Focusrite Clarett 2Pre Review & In-depth demo - Quality Thunderbolt interface w/ Macbook Pro
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มี.ค. 2017
- Amazon US - amzn.to/31lFA9m (USB Version)
Today me and my wonderful assistant Danny Pheasey are reviewing the Focusrite Clarret 2Pre Thunderbolt interface. Danny bought this on my recommendation, based on what we talked about him wanting from an interface.
Danny's currently a Music Production student at University, so needs something of high quality for project work, but also needs something of a high enough quality to compete when he's graduated (which is coming up very soon).
The Clarett preamps are really good at this price point, and the Thunderbolt interface means that he can monitor virtual amps and vocals through effects in real-time, with 64 sample latency being no problem and a round-trip of about 4ms being ideal.
The 2Pre also has an ADAT input for another 8 channels in, so you can use this as a 10-channel interface with 4 outputs.
We test it out by firstly recording a guitar through the instrument input (and simultaneously running the live output of that channel through a Peavey 6505+ and 2x12), then we Reamp through one of the 4 outputs.
We then test with bass (turning the "Air" feature on and off), vocals (with Slate Digital FG-116 compressor for added realism, it's a common use scenario), full drumkit and the dreaded SM7B test (crank up the gain to full).
------
What gear to buy? We recommend interfaces, microphones, monitors and more at our Thomas (Europe) and Sweetwater (USA) links below
www.thomann.de/gb/thlpg_loh2r...
🍻 BUY US A BEER WITH PATREON!🍻
/ hoppolestudios
Thanks to our Patrons who made this possible - your names are at the end of the video. You make a huge difference!
📱 FOLLOW US HERE 📱
Facebook: / adamsteelproducer
Instagram: / adamsteelproducer
All links are affiliate links
#Focusrite #Clarett #MusicProduction
-
![[TEST] Focusrite Clarett+](/img/n.gif)
Thanks for the best interface review I've seen! I recently blew up my 6i6 and looking to replace. As a voiceover guy you've sold me on the Clarett! Thanks so much for a review that touched ALL aspects of the interface's applications.
These guys take a while to get started but I probably learned more about this audio interface from this video than any other. :)
You guys rock, thanks for the review!! I've been wondering about this interface for a long time (Only the 4pre instead) and this is the best in depth review with real examples I've found. I will definitely be buying one of these once they start making them again (Not available for some reason in Canada atm).
Cheers gentleman!
You guys are great. I love watching these videos.
I bought this interface for a home studio, its worked like a charm for me. I have run this on windows and mac. The interface brings the necessary cables for you to use whichever out of the box (USB-C to USB and USB-C to USB-C)
Are you sure you didn't buy the USB version? Because thunderbolt is not equivalet to USB-C.
Hi, thanks for the useful review. I actually own a Clarett 2 pre, and it works like a charm. But I was considering connecting an external mic preamp to the interface. Do you think it can technically be done and if so, would it be worth it?
Excellent presentation thanks
A year later...are you guys still happy with your Focusrite Clarett 2pre?
Just want to say that on my 2018 MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3 the unit can be powered just via the Thunderbolt 3 port
Does the Clarett store the settings internally or does it always have to be connected to the Software?
This was the best review of this Clarett baby :). I bought the Clarett 4 pre usb version and I have a question if you don’t mind. So if i plug my Guitar or Bass to my DI Box (Radial J48) and then on the front combo input of the Clarett then do i have to enable both Instrument line (Focusrite Control Software) and Phantom power? or just Phantom power? thank you mr Hop :)
Hello.. question what u think about those preamps on the interface do u think it will be best to use separate pre or the focusrite pre are good enough?
Like the UAD Apollo Duo, 2Pre has no ADAT Out. RME Babyface and BF Pro have ADAT Out which is so invaluable. I have a small table in my studio for my Laptop and an Analog Drum machine plus a small semi modular synth running through several analog pedals where I sketch out beats and synth loops. I run a long ADAT cable out of my Babyface to my main Apollo 8 where I can monitor on my main speakers.
Not sure cost wise how much adding an ADAT out would be but it would be nice to see in more compact interfaces.
