At ANR we had good experiences with the Focusrite 8Pre Thunderbolt audio interface, and we’re happy to see that the UK company recently announced the release of a Windows driver for this popular range of interfaces.
Windows users can enjoy sub 3 milliseconds round trip latency, and the same reliable, stable operation as Mac-based Clarett owners already experience. The low latency allows users to record and monitor while using their favourite plug-ins in real time, as well as other DAW workflow benefits.
The first release of the driver will support the Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 protocols for all Clarett interfaces. The driver is compatible with the latest 64-bit updates of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Further details of the driver specification and compatibility can be found here. Future iterations will add support for Thunderbolt 3 Type C connectivity and the range of Red interfaces.
The driver also supports Focusrite Control, Focusrite’s included software mixer designed for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups, which is now available in a Windows version, again with identical functionality to the Mac version, including support for Focusrite Control iOS.
The good news don’t end here though. Those good guys at Focusrite are also running an exciting competition that will allow users to win a Clarett OctoPre, OctoPre MK2 or OctoPre Dynamic.
There are only less than 2 days left to enter this giveaway and be in with a chance of winning one of three OctoPres.
The Focusrite OctoPre hooks up to your existing ADAT-equipped audio interface, converting its eight analogue input channels to digital at pristine 24-bit/96kHz quality. It comes in three versions, and you can choose which one you want to be in with a chance of winning.
The Clarett OctoPre features eight Clarett preamps and the famous Clarett ‘Air’ circuit, which models the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic pre. The OctoPre MkII features eight channels of Focusrite preamplification, eight line outputs, and 16 channels of 24-bit/96kHz ADAT I/O. Finally, the OctoPre MkII Dynamic delivers the same ins and outs as the MkII but adds eight VCA-based Red 3-derived ‘one-knob’ compressors.
Join the Octopre competition and good luck!
