Focusrite Scarlett Solo Video Review

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB audio interface stands as an entry point into the Scarlette ecosystem, coming at just around $100.

But the price point doesn’t take away the quality and in this Scarlett Solo review, we’ll go over what you get with this nice little package. To start with, the build quality is amazing. Even though it is the cheapest interface in the series, Focusrite Scarlett Solo specs are rather similar to the 2i2 or any of the other, more expensive offerings. The body is an anodized aluminum shell with amazing, professional-feeling knobs and buttons that are placed as solid as they can be.

The build quality is definitely a 10 out of 10. But there are some drawbacks that come with the size, the monitor volume combines the headphone and speaker outputs, meaning you can’t really control it separately, but as soon as we go down, we go back up, this small interface even adds direct monitoring functionality, with amazing latency.

It’s a USB-C interface and gets powered by that connection alone also powering the phantom power for the microphone input and as well as the more expensive offerings it includes an air switch that brings more character to the preamp, which by istelf is wonderful. It’s a very compact, robust interface that’s great for travel.

Just like mentioned before, the focusrite scarlett solo usb audio interface is the cheapest offering from Focusrite, coming at $100, which is a decent chunck of changed shaved off of the second cheapests offering the Scarlett 2i2, which is more towards the $150 mark and if you want to save even more money, you can get the 2nd gen focusrite solo interface for around $80.

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A great deal! But it could be argued that $100 is still quite a bit of money for an interface, that only offers a few inputs when you can find a similar offering for cheaper or offering with more ports for the same price.

But that’s not why focusrite scarlett solo interface is great, it’s the fact that for a $100 you’re getting a premium product for just the fraction of price. It shouldn’t be seen as interface you buy for a home studio, but an interface you buy for traveling – something you just throw into your backpack and get on going.

We do a lot of interface reviews and we have to say, this has to be one of the most durable little audio interfaces out there. It is cheap, it is compact and it is built like a tank – which comes with every Focusrite interface, but to have it on their budget option is just wonderful.

Scarlett audio interface solo stands to be a great option for anyone who is looking for a new compact interface as the focusrite scarlett solo phantom power capabilities, size and quality is just hard to beat. We definetly like this scarlett solo audio interface and will use it many more times in the future. All the road trips are looking to be quite promising!

Focusrite is know for their high quality product, including options for hobbists, amateurs and industry professionals.

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The scarlett solo audio interface is just the first step in the wonderful world that the Focusrite has crafted, anything from USB audio interfaces to Synths, Keys, Apps and much much more. And we hope you’ve enjoyed our scarlett solo audio interface review and if you did, let us know what else should we review from what Focusrite offers?

And better off, why not check it out right this moment?! As our youtube channel already includes many products from both under the Scarlett series and the Novation series, so feel free to check out our channel for more videos.

Plugin Alliance is proud to announce the availability of the new MEGA Bundle Subscription Services. The MEGA Bundle is the new gold standard for subscription-based plugin-bundles, offering an impressive collection of 100+ plugins from 28 Alliance brands including SSL, Ampeg, Brainworx, Focusrite and many more.

I use in my daily workflow several Plugin Alliances plugins, they part of my Top 5 Plugin and Effect companies. Well worth to check their product line and start using either the subscription or single plugins. See also our Brainworx bx_console SSL 4000 E Review – an SSL console Emulation by Plugin Alliance, bx_masterdesk Review – Mastering for All and Complete Mastering Chain by Brainworx, bx_oberhausen Review – a Famous Iconic Synthesizers Emulation by Brainworx, SpecOps Review – Spectral Effects Processing by Unfiltered Audio, and BYOME Review – Build Your Own Modular Effect by Unfiltered Audio.

MEGA Bundle

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Pricing and Availability

From Q4 on, the MEGA Bundle will be available for $24.99 per month.
But as of today, prepaid annual plans (1 Year Auto-Renewal) are being offered for $249.99 per year, which is a 17% saving over the month-to-month price. ($24.99 x 12 = $299.88 per year // Prepaid Annual plan = $249.99 per year)

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Clarett 8Pre USB is Focusrite’s USB Flagship Audio Interface

With the Clarett 8Pre USB, Focusrite introduced into the market an audio interface with USB support and extraordinary quality at an attractive price tag. We also did look at the Clarett 8PreX see for the full report Clarett 8PreX by Focusrite – a Thunderbolt Audio Interface Review.

The USB Interface Clarett 8Pre USB offers 18 inputs and 20 outputs. 8Pre USB is an audio interface, excellent for a semi-professional or professional studio. Focusrite did send a review unit with no strings attached.

The Clarett 8Pre USB as an audio interface connects microphones, instruments, line-level audio signals and digital audio signals to a MAC or PC through the computer’s USB port. Dynamic inputs signals are routed to your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and the outputs from the DAW are configured as the unit’s physical outputs.