You've got a point, I can only assume that rather than a cost thing, it's a business decision to get users who need more outputs to buy the 4Pre rather than the 2Pre. I also use the Babyface, and it's great, but I don't remember the last time I used the ADAT Out port, I'm guessing you're in a minority use case. When I need many outputs, it's generally in the same kind of situation where i'd want them permamently installed, like in a rack.
Are there any PAD controls for high end output pickups for bass and guitar?
"Today me and my wonderful assistant Danny Pheasey..." :)))))
Cracks me up everytime.
Haha yeah Danny’s a good man. He throws axes for a living!
:)) you guys are friendly looking.
Hey: it JUST hit me!!!
DOES THE AIR function also on the LINE-IN or just the PREamp (XLR)???
Cause I could not really see it, in the Video...
I may be wrong, but I think the "lock" LED indicator represents digital sync with the clocking
+Tony Tawfik it does indeed. It still has a Kensington Lock separately.
hi man, which better sound quality for proffesional producer, this one or saffire pro?
Recent recurring audio glitches on the iMac Pro and Macbook Pro with the
T2 chip-set prevents some professionals from doing audio work when they
are connected to interfaces by manufacturers such as Yamaha, Apogee,
Focusrite, RME, Native Instruments, and MOTU. Judging by the posts on
various boards, it appears that the USB interfaces have been most
commonly affected but some have also reported problems while using
Thunderbolt hardware. Most problems are being seen on USB connected
audio devices.
Apple is apparently aware of the problem and the issue seems to be
related to MacOS. Every time a dropout occurs, the machine is fetching
the current time from apple servers right before pausing core audio.
Some can even replicate the issue by toggling the "set date & time
automatically" option in settings with Wi-fi enabled. Yesterday it
happened right at 00:00 that's why I started to suspect the clock sync
feature. Some people have reported resolving the issue by unloading the
MacOS system time daemon, ‘timed’ but it isn’t a permanent fix as the
problem creeps back again once the system is rebooted. Other stopgap
workarounds include tweaking the settings on third-party apps to disable
the network time service.
Dawg wrote a goddamn essay.
If I'm not mistaking, in Belgium it was about 450-500 euro. The only problem I ran against lately (which has not been a problem before) is when I put the monitoring button on in reaper I can not hear myself... probably something wrong in focusrite control, I need to check that out.
Thunderbolt in mac os has an enourmous advantae of almost zero latency, no matter how many plug-ins you throw at it. Use it in windows bootcamp on the same machine and latency is through the roof! I'm very sensitive to this since I'm mainly doing vocals.
Sounds like there’s an issue with windows and thunderbolt in boot camp, but the native windows thunderbolt I’ve used has been fine.
As for not hearing monitoring, that should be exactly the same as getting any kind of playback from Reaper, so check the settings and make sure you’ve plugged the right connections in for headphones/speakers! :)
@@adamsteelproducer Strange thing is, in windows it works (albeit with enourmous lag), I can hear myself. In mac os I can not… so my guess it's a setting in the focusrite control, I ill investigate. All I do is basically use an isovox 2 vocalbooth with a lewitt 640 ts for vocals and use the 4 outputs on the back to 2 studio monitors and a subwoofer.
Is this the one you wanted me to switch out the digi003 for (in the live session)
I frickin' love my 003 :) it looks so nice in my truck, my "Furthur" studio :)
Anyway, I learned a lot about using Reaper. Cheers mate.
Haha not quite, this being only a 2-channel interface wouldn't be enough to replace an 003 - i'd be looking at something like a Clarett 8Pre or a solution like the RayDAT, depending on what it is that you'd be running, mac or pc. Thunderbolt is the way forward for mac, and PCIe for PC (until thunderbolt drivers catch up)
I just bought this interface used, and I cannot figure out the chord situation. Is there an actual chord, and not an adapter that will go from the larger connector plug in the Clarett to the smaller Thunderbolt input on my Mac?
Did you ever figure this out? I'm killing myself with this mystery
@@partrobot9064 Yes, its still confusing, but basically, there is "older Thunderbolt" which uses the block looking connector and there is USB-C which is classed within the Thunderbolt category. This product was made when Thunderbolt was newer, so it has the older "blocky" style connection, and there is also a USB-C version which is newer. You can get an adapter but I am wary of that. I also don't know if the quality is any different between the two, because apparently the older Thunderbolt connection has much faster and powerful capabilities than other similar products. Hope that helped.
