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Clarett 8PreX Thunderbolt Audio Interface

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Overview

Focusrite's lightning-quick Thunderbolt interface.

Are you up to Thunderbolt speed? The Focusrite Clarett Series audio interfaces can deliver. Designed for more permanent installations, the Clarett 8 Pre X combines eight newly designed Clarett mic preamps, with class-leading digital conversion and extraordinarily low round-trip latency “ so low that you can use DAW plugins while monitoring your recordings. It offers superbly low noise and distortion, plus the œAir effect that models the sound of Focusrite's renowned ISA transformer-based preamps. It also features gain controls with a special law that makes changes smoother and more natural. Complete with Focusrite's acclaimed precision conversion offering up to 119dB real-world dynamic range, theres no better “ or faster “ way of getting audio into or out of your DAW at the highest possible quality.

Remote control from iPhone or iPad
Download the free Focusrite iOS Control app and adjust cue mixes created with the Focusrite Control desktop app remotely from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.

All The Channels Your Studio Needs
26 inputs and 28 outputs within a 2U rack space, including eight 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.

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

Powerful Metering and Monitoring
Central panel helps you keep an eye “ and an ear “on analog and digital input levels, and your main monitor outputs, via a 6-segment, multichannel hardware meter. Accessible monitor features include a large-diameter level control, plus dim and mute buttons.

Dual High-power Headphone Outputs
The two wide dynamic range headphone outputs are powerful enough to deliver plenty of level, even on high impedance headphones “ perfect for both tracking and mixing.

Classic Processor Plug-ins Included
Every Clarett includes the Red 2 & Red 3 Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrites classic Red range equalizer and compressor hardware “ letting you exploit the originals famous sound, conveniently from within your audio software.

Digital Sync On-board
Clarett 8 Pre X features Word Clock I/O, enabling it to act as master for clocking multiple digital devices, or sync to word clock from an external digital device.

Free Softube Plug-ins
Focusrite Scarlett, Saffire, and Clarett audio interfaces now include three Softube plug-ins* for free. Purchase a Focusrite Scarlett, Saffire, and Clarett on or after September 1st, 2015 and you'll receive a free download copy of TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay and Saturation Knob. 

TSAR-1R: Add space, depth and width to your sound—TSAR-1R is a reverb plug-in with world class sound and extreme ease of use. With a single slider, you can take TSAR-1R from realistic and three-dimensional rooms to dramatic and dreamlike halls. 

Tube Delay: A tasty echo effect that can go from clean to rude by overdriving its three modeled tube stages. Create anything from realistic room echoes to rockabilly style slapbacks—or take it all the way into dub reggae echo madness.

Saturation Knob: Add grit and warmth to any sound source with this modeled output distortion unit. Use it to fatten up bass lines, add some harmonics and shimmer to vocals, or simply destroy your drum loop. Simply turn up the knob to add saturation, and use the three-position switch to alter the distortion character.

Free Addictive Keys License Included
The Addictive Keys virtual instrument from XLN Audio is now included for free with all Focusrite audio interfaces, and is available for existing customers as well as new customers. One full license per account enables you to choose one world-class Addictive Keys instrument, such as Modern Upright, Studio Grand, Electric Grand or Mark One. 

Now Windows Compatible
The Clarett range is now fully compatible with Windows-based computers, offering stable, reliable operation with identical functionality on both platforms. The Windows driver offers sub-3ms latency. Also provided is a Windows version of the Focusrite Control software mixer for monitoring and routing configuration.

Focusrite continues to add value to their products, long after the purchase is complete, by bringing monthly plug-in deals to customers through the Focusrite Plug-In Collective. Each month registered owners of Focusrite products will receive an exclusive code via email to unlock a free or discounted plug-in from the world’s leading plug-in companies. See the rebate PDF on this page for details on this month’s plug-in from Focusrite.

Features

  • Eight Clarett Mic preamps with extra ‘Air’
  • Intuitive, easy to use software mixer and plug-ins
  • Class-leading 24/192kHz conversion quality
  • Accessible metering and monitoring
  • Exceptional I/O capability with 26 audio inputs and 28 outputs
  • Focusrite offers a 2-year manufacturer's warranty
  • Ableton Live Lite is included as a free download
    Red 2 & 3 Plug-In Suite is included as a free download
    2GB Loopmasters Samples are included as a free download

Color some red in your rack today!

Specs

Clarett 8PreX Thunderbolt Audio Interface Specifications:

Audio Quality
  • Max bit depth: 24-bit
  • Max sampling rate: 192kHz
Inputs
  • Total inputs: 26
  • Mic preamps: 8
  • XLR/TRS combo jacks: 0
  • XLR only jacks: 8
  • 1/4 only jacks: 2 (TS unbalanced)
  • S/PDIF in: 2
  • ADAT/optical in: 16
  • RCA in: No
  • AES/EBU: No
  • MADI: No
Outputs
  • Total outputs: 28
  • XLR out: 0
  • 1/4 out: 10 (TRS balanced)
  • S/PDIF out: 2
  • ADAT/optical out: 16
  • RCA out: No
  • AES / EBU: No
  • MADI: No
Other Connectivity
  • Computer connection: Thunderbolt
  • MIDI I/O: 5-pin In/Out
  • Headphone output(s): 2
  • Word-clock I/O: Yes
Onboard Features
  • Platform compatibility: Mac 
  • Phantom power: Yes
  • Direct monitoring: Yes
  • Onboard DSP: No
  • Metering: LED meters
  • Display: No
  • Latency control: Yes
  • Monitor control: Yes
  • Headphone control: Yes
Other
  • Width: Info not available
  • Height: Info not available
  • Depth: Info not available
  • Weight: Info not available
  • Rack-mountable: Yes
  • Included software: Yes
Prop 65 Warning Icon
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Lead, which is known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
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