Focusrite Clarett 8Prechat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Phantom power can only be toggled for channels 1-4 or 5-8 together, not per individual channel, frustrating users who want to power just two overhead mics while leaving adjacent channels off.

@k8jun1

Phantom power in 1-4 & 4-8, can you turn phantom power off say condenser mike in channel 1 phantom power on and guitar in channel 2 phantom power off at the same time ?launch

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January 21, 2024

@tannerdogan4783

I did see the question down below but I wanted to expand on the question. Can you choose which inputs get phantom power or does it have to be either 1-4 and 5-8? If i were to use two overheads for drums could i just use those two for phantom and the rest off?launch

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January 1, 2018

@tannerdogan4783

Man i hope you can help me! I have this at home haven’t used it yet but if i were to use two overheads on drums that needed phantom power and the rest don’t Can i choose which inputs have the power and which ones don’t???launch

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January 1, 2018

@tannerdogan4783

Can you choose which inputs have phantom power? If i were to be recording drums and had two overheads that need phantom and the rest don’t could i switch JuST those two on and the rest off?launch

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January 1, 2018

Users report low maximum gain (57dB) requiring Cloudlifters for quiet mics, and one older-model owner describes being unable to turn gain past 25% without noise, needing external mic pres for some sources.

@thebeardedkozak

Question for you: I see your gain knobs are generally somewhere in the 9-12 O'clock positions and beyond. I find for me, especially overheads and snare, is that I'm turned way down, almost all the way down, but this puts me around -12db in my daw. If I turn up the gain even a little, I'm already peaking in the daw. I feel as I'm doing something wrong - thoughts?launch

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September 1, 2025

@focusonjunta

I think you left out the only other BIG negative (in addition to the ridiculously low gain of 57db which has caused me to spend a ridiculous amount of money on Cloudlifters), and that is: there is no way to bypass the internal preamps on the Clarett+ 8Pre... A very logical, sensible 'upgrade for someone reaching the 'limits of their existing interface' is to buy a high quality external mic-pre... Yet, that there is no way (in the analog domain) to defeat the internal mic-pre... Atrocious skimping on Focusrite's part. Other than those two negatives - solid 'enthusiast' interface for sure.launch

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June 1, 2024

@3star2nr

I own the older Claret 8preX mine only has 98db head room so this is a massive improvement over mine. \n\nWhat this means is i cannot turn up the claret more than 25% gain without getting audible noise . so you have to use it with an external mic pre. \n\nIf you plan on using external compressors and EQ you will need to go back in through channels 3-8. If u try 1-2 you will get alot of noise. \n\nAlso going out and resampling on mine is so bad that its not viable. I ended up selling my outboard compressors and staying itb. \n\nMine also has a steep roll off below 500hz... Which is the difference you hear between a higher end unit like an apogee... And the distinct color focusrite pres have.\n\nSo my honest review is the new claret+ seems like it has a lot of worthwhile improvements. Mine has been very reliable they last 3 years ive owned it. If ur doing mastering or using external hardware id save for an antelope or lynxlaunch

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September 10, 2021

Multiple users note the removal of a second ADAT input means the full 8 preamps of a connected OctoPre can't be used at higher sample rates like 96kHz, a notable step back from the Saffire line.

@buddyblueyes

I love it and bought it. However, unlike the Saphire line, if you connect to the new Clarrett Octopre, there no 2nd pair of Adat in. So if you record in higher resolutions you can’t use the full 8 pres of the new Octopre. Not sure why Focusrite got rid of the 2nd Adat in the new Clarrett 8Pre +? Please let me know if there’s another option to utilize all the Octopre preamps, at higher resolution when connected to the Clarrett 8Pre+.launch

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July 26, 2022

@briankruesi6484

I 100% agree with this. Why not allow for a full 8 channels of ADAT at 96 🤦‍♂️launch

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February 9, 2022

@MartinCliffe

This would be perfect if it had a second set of ADAT ports so you can use SMUX for 8 channels at 96kHz with their very own Clarett OctoPre.launch

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September 10, 2021

There is no way in the analog domain to defeat the internal mic preamps when using higher-end external preamps, which one user called 'atrocious skimping' and another flagged as a concern before buying.