Hello!..My question is that im new in macbooks so if i take 13" i5 will have problems with recording or maby mixiing with some plugins like slate digital? i mean like cpu stack? or click pop?
+DcoverZ hey! You haven't said which year the MacBook is from, it's like asking if a car will go fast because it has a petrol engine. But the short answer is you will not have problems with the slate digital plugins, they are very CPU efficient so you can use a lot before your MacBook starts to panic!
Maybe 2013 will be good?..Whats yours in video?..Cause everyone says take i7 15" so you wont hav e problems..Thats why im asking..So when i record with one lets say lexi xon reverb or slate digital reverb i wont have problem right?..And for example if i have 3 more track with some compressors and eq and maybe little tape saturation will i ahve problem?..Thanks!
If you have 2 reverbs and 3 channels you will have no problems with either. The 15' i& model is a little better, but partly because they usually come with more memory (which is important) and because they're bigger they can remove heat better, which means they don't slow down. The one we had in this video was a 2015 i5, which had no problems with the plugins until maybe a full orchestra!
I see!..Thanks so lets say 7 channels and reverb each one and some compressors?
Maybe late 2013 13" if5 with 8 gig ram?
i will have stable performance?
Also one more questions does clarett has nice wide stero iamge like audient? or its more msmall?
it has good dynamics and clean sound like duet?..Thanks!
thunderbolt can be an issue if you want an amd based pc to do your work on. But there are USB version of the clarett range too.
Newer AMD Ryzen boards are coming with thunderbolt 3 inbuilt so that’s no longer true. It used to be a licensing issue
@@adamsteelproducer I know there are some thunderbolt cards around for AM4 socket, but they are far between.
Actually Thunderbolt is not the way to go because it is not a standard all over the place, but USB is standard on all platforms. So if you want to have something that can be used on ALL PCs and Macs you must choose USB version of clarett pre.
But a user doesn’t want an interface that works for everyone’s just one that works for them
@@adamsteelproducer The most future poof way to go is to choose an interface that works for all computers. You say that thunderbolt is the way to go because of mac, USB is the best choice for all that don't know how the future is going to be. I tell what others should consider if they want to choose. As long as the clarett pre exists in both thunderbolt and USB versions, you have the choice. Even many new high end PC motherboards doesn't support thunderbolt, but all have USB 2.0 support. which is the minimum for those interfaces.
If you record, the latency doesn't affect the quality. The audio delay when monitoring will be slightly different. So you might go from 2ms to 4ms delay on a USB version of this.
But if live monitoring (which is what I always do to have compressors/VST amps/ reverbs etc on whilst tracking) is enabled, lower latencies mean the war isn’t trying to correct for timing mismatches. I always find lower latency makes for naturally better performances
Also 4ms on a USB device is highly unlikely given any heavy workload
@@adamsteelproducer For a small home studio, the exceptional low latency of usb focusrite interfaces will be more than good enough. And you don't need to monitor all the effects to be able to record new tracks. For me, thunderbolt will be overkill. But of course there might be some who wants that latency advantage of thunderbolt.
Question: Can this unit be hooked up to the computer via a regular USB port? Or, do you need a "thunderbolt" (whatever that is?) input on the computer? BTW, I am using a Lenovo "Think Pad" lap top computer with windows 10. Will it work with that?.....................Thanks
+Sapele Steve no, thunderbolt only. Not USB. Sorry.
There is Focusrite Scarlett range for connecting with USB
It is with USB now too.
Like in February or March Focusrite released the Clarett fmaily in USB versions too, so now you have the choice.
Did anyone had the experience with the USB-C to USB 2.0 cable, Clarett?
WHAT IS THE LATENCY??? Please? :)
How this is compaired with audient id22 in terms of the converters only. I know id had some isues with temperature etc. But as of audio play back quality.
Do they have discontinued the thunderbolt version? Why every store like thomann etc have the usb version only? I guess if thunderbolt is discontinued doesnt make any sense to buy it now
They did indeed discontinue the thunderbolt 2 version of the Clarett 2pre and it's now usb-c only. The reason for this is that thunderbolt 2 is being phased out for thunderbolt 3, and most people have usb-c or thunderbolt 3 ports on their computer which use the same connector. The thunderbolt 2 did have a near-zero latency, however the latency on the usb-c version is very minimal to the point that it shouldn't affect your playback.
