Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre Audio Interface - REVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 20 июл 2024
- In this video I test the Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre and have a look at the AIR mode.
Sweetwater US | Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre: sweetwater.sjv.io/bavWEk *
Thomann EU | Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre: www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite... *
Amazon US | Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre: amzn.to/3mQPWuk *
Support the channel on Patreon: / juliankrause **
Follow me on Twitter: / thejuliankrause
00:00 Intro
00:47 Hardware Overview
03:36 Internals
04:08 Focusrite Control
05:47 Round Trip Latency
04:15 Design and Build
06:26 Mic Input Performance
08:03 Mic Preamp Performance
09:12 AIR mode
10:39 Line Input Performance
11:35 Main Output Performance
12:36 HP Output Performance
14:40 Verdict
* Affiliate links from which I receive a commission for sales. This doesn't generate any additional cost for you. As an Amazon and Thomann Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
** Patreon is a platform where you can choose to support the channel by purchasing a monthly subscription. 
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![[Eng Sub] FOCUSRITE Clarett+ 4Pre audio interface](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/V0n0HJXr8HY/mqdefault.jpg)
![[Eng Sub] FOCUSRITE Clarett+ 4Pre audio interface](/img/tr.png)
Thank you for taking the time to create this, Julian. With regards to Focusrite Control, the current release is optimised for the Clarett+ hardware but future releases are planned to be compatible with both ranges.
John // Focusrite UK 🇬🇧
Ayyyyyyyyyyy
What about the driver issues under Windows where you randomly Sound like a robot? When this is fixed, i will definitly get an 8i6 again.
500$ 550$ after tax??? too much money. we need usb4 or thunderbolt 4 for that price!!!
@@grunge2012 There's always somebody who wants everything for the price of nothing. And they ditched thunderbolt because there's really no advantage to it. Hardly anyone uses it compared to USB so why cut out half your home studio/semi-pro market? RME still uses USB 2.0 and their interfaces are ridiculously good. Don't get suckered by the hype.
@@jsullivan2112 focusrite had a graph on their own website showin how thunderbolt reduced the latency by 50% but it was thunderbolt 1 which only macs had 8 years ago. thunderbolt is a trademark which costs money to use. now a days sub 1000$ laptops, now includin windows pc which never had it before, have t3 so why not use it?
That "focus, right?" pun was *chef's kiss*
Excellent video. Thank you for posting. I've used the 2i2 for some time and until now didn't know what the air feature did. This video explains it simply. Thanks again.
Thank you for the detailed review. This reinforces that my purchase of the Audient ID 14 MKII was the correct choice for my budget.
I just picked this up and it changed everything. I went from the Zoom Q8hd, to the Scarlett 2i2 gen 3, to the Symphony Harmony, to the Volt 276. This Clarett is giving me the clarity I've been looking for. Review videos are great for information but you really can tell how big the difference is, in person. The Focusrite control is great, once you learn how to use it. The level meters there are perfect for getting things right, before I even open my daw. The minute I started playing through it, I knew this was the one for me, finally.
Thanks for this review! I was wondering when clarett will be available in market again.. Can't wait to get my hands on one..
Wonderful review yet again Julian - I see others asking for a review of some RME interfaces and I would love to know how the Fireface UCX II holds up (as well as the non-mini Arturia Audiofuses)
Id love to see the adi 2 pro as well
I've got the Audiofuse Studio / 8 Pre and the RME UCX II, they're all amazing interfaces. I prefer the RME stuff though, the Audiofuse Studio functions really great as a monitor controller too. The 8Pre sits in my rack w/ ADAT feeding either my main studio interface or my mobile interface.
I'd like to see a review of BabyFace Pro FS
Thanks for taking the time to perform the tests and share the results. It's been a while since I've bought my last audio interface and I'm happy to see that now I have an option of review that is not " a guy reaind the press release" (;
the "Focus... Right?" part at 3:26 caught me off-guard and it took a good few seconds to register while you continued talking. Good one! I love your content
Thanks alot for diving in deeply, great video, Salute!
- Julian drops his pun: "Focus, right?
- Actual focus of camera immediately gets a short hiccup!
LOL
It took me a few seconds to even realize that he was making a funny :-)
Dry intelligent humour. Love it!
Great review Julian - thanks for posting :)
Would love to see tests on RME interfaces and Apogee interfaces. Also if you could compile a best of the best list and tiers based upon your knowledge, findings and measurements etc.
