Topic: Connecting Octamic II with Focusrite Clarett

Hi, I purchased an Octamic II to add mic inputs. I am trying to connect the Octamic II via ADAT to a Focusrite Clarett computer interface. The Focusrite unit indicates that it is synced and shows the additional S/PDIF and ADAT inputs channels on the Focusrite Control software. However, I am not getting a signal registering on Focusrite Control or the DAW. The dip switches on the Octamic are set to internal clock and 48kHz. The clock speed settings are set correctly on the Focusrite Control software for the Focusrite unit. Can it be a faulty ADAT connection on the Octamic, or am I just missing something?

Re: Connecting Octamic II with Focusrite Clarett

As the Octamic II has not adat inputs you have two options for clock synch

a) to use Word Clock
b) to configure Octamic II as clock master (clock source internal).
For this to work you need to configure the Clarett as clock slave (to get clock from it's ADAT input).

If you want to test the ADAT cable plug a loop at the Clarett and check whether you get lock and finally synch status.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

Re: Connecting Octamic II with Focusrite Clarett

ramses wrote:

As the Octamic II has not adat inputs you have two options for clock synch

a) to use Word Clock
b) to configure Octamic II as clock master (clock source internal).
For this to work you need to configure the Clarett as clock slave (to get clock from it's ADAT input).

If you want to test the ADAT cable plug a loop at the Clarett and check whether you get lock and finally synch status.

Thanks for the response. I appreciate it.
I did configure the Octamic II as a clock master and set the Clarett clock source to ADAT. The Focusrite Control software indicates a sync when doing this, but I am not getting a signal through.

4 (edited by ramses 2023-02-07 05:36:21)

Re: Connecting Octamic II with Focusrite Clarett

What Clarett do you own? Please send a link to that product.

What is your sample rate? 44.1 kHz?

Check DIP Switch of Octamic II, all DIP switches in the position "UP" for 44.1 kHz and internal clock (master).

Ensure that you connect the correct ports on both sides:
- Main ADAT output of Octamic II (the one labeled MAIN)
- to MAIN ADAT input of Clarett (if there were two)

How do you actually test the connection or what do you have connected to the preamp? Which mic, what about the level meter on the Octamic II? Do you see a signal (green LED Sig). Gain turned up? Is phantom power +48V required?
Did you check with another Micro or can you test it on the Clarett with the same cable?

If it still doesn't work. Could you post a photo of both backs, the front of Octamic II showing Gain knob and signal and screenshot of Focusrite Mixcontrol for routing or other interesting settings in that context?

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

Re: Connecting Octamic II with Focusrite Clarett

Thank you for the time to respond - My understanding was that dip switches 4-5 should be down if I want to sync in 48.1 kHz. I first set all switches up for 41kHz, as you indicated, and it worked! I then switched to 48kHz on both units, but I left 4-5 up, and it worked fine.
I had 4 and 5 down- my understanding from the manual was that in the up position, it would activate double and quad speed.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Re: Connecting Octamic II with Focusrite Clarett

You're welcome, well, this was it, wrong sample rate.

Maybe a better idea to use Word Clock:
- Make your Focusrite Clarett to clock master (clock = internal)
- Configure Octamic as clock slave, getting the clock from WC

For the Octamic II, you would still need to set the correct sample rate by DIP switches.
But the big advantage that I see: for your monitoring at the Clarett the sample rate would always be correct
and the correct sample rate would be set by the (Focusrite) ASIO-/WDM-driver.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

Re: Connecting Octamic II with Focusrite Clarett

Thank you - good to know, and I will try this at some point. Just very happy that I have my additional ADAT channels now. Regards