Regarding audio playback quality, I assume you're referring to the DAC? I've also been researching this as I recently purchased the Clarett 2pre USB and have to say I'm really impressed with the sound quality. It's clean, punchy and transparent with great low end and it actually beats the Apollo Twin MKII which I also had. I've not heard the Audient ID22 but from the reviews the DAC is supposed to be excellent as they use Burr Brown converters. The only criticism I could find of the Clarett is that a few users said it has a slightly "narrow" sound stage in terms of panning. I only noticed it after playing a lot of music and listening very carefully, but once your ears adjust it's absolutely fine.
@@cun7us hey great thanks for your details. I actually end up buying a fireface 800 used, that i found on a very good deal so i guess thats awesome as well!
@@ronnizag nice! I hadn't even heard of that one. Is it good?
@@cun7us me neither, from what i heard from other people i mention here!
Which do you reckon for pc , Audient id14 or the pc version of this claret for pre amp quality and overall sound ? Thanks
I am Auto-inviting me in: Audient has Burr Down pres and Focusrite their own.
Both sided complain about Software issues, now and then, but I would pick the Focusrite, IF the latency is THAT low on USB-C/USB 2.0!
@@SocietateaAscendenta good point about the latency , I had the id14 but it went faulty , I was happy with it but seeing as I have to buy a new one I thought I would shop around first to see if I can improve on the quality.
I'm two years late and here's the ID14MKII. It has PLASTIC ins and outs which wobble around and certainly won't last long. I'm sending it back and getting a Clarett tomorrow. :/
@@matetarjanyi8168 better late than never lol , I went with the Apollo solo thunderbolt in the end and have been very happy with it .
Really good review, I learned a lot about this interface thanks to you two. Btw, besides connection what are the differences betwen the Thunderbolt and USB Claretts?
I think that’s it! Main difference is usually latency
@@adamsteelproducer Thanks dude.
can i use this on pc with thunderbolt 3?
Noooo, hell no! The whole damn thing will explode and shit.
Hop pole studios please answer my question. I have nuemann tlm 103 microphone, would this clarett 2pre interface sound good on my microphone or would you recommend another interface? Anyone feel free to answer
+Mc Muffin I have no idea. It’s a quality microphone and a good interface, but define “sound good” - your definition may be very different to mine. Are you looking for bright, dark, full, clear? It’s so hard to say without any idea what you’re aiming for. But if you have a computer with thunderbolt and a reasonable budget, it’s a quality pairing
If my nueman is a good match with the clarett should i keep the air on or off? For male vocals only.
Hop Pole Studios i want my vocals to sound full and upfront. Im using a Macbook pro 13.3 with thunder bolt
+Mc Muffin any interface would do that with the tlm103 as long as you have a pop shield and use it from very close- but the clarett may well be a good choice. As for using the air setting, again I don’t know how you intend to use the sound, or how your voice sounds. Try both and stick with the one that sounds best for your material. That’s how professional engineers work! We try things until it sounds right, and later in our careers we know in our heads what works, but only based on what we’re presented with in terms of source material and context.
Hop Pole Studios thanks for the info man! Ill definitely give the clarett a try
Hello Guys can somebody help me
I have a thunderbolt interface, but no thunderbolt port on my windows PC. How can I connect it.
Unless your very specific pc can support a thunderbolt add in card, it’s not happening. Sorry
Whoa, youre one of those stupid ones, arent you?
Cant believe you bought one without checking your shit.
In fact, cant believe you dont already know what youre running.
should I get a preamp for my Beyerdynamics DT770;s pro 250 Ohm. I have the scarlett 2i2. It doesn't put out the type of sound I want. Can someone please explain and give any examples please.
You mean a headphone amp? I would. A 2i2 isn’t really powerful enough to drive a 250 ohm set of headphones. It won’t change the sound too much though, consider that you simply might not like the sound of the headphones, or even the recordings you’re making- it’s all a learning process
@@adamsteelproducer yes headphone amp. Any suggestions/examples what I can buy please?
sorry I am dumb when it comes to this kind of stuff. I just want to get the full potential from my headphones.
