Focusrite Clarett 8Pre

So like I mentioned earlier for the past five years I've been using the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 as my main audio interface for all my vocal recording...

I hope you've enjoyed this look at the Focusrite Claret Plus 8Pre. If you're looking for an outstanding centerpiece to serve as the hub for your studi...

Very easy to operate, sounds wonderful, operates well on whatever sources you may be tracking or processing. I hope you've enjoyed this quick look at ...

So there you have it, the Focusrite Clara 8 Pre. Things we like, we really like the preamps.

The onboard mixer is pretty much only useful for livestreaming as it cannot read or write DAW automation, and therefore isn't in the same class as a control surface. Consequently, at $700 it's a very pricey interface when you could have a Focusrite 18i20 for less, or, right now for $100 more (on sale), go up to the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre. The -131.5 dBv (-129 dBu) noise floor is table stakes at these prices, but it's undone by the fact that the interface only supports 24/48 and has no sends/returns, no ADAT and no word clock, which forecloses the possibility of adding more preamps or outboard dynamics processors. Also, you won't get the switchable analog ISA-based preamps of the Focusrite interfaces ("AIR" feature), or fully customizable routing which is, again, table stakes for an interface this expensive.

I want something that has a lot of inputs and outputs so I can expand in the future. I’ve been looking primarily at the Roland Studio Capture and then the Focusrite Clarett 8pre. I really like the Roland as it has all the inputs on the device (the Clarett has to be expanded with ADAT). However, it was made in 2013 so it’s quite old in tech terms.