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Description

Elevate your studio and on-the-go recordings with the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface. Renowned for its pristine mic preamps, this portable powerhouse ensures your sound is captured with clarity and depth, whether you're in your bedroom studio or capturing overdubs while touring. Its standout feature, the switchable "Air Effect", breathes life into your recordings, mimicking the iconic sound of transformer-coupled circuits for that extra sparkle. With low-latency performance and a robust I/O, the Clarett 4Pre seamlessly integrates with your DAW, bringing the essence of classic recordings into your modern workflow.

Key Features:

  • Four pristine mic preamps for clear audio capture
  • Switchable "Air Effect" to emulate transformer-coupled circuits
  • Remarkable low-latency performance for efficient recording
  • Extensive analog and digital I/O for versatile connectivity

Product specs

Brand Focusrite
Model Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface
Finish Red
Year 2010s
Categories Audio Interfaces
Bit Depth 24-bit
Bus-Powered No
Compatibility Windows, macOS
Computer Connectivity Thunderbolt
Digital Input Format ADAT/Optical, S/PIDF
Digital Output Format S/PIDF
Electronics Analog, Digital, Solid State
Format Desktop Standalone
Number of Analog Inputs 8
Number of Analog Outputs 4
Number of Channels 24
Number of Digital Inputs 10
Number of Digital Outputs 2
Number of Headphone Outputs 2
Number of MIDI Inputs 1
Number of MIDI Outputs 1
Number of Mic Preamps 4
Sample Rate 192 khz

FAQs

What connectivity options does the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface offer?

The Clarett 4Pre provides Thunderbolt connectivity for fast and reliable data transfer, along with ADAT/Optical and S/PIDF digital inputs and outputs, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of digital audio equipment.

How many mic preamps are included in the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre?

The Focusrite Clarett 4Pre features four high-quality Clarett mic preamps, offering excellent sound quality and headroom for professional recording applications.

Is the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt compatible with both Windows and macOS?

Yes, the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface is compatible with both Windows and macOS, making it versatile for different studio setups.

Can the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre handle high-resolution audio recordings?

Absolutely, the Clarett 4Pre supports a sample rate of up to 192 kHz and 24-bit depth, allowing for high-resolution audio recording and playback.

Does the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre require an external power source?

Yes, the Clarett 4Pre is not bus-powered and requires an external power source to operate, ensuring stable performance and power delivery to its components.

How many headphone outputs are available on the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre?

The Focusrite Clarett 4Pre includes two headphone outputs, allowing for multiple users to monitor audio simultaneously during recording or mixing sessions.

Focusrite

Focusrite

Focusrite // Recording Solomon Grey with the Clarett 4Pre

Video thumbnail for Focusrite // Recording Solomon Grey with the Clarett 4Pre by Focusrite

Focusrite // Recording Solomon Grey with the Clarett 4Pre

Focusrite

Focusrite

Video thumbnail for Focusrite Clarett 4Pre by BoyntonProAudio

Focusrite Clarett 4Pre

BoyntonProAudio

BoyntonProAudio

Video thumbnail for Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Audio Interface Review by Sweetwater by Sweetwater

Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Audio Interface Review by Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Review - Testing Focusrite Thunderbolt Interfaces On Windows 10 by Production Expert

Review - Testing Focusrite Thunderbolt Interfaces On Windows 10

Production Expert

Production Expert

Video thumbnail for NAMM 2016 - Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface by Musician's Friend

NAMM 2016 - Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre Overview - Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface by American Musical Supply

Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre Overview - Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

American Musical Supply

American Musical Supply

Reviews

PROS

  • Thunderbolt interface ensures quick data transfer

  • Compact and portable design

  • AIR-enabled, transparent mic preamps enhance recording quality

  • Versatile with 8 inputs and up to 14 via expansion

  • Easy setup with Focusrite Control software

  • Dual headphone jacks for multi-user sessions

  • No noticeable latency in recording

  • Compatible with both old and new Macs

  • Quality build, likely to last many years

  • Plug-in bundles add value

CONS

  • Can get pretty hot during use

  • Does not sync with Logic Pro without re-plugging Thunderbolt cable

  • Does not come with a Thunderbolt cable

  • Limited compatibility with Windows PCs

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface.