Thanks for this review Julian!
Great review as always. Hopefully more manufacturers will refine their interfaces in due time.
I appreciate the inclusion of the Rode AI-1 measurements as well even if there's no video review on the channel. I've been using it for a few weeks and was surprised to see another interface with as little gain - I usually have to add +18 dB to get healthy levels on a dynamic microphone 6" away. Same issue with the volume pot channel inbalance at low settings as you noted in your copy as well.
I'd just like to thank you for doing these. I actually purchased a Clarret+ 4Pre USB based quite a bit on the information you provide with your reviews. I just received it a short while ago. Glad to hear they improved upon it, right before I did!
Hi, this looks like a great interface. Do you have as much latency as the video says or did it improve? It is very possible that I buy one like this
@@javikles The latency can still be an issue if I'm running a lot of plugins. Not really much of an issue as long as I'm not trying to multitask too much.
you are literally the best reviewer on the game, excellent work so much details and transparence. good job
Thanks for the video Julian!
thank you very much Julian
as usual explanation at the highest level🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Hey Julian, thanks for the amazing videos!!! They're really helpful and informative. I was just wondering why aren't any D.I., eg Instrument input analysis on your channel when reviewing USB interfaces. A lot of us use it for our guitars, basses,... and I think that info would be beneficial for us a lot. For example some companies market their products with JFET inputs which are superior to regular hi-Z inputs, but does everyone do that without marketing or is it special to some companies like Focusrite and Audient? Dynamics are also very important for any instrumentalist and I guess measurements regarding the dynamics of the inputs are very important.
Thanks Julian for another review - great as always! :) I'd love to hear your opinion on Steinberg's UR-RT2 (or RT4) with Rupert Neve Designs transformers.
Hi Julian, good vids you're making. I wish seeing SPL Crimson on your show, people forget about that thing all the time. I know it's "old" and will underperform cheaper interfaces in certain aspects, but that are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing an interface.
You’re the reason I got the Clarett+ 2Pre about a year and a half ago. I wasn’t tryna buy nothing close to $1000, I wanted something better than my Scarlett Solo, so thank you.
Not enough to convince me to change my audient ID14. Great review as usual JK.
Pls I'm still looking forward to when you will review the Apollo Twin audio interface.
Hi Julian. Your reviews are awesome. Was wondering if you'd consider reviewing older interfaces as a lot of us still use them and would be interesting to see how they compare with newer AIs. I'm using a Mbox 2 so would be great to have one of your reviews on that. Also what do you do with all the AIs you're buying? Giveaways?! ;)
Great review!! Thank you Julian!!
Can you review the Apollo Twin X and the Apogee Symphony Desktop please~~~~
I was in the market for a new audio interface just recently. The Avid Mbox I had was no longer happy running on the latest tech, so I started researching. I landed on the Clarett+ 4Pre and committed to the purchase, though I was still not completely convinced that I knew if it was a good choice. I've been watching the delivery progress and expect it tomorrow :) Watching your review of the 2Pre has given me confidence that I'm making a good choice. Thanks for this review.
Julian ,RME Please .
Great review 😎🔥👏
Incredible review! A few things...
1. Clever pun at 3:24, "Focus, right?" :)
2. At 8:46: YES, I agree about the gain! I just got my Clarett+ (4Pre) yesterday, and even using a condenser mic, I need the gain at about 80-85% to get a decent signal. When I go just a little bit higher, I get lots of room noise (and internal?) and it starts to clip. Really surprising and disappointing to be honest. I'm trying to figure out if I have one of my settings wrong, but watching your video makes me think this is just the way it is. At 8:05 we see you talking into the dynamic mic, and it looks like your gain is close to 100%.
I agree the build quality on this thing is very good. It looks and feels great. I love the way the knobs turn, very high quality. You mentioned the Audient iD14 MKII at the end, do you prefer that one over this one? Or do you have any other recommendations in this price range? Thanks again for your incredible reviews.
Super awesome videos as always Julian. Thank you. May I ask please if possible for a review on the Zoom F3 for use as an audio interface for voice over . Many thanks great work cheers 😃👍
Julian, thank you so much for your kindness and consistency in this channel. I would like to ask how do you manage to work in a DAW and listen RUclips o other apps while you use a pc? Thank you very much
Your videos are excellent and very interesting, I love it !
