This guide covers setup, equipment, and troubleshooting for our recording studios that use the Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre USB audio interface.
👉 Check your booking at book.pirate.com for the exact gear provided in your room — bring any extras you need!
✅ What You Must Bring
- Your laptop (Mac or Windows — Chromebooks are not compatible)
- Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
E.g., Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Pro Tools — choose one you know how to use - Focusrite Control (latest version) — Download from Focusrite before your session to reset the interface if needed
- Optional but recommended spares:
- USB A-C or USB C-C cable (in case studio cables are missing)
- Headphone adaptor (small-to-large jack)
- Your own USB hub (⚠ never plug the audio interface into a hub — always connect directly to your laptop)
🎧 What We Provide
- Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre USB audio interface
- Microphone
- Headphones (check quantity at book.pirate.com)
- Pair of speakers (connected to outputs 1+2)
- USB A and USB C cables for laptop connection
- MIDI keyboard
- Other room-specific gear listed at book.pirate.com
👉 We do not provide gear beyond what’s listed for your room — bring your extras.
❓ Is this room suitable for beginners?
Our studios are self-service. You must know how to use your laptop + DAW.
💡 If you can record at home on Logic, Ableton, etc., you’ll be fine here.
🖥 Understanding the Clarett 4 Pre USB
- Connect your laptop directly (via USB-C on the interface)
- Outputs 1 & 2 → speakers
- Front left inputs → mic
- Front right outputs → headphones
🔌 Connection Setup
1️⃣ Connect laptop to interface using provided (or your own) USB cable
2️⃣ Check the interface’s front panel:
- ✅ 3 green lights = connected properly
- ⚠ If middle green light is off → check your cable is the exact one plugged into the back of the interface
3️⃣ Once connected:
- The interface appears as an input/output in your DAW + OS
⚠ Common Issues + Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| USB light off | Check cable path — ensure the cable on your laptop is the one plugged into the interface’s back |
| Speakers not working | Make sure yellow speaker cables are in outputs 1 & 2 (not 3 & 4) |
| Mic issues | See mic setup help here |
| Speaker issues | See speaker setup help here |
| Windows crash with Focusrite | If you see “Your PC ran into a problem”: McAfee antivirus might be the cause. Uninstall McAfee. Full guide here |
💡 Still stuck? Try a factory reset using Focusrite Control.
🎹 Setting Up the MIDI Keyboard
1️⃣ Connect
- Plug MIDI keyboard directly into laptop USB
- Keyboard should light up
- If no power → try a different cable or avoid USB hubs
2️⃣ DAW setup
- GarageBand: Preferences > Audio/MIDI > select keyboard
- Logic: Preferences > MIDI > enable keyboard
- Ableton: Preferences > Link MIDI > enable for Track + Remote
- FL Studio: Options > MIDI Settings > enable keyboard
- BandLab: Settings > MIDI Devices > enable keyboard
- ⚠ Audacity: Does not support MIDI keyboard input
3️⃣ Test
- Create MIDI track → press keys → DAW should show input
4️⃣ (Optional) MIDI map knobs/sliders in DAW settings
🚫 Compatibility Notes
- ❌ No Chromebook support
- ❌ Don’t connect interface via a USB hub