Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre — Editorial Review

Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre — Editorial Review

The Clarett+ 2Pre sits a step above Focusrite's Scarlett line — a USB-C interface that trades the entry-level price for genuinely premium converters and a more refined Air mode, aimed at creators who can hear the difference.

Featured Video Review

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ISA-modelled Air and high-headroom converters

MusicRadar and MusicTech note its two combination mic/line/instrument inputs feed clean, quiet preamps with a 119 dB dynamic range, and the all-analogue Air mode adds both the ISA-style high-frequency lift and impedance switching for extra clarity on vocals and acoustic sources. Upgraded converters give it low noise and headroom that rival pricier units, with 24-bit/192 kHz capture over a single USB-C connection. In Julian Krause's measurement-focused review and test — featured above — the preamps and converters are bench-tested for real audio performance.

Honest cons

• Premium price. It costs noticeably more than a Scarlett 2i2 for the same input count.
• Only two preamps. Great for solo or duo work; not a band-tracking box without expansion.
• No onboard DSP or mixer effects. The value is in clean conversion, not built-in processing.
• No auto-gain helpers. Unlike the 4th-gen Scarletts, you set levels manually.

Where this interface fits

• Serious home and project studios that want audibly better conversion than entry interfaces.
• Vocalists and acoustic players who lean on the analogue Air and impedance switching.
• Producers pairing it with quality mics where preamp transparency matters.
• Not multi-mic band tracking, an all-in-one streaming box, or the cheapest possible first interface.

Sources & Citations

1. MusicRadar, "Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre review," musicradar.com (accessed 2026-05-26)
2. MusicTech, "Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre review," musictech.com (accessed 2026-05-26)

Last verified: 2026-05-26