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3. Audio Interface

Focusrite Control
Focusrite Control is the software control interface for Focusrite Audio Interfaces, including the Clarett 8Pre. It is used to set the internal routing and recording parameters of the hardware device, as well as input settings. You must install Focusrite Control before connecting to the Clarett 8Pre.

Note:  The desktop Scarlett 6i6 interface is 1st Gen, so must be configured using Scarlett Mix Control as opposed to Focusrite Control.  

There is a known bug in older versions of OSX where the Focusrite Thunderbolt device isn't recognised unless Focusrite Control is open. If this affects your laptop run Focusrite Control in the background. 

Incorrect settings within Focusrite Control can cause major problems with audio input and output. If you're having issues with audio playback, check that none of the output routings are set to 'Custom Mix'. Output 1-2 should be set to 'Playback 1-2', Output 3-4 to 'Playback 3-4' and so on. Check also that the clock source is set to 'Internal' and that there is no sample rate discrepancy between the interface and your software or any external hardware. See included screenshots for reference.  


Focusrite Clarett 8Pre 
The Focusrite Clarett 8Pre is an 18x20 Thunderbolt Audio Interface, equipped with 24-bit, 192kHz converters, capable of a round-trip latency of 1.67ms. It has eight built in Mic/Line preamps, the first two of which are mounted on the front panel, and double as instrument level inputs. The remaining six analogue inputs are accessible via the patch bay; the normalled connections are from 'Booth Tie Lines' 11-16.

Input and output gain can be adjusted using the row of dials on the front panel, or via Focusrite Control, as can 48v Phantom Power. Air Mode can be switched on and off for each channel via Focusrite Control.

Basic MIDI I/O) is available via the ports on the rear panel. The Yamaha Clavinova is connected permanently, so can be used to input MIDI data with no need for extra peripherals. The MIDI output is unused.
   

Audio Inputs:

 1-2 Analogue Switchable Mic/Line/Instrument Front 
 3-8 Analogue Switchable Mic/Line Rear See 'Focusrite Clarett Inputs' on patch bay
 9-12 Digital S/PDIF Rear Unused
 13-20* Digital ADAT Rear Connected to Focusrite ISA 828 Channels 1-8

*8 audio inputs via ADAT available at 44.1/48 kHz, four at 88.2/96 kHz or two at 176.4/192 kHz (as per SMUX protocol).


Audio Outputs:

 1-2 Analogue Line Level Rear Hardwired to Mackie Big Knob 'DAW Input'
 3-10 Analogue Line Level Rear See 'Focusrite Clarett Outputs' on patch bay
 11-12 Digital S/PDIF Rear Unused
 13-20 Digital ADAT Rear Unused



Focusrite Scarlett 6i6

The Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 (first gen) is a 6x6 USB 2.0 Audio Interface, equipped with 24bit 96Khz converters. It has two built in Mic/Line/Instrument pre-amps accessible via Combi XLR sockets on the front panel, and two further line amps accessible via 1/4" TRS Jacks on the rear. The final two (digital) inputs are via S/PDIF. There are four analogue outputs on 1/4" TRS Jacks at the rear, which are mirrored by two separate stereo headphone outputs on the front panel.   

Note: The Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 is not bus powered, and must be powered via 12v DC adapter.


Audio Inputs:

 1-2 Analogue Switchable Mic/Line/Instrument Front XLR Combi
 3-4 Analogue Line Rear 1/4" TRS Jack
 5-6 Digital S/PDIF Rear RCA


Audio Outputs:

 1-4 Analogue Line Level Rear 1/4" TRS Jack
 5-6 Digital S/PDIF Rear RCA


Focusrite ISA 828 Preamplifier
The ISA 828 is an eight-channel microphone preamplifier, used to amplify microphone, line-level, or instrument sources. Microphones and line-level sources for all eight inputs are connected via the patch bay (normalled connections from 'Booth Tie Lines' 1-8), whilst instruments must be plugged directly into the front panel (inputs 1-4 only). The front panel also features level controls and other settings such as phantom power and impedance for each of the eight analogue inputs. LED metering is provided on each channel. Note: It is a known fault on this unit that the LED meters are intermittent - don't be alarmed if there is no visual indication of your input signal. 

The ISA 828 amplifiers are of a much higher quality than those installed in the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre. They reproduce frequencies more accurately, have a greater signal to noise ratio, and are able to capture accurately frequencies beyond the range of human hearing (+-3dB over 110kHz). It is recommended that you use these preamplifiers for recording. 

The eight analogue outputs are accessible via the patch bay, however the ISA 828 is also equipped with high quality analogue-digital converters, allowing us to transmit 8 channels of digital audio to a computer or recording device via ADAT. As detailed in the above description, channels 1-8 of the ISA 828 are routed to input channels 13-20 of the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre. In most situations you will want to record the output of the ISA 828 using the ADAT inputs (ch. 13-20) of the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre. Unless you're clear in your reasoning for using the analogue outputs via the patch bay, use the digital connection instead. 

Before monitoring the input signal in your DAW, ensure that the sample rate selected on the right hand side of the front panel matches the sample rate selected in your audio preferences and in Focusrite Control. Ensure also that both the 'Lock' and 'Word Clock' LEDs are illuminated. Non-identical sample rates may result in the ISA 828 transmitting eight-channels of pure white noise @ 0dB - This could do serious damage to the monitoring equipment (and your hearing!)  



Unitor AMT8 MIDI Interface
The Unitor AMT8 is an 8x8 MIDI interface. The first in/out pair is mounted on the front panel, and the remaining seven pairs are mounted on the rear of the unit. The Unitor AMT8 connects via USB to the Belkin Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock, thus can be used alongside either the studio Mac Mini or an external Thunderbolt device (eg. laptop). Should you need more than one in/out pair, contact Seth for access to the rear of the unit.

Unitor AMT8 is compatible with OSX / macOS and Windows XP only.
Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL Headphone Amplifier
The Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL is a 4-Channel Headphone Amplifier. In its current configuration a stereo input is routed to all four channels, the outputs of which are duplicated, allowing the user to connect up to eight pairs of headphones (controllable in pairs).

The stereo input is accessible via the patch bay; its normalled connection is the 'Phones Out' output on the Mackie Big Knob. The eight outputs are accessible individually via the patch bay and have normalled connections to 'Booth Jacks' 1-8. Thus without any need for patching, the Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL amplifies the signal it receives from the Mackie Big Knob, and outputs the amplified signal to jack sockets 1-8 in the recording booth.

Controls mounted on the front panel allow the user to set the input and output gain, as well as muting the left / right channels, and adjusting the EQ. It is also possible to connect individual inputs to each of the four channels by connecting a 1/4" TRS Jack to the Aux In. This allows, for example, individual headphone mixes to be created for a group of recording musicians, though this does require some complex hardware/software routing. For further information contact Seth.   

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