Focusrite Clarett 8Pre - 2. Using the optical connections

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2. Using the optical connections
In addition to the eight analogue inputs, the Clarett 8Pre has an ADAT input port (OPTICAL IN) which
can provide an additional 8 audio inputs at 44.1/48 kHz sample rate, four at 88.2/96 kHz or two at
176.4/192 kHz. Using a separate 8-channel microphone preamplier equipped with an ADAT output
– such as the Focusrite OctoPre – provides a method of expanding the Clarett 8Pre’s input count.
Computer
running DAW
and F
ocusrite Control
Inputs 1 & 2 on front panel
Optical ADAT connection (TOSLINK)
Optional
Wordclock link
Inputs 1 & 2 on front panel
Up to 16 Mic/Line Sources
Octopre MKII
8ch Mic Amp
The OctoPre’s OPTICAL OUT port is connected to the Clarett 8Pre’s OPTICAL IN port with a single
TOSLINK optical cable. Stable word clock synchronisation may be achieved by connecting the Clarett
8Pre’s WORD CLOCK output to the OctoPre’s WORD CLOCK IN and setting the OctoPre to use this as
its sync source; alternatively, the Clarett 8Pre may be set (in Focusrite Control) to synchronise via the
ADAT format signal at the OPTICAL IN port.
Note: when interconnecting two digital devices by any method, always ensure both are set to use the
same sample rate.
The additional inputs from the optical port may be routed using Focusrite Control in exactly the same
way as the other inputs. The additional inputs can form part of any musician’s headphone mix, as
required.
If a suitable D-to-A converter with an ADAT input is available, the OPTICAL OUT port may be used in
the opposite way; for example, additional outputs from the DAW may be converted into the analogue
domain to allow the use of an external hardware mixing console to mix down a large number of DAW
tracks.