Focusrite Clarett OctoPre
The Focusrite Clarett OctoPre gives you eight – and eight outputs too – that you can use to extend the capabilities of your Clarett Thunderbolt audio interface – or any other interface fitted with ADAT optical inputs and outputs. The mic pres have been designed specifically for the Clarett range, with plenty of gain, yet low noise and distortion – and great sound quality. They include a special “Air” feature that switches in an analogue model of the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic pre, switching the impedance of the preamp to that of the original ISA, and enabling a ‘transformer resonance effect’, giving your microphone recordings the air and clarity of an ISA transformer-based mic pre recording. In addition, the mic pres have plenty of headroom and are ideal for recording drums and other extreme level sources.
Mic, line and instrument inputs – plus eight outputs
The front-panel inputs feature an extended amount of headroom to suit the high-output signal of sources such as electric guitars, while the rear panel offers XLR / 1/4″ combination jacks for the remaining six inputs. With a dynamic range of 118 dB, each input leads into a 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion stage capable of sample rates up to 192 kHz. Every input also sports its own insertion point—with hard-wire relay bypass—for outboard compressors, EQs, or any processor you have.
On the output side, the Clarett OctoPre offers eight channels of digital-to-analog conversion, giving you 119 dB of dynamic range in the process. The analog outputs are accessible via a 25-pin D-Sub connection. As the outputs can also be configured to accept line-level signal from the mic pres, this device is suitable for mixing sessions and for feeding live consoles, while simultaneously recording on the digital side.
