Any multichannel audio interface hooked up to some extra pres is crying out to be used on a band session. We get the job done with some of Focusrite’s red boxes to see how they stack up…
When it comes to multichannel audio interfaces, we are certainly spoiled for choice. With new devices getting better by the year, what, if anything, can make one unit better than another for band tracking duties? If competent audio performance is already a given quality among competing products, the engineer must then choose based upon more practical metrics.
What Makes A Good Band Tracking Interface?
When choosing a box for this task, a few considerations spring to mind. These will include things like connectivity, but also the important ergonomic factors such as its software that is going to be working in concert with the interface.
Connectivity Perhaps the most obvious consideration is how many inputs and outputs will be needed, and what format(s) they should be. Most would agree that when it comes to any multichannel work, the correct number is “more”! For a typical band, analogue input is the priority, with even a basic channel count quickly outgrowing eight mic inputs. The average 8 X 8 will also afford a good handful of stereo cue mixes at the other end.
Ergonomics In the mixer-less studio, the whole operation depends on software that is intuitive and fit-for-purpose. In a band-tracking scenario, the headphone requests come thick and fast, so the ability to set up mixes with ease is essential, aided by a clear, uncluttered GUI that just works. Being able to name inputs and outputs to correspond with DAW naming will be a big boost to workflow, as will shortcuts for things like faders to minus infinity or unity, etc.
Stability None of the above apply unless the unit is stable and dependable in use. Anyone who has been let down by peripheral gear during a session will understand the importance of absolute dependability. Dealing with problems in your own time is bad enough, but doing it with a paying audience is always worse by a long way…
Expansion Needs change. Most 8 X 8’s offer expandability of inputs at the very least, often coming in the form of SPDIF, AES, Dante or ADAT digital I/O. On this latter point, the more capable interface will land with extra ADAT connectivity, ensuring full channel counts even at higher sample rates.
Clarett+ 8Pre
Focusrite, one of the most familiar names on the market, are the makers of the familiar red boxes that seem to get just about everywhere. As well as the professional range of RedNet boxes, the company is just as well known for the products that have helped drive the independent studio revolution with their Scarlett and Clarett ranges. With the dust settling on last year’s Clarett+ refresh replacing the old Clarett USB line, we decided to take a rig out to put its improved audio specs through their paces. This comprised the Clarett+ 8Pre, as well as its natural partner, the Clarett+ Octopre.
Listen how we put the rig to work in a live tracking session, including the 8Pre’s Air circuitry on every channel. This is Focusrite’s proprietary technology that brings relay-controlled analogue circuitry on every preamp to emulate the Focusrite ISA 110. This switches the impedance to 2.2kΩ and adds two cumulative high shelves, totalling a 4dB boost in the high frequencies.
The example below was another take, with Air disengaged on all inputs. All other mix processing was left for comparison with the previous take with Air.
Deciding On A Rig
Gong to back to what makes a suitable band tracking interface, the Clarett+ 8Pre in conjunction with the Clarett+ Octopre does tick quite a few boxes. We see a lot of this type of box, but the ones that seem to have the biggest foothold on the market are those that ditch many of the bells and whistles, and concentrate on the things that actually matter.
Is the Clarett+ 8Pre unique? On one hand, it does the same thing as many others, so for that reason, the answer has to be no. However this is the box that I would take out again based upon its reliability. While the Focusrite control app can never be as practical as using a console to set up headphone mixes (MIDI control functionality would be the icing on the cake), it is certainly the best implementation of this kind of software that I have used. Dependable, good sounding boxes are welcome in any situation; Clarett+ 8Pre with its Octopre partner do the job, and do it well.