Would the Focusrite Clarett+ 4Pre have the same characteristics in terms of overall performance and performance of headphone outputs (x2) due to the multiplication of inputs/outputs or should we expect lower values ? Thks A lot ! Cheers :)
i love your channel, keep up
Hey, Julian, thx for this again very profound review. Question: would it perhaps be a fine idea if you did a new part of your fantastic ‚microphone conversion series‘ with Rode NT1a to NT1? I bet many of us viewers here would like this because the NT1a is used by so many. I absolutely love your SM57to SM7b video. It helped me a lot. What do you think?
Eagerly waiting, still missing from your channel = a Mackie Onyx Producer review! :P
Wow thank you for the video.
I was waiting on this... we need you to get your hands on one of focusrite flagship red 8pre
Hello, Julien!
1. What audio interface do you use?
2. What's yours preferred audio interface?
Great review! We would like to see your review from Apogee Duet 3 ;)
Please
Fantastic review. One question: if you set the software-only controls, are the settings maintained after powering down the system? It is maddening that Focusrite required their own software to control basic switches like line level on a unit that is, as I understand it, USB-class compliant. My Scarlett 2i2 works on both my Windows and Linux systems, but the software-only controls of the Clarett+ make me wonder if it would be possible to use in that setting.
Really noticable increase in pre-amp noise with Air mode engaged with the SM7B at full gain.
it’s an impedance emulation it’s not meant for every microphone, only old low impedance mic would benefit from it. this mics are not manufactured anymore so air mode is generally useless
please tell me more about your usecase. I want to use the SM7B with the older Clarett non-plus. What level in dBFS do you achive with full gain? how is the noise without air mode at full gain?
@@HTBLuVA I don’t own one I was referring to the audible rise in preamp noise in Julian’s video.
oh that big pun at 3:26 with the smooth delivery
Hey Julian, for electric guitar and RUclips voice overs, what is the best audio interface under $1000? Is the Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre, better than the Antelope Zen Go?
Thanks for this
Cool video, please review the Apogee duet 3
Hi Julian, thanks for this great review! How do this interface compare with pricier interfaces like UAD Apollo? Is there a "quality" gap between this interface (or MOTU Ultralite mk5) which cost less than 800 € and UAD Apollo (wich is more than 1000 €)? Thanks :-)
Thank you!
Quick question: how do you feel about the Clarett+ headphone outs? Are they good enough on their own or do you feel the need to use an external headphone amp?
Thorough and informative as always. Thank you Julian. One question though; if I wanted a permanent audio interface on my desk that have the same qualities as my MixPre-6 II field recorder what would be the equivalent ?
Nice video. Was there a video that you did where you mentioned using the pad on the input increases in signal to noise ratio/reduces headroom?
"but I'm drifting off.. Focus! Right?" Ahahaha! Great review Julian!
Hello Julian, i am one of your fans and i would like to thank you for thoe kind of interesting videos...I would like to ask you if you please which sound card do you prefer, the motu m4 or the Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre Audio Interface or Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen? Thank you
... very helpful , thank you
“But I’m drifting off. Focus, Right?
Come for the review, stay for the beautiful dad jokes.
Hey! Thanks for the review. How about onyx interfaces from Mackie? I've heard that their preamps perform very well. Would you recommend them?
Good review 👍. Interesting product but it's too reliant on software in the computer. Is there anything of comparable quality that has physical controls?
thanks for the review, but I ask again, could you look are the very expensive interfaces just to see if there is anything to the cost, Universal Audio Apollo, Antelope Discrete Pre4, Merging Anubis, Prism Lyra 2
Please review RME stuff 🙂
I think manufacturers secretly shit themselves when Julian gets hold of their device.
Lol
Great review Julian but when Steinberg AXR4, Avid Carbon or UAD Apollo
The focus, right? moment was so good xD
Awesome review! Really next level!!
An idea: Please make a test of Behringer ADA8200 and compare how well it's signal quality compares against the quality audio interfaces.
Interesting to see how the A/D dynamic range is slightly worse than the original Clarett, I was expecting an improvement or at least the same results since Clarett+ is the newer product
I see that you mentioned the id14 is similar in terms of specifications and performance. But how about the Motu M4? Shouldn’t that be comparable? I see that you don’t have it reviewed yet, but I assume it’s performance on benchmarks would be similar to the M2 (like the case of the id14 vs id4), which performed very well. I’d love to see your review of the M4.
