Applies to:
- Scarlett 4th Gen
- Scarlett 3rd Gen
- Clarett (all ranges)
- Red
What is Air Mode?
Air mode is a feature found on the preamps of Focusrite interfaces. Air is the name we give to the sonic signature of the classic transformer-based ISA Preamp. Our customers first coined this name as a simple description of the effect the ISA preamp added to their sound recordings.
The three most significant attributes of the transformer design that create the “Air” effect are:
- Microphone interaction, created by the unique input impedance of the transformer coupling with the microphone output impedance.
- Clarity, created by the low distortion and high linearity of the transformer and preamp design.
- The frequency response tilt created by the transformer resonance emphasises the higher frequency content of the sound.
What's the difference between the Air modes on Scarlett, Clarett and Red?
Scarlett 4th and 3rd Gen, Clarett, and Red all feature Air, but there are some differences to the Air circuit depending on which interface you choose to use.
Scarlett 3rd Gen
-
Completely analogue circuit
- Air is analogue on these interfaces; there's no DSP taking place or plug-ins running in the background. Air adds no latency or timing issues to your recording path.
-
Single button press
- Perhaps the best thing about Air - other than the sound - is that it's a simple press of a button to engage, making it instantly there for you whenever you need it.
-
Low-noise operation
- It's common for noise to creep in when you increase the gain on high frequencies. Air is designed to minimise noise and keep your recording clean and pure.
-
Digital control
- Although Air is 100% analogue, you can use Focusrite Control to turn Air on and off.
For a detailed description of how to active Air mode see the user guide of your interface: Scarlett 3rd Gen User Guides
Scarlett 4th Gen
On Scarlett 4th Gen the Air button cycles through three modes: Air Presence, Air Presence & Drive, and Off.
Air Presence is the same as Air was on Scarlett 3rd Gen, where a completely analogue circuit gives a boost to the mid and high frequencies of your sources (mic, line, or instrument).
Air Presence & Drive pairs the Air analogue circuit with some additional harmonic saturation added using DSP.
-
Single button control
- To enable Air, once you've selected your input, press the Air button once for Air Presence, again for Air Presence & Drive and again to turn it off.
-
Low-noise operation
- It's common for noise to creep in when you increase the gain on high frequencies. Air is designed to minimise noise and keep your recording clean and pure.
-
Digital control
- You can use Focusrite Control 2 to turn Air Presence or Air Presence & Drive On and Off.
For a detailed description of how to active Air mode see the user guide of your interface: Scarlett 4th Gen User Guides
Clarett (all ranges)
-
Completely analogue circuit
- Air is analogue on these interfaces; there's no DSP taking place or plug-ins running in the background. Air adds no latency or timing issues to your recording path.
-
ISA 110 circuitry
- Air packs an additional punch by closely emulating the sound and the circuitry of the original ISA 110 mic preamp from the Focusrite Studio Console.
-
Changed input impedance
- In addition to the 4dB boost at 24kHz provided by the analogue filters, Clarett+ and Red interfaces change the input impedance when Air is engaged, from 6.2kΩ to 2.2kΩ. This change alters the interaction between the microphone and the input circuitry of the preamp. For Line and Instrument inputs, the impedance remains the same and only the frequency response changes, with a 4dB boost at 24kHz.
-
Single button press
- Perhaps the best thing about Air - other than the sound - is that it's a simple press of a button to engage, making it instantly there for you whenever you need it.
-
Low-noise operation
- It's common for noise to creep in when you increase the gain on high frequencies. Air is designed to minimise noise and keep your recording clean and pure.
-
Digital control
- Although Air is 100% analogue, you can use Focusrite Control to turn Air on and off using a Mac or Windows computer.
Red
-
Completely analogue circuit
- Air is analogue on these interfaces; there's no DSP taking place or plug-ins running in the background. Air adds no latency or timing issues to your recording path.
-
ISA 110 circuitry
- Air packs an additional punch by closely emulating the sound and the circuitry of the original ISA 110 mic preamp from the Focusrite Studio Console.
-
Changed input impedance
- In addition to the 4dB boost at 24kHz provided by the analogue filters, Clarett+ and Red interfaces change the input impedance when Air is engaged, from 6.2kΩ to 2.2kΩ. This change alters the interaction between the microphone and the input circuitry of the preamp. For Line and Instrument inputs, the impedance remains the same and only the frequency response changes, with a 4dB boost at 24kHz.
-
Single button press
- Perhaps the best thing about Air - other than the sound - is that it's a simple press of a button to engage, making it instantly there for you whenever you need it.
-
Low-noise operation
- It's common for noise to creep in when you increase the gain on high frequencies. Air is designed to minimise noise and keep your recording clean and pure.
-
Digital control
- Although Air is 100% analogue, you can use RedNet Control to turn Air on and off.