There will surely come a time when we no longer use ADAT Lightpipe cables as a digital signal carry method. Until that day, the ADAT protocol seemingly remains the preeminent affordable and painless way to upgrade many project studio interfacesā I/O count. Though in the box mixing and overdub-style record production is certainly commonplace ā perhaps curbing the need for higher count interfacing ā many of us still track live ensembles (bands). Iām not rich, and Iāve grown fond of my āeconomy classā 8-channel interface with DSP that lives in my mix room / project studio. It still works perfectly, is well maintained, remains compatible with newer operating systems, and is paid off. Unfortunately, last time I checked, I couldnāt get a fair trade-in for my ā2018 8-channel sedanā towards a brand new ā16-channel pick-up truck.ā So, now Iāve got to buy a good ā8-channel trailerā to haul 16 tracks back and forth to my computer. Enter FocusriteāsClarett+ OctoPre ADAT preamp(and interface expander), which, in addition to providing 8-channels of S/MUX (24-bit/96 kHz) ADAT expansion with analog I/O, adds eight surprisingly good, built-in preamps for your tracking needs.
TheClarett+ OctoPremarks the fourth iteration of the OctoPre [Tape Op#82] lineage that weāve reviewed, which should attest to both its utility and popularity among project studio users. With each new version of theOctoPre, Focusrite claims to have improved the analog path, converters, dynamic range, and frequency response ā while upping the preampsā quality and lowering its THD. In addition, thisClarett+ OctoPreoffers an Air preamp mode that mimics the sound of Focusriteās ISA 110 preampās analog sheen. Though Iāve never owned anOctoPre, I was impressed withClarett+āsoverall conversion quality (that met or beat my current interfaceās response).
TheClarett+ OctoPreāsslim single space red chassis will stand out in almost any rack. Two female XLR combo jacks are located on the faceplate for easy input access to channels 1 and 2. Both channels work as true JFET instrument DIs, mic inputs, or line inputs. There are gain knobs for each of theClarett+āseight channels with switchable 48V phantom power in groups of 1-4 and 5-8. Each channel pot is accompanied by an input overload warning light ā pay attention to these while tracking! Below each channelās volume knob are selectable dual mode Insert/Air switches. The six-segment, 8-channel LED meter displays converter level and lives next to Insert and Air primary mode switches. Power, Sync, Sample Rate, and ADAT mode switches (accompanied by LED indicators) round out the faceplate controls.
Rear panel I/O accommodates up to 8-channels of ADAT connectivity with two jacks each for input and output (configurable according to sample rate). Ye olde word clock BNC jacks for I/O were a welcome sight; though the ADAT protocol can carry word clock signal, I prefer the flexibility to loop my clocking through all interfaces to a standalone primary clock. Thatās as nerdy as Iāll get for this review, but Iām thankful for the option here. Analog line outputs pass through a single female DB-25 jack. Rear panel mic/line inputs for channels 3 through 8 are handled via female XLR combo jacks. TRS line inserts for channels 1 through 8 round out theClarett+ OctoPreāsI/O.
Admittedly, I donāt do much tracking in my project studio, so my primary use for theClarett+ OctoPrewas for the conversion and analog I/O. Because line inputs for channels 1 and 2 are located on the front panel, this wasnāt a plug-and-play solution for my purposes (or my patchbay). However, at this price and quality, the benefits far outweigh any limitations ā and I was able to get around the jacksā physical location with some tie line trickery. Once configured for my mixing needs, I couldnāt have been happier with theClarett+ OctoPreāsperformance. Note: the ADAT, send (at the insert), and line outputs are always active, which opens up opportunities for splitting the signal to different sources. Check Focusriteās website for more on this.
Focusrite seems to be pushing theClarett+ OctoPreas the perfect solution for drum tracking. I cannot disagree with their market research in fulfilling that project studio need ā itās readily apparent that this unit was designed primarily for tracking. So, for my testing, we put the family band back together, with yours truly on drums while the neighbors were out of town for the holidays. From a project studio/remote perspective, I found theClarett+ OctoPreāspreamps were incredibly handy in a full band, 16-channel (combined with my interface) 24-bit/96 kHz tracking scenario ā and I was totally digging the high end shelving Air mode option nearly every source I recorded. I wouldāve liked to have had hi-pass options with the pres, and a phase invert for my bottom snare head wouldāve been nice, but it was in no way a deal killer; all in all, an excellent clean capture on drums, vocals, acoustic guitar, bass DI, and keyboard overdubs. Yes, Iāve got fancy outboard pres, but for those just beginning to expand their limited-channel recording or remote rig on a tight budget, theClarett+ OctoPrewill get you there with keepers suitable for release.
(focusrite.com; $799 street Buy From Sweetwater! -SM