I also just bought DT 770 250s and the Scarlett 2i2(3rd Gen),
but Im returning the Scarlett and getting one that actually can power my headphones.
Ive been looking at Audient's iD22 and Focusrite's Clarett 2Pre which seem to be able to do this.
There are also many other interfaces which are powered from the wall and can do the same.
Mate, I've just received my id22 a couple of days ago, and tested the headphone output against my old 2i2 2nd gen. Obviously the id22 gets my DT 990 pro 250 ohms very loud, painfully loud and unsustainable for longer listening periods. Then I switched back to the 2i2. With the knob turned to the max I was getting decent a amount of volume, and after a while I even found myself turning it down as it was starting to feel too loud. Sound was very,very similar. You'd only be able to tell the very slight differences only if you'd be listening very carefully and quickly switching between them. Other than volume, no big differences. And I've tried TH-cam, some flac albums, some Spotify premium. Perhaps a louder volume gives you a better soundstage, better dynamics Yadda Yadda.. I was left doubtful. After reading so many forums and watching so many reviews, I was convinced there would be a night and day difference. Turns out there's a lot of hype around. So I've sent my id22 back and I'm considering getting something cheaper such as a Motu M4 or even another Scarlett. Only thing I've liked about the id22 was the sound qualities of my recordings, again very subtle but it felt warmer, smoother. Hard to put such minute differences into words anyways. Hope this helps you make a sensible choice. I know I've fallen pray to gear lust and my wallet suffered as a consequence.
So I am hearing that this doesn't work with thunderbolt 3 is that true?
+Dark Sky no I don't think that's true at all. Where did you hear that from? It's a thunderbolt 1-2 interface but they're backwards compatible with an adapter
Hop Pole Studios there are a lot of reviews on Amazon saying it doesn't work with thunderbolt 3 ports
+Dark Sky amazon is hardly the place for tech-savvy reviews. I'd put a bet on that people are trying to use it with USB-C ports assuming they're thunderbolt, when that's not the case. Same connector, different protocol. It's a major issue because people assume if the cable fits then it must work
Hop Pole Studios okay I'll take your word for it. Thanks!
+Dark Sky no problem- I also just searched amazon for this model, and only found 8 5-star reviews and no issues. Are we looking at the same product? Are you in a different country to me (i.e. USA)?
my pc doesn't have thunderbolt. how can I use this? nobody says anything... anywhere..
Quite simply, if you don't have Thunderbolt, you can't use it. If you have one of the select few motherboards that supports an add-in card that's possible, but most support for TB is new laptops and macs as of now. One good reason why I personally use PCIE cards in the studio rig and not TB!
I built a custom pc for pro tools and there ARE motherboards pcs with thunderbolt 3 , I got mine working Dec 2016. You can hear the quality in my newest vids. As for "adding" on to an existing pc, then that probably won't work. But it IS working on windows. Drivers are for thunderbolt 2, but just using the apple thunder 3 to thunder 2 adaptor, and it works !!!!
Focusrite JUST dropped The Focusrite Clarett 2Pre FOR PC USERS Via Thunderbolt to USB 2.0 Conversion Connectability... I Just Bought Mine for $399.99 On Sweetwater.com :))
The Focusrite has a USB version of the Clarett interfaces which is perfectly fine for PC without thunderbolt. And it also works for MAC.
are clarett preamps as good as audient preamp?
I also want to know that answer. cant find it anywhere on the web..
I am asking that myself also.
