Focusrite has announced the Clarett+ line of USB audio interfaces. While keeping the same configurations with two, four or eight microphone preamps, the Clarett+ series offers improved converters and preamps for higher fidelity, Focusrite says. ADVERTISEMENT Focusrite Clarett+ About three and a half years after first introducing the Clarett USB audio interfaces, Focusrite has announced updated versions of the series. The new Clarett+ interfaces look exactly the same as their predecessors, but there are some significant changes under the hood. According to the manufacturer, the updated Clarett+ microphone preamps offer high headroom, low distortion and low noise. Needless to say, the Air mode that has become a standard feature of Focusrite interfaces is also included. This circuit emulates the ISA 110 mic preamp of the Focusrite Studio Console and adds clarity and presence, Focusrite says. The A-D and D-A converters have also been updated and now deliver a wider dynamic range and less distortion than their predecessors. According to Focusrite, the line output dynamic range has been increased from 118 dB to 124 dB, while the line output THD-N is now -106 dB, compared to -103 dB on the previous generation Clarett USB interfaces. Focusrite also says that the headphone outputs have been improved for a more powerful and transparent sound. 2Pre Clarett+ 2Pre 4Pre Clarett+ 4Pre 8Pre Clarett+ 8Pre As before, the Clarett+ is available in three versions. The Clarett+ 2Pre offers two preamps and a total of ten input and four output channels. The Clarett+ 4Pre doubles the number of preamps and can handle 18 input and eight output channels. And finally, the rack mount Clarett+ 8Pre has eight preamps and offers 18 input and 20 output channels. All Clarett+ audio interfaces offer a USB-C connection and can be bus powered. They all also have MIDI In/Out and an ADAT optical input, to which you can connect an external converter, such as the Focusrite Clarett OctoPre. As the top-of-the-line interface, the Clarett+ 8Pre adds an ADAT optical output and a word clock output. Prices and availability The Focusrite Clarett+ audio interfaces will be available in early November. The prices are: 2Pre – 489 at Thomann.de* 4Pre – 689 at Thomann.de* 8Pre – 989 at Thomann.de* |