User experience

  • Owners report having to crank the gain on the Clarett+ 4Pre, with some needing levels set to 8 or 9 even for condenser mics.

    Source
  • It's noted that room noise can be an issue when gain settings are high, impacting the clarity of recordings.

    Source
  • Switching sample rates between 48kHz and 44.1kHz can cause occasional delays when changing apps.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Clarett+ 4Pre offers improved DAC quality, enhancing detail, instrument separation, and stereo imaging compared to older Scarlett models.

    Source
  • The round-trip latency on the Clarett+ is reportedly not an improvement over older Scarlett models, a point of frustration for some users.

    Source
  • The Clarett 4Pre's preamp is praised for its headroom and quiet operation, providing excellent sound quality for its price.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • The Focusrite Control app is confirmed to work well on Windows, alleviating some compatibility concerns.

    Source
  • Focusrite's Thunderbolt driver ensures compatibility with Apple Silicon systems, allowing a smooth setup process on MacBook Pro M2 Max.

    Source
  • macOS Ventura 13.5.1 update has improved compatibility, eliminating clicks and pops on M1 and M2 Macs.

    Source
  • A 128 sample buffer is optimal for stability on MacBooks, utilizing performance cores rather than efficiency cores.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users on Mac report better round-trip latency on Thunderbolt Clarett models compared to PC setups, with Macs achieving under 4ms at 48kHz/64 buffer.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre Thunderbolt Review — Neil Spencer Bruce

spencerbruce.com

The Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface impresses with its stellar sound quality, versatile AIR feature, and stable low-latency performance. It's a solid choice for home studios, offering four mic preamps and dual independent headphone outputs, although it lacks certain features like a pad switch and a more detailed input level control. The reviewer is generally satisfied, despite minor gripes about missing Thunderbolt cables and limited outputs. Overall, it's a worthy investment for those prioritizing sonic clarity and functionality over a wider feature set.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mary Spender uses Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Mary Spender

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

"This is my Clarett 4Pre, which I'm very proud of. I love Focusrite, I've used them since day one, since the Scarlett 2i2 and, yeah, they're just great preamps and, again, pretty affordable for what I'm doing."

See how Neon Vines uses Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Neon Vines

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

She uses the clarett as the interface for the video.

See how Ian Hultquist uses Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Ian Hultquist

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Passion Pit

...
Verified via Focusrite

"The first attribute of the 4Pre that sold him was perhaps the most obvious: its sound. “I can really hear things more clearly than I ever had before. I was listening to “Sound & Color” by Alabama Shakes, which I’ve listened to a hundred times—and I realized that there was a synth in there that I had never heard before. It’s really interesting—when the Apogees came out, they were supposed to be the best of the best. But with the 4Pre, there’s a very noticeable improvement. It’s really a huge difference.” And he gives the thumb’s up on the unit’s Air effect, which emulates the sound of Focusrite’s classic transformer-based ISA preamps, as well. “Just yesterday, I was recording sleigh bells for something that I’m working on, and I had Air on—it sounded so open and clear. It’s really crazy!”"

See how Qrion uses Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Qrion

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Featured in this March 13, 2020 Twitter post. It is also visible in this March 23, 2020 Twitter post and this November 11, 2020 Twitter post (pictured).

March 13, 2020

I found out my sound card has two outputs... so I did silent disco with my bestie... There are so many way to have a fun at home to fight corona❤️

See how Fabiana Palladino uses Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Fabiana Palladino

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Photo

In a photographic evidence, the Focusrite Clarett+ 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface is visibly part of Fabiana Palladino's equipment rack, confirming its use by the artist in her music production setup.

See how Amir Tehrani uses Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Amir Tehrani

Singer, Composer

Sgt. Sparkle

...
Verified via Instagram

The synth, drum machine and mic are all routed through the Clarett 4Pre.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

Community setups

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Gear IQ 101

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