They’re about as “good” as each other. I find the Clarett has a bit of extra brightness that doesn’t stack well in a busy mix, the Audient are more clean/neutral which means they take EQ better. It’s subtle but I prefer the Audient
Clarette have way better preamp than audient trust me those isa emulation kills audient uad rme and the list it states Clarette rival audio interface twice or more expensive the price
It’s amazing now 2018 everything is going thunderbolt. The MacBook with the Logic Pro X which seems to be killing some studios from pro tools. So there iPhone’s 10 and my canon 1D X mk 2 camera. That with my MacBook 2018 I find it kicks Toshiba pc for transfer rate and graphics quality. As I’m only doing some home recording of some blues guitar and some voice possibly a friend coming to lay some bass. I was going to ask you guys about the focusrite claret 2 pre. That I just seen your video which seemed great and the guy was using a MacBook Pro with thunderbolt and Logic. So will Prob transfer this to that. As I little confused now as in Australia and I asked some fairly quality studios about my MacBook Pro and going Logic. They said most guys that dis Mac have spent so much on pro tools as it dominated the market so charged heaps and partnered originally with PC brand audio board companies. So people that are looking into future mac and Logic Pro X are a great combo with thunderbolt 3 as they could see no latency. I’m very raw but been playing guitar for yrs. but I’m on a veterans pension with some problems from my service so my music and photography are my only things I can enjoy and keep brain going. I wanted to ask if the claret 2 would be fine with my MacBook and as my amps are tubes and getting hard to do late night stuff would you say mic my amp into the claret or due to the speed and how Logic amps and cabs have a great tone the more I see. Would rather than spending in Australia $1000 for a 5w Hughes kettner tube head and a 12 inch speaker cab. For home use as it has redbox di built in. Yet not as clean as my 65 Fender deluxe and a nice orange handbuilt 2009 limited edition in white only 340 made but for a hard sound it pumps with 2-12 in it. But it’s big money for a Practice home amp. When yeah it has di out. But few guys said the sounds using direct into there Scarlett with Logic Pro X has produced some great sounds. So o thought well spend the $580 on the new claret 2 pre thunderbolt 3 leave the Scarlett use my amps for jams and maybe one day go back on stage as ptsd sucks. But thought ask you guys. As to me it does sound like the new 2 thunder with My MacBook Pro 15 so the new chip. And use Logic as apart from a few soldiers doing some songs that one of the guys wrote like 35 words arrangements. So just needs us to play some rhythm then some lead my mate do some bass on his then we put the words. As it be for friends family and us. So the live drum tracks that come with Logic I’m impressed how well as real drummers. I was also just now told why don’t I just do late night playing into claret into Logic with my boss headphones??? Just you dumped really hard on Mac yet after watching you do the claret 2 with a MacBook and did drums bass guitar and music you seemed impressed. So kinda lost the pump I had for the channel. But if you could help a busted up soldier try save last of my savings. Either the di and a 5w amp and cab. Or claret and use my logic and use there amps and cabs and mics. As there pedals since can be mixed a little not bad. As for live I’m old school tube amps selected pedals good guitar use the tone and volume on the guitar. Ok voice mic but can upgrade next yr. but this part important to get me started. Also away from just drinking staring at walls and going crazy. As family left me and ptsd can really stuff you. So keep playing music and taking photography with my service dog seems best I can do for my limited life. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
What do you mean?
The new Macs DO NOT habe Thunderbolt anymore.
Everyone is jumping ship again...
I cannot stand this anymore :))
Grumpy Digger I’ve moved away from windows pc using Cubase for many years onto a 2018 MacBook Pro with Logic Pro X ...after the initial issue of learning the MAC way of things ie. export tracks use bounce instead and more...I find with the Mac it all just works...I downloaded 100gig (which is an option ) of sampled sounds which sound amazing, it’s easy to use and the Clarett pre USB works impeccably with the Mac and Logic Pro X
S.A. / Societatea Ascendentă my 2018 15 inch MacBook Pro does have Thunderbolt 3 and I power the Clarett pre USB via the Thunderbolt 3 port...
Funny, how much personal preferences differ. I actually would prefer this one, BECAUSE it is powered externally. You can damage your usb controller with too much power hungry devices.
You can’t damage a USB controller with a Thunderbolt device though! Also USB controllers should have current limiters
You cant damage shit.
This interface is buggy as hell on OS x. I have one, it sounds nice, but having to restart applications because they randomly lose audio is unforgivable for a £400 interface.
+qbass00 we didn't find that, and our review machine was a MacBook Pro. Could it be your apps?
No, it's a known issue, happens on a number of apps including non-music specific apps like browsers etc. Might be an El Capitan thing, who knows. Doesn't stop me from using the interface, but I'm not happy about it.
New update from Focusrite:global.focusrite.com/downloads?product=Clarett+2Pre
Couldn't watch longer than 4 mins. Painful.
Ok!