Focusrite Clarett 8Pre X Thunderbolt

8-channel Microphone Preamplifier/Audio Interface, 24-bit/192kHz, with Thunderbolt/ADAT Connectivity, and Included Plug-ins

Better. Faster. Easier.

Excellent sound is the quality Clarett owners love most. With up to 119dB dynamic range, superbly low noise, precision 24/192 conversion and eight specially-designed mic preamps with a unique analogue “Air” effect, Clarett 8PreX is the Thunderbolt audio interface that simply sounds great, easily out-performing other interfaces in its class and beyond. Meanwhile, its astonishing 1.67ms round-trip latency* simplifies your workflow and lets you use your favourite plug-ins in real time.

(A good and newer option is the PreSonus Quantum at SGD155 less. See below)

Eight New Clarett Mic Pres with extra ‘Air’

The mic pres have been designed specifically for the Clarett range, with plenty of gain, yet low noise and distortion. They also include a special “Air” feature that switches in an analogue model of the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic pre. Instrument inputs feature extra headroom to handle the loudest pickup. It’s the Focusrite Sound over Thunderbolt.

Precision Digital Conversion

Clarett features Focusrite’s class-leading 24/192 conversion quality: with up to 119dB dynamic range, Clarett offers the cleanest way yet to get music in and out of your DAW.

Simplify your workflow

Clarett’s ultra-low round-trip latency dramatically simplifies your workflow. Instead of having to build two different mixes – one using input monitoring to overdub, the other using the DAW for playback – the good news is that now, one is enough. Build your mix on the DAW and use it whether you’re overdubbing (monitoring the input you’re recording with the new Focusrite Control software mixer) or playing back, with your plugins in place, all the time. Use your favourite plugins while recording, too – whether it’s reverb on a vocal, a guitar amp simulator, or even virtual instruments live on stage.

The Heart of the Studio

Specially designed for studio installation, Clarett 8PreX includes separate rear panel inputs for mic, line and instrument, ADAT I/O to add 16 more channels, and dedicated phantom power, phase reverse and high pass filters on every channel.

Intuitive, Easy to Use Software Mixer and Sweet Sounding Plug-ins

Focusrite Control is a brand new software mixer designed for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, Focusrite Control offers a traditional mixer workflow and allows immediate access to internal hardware functions. Also included is a sweet sounding plug-in collection comprising Softube’s world-class Time and Tone Bundle, with TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay, Saturation Knob and Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor. This is complemented by the Red 2 & Red 3 AAX, AU & VST Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrite’s classic Red range equalizer and compressor hardware.

Accessible metering and monitoring

The monitor section provides a clear view of both analogue and digital input levels (selectable), as well as main monitor output levels via a 6-segment, multichannel hardware meter. Monitor features also include an assignable level control, plus back-lit dim and mute buttons, alongside dual high-power headphone outputs.

Exceptional I/O capability

Clarett 8PreX gives you all the I/O you need, fitting 26 audio inputs and 28 outputs into a 2U rack space, including 8 analogue inputs, 10 analogue outputs, stereo S/PDIF I/O and 16 channels of ADAT I/O. Connect up to 16 more mic preamps over ADAT for a 24-channel microphone setup. It’s the Thunderbolt audio interface for the user who demands the best sound quality over a high channel count.

Tech Spec

Supported Sample Rates

44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz

Microphone Inputs

Frequency Response
20 Hz – 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range
118 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N
0.001%
Noise EIN
–128 dBu (A-Weighted)
Maximum input level
+18 dBu
Gain Range
57dB
Line Inputs

Frequency Response
20 Hz – 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range
116 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N
0.005%
Maximum input level
+26dBu
Gain Range
57dB
Instrument Inputs

Frequency Response
20 Hz – 20 kHz ± 0.1 dB
Dynamic Range
111 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N
0.001%
Maximum input level
+14dBu
Gain Range
57dB
Line & Monitor Outputs

Dynamic Range (Line Outputs)
119dB
Dynamic Range (Monitor Outputs)
117dB
Maximum Output Level (0 dBFS)
+18 dBu
THD+N
0.0007%
Headphone Outputs

Dynamic Range
112dB
THD+N
0.0008%
Maximum Output Level
+16dBu

Highly recommended alternative:

PreSonus Quantum (SGD1,495)