Assuming its performance is comparable to the M2, it seems like the M4 would be another alternative to the id14 or more expensive but otherwise similar Clarett you’re reviewing here. I really was considering the id14 and would have gone for it, but the lack of a physical indicator of when it’s clipping really bugs me, and the Motu has it (although it lacks the optical input that the id14 has, which would be really nice to have if needed sometime in the future…).
I also just wanted to point out how invaluable your reviews are, as they provide such an objective, direct and systemic comparison of different interfaces-which no other reviewers do. What a great resource for those of us who would otherwise have our heads spinning the plethora of options out there! As a numbers guy, this was exactly the sort of data I wanted to see.
EDIT: As an FYI, I see that the Motus seem to be less expensive in the USA than in Europe, based on some of the threads. Here in the USA an id14 is $300, a Motu M2 is $200, and a Motu M4 is $270-making it rather than the M2 the model competing most directly with the id14. That’s why I’m mentioning the M4 rather than the M2 as what I’m considering vs. the id14.
Hi, can I make you a question non regarding this interface Julian?
Is there anything wrong if I have "all the time" two microphones plugged into my Audiofuse Studio? One its condenser where obviously I have the Phantom power turned off and the other one its a Shure SM58 with an off/on buttom but even with said switch turned off, the vumetros register sound coming in, even with the mice gain turned completely off and even when the gain showing coming in its very very little but there is some. Thanks :)
Thanks!
Hi, Julian! Thank you so much for your work! I've just get a Clarett 2preUSB, I'm deciding about which headphones should I buy. I was about to buy the Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro 80ohms, but so much people is telling me that I could get really good headphones (like audiothecnica 32ohm) for so much less money. I've heard what you said in the other video about the THD+N with low impedance hp, my question is: how much Is that distortion with the 32ohms hp? Is it audible? Does it improves at an especificaly volume? I'm so newie in this 'production world'. Thank you so much for usefull help! Ornella, from Argentina
Sony MDR 7506 the classics
I tried one and very much wanted to like it and other than a problem I had with it, I did. But no matter what I did, checking every connection, changing cables, redownloading and resetting the control software, adjusting buffer sizes and resolutions, I could not get rid of the constant crackling and clicks it gave. I can only guess that it was a software and interface problem with my computer and operating system.
I'm running an i-7 with 32 gigabytes of ram with Windows 10. A dedicated recording computer with as little non music software as possible. I've run 3 other interfaces on it, two Focusrite Scarlett's and a IK Multimedia Axe I/O. All work great though I didn't like the I/O in other ways and returned it. Now I'm using a Scarlett 4i4 and it's great. I wanted to like the Clarett + 2pre, but it didn't want me to in return.
Thank you for the thorough review. Do you know if this interface is compatible with the iPad Pro 5 gen.?
The latency is worst than some interfaces from 5 year ago... At this stage we have half of that latency interfaces at that range of price with similar or maybe better features and probably much better to come this year. Buying this one is to get outdated already. Thanks Julian!!!
Unfortunately true. My 11 year old Komplete Audio 6 has 2ms better latency than this. But the sound and build quality is way better and I'm happy so far.. ;)
Hi Julian, I’ve been watching your videos and find them very informative. What audio interface do you recommend for a Sm7b under $300?
Looks like the elgato xlr works
Wait a minute. So what you are saying at 4:45 means that Output 3+4 is always coupled to the headphones? So if you use 3+4 in order to send a Signal (lets say Drums) through an external hardware effect and back into the interface you will also hear only the Drums through the Headphones?
I want to record 12+ input mic.
Should i use usb interface with ADAT or any other better choices to records multiple input?
Danke. Sehr gut.
This has been really helpful, thanks! I'm seriously considering buying the 4Pre version and was wondering if I should just buy a used thunderbolt model for half the price. But it looks like the improvements with this one, plus the obvious warranty coverage and software that comes with a new model probably outweigh having a thunderbolt connection.
Don’t buy you will regret it.
@@KurtCobain2021 Oh yeah? Why’s that? And don’t buy which one?
@@jsullivan2112hes just talking lol… don't overthink… but also did you get it if so what do you think
@@yungbevvo Actually I figured out what he was talking about. The Clarett's input gain is pretty garbage compared to the Scarlett, by a huge margin. That's what he was referring to. I thought he was saying not to buy Focusrite at all. I ended up buying the Scarlett 18i20 and so far it's been perfect for my needs.
