Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre audio interface: features and spec-based rating

Focusrite’s Clarett+ 2Pre is a USB audio interface with 2 inputs and 4 outputs.

An audio interface is the equipment that brings the sound of microphones and instruments into the computer and sends the computer’s sound out to headphones and speakers.

In this article we rate it on 5 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 23 audio interfaces we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 23 audio interfaces, Clarett+ 2Pre is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 3.4.

Strengths

• Microphone input quality (EIN -129dBu / Gain 57dB / DR 118dB, 4 points): It records a microphone with little noise and a good level.
• Ease of recording guitar and other instruments (2 Hi-Z inputs, 4 points): You can plug in a guitar or bass directly and record.
• Number of inputs and outputs (6 analog inputs and outputs, 4 points): It has many inputs and outputs, so you can record several microphones and instruments at once.
• Features for production (2 of 3, 4 points): It has features for serious production, such as connecting MIDI equipment.

Things to keep in mind

• Ease of streaming (loopback: no, 1 point): It has no function (loopback) to combine the computer’s sound and your voice.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to record singing and narration cleanly with little noise; people who want to plug in a guitar or bass directly; people who want to record several microphones and instruments at once.

Main features of Clarett+ 2Pre

Microphone input with EIN -129 dBu and 118 dB dynamic range

On Focusrite’s specifications page, the microphone input has an EIN of -129 dBu (A-weighted), a dynamic range of 118 dB(A) and a gain range of 57 dB.

Air mode and instrument inputs

The microphone preamp has an Air function that changes the texture of the high end. The two inputs can be switched between microphone, line and instrument (Hi-Z).

Optical digital input and MIDI

The optical input (TOSLINK) takes in ADAT and S/PDIF audio. It also has MIDI in and out (5-pin DIN).

Where it is useful

• Recording vocals and instruments with an emphasis on microphone sound quality
• Adding more preamps to record on many channels (ADAT input)
• A production setup that also uses outboard MIDI gear

Rating by criterion

Microphone input quality: 4 / 5

How quietly and how loudly enough it can record a microphone (low noise, gain range and so on).

Clarett+ 2Pre: EIN -129dBu / Gain 57dB / DR 118dB. That is a high rating among the products we compared. It records a microphone with little noise and a good level.

Ease of streaming: 1 / 5

Whether it has a function (loopback) that lets you stream the computer’s sound (BGM and game sound) together with a microphone voice.

Clarett+ 2Pre: loopback: no. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It has no function (loopback) to combine the computer’s sound and your voice.

Ease of recording guitar and other instruments: 4 / 5

The number of inputs (Hi-Z) that take a guitar or bass directly.

Clarett+ 2Pre: 2 Hi-Z inputs. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You can plug in a guitar or bass directly and record.

Number of inputs and outputs: 4 / 5

The number of inputs for microphones and instruments, and outputs for speakers and the like.

Clarett+ 2Pre: 6 analog inputs and outputs. That is a high rating among the products we compared. It has many inputs and outputs, so you can record several microphones and instruments at once.

Features for production: 4 / 5

Features for production such as MIDI ports, built-in effect processing (DSP) and digital I/O.

Clarett+ 2Pre: 2 of 3. That is a high rating among the products we compared. It has features for serious production, such as connecting MIDI equipment.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 23 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Audio interfaces)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Microphone input quality	Quietness (EIN), gain range and dynamic range	Average 4.5 or more	3.5 or more	2.5 or more	1.5 or more	Under 1.5
Ease of streaming	Loopback (send the computer's sound together with the microphone for streaming or recording)	Yes	—	—	—	No
Ease of recording guitar and other instruments	Number of inputs that take a guitar or bass directly (Hi-Z)	3 or more	2	1	—	None
Number of inputs and outputs	Analog inputs plus outputs (headphones excluded)	≥8	≥6	≥4	≥3	<3
Features for production	Built-in DSP, MIDI ports and digital I/O	All 3	2	1	—	None

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer and the functions listed on the product page. Price and bundled software are not part of the score. "Microphone input quality" is the average of three scores: quietness (EIN: 5 points at -130 dBu or lower, 4 at -129, 3 at -128, 2 at -127), gain range (5 at 72 dB or more, 4 at 65, 3 at 57, 2 at 54) and dynamic range (5 at 118 dB or more, 4 at 116, 3 at 112, 2 at 108). It is scored when two or more numbers are published. "Ease of streaming" depends on whether the interface has loopback, which sends the BGM or game sound playing on the computer to the streaming software together with your voice.

Clarett+ 2Pre connection and getting started

Connection	USB-C to the computer
Power	Runs on USB bus power (the official page lists 15 W)
Other	Settings app: Focusrite Control 2

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on October 17, 2026.

Compared with other audio interfaces

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It has no loopback. To combine the computer’s sound and your voice for streaming, you need to set it up in the streaming software.
• It has 2 inputs in total for microphones and instruments. Check that the number you want to record at the same time does not exceed the number of inputs.
• It has 2 Hi-Z inputs that take a guitar or bass directly. When you record without effects pedals or an amplifier, you plug into a Hi-Z input.
• It has MIDI ports. You can connect keyboards and gear that have MIDI jacks directly.

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