Review: Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB — Excellent Value In a Box!
The Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB is a wonder in a lot of ways. Many professional audio devices have begun using Thunderbolt as their go-to for communicating with computers, but it is not without its downfalls. Unfortunately, Thunderbolt is much more commonly found on high-end machines which can be costly for many users. Many newer laptops from Apple only use USB-C, while other computer models rely solely on USB ports.
Final Answer on the Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB | A
Focusrite, a company known for developing high-end studio hardware, has now released the Clarett USB range to the public. The name carries weight – until this point, it had been restricted to only the more costly models equipped with Thunderbolt. The Clarett USB interfaces come in three models – 2, 4, and 8 inputs – but each model has even more thanks to the ADAT optical input availability.
Aesthetics and Makeup
The Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB is intended for users such as singer-songwriters, laptop producers, or those who work in smaller spaces due to its size and lightweight. It’s also made with durable materials and comes with a power supply; however, computers with a 15W USB-C port can provide power to the interface where available. If you’re looking for an Interface with extreme portability (possibly at the cost of some fidelity), there are many other models from Focusrite and other brands.
The 2Pre USB is simple to use, even for those with no experience. On the front panel, there are two combo jacks for connecting XLR or jack plugs, a level control for each channel with Halo light readout to monitor levels, instrument / Air light and a Phantom Power on/off switch. You can also find a large monitor dial that lets you set the monitor level and high-powered headphone output gains all in one place.
The power, a lock port, four line outputs, and a USB port are located on the rear panel. You also receive two USB cables to use either conventional USB-A or newer USB-C protocols. Additionally, MIDI in and out DIN plugs are included, a great idea since smaller audio interfaces sometimes omit these. Plus, an optical input port allows for expandability with up to 8 more inputs for a total of 10 possible inputs. Overall, it would be pretty hard not to choose this unit given its straightforward layout that won’t even confuse novice users.
You Can Feel It in the Air
If we take a step back and look at the Clarett’s specs, it becomes clear that this USB interface is more powerful than one might think. The highly respected Clarett mic preamps can provide ample gain without adding any sort of noticeable noise or distortion. Focusrite’s “Air” circuit is included in the Scarlett 2i2, which employs an analog model of the company’s classic transformer-based ISA mic pre. This particular Clarett device is designed to give a boost mostly to high frequencies for vocals and acoustic instruments.
With capabilities for 192kHz/24-bit digital conversion and extremely low round-trip latency, you can use your DAW plug-ins with no threat of pops or clicks from buffer settings. You can control routing and monitor mixing by downloading the Focusrite Control app onto your Mac, PC, iPad or iPhone. This gives you easy access to internal hardware parameters on the unit that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise change. The software control panel for this interface is not only user friendly, but it can also run on an iOS device. This means that you don’t have to go back to the computer to change settings which is sweet for anyone recording themselves performing.
While Using
The Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB was easy to set up and use and provided outstanding results. The low round-trip latency meant that I could use quality reverbs on my vocals while recording without hearing any delay. The Control app makes it possible to route a recording directly, and we found that latency was very low with regular tasks.
The recordings were also superbly clear, especially when we used the Air feature to add shine to acoustic guitar and vocal takes. The mic preamps are pretty impressive with a dynamic range of 118dB. Additionally, the Focusrite Control software is refreshingly clear and concise compared to some other software applications, which can be confusing or difficult to understand.
Not only will you receive the product you came for, but you’ll also get a whole bunch of other fantastic items as well! You’ll have everything you need to start recording and making music. The bundle includes Ableton Live Lite, 2GB of Loopmasters samples, XLN Audio’s Addictive Keys, Focusrite’s Red plugin suite and Softube’s Time and Tone bundle.
Conclusion
The Clarett USB’s clean design and powerful performance make it ideal for those who need a few inputs at a time or occasionally require more through the ADAT input. The 4Pre USB sells for $600, and the 8Pre USB (if you need more physical inputs to be used simultaneously) goes for $800. In a market overflowing with small format USB audio interfaces, this one is better in two ways.
The electronics are top-notch and it’s easy to use—with great results. The MIDI ports are a welcome addition as well, so users won’t need to buy a separate interface to connect MIDI hardware. For people with smaller studios or who want portability, this is likely the best option that still offers high audio quality.
Price: $479 USD
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