Focusrite Clarett 8Pre

^# 15

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$440.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (25)

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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1 community setup

5 wishlisted

67 saved

Page last updated Jun 15, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 15, 2026.

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5.0 (6)

$440.00 2 available Used

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Average Price: $920

High-end/Boutique

$150

$501+

Price Tier

In the Audio Interfaces category, Focusrite Clarett 8Pre is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Focusrite Clarett 8Pre". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 3, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the power of pristine audio with the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre, your ultimate tool for studio and mobile recording. This audio interface is designed to meet the needs of both seasoned professionals and aspiring musicians, providing a seamless blend of performance and flexibility. With its eight Clarett mic preamps outfitted with Focusrite's proprietary Air feature, the Clarett 8Pre breathes life into your recordings, offering an ISA transformer-based mic preamp clarity that is truly remarkable.

Thanks to its Thunderbolt connectivity, the Clarett 8Pre ensures ultra-low latency, allowing you to record and monitor with your favorite DAW plug-ins in real time without the need for additional processing. Coupled with Focusrite's class-leading 24-bit/192kHz conversion and up to 119dB of dynamic range, this interface delivers stunning sound clarity whether you're tracking vocals, instruments, or both.

The Clarett 8Pre is not just about sound quality; it's also about versatility. With 18 inputs and 20 outputs, including analog, S/PDIF, and ADAT I/O, this interface adapts to any recording scenario. The two front-panel mic/line/instrument inputs make it easy to connect and capture inspiration on the fly, while the intuitive Focusrite Control software simplifies your monitoring and routing setups. Whether you're working in a high-end studio or a mobile recording environment, the Clarett 8Pre is your gateway to professional-grade audio production.

Key Features:

8 Clarett mic preamps with Focusrite's proprietary Air feature
Thunderbolt connectivity for ultra-low latency
18 inputs and 20 outputs, including analog, S/PDIF, and ADAT I/O
Class-leading 24-bit/192kHz conversion with up to 119dB dynamic range
Two front-panel mic/line/instrument inputs
Includes Focusrite's Classic Red 2 and Red 3 plug-in suite
Intuitive Focusrite Control software for easy monitoring and routing setups
Word clock output for syncing external digital devices
6-segment, multichannel LED meter for monitoring levels

Product specs

Brand	Focusrite
Model	Clarett 8Pre USB Audio Interface
Finish	Red
Year	2010s
Categories	Audio Interfaces
Bit Depth	24-bit
Bus-Powered	No
Compatibility	Windows, macOS
Computer Connectivity	USB
Digital Input Format	ADAT/Optical, S/PIDF
Digital Output Format	ADAT/Optical, S/PIDF
Electronics	Analog, Digital, Solid State
Format	19-inch Rackmount
Number of Analog Inputs	8
Number of Analog Outputs	10
Number of Channels	38
Number of Digital Inputs	10
Number of Digital Outputs	10
Number of Headphone Outputs	2
Number of MIDI Inputs	1
Number of MIDI Outputs	1
Number of Mic Preamps	8
Sample Rate	192 khz
Simultaneous I/O	18 x 20

FAQs

What are the main connectivity options for the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre?: The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre offers USB connectivity, with digital input and output formats including ADAT/Optical and S/PIDF. It also features MIDI I/O for additional integration with other MIDI devices.
Is the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre compatible with both Windows and macOS?: Yes, the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre is compatible with both Windows and macOS, making it versatile for various studio setups.
How many mic preamps does the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre have?: The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre includes eight specially-designed mic preamps, providing ample input options for recording multiple microphones simultaneously.
Does the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre support high sample rates for recording?: Yes, the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre supports sample rates up to 192 kHz, allowing for high-resolution audio recording.
Can the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre be used without a computer?: The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre can function in standalone mode, allowing you to use it as a mic preamp or converter without needing a computer.

Videos

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Focusrite

Focusrite // The Clarett 8 Pre USB with Kill The Ideal

Focusrite

Review Of The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre - Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Production Expert

Focusrite // Getting Started with Clarett 8Pre - Video 5 - Expanding via ADAT

Focusrite

Focusrite // Clarett 8Pre - Recording Seryn

Focusrite

Focusrite Clarett 2Pre & 8Pre USB Audio Interfaces - Expert Review

Production Expert

Focusrite Clarett 8Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface Review by Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Setting Up Your Audio Interface | Focusrite Clarett 8Pre

Karl Golden Music Teacher

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Focusrite Clarett 8Pre.

Comparisons

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The Clarett 8Pre's DAC offers a clearer sound with more definition compared to the Scarlett 18i20, particularly noticeable when recording synths through line inputs.
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The MOTU Ultralite is considered a viable alternative to Clarett, offering lower latency drivers and a different I/O configuration at a competitive price point.
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Features and functionality

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Clarett's preamps can be used to add character to recordings, with some users noting an "airiness" when engaging the AIR setting on certain patches.
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The Clarett 8Pre can be set in standalone mode to function as an ADAT slave, officially supported by Focusrite for expanding input options.
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Use cases and applications

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Clarett's preamps are beneficial for users with quieter synth patches, allowing gain boosts without adjusting mixer faders during recording.
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Clarett 8Pre can replace an OctoPre when used as an ADAT device to add additional inputs to interfaces like the RME Fireface UFX+.
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User experience

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Some users find a subtle improvement in sound quality when upgrading to Clarett, with cleaner and thicker audio output for synths like the OB-6.
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Some users find 8-8.5ms roundtrip latency sluggish for tracking vocals on M1 MBP at 48k/32 samples, suggesting sensitivity to latency might impact usability without further configuration.
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Software and compatibility

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Clarett shares the same drivers as Scarlett, noted for significant improvement over the past few years, though not on par with RME's renowned low latency drivers.
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Achieving around 8ms roundtrip latency at 48k/64 samples on an M1 MacBook Pro with Neural DSP and e-drums through Kontakt, allowing for real-time monitoring without direct monitoring.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 25 Ratings

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sammyalper

236

almost 10 years ago

High Quality Thunderbolt Interface

Given the price and speed (sub 2ms roundtrip) of this interface, it's a great package. Nice touches include the air function which opens any signal up (make sure that line trs is balanced!) as well as midi i/o. Included software isn't bad either.