In conjunction with the Focusrite Control application, you now have a highly versatile and professional solution for routing high-quality audio to and from your DAW. You can route and set levels, pull in the different features like AIR and define the type of the input. Additionally, the Focusrite Control application allows for easy integration with other audio software and hardware, making it a comprehensive tool for audio professionals. With its intuitive interface and extensive features, it is a valuable addition to any studio setup. For a more in-depth understanding of its capabilities, be sure to check out the Soundminer v4.5pro review for additional insights on how it can enhance your audio workflow.

Installation

On a MAC the installation is easy, you need to install the Focusrite software tool, reboot your MAC and the device works with your MAC computer. I did see the issue where the Focusrite software tool called Focusrite Control on my MAC did only see the device after a reboot.

Sound

Clarett 8Pre USB, one of Focusrite acknowledged USB audio interfaces including high-quality Clarett analog pre-amplifiers with the excellent AIR function.

Clarett 8Pre USB extends an outstanding sounding interface with eight mic preamps eight outputs. The unit supports a 118dB dynamic range, low noise, precision 24-bit/192kHz resolution and mic preamps with an analog Air effect. The used Preamps are fabulous and very clean and do not add any character. The unit offers low latency, you can only get a lower round trip with the Clarett 8PreX. While testing latency was never an issue.

Preamps

The preamp sounds incredible, why is that significant you ask? With other budget audio interfaces, you could have the issue that the preamps are less clear or they run into issues with increased gain. The sound quality of the high-end converters in this unit is absolutely surprisingly impressive. The quality of the stereo output of the audio interface is as good as anything I’ve heard. The quality of the converters on the Clarett is just amazing you can certainly hear it.

USB

USB support is a common interface standard for both Windows and MAC. USB is a so-called save bet when you are on Windows and do not have a Thunderbolt Interface. If you do have a Thunderbolt you should strongly consider Clarett 8PreX as an alternative model.

AIR

The AIR feature adds that Airy mid-high presence. Without AIR enabled, the preamps are clear and neutral. When you enable the AIR feature so you can truly hear the difference. You can enable AIR individually on each channel. Independently selectable on an input channel, AIR alters the pre-amp’s frequency response to model the impedance and resonance characteristics of Focusrite’s classic transformer-based ISA mic preamps.

Clock and Midi

You can easily synchronize Clarett 8Pre USB with other audio equipment in your studio. The device can work both as a slave to an external clock signal or as the master clock source. With the MIDI Interface, you can play in your DAW on your keyboard and route the MIDI signal to a vintage synth or directly into your Eurorack. Additionally, the Clarett 8Pre USB comes with high-quality AD/DA converters and low noise microphone preamps, ensuring pristine audio quality in your recordings. Its compatibility with various audio equipment and its flexible clocking options make it a versatile and reliable tool for any studio setup. Furthermore, with its seamless integration with MIDI devices, such as the Arturia Keystep Pro, you can easily incorporate hardware synths and controllers into your workflow, enhancing your creative possibilities. If you’re interested in learning more about MIDI controllers like the Arturia Keystep Pro, be sure to check out the “arturia keystep pro review” for an in-depth look at its features and performance.

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Future Proof and Support

When you buy an audio interface you need to be ready for the next years and OS releases to come. Focusrite has an excellent record in supporting Windows and MAC users over the years. MAC is less of an issue as you do not need special software like on Windows. The audio interface is built for professionals and shows that in the support from Focusrite.

Software Tool

I set up the signal routing with the included software tool on a MAC OS computer. Routing sound and signals are comfortable with the Focusrite software. If you do come from an audio interface with fewer inputs and outputs you change the way you process audio. As you do have access to plenty of I/Os you can permanently connect for example a compressor or other hardware units and just route when needed the sound through those units. I use different available inputs to capture dry and wet signals. For example, from Eurorack, Effect Pedals, and Synths. All recorded tracks could then be easier mixed before mastering. Audio like mics, instruments, audio signal, Eurorack or Pedals are recorded into your DAW and then played back from there through speakers and headphones.

Rating:  Five Out of Five Stars

Clarett 8Pre USB is the best value USB audio interface money can buy. This Audio Interface completely sounds transcendent, undoubtedly exceeding other interfaces in the same league. The audio quality of these preamps/converters is unmatched and for the price of the unit. When I enabled Air, it did add a bit of glow and vibe.

The Clarett 8PreX has become my new go-to audio interface in my studio. The device captures sounds from my Eurorack, AE Modular, DAW, Synths, and Pedals. I can easily route the sound through my hardware effects units when needed. When recording video the inputs are really needed as we tent to add mics on top. If you do prefer USB over Thunderbolt the Clarett 8Pre USB is the ideal alternative.