@Jfmetalgtr

First... Your vids are straight to the point reviews that have been a breath of fresh air as I navigate deciding on a new set-up. Thank you!\nI'm about to pick up a Mac Mini with the M4 Pro chip to run through (making the jump from Windows to Mac), and am currently trying to decide between the Clarett+ 8Pre and Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen for the interface.\nA lot of what I do will be at home either sending guitars direct into the interface or via an amp modeller first. \nBut I do plan on using ADAT to expand available tracks and record live drums.\nAm leaning towards the Clarett+ but am concerned about gain range and not being able to bypass the onboard pre-amps.\nWhat would be your advice there?launch

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June 23, 2025

@focusonjunta

I think you left out the only other BIG negative (in addition to the ridiculously low gain of 57db which has caused me to spend a ridiculous amount of money on Cloudlifters), and that is: there is no way to bypass the internal preamps on the Clarett+ 8Pre... A very logical, sensible 'upgrade for someone reaching the 'limits of their existing interface' is to buy a high quality external mic-pre... Yet, that there is no way (in the analog domain) to defeat the internal mic-pre... Atrocious skimping on Focusrite's part. Other than those two negatives - solid 'enthusiast' interface for sure.launch

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June 1, 2024

Unlike the Scarlett line and previous Clarett models, this unit lacks loopback, disappointing a buyer switching from a Tascam and making it 'pretty much useless' for a streamer needing system audio capture.

@limpet9

Just for information. I recently bought a Focusrite Clarett+ 8 Pre hopefully as an upgrade from my Tascam 1608. I was interested in 3 things mainly. Improved DACs/mic pre`s, the look ( I am tired of the black controls on the black facia of the Tascam ), and particularly the Loopback function.\nUnfortunately and disappointingly, the Clarett + does not have the Loopback function! Annoying as the cheaper Scarlet range has it and the previous Clarett range also did. Maybe they should have called it Clarett minus to identify reduced functionality. I will return it but I do not think I will go for the 3rd gen Scarlet as it has the annoying black controls on black facia, crappy headphone outs and it`s unlikely to have noticeably better pre`s than the Tascam.launch

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December 3, 2023

@BillRayDrums

There's no loopback feature on this board. I livestream, playing drums to tracks and unless there's a way to get my system audio into the Clarett+ 8pre, this unit is pretty much useless for my needs.launch

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October 13, 2022

Several long-time Clarett owners note the + version shows only minor spec differences (1-2dB dynamic range changes) over the prior model, calling it a 'marketing reboot' rather than a meaningful upgrade.

@gotyor

Lazy, there almost no difference in specs as old interface. Seems like a marketing reboot campaign. and a 1 or 2 db here or there wont get me to buy a new clarett. Clarett's are great already. If you want to rock the audio interface world give us less latency. And please don't start putting chips on the next series, we dont need no stinking cpu chips... our computers are quick enough now. just give us virtually no latency.launch

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September 13, 2021

@dianevrules

Clarett + 2Pre USB-C claims to have \"New and improved A-D and D-A converters\" over previous model 2Pre USB. \nI own 2Pre USB and wanted to know the specs of Clarett +. I went to focusrite website and compared Clarett + 2Pre USB-C specs against my Clarett 2Pre USB. The listed differences:\n\nLine inputs:\nDynamic Range 119DB vs 118DB in 2Pre USB\n\nMic inputs:\nNone\n\nInstrument inputs:\nDynamic Range 116DB vs 118DB in 2Pre USB\n\nLine & Monitor Outputs:\nDynamic Range 124DB vs 119DB in 2Pre USB\n\nMonitor volume and headphone volume knobs:\n\nThe bs you see in this video vs chrome in 2Pre USB and all other previous models.\n\nOnly way I would have upgraded is if Focusrite added the S/PDIF input/output that are inside 4Pre USB. Which they didnt. \nF^&%^% the new model.launch

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September 12, 2021

A PC user reports no Thunderbolt 3 driver updates for a year, causing occasional audio glitching, and recommends non-Mac buyers research alternatives before purchasing.

@garderudghost6211

I have been using this interface for about a year. It is a fantastic piece of kit, but there is a downfall however. That is, no Thunderbolt 3 drivers for PC yet. For MAC users thus is a non-issue, but on PC you might get some slight audio glitching affecting the playback in certain situations. \nThere has been no PC driver update for a year.\nI am not sure what is the deal here and hope Focusrite has not abandoned further driver development for PC already.\nAt this moment, I would recommend also researching other options, if you do not work with a MAC.launch

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October 10, 2017

One commenter notes that with the rise of amp and cab sims on pedalboards, it's overdue for Focusrite to expand beyond just two instrument-level inputs.

@lastdaysguitar

With the advent of so many good amp & cab sims on pedalboards its high time that Focusrite instrument level inputs expand beyond only 2 inputs.launch

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October 13, 2021