Focusrite
Summary
Abstract
Focusrite is a British audio interface manufacturer offering a range from entry-level (Scarlett) to professional (Clarett, RedNet) lines. The community regards Focusrite as having dramatically improved their converter and preamp quality in recent generations, with the Gen 4 Scarlett and Clarett+ earning particular praise for punching well above their price class. Multiple members have noted that Focusrite conversion rivals or beats the UA Apollo at a fraction of the cost.
Key Characteristics
- Dramatically improved recent generations — the Gen 4 Scarlett and Clarett+ represent a significant leap in converter and preamp quality compared to models from 5+ years ago
- Clarett+ preamps described as clearer than Apollo x4 — multiple users reported the mic sounding more “direct” on the Clarett vs. “muffled” on the Apollo
- Gen 4 Scarlett converters practically identical to Clarett — according to a Focusrite insider, conversion performance is now very close between the two lines
- Clarett+ 2Pre is bus-powered via USB-C — no external power supply needed, making it highly portable
- Dedicated line inputs on the Clarett — unlike the Apollo x4, you get separate line ins that bypass the preamp circuit entirely
- Chip choice is not the whole story — community consensus is that implementation matters far more than the specific converter chips used (CS5381 in Scarlett vs. CS43198 in Clarett)
- RedNet line for Dante-based studio networking — professional tier for larger installations
Use Cases
- Budget-conscious mixing rigs — the Clarett+ offers competitive conversion at roughly half the cost of an Apollo x4
- Mobile/portable recording — bus-powered Clarett+ 2Pre is compact and requires no outlet
- Writing/production rigs — the Focusrite 1820 praised as a solid workhorse for writing setups with 8 combo jacks
- Stepping up from entry-level — Gen 4 Scarlett provides remarkable performance for around $200
- Pairing with external preamps — the Clarett’s dedicated line inputs make integrating outboard gear cleaner
Comparable Alternatives
| Interface | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Audio Apollo | 3,500 | More expensive; DSP processing is the main draw, but conversion may not be better |
| RME | 2,500 | Better drivers and lower latency; community gold standard for reliability |
| Audient | 1,200 | Similar price class; praised for insert send/return loops |
| PreSonus | 800 | Quantum series competitive on speed and conversion |
| SSL Alpha 8 | 700 | Good if you do not need preamps and already have a monitor controller |
Common Mistakes
- Assuming chip specs determine sound quality — the same converter chip can sound wildly different depending on implementation; one member noted two DACs with identical chipsets where one was “fantastic” and the other “complete dogshit unlistenable”
- Overlooking the Gen 4 Scarlett — many assume you must buy the Clarett for quality conversion, but the newest Scarlett is remarkably close
- Not committing UAD DSP plugins before switching — if migrating from Apollo, make sure to print any DSP-dependent plugin chains first
See Also
Source Discussions
Community Insights
“Both the conversion and preamps feel clearer on my Focusrite Clarett+ 2pre than what I have with the Apollo x4. As in the mic sounds more muffled on the Apollo and more ‘direct’ with the Clarett.” — Maxim
“Just hit my Focusrite guy up. This is wild. Sonically, the new Scarlett is practically identical to the Clarett.” — community member
“Focusrite has REALLY stepped up their game from where they were 5 years ago.” — itMIGHTbeNICK
“The gen 4 Scarlett is extremely impressive for the price point.” — community member
“I’ve liked my Focusrite 1820 for my writing rig.” — Rollmottle