User Manual

The front panel input sockets are “Combo” type, which accept either an XLR male connector (you will

probably have one on the end of your microphone cable) or a ¼” (6.35 mm) jack plug. If you are using

a capacitor (or “condenser”) microphone, you will need to turn on the 48 V phantom power. Phantom

power should NOT be on when other types of microphone – e.g., dynamic or ribbon - are in use.

Note the Scarlett 2i2 has no “Mic/line” switch – the Focusrite preampliﬁer stage is automatically

conﬁgured for a microphone when you plug an XLR into the input, and for a line or instrument when

you connect a jack plug. Set the LINE/INST switch next to the socket to INST if you are connecting

musical instrument (a guitar in the example) via an ordinary 2-pole (TS) guitar jack, or to LINE if

you are connecting a line level source such as a keyboard, synthesiser or the balanced output of an

external audio mixer via a 3-pole (TRS) jack. Note the Combo connector accepts both TRS and TS

types of jack plug.

Using Direct Monitoring

You will frequently hear the term “latency” used in connection with digital audio systems. In the case

of the simple DAW recording application described above, latency will be the time it takes for your

input signals to pass through your computer and audio software. Latency can be a problem for a

performer who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals.

The Scarlett 2i2 is ﬁtted with a “Direct Monitoring” option, which overcomes this problem. Setting the

front panel DIRECT MONITOR control to ON will route your input signals directly to the Scarlett 2i2’s

headphone and main monitor outputs. This enables you to hear yourself with zero latency – i.e., in

“real time” – along with the computer playback. The input signals to your computer are not affected

in any way by this setting.

When Direct Monitoring is set to ON, ensure that your DAW software is not set to route its input

(what you are currently recording) to its output. If it is, you will hear yourself “twice”, with one signal

audibly delayed as an echo.