96 kHz 2 channels at 176 2 192 kHz S PDIF I O 2 x phono RCA can be re assigned to ADAT ...

Page 21: ...ind articles covering numerous troubleshooting examples COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES Focusrite is a registered trade mark and Clarett 8Pre USB is a trade mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited All other trade marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners 2017 Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited All rights reserved ...

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