Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB User manual

User Guide

FFFA001255

www.focusrite.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OVERVIEW..................................................................... 3

Introduction .................................................................3

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Box Contents ................................................................4

System Requirements.........................................................4

GETTING STARTED .............................................................5

Software Installation ..........................................................5

Hardware Features ...........................................................6

Front Panel ....................................................................6

Rear Panel ....................................................................7

Connecting your Clarett 2Pre ...................................................8

Computer audio setup ...........................................................8

Audio Setup in your DAW ......................................................8

Connecting Clarett 2Pre to loudspeakers ...........................................9

Examples of Usage.............................................................11

1. Recording a solo artist ......................................................11

2. Using the optical connections ................................................13

3. Using the Clarett 2Pre as an on-stage mic pre-amp..............................14

FOCUSRITE CONTROL - OVERVIEW............................................... 15

CLARETT 2PRE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS......................................16

Performance Specifications ...................................................16

Physical and Electrical Characteristics ..........................................17

TROUBLESHOOTING ...........................................................18

COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES ...............................................18

2

OVERVIEW

WARNING: Excessive sound pressure levels from earphones and headphones can cause

hearing loss.

WARNING: This equipment must only be connected to Thunderbolt™ ports.

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this Clarett 2Pre, one of the family of Focusrite professional Thunderbolt™
audio interfaces incorporating newly-designed, high quality Clarett analogue pre-amplifiers with
the unique AIR function. In conjunction with the Focusrite Control application, you now have a highly
versatile and professional solution for routing high quality audio to and from your computer recording
system, with extremely low latency.

You can also use the Clarett 2Pre as a “stand-alone” interface on-stage, bringing the benefits of
Focusrite’s high-quality analogue mic pres 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-based recording or a more experienced user, so
that you are fully aware of all the possibilities that the Clarett 2Pre has to offer.

IMPORTANT: As well as this User Guide, you will need the Focusrite Control

Software Guide which can be downloaded from

http://uk.focusrite.com/downloads after registering your product.

This contains full details of Focusrite Control, the software application that has been

designed specifically for use with the Focusrite Clarett range of interfaces.

If either of the Guides do not provide the information you need, be sure to consult

http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase, which contains a comprehensive collection of answers to

common technical support queries.

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Features

The Clarett 2Pre hardware interface provides the means for connecting microphones, musical
instruments, line level audio signals and digital audio signals to a computer through the computer’s
Thunderbolt™ port. The signals at the physical inputs can be routed to your audio recording
software / digital audio workstation (referred to throughout this user guide as the “DAW”); similarly,
the outputs from the DAW can be configured to appear at the unit’s physical outputs.

Audio sources – mics, instruments, etc., can be recorded into your DAW and then played back from
there through amplifiers and speakers, powered monitors, headphones, a mixer or any other analogue
or digital audio equipment that you wish to use. Although all inputs and outputs on the Clarett 2Pre
are routed directly to and from your DAW for recording and playback, you can configure the routing
within your DAW, or within the Focusrite Control application, in order to meet your precise needs.

The Clarett 2Pre also has connectors for sending and receiving MIDI data; this lets you use it as a
MIDI interface between your computer and other items of MIDI equipment in your system.

An important feature of the Clarett 2Pre is the new design of analogue preamplifier. In addition
to their class-leading dynamic range and ability to provide all the gain you’re ever likely to need,
the circuitry now includes an exciting 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 to
high frequency range, just where it is most needed for vocals and many acoustic instruments.

The accompanying software application, Focusrite Control, is designed to require a minimal amount
of user interaction, letting you easily configure the Clarett 2Pre with signal routings appropriate for
the most common recording tasks. For more complex situations, it provides extensive routing and
monitoring options, as well as the ability to control global hardware settings such as sample rate
and synchronisation.

All inputs on the Clarett 2Pre are routed directly to your DAW software for recording, but Focusrite
Control also allows you to route these signals internally within the device to the outputs so that you
can monitor the audio signals with ultra-low latency - before they arrive at your DAW, should you
need to do so.

Box Contents

Along with your Clarett 2Pre you should have:

• External 12 V DC mains Power Supply Unit (PSU)

• Important Information, with codes for accessing the following on-line resources:

- Drivers as required

- 1 GB of Loopmasters sounds and samples

- Focusrite Control

- Focusrite Red 2/Red 3 Plug-in Suite

System Requirements

IMPORTANT – Please visit the following link for up-to-date information on computer and

operating system compatibility for all Clarett products:

www.focusrite.com/clarett/compatibility

4

GETTING STARTED

IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you install the Clarett 2Pre drivers before connecting

the interface to your computer.

Software Installation

All software required by the Clarett 2Pre, including several powerful and useful extras, is available
for download from the Focusrite website (www.focusrite.com/register). The Important Information
provided with your Clarett 2Pre contains validation codes which you will need to enter at the above
web address. This procedure ensures that you will have the most up-to-date software versions.

1. Using your usual browser, go to www.focusrite.com/register/.

2. Follow 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.

4. Download and install the Clarett 2Pre drivers. Follow all on-screen instructions.

5. When the installation is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer.

6. After restart, connect the Clarett 2Pre to your computer with a Thunderbolt cable.

7. If you are having trouble getting started please watch our video guide here -
www.focusrite.com/get-started

5

Hardware Features

Front Panel

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The front panel includes all the input gain and monitoring controls as well as two of the input
connectors for Mic, Line and Instrument signals.

1. INPUTS 1 & 2 – “Combo XLR” input sockets for each channel - connect microphones, instruments
(e.g., guitar), or line level signals via XLR or ¼” jacks as appropriate. Either TRS (balanced) or
TS (unbalanced) jack plugs can be used for instruments or line level signals.

2. 48V – two switches enabling 48 V phantom power at the XLR contacts of the Combi connectors
for mic inputs 1 and 2 respectively. The switches each have an associated red LED indicating
that phantom power is selected.

3. Gain 1 and 2 – two rotary controls: adjust the input gain for the signals at Inputs 1 and 2
respectively. The gain controls have concentric bi-colour LED ‘halos’ to confirm signal level:
green indicates an input level of at least -24 dBFS (i.e., ‘signal present’), the ring then turns
red when signal level reaches 0 dBFS.

4. INST – two red LEDs which illuminate when INST mode is selected for the jack contacts of
Inputs 1 or 2 from Focusrite Control software. When INST is selected, the gain range and input
impedance are altered (relative to LINE), and the input is 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.

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5. AIR – two yellow LEDs which illuminate when the AIR function is selected for each input
from Focusrite Control. AIR modifies the frequency response of the input stage to model the
classic, transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic preamps.

6. (Thunderbolt active) – a green LED which illuminates when the unit has established a
connection with the computer to which it is connected.

7. (Locked) – a green LED which confirms clock synchronisation, either to the Clarett 8Pre’s
internal clock or to an external digital input.

8. MONITOR – main monitor output level control – this control will normally control the level
at the main monitor outputs on the rear panel, but can be configured in Focusrite Control to
adjust the level of any of the unit’s four analogue outputs.

9. (Headphones) – connect a pair of stereo headphones at the ¼” TRS jack socket below
the control. The headphone output always carries the signals currently routed to analogue
outputs 3 and 4 (as a stereo pair) in Focusrite Control.

10. POWER – green LED confirming that DC power is connected.

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