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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Jul 1, 2018 14:26:09 GMT -6
Hi Guys,
Just wondering if anyone has experience with the USB range of focusrite interfaces?
As I understand it the Clarett has the same driver performance as the Scarlett range.
These interfaces appear to be a good solution for a mobile rig. Occasionally I find myself in situations where thunderbolt isn't readily available and I believe an USB interface might be the solution.
Does anyone have experience with how they perform in the real world?
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Post by M57 on Jul 2, 2018 5:24:38 GMT -6
Don't know what you're looking for I/O wise, but Motu units tend to sport both USB and Thunderbolt connectivity.
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Jul 2, 2018 20:55:54 GMT -6
The 1248 interests me IO wise. But that is an extra $1000.00 over the clarett.
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Post by Guitar on Jul 3, 2018 14:45:12 GMT -6
The Clarett stuff is great. I have only had the Thunderbolt ones (almost all of them), but they are highly recommended from me.
Saffire and Scarlett are pretty dern good too, but if you want the best sound quality it's got to be the Clarett.
Unless you're a Mac user and can afford the RED and RedNet interfaces at the top of their line.
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Jul 3, 2018 18:18:43 GMT -6
The Clarett stuff is great. I have only had the Thunderbolt ones (almost all of them), but they are highly recommended from me. Saffire and Scarlett are pretty dern good too, but if you want the best sound quality it's got to be the Clarett. Unless you're a Mac user and can afford the RED and RedNet interfaces at the top of their line. Thanks for the feedback. I would only be interested in the clarett range. But as I understand it the USB drivers are the same for both devices. Do you have any experience with the Scarlett driver performance under Mac? |
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Post by Guitar on Jul 3, 2018 18:29:30 GMT -6
The Clarett stuff is great. I have only had the Thunderbolt ones (almost all of them), but they are highly recommended from me. Saffire and Scarlett are pretty dern good too, but if you want the best sound quality it's got to be the Clarett. Unless you're a Mac user and can afford the RED and RedNet interfaces at the top of their line. Thanks for the feedback. I would only be interested in the clarett range. But as I understand it the USB drivers are the same for both devices. Do you have any experience with the Scarlett driver performance under Mac? No, somehow I've managed to stay on PCs for damn near 20 years now... But I can say the Windows performance is good. |
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Post by popmann on Jul 4, 2018 13:45:13 GMT -6
After their own shootout, I wouldn't touch a Clarett range for any amount of money you paid me. They sounded terrible....IMO. Especially as you apply DSP to the signal.
Both the MOTU 828 or 16A (budget) and RME UFX+ (expensive) options are hybrid. Thunderbolt2+USB2(or 3 for the RME)....they won't require different set up in your DAW....all templates and IO presets can remain the same--change the buffer and what cable you use....done. I mention because it's something you may not have considered, but an 828 is an 828 regardless of which jack you use to the DAW. So--no reconfigured other than changing the buffer, which you'd have to do for a different computer's capabilities anyway. If you have a completely separate "mobile USB" interface, you'll have to reconfigure your DAW everytime you switch back and forth.
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Jul 5, 2018 5:11:40 GMT -6
After their own shootout, I wouldn't touch a Clarett range for any amount of money you paid me. They sounded terrible....IMO. Especially as you apply DSP to the signal. Both the MOTU 828 or 16A (budget) and RME UFX+ (expensive) options are hybrid. Thunderbolt2+USB2(or 3 for the RME)....they won't require different set up in your DAW....all templates and IO presets can remain the same--change the buffer and what cable you use....done. I mention because it's something you may not have considered, but an 828 is an 828 regardless of which jack you use to the DAW. So--no reconfigured other than changing the buffer, which you'd have to do for a different computer's capabilities anyway. If you have a completely separate "mobile USB" interface, you'll have to reconfigure your DAW everytime you switch back and forth. Cheers for your input. The new MOTU 828es looks like an interesting unit. I hadn't seen this before. It would be nice to have the same setup, in fact it would be great, however this would be a second setup so i don't have to dis-assemble my home setup everytime i do location. |
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Post by M57 on Jul 5, 2018 7:02:45 GMT -6
After their own shootout, I wouldn't touch a Clarett range for any amount of money you paid me. They sounded terrible....IMO. Especially as you apply DSP to the signal. Both the MOTU 828 or 16A (budget) and RME UFX+ (expensive) options are hybrid. Thunderbolt2+USB2(or 3 for the RME)....they won't require different set up in your DAW....all templates and IO presets can remain the same--change the buffer and what cable you use....done. I mention because it's something you may not have considered, but an 828 is an 828 regardless of which jack you use to the DAW. So--no reconfigured other than changing the buffer, which you'd have to do for a different computer's capabilities anyway. If you have a completely separate "mobile USB" interface, you'll have to reconfigure your DAW everytime you switch back and forth. Cheers for your input. The new MOTU 828es looks like an interesting unit. I hadn't seen this before. It would be nice to have the same setup, in fact it would be great, however this would be a second setup so i don't have to dis-assemble my home setup everytime i do location. Consider the Motu 624. That's what I'm considering right now. It's mobile and it has a pair of ESS pre's. Use ADAT when you need more inputs. |
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Post by popmann on Jul 5, 2018 10:25:04 GMT -6
If you functionally need it to be a separate system, then you want something with good sounding preamps. I have no experience with such. I have always preferred to have line level IO--which is what the 828 or 16A will have. Outside of MOTU and RME, no one really does (more than a few input) line level interfaces--so, from Zoom to Presonus to Steinberg to UA or whomever--they'll all have likely 8 preamps on their 8x8 units. How good they sound with your particular mics...? Anyone's guess....and lots of forum chatter bout that, because that's what everyone wants now and has for years.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,957 
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Post by ericn on Jul 5, 2018 10:37:55 GMT -6
If you functionally need it to be a separate system, then you want something with good sounding preamps. I have no experience with such. I have always preferred to have line level IO--which is what the 828 or 16A will have. Outside of MOTU and RME, no one really does (more than a few input) line level interfaces--so, from Zoom to Presonus to Steinberg to UA or whomever--they'll all have likely 8 preamps on their 8x8 units. How good they sound with your particular mics...? Anyone's guess....and lots of forum chatter bout that, because that's what everyone wants now and has for years. Yeah most modern interfaces are designed to win the online features comarrison sheet wars rather than a sonic shootout. If I had to an interface with pre’s I would probably go Metric Halo. Otherwise the line level MOTU with the Sabre chips are hard to beat without spending a lot more $. |
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Post by Guitar on Jul 5, 2018 10:48:48 GMT -6
The Clarett 4Pre has 4 line inputs, and 4 preamp inputs. As well as SPDIF and ADAT, MIDI. Tons of options, which is why I'm using it as my compact B-rig interface for now.
If I need fancy pres I will grab my lunchbox.
My Presonus Quantum also has "True" line inputs. They are selectable on the front panel between mic, line, and instrument (on 1 and 2.) When you select line input the preamp is completely bypassed.
Now that you mention it, true line inputs are a big selling point for me, as I generally prefer to work that way.
I'd probably say the Presonus Xmax pres are going to win over the Clarett mic pres if you put them in a shootout. In my limited testing they just sound a little clear-er.
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