@@jsullivan2112 what about quality wise with the dry vocals.. I'm debating on upgrading from the solo 3rd Gen to the clarett
Id be quiet interested in a review of the Steinberg UR-RT2, on paper it looks quiet good for a 300€ interface.
Please reply, I own audio Technica at2035 and I have to record hip-hop vocals (RAP MUSIC) which AUDIO INTERFACE should I get? I am so confused between Motu m2, Audient id4, Focusrite Scarlett solo, Arturia minifuse, universal audio volt. Please suggest me one, my main priority is to record vocals, suggest me the best among this five. LOVE FROM INDIA ! Peace for you.
Hey Julian would you say the converters in the clarett plus are as good as the Apollo solo? Or better I cant find any real info on their converters and I'm torn between buying the clarett or solo
Why don't they offer a blend dial of input signal vs DAW? That is a dealbreaker for me. That issue presents itself constantly in the recording process.
Hi man, thanks for that video ! After hesitating for a year about my next interface, I finally bought the Clarett+ 2pre last week.
I'm happy with it but I found that the preamps work in an exponential way and not in a linéaire (the difference between 9 and 10 is way more sensible than 0 and 9). The support from Thomann wrote me that it is is normal and common for other interfaces. I get it mathematically but I know that we can do something more user friendly (the db is all about that non?). Is it very common ? if it is, WHY ? it's so hard to find the right gain...
Julian can you please suggest a budget best interface for home studio? Danke
hi im with focusrite scarlet 2i2 3rd gen now.
Im planning to upgrading my AI/Pre after finally i got my neumann KM184 :)
is it better to upgrade my scarlet to clarett+
or
Stay with scarlet 3rd gen 2i2 and buy a pre (maybe about 200-300)?
Thanks!
Könntest du den Rode Procaster mittels EQ zu einem SM7b machen? :D
is the analog to digital converters the same as the other claretts? I wonder if recording synths would be good on this model
Once again a wonderful product review without frills or esoteric bullshit, concentrating on the hard facts.
However, I minor critic might be justified, quoting:
"I could have easily 'RMAed' the unit. I didn't do so ..."
Well, let's find the mistake here as exactly that kind of series derivation ("Serienstreuung") would have been interesting despite the then still very low sample rate, granted.
The way I see it, this aspect is rarely addressed by reviews in general and I think manufacturers get away with it way too often.
For instance, even in RME's case, I am buying the 3rd (!) unit now of an ADI-2/4 Pro as there has been always something so far (minor damage on the knob, clicking noise when turning the thing, etc.). In the price range of > 2000€, haptics and performance have to be perceptively 'perfect' in my opinions and yet, they apparently save on the end control.
Any plans on measuring the Spl Marc One?
Hi, Julian.. I am interesting in this device, thinking to make it a karaoke system with my existing hifi system without using computer, can you advice what type of display screen and which models of Focusrite I should use ? Thanks
Was on the fence about either the Audient evo sp8 or this Clarett. Nothing in particular swayed me but think maybe the clarett might have better headroom. Buying a used unit.
Hello! I don't know whether to buy the Clarett 2pre Thunderbolt model (old) or this model. Latency is very important for me to work with software. I want to use 32 or 64 buffer size with a new Macbook m1. Please someone advise me. Thank you so much
How good is the anti thump technology? With this do you just power the interface despite the speakers being on? I mean if it has this technology
Please review some RME interfaces, e.g. Babyface Pro FS
How would you compare the clarett+ to ssl 2 which do you think sounds better?
Great script :)
I want to stream from dac and use line in....is possible to use as stereo preamp?
Your humour is so dry. I need to hook myself to a drip when I watch your videos.
So much detail it hurts.
Dont stop. Its fantastic.
Thank you.
I just bought a Clarett 8pre X. Will I need to worry about the headphone out using 80ohm headphones?
Julian do you mind sharing your graphs and charts?
I watched some videos where people are not happy with scarlett....maybe models down to 18i20....are you happy with this audio interface ?have you had any issue with this one? Thanks
Can u recommend a good audio Interface, which has best Headphone DAC for Mixing Only, I don't care about mic preamps quality i just want Drivers & DA convertor to be good, Budget is under 500 Dollar Price Range