Recording - May 2018 - 41

PRICE: $399.95
MORE FROM:
Focusrite, www.focusrite.com

which is pretty impressive for 6-year-old
hardware. I would expect those numbers
to be even smaller for more current
machines with modern USB 3.1 ports
rather than the USB 3.0 on my rig.
In a nutshell, I would call this the travel
or desktop interface for the audio

professional who's used to dismissing
such interfaces as "not really pro quality."
There might be higher-spec interfaces
out there, but at this price ($100 less
than the Thunderbolt version, by the
way), the Clarett 2Pre USB is a very
compelling little box.

The Focusrite Plug-in Collective: Software Targeted To Your Needs
While reviewing the Clarett 2Pre USB, I had a chance to dive into another aspect of
the Focusrite interface user experience that I felt was worth a callout for users who might
not be aware of it. The Clarett interfaces come bundled with the Focusrite Red 2 EQ and
Red 3 compressor, the Softube Time And Tone Bundle, and your choice of an Addictive
Keys virtual instrument from XLN Audio. The point of the Plug-in Collective, however, is to
go beyond the usual bundled software one gets with interfaces and continue to provide
cool tools for users even after the purchase is made.
The Plug-in Collective is free; to access it, all you have to do is create an account on the
Focusrite website and register the serial number of your interface. Note that this membership
isn't only for Clarett users; it's open to buyers of Scarlett interfaces and even the unsunggenius Novation Audiohub 2x4. Once you're signed up, you just have to remember to
check the site periodically, or allow Focusrite to send you emails about new offers.
Collective members get access to software offers that are curated by Focusrite to
bring a selection of the best tools to users. Each offer usually remains open for a month
or so, and when a new offer goes up, the previous one goes inactive. These offers
can include anything from free plug-ins to discounts on educational and production
services. Partner companies include, as of this writing, 15 different software firms like
Applied Acoustics Systems, Eventide, Fabfilter, iZotope, NUGEN Audio, and Positive
Grid, and the online mastering service CloudBounce.
Some of the free plug-ins given away are full versions, while others are feature-limited
"intro" versions that also include discounts on buying the full version later. In the time I had
the Clarett 2Pre USB, the Collective gave away virtual instruments by AAS, LE versions of
amp and effect modeling plug-ins by Positive Grid, free plug-ins from AudioThing, and
(as of this writing) a neat intro version of Sound Radix' SurferEQ 2.
There are a lot of places to get plug-ins and virtual instruments, but the idea of
a curated and ongoing collection that's tailored to your hardware is unique. If you
have a Focusrite interface, the Plug-in Collective is a painless (and usually free) way
to pick up software that's tested and confirmed to be worthwhile. What's not to like?

RECORDING May 2018

http://www.focusrite.com http://mojaveaudio.com

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