The lockdown has given studio work a push. Even those most passionate about live music have found refuge in recording to stay active or to bring their art to audiences via technology and the internet.
With visits surging to our sections on tutorials, recording, software, monitors and so on, we set out to dig a little into what's been cooking lately. Some users reported problems with the new and shiny USB-C ports when using them with their interfaces, which connect to the computer via Thunderbolt 2, Thunderbolt 3 or even FireWire 400 or 800.
Software is getting more powerful every day, but also heavier. As a result, it requires fast computers capable of processing it. If software is increasingly ready to work with more data, encoded at higher quality, interfaces have to move the goods quickly. So ports (USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, etc.) must evolve to be able to transfer large amounts of data without dropouts or latency.
Ports
Until not long ago, converting the FireWire 800 output of our old interface into something more modern that would “match” our computers was relatively simple. Via adapters. Things started to get a bit more complicated with USB-C and the number of problems many of us ran into when using adapters/converters that ended up failing or not taking advantage of the full potential of part of our gear.
Could it be that our interface is simply prehistoric by now? If we keep “growing” our computer and software, there comes a point where things don't match up the way they should. I mean software, peripherals, hardware. Especially with some brands, such as AVID, for example, which left some of their drivers un-updated for certain interfaces (and therefore their users) and which also began to hit snags with the new operating systems.
Buying a New Interface
At this point, how about we buy a new interface, and which one? It doesn't seem like a bad idea to turn to one of the best-selling families of interfaces in the world lately: Focusrite's Scarlett and Clarett sagas.
So we set out to investigate their offerings and, while we were at it, to dive right in and put one of their “beasts” on the test bench. First of all, when choosing, it's sensible to look at hardware that:
• Is compatible with current macOS and Windows operating systems
• Has good sales turnover, ensuring evolution and support in the medium and long term
• Has modern ports
• Offers low latency and good transfer rates
• Has the highest-quality preamps possible
• Offers good connectivity, with flexible inputs/outputs
• Is simple and gives no trouble, please
• A reasonable price?
Well, our guest, the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB, meets all of these requirements.
Scarlett or Clarett
At a glance, we could even mistake one family for the other. But they aren't exactly the same. At ISP Música we've had the chance to try several of their models and we have some perspective on this. In fact, a test of a Scarlett 18i8 that we did not too long ago is being published.
My view is to give the Scarlett series an award, since it's reliable, affordably priced and doesn't complicate our lives. It works, it's fast and it does it well.
That said, the Clarett interfaces followed in the footsteps of their predecessor and have some details that set them apart. Inspired by Focusrite's well-known ISA mic preamps, the Air preamps for Clarett deliver especially warm, transparent and appealing results.
Even so, Scarlett has returned with its third-generation version and offers connectivity improvements at very tempting prices. So where is the difference?
What the Clarett Offers
• High-performance preamps, especially transparent and clean
• More connectivity (ADAT, MIDI)
• Greater dynamic range on inputs and outputs (118 dB vs. 111 dB on the Scarlett Gen 3)
• Strong latency-reduction capability, even with real-time plug-ins
• Powerful Air mode, which varies the impedance of the preamplification and lends different characteristics to the mic's tonal colors, EQ, etc.
What the Clarett 8Pre USB Offers
• 24-bit, 192 kHz A/D and D/A conversion
• Professional routing
• 18 inputs and 20 outputs
• 8 mic/line inputs
• Gain meter
• ADAT input and output (supports 8 additional channels)
S/PDIF input and output
• Two headphone outputs with volume control
• Two line outputs
• Phantom power
• USB-C connection
• 19" / 1U rack format
• Includes XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Focusrite Plug-in Collective and Ableton Live Lite
• Excellent FOCUSRITE CONTROL setup and routing tool
Conclusions
I'd sum it up by saying the slogan on the product's box is true. Fast, good and simple. The preamps have good character and transparency, they have enough gain in our view (although some think they fall a little short), latency is nonexistent and everything works the first time and beautifully. I think this review can give you background not only on the 8Pre USB version but also on the differences between the Scarlett and Clarett series.
You can then adapt your budget to your needs (number of inputs and outputs, etc.) in the version that suits you best, reaching the best quality you can afford. While installing the driver, we checked its behavior in Pro Tools 2020 on macOS Catalina and Mojave.
Take a look at the test we did in recent days, also with the Clarett 8Pre USB interface. We'll dig deeper later into reviews of the RED Suite plug-in packs.
