Owner's Manual

3
OVERVIEW
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Second Generation Scarlett 2i2 Studio, part of the range of Focusrite
professional audio interfaces incorporating high quality, Focusrite analogue pre-amplifiers. You now
have a simple, compact and complete solution for recording with a microphone or directly from
instruments, by routing high quality audio to and from your computer.
In developing the Second Generation series of Scarlett interfaces, we have enhanced both the
performance and feature set including support for sample rates up to 192 kHz, improved mic preamp
performance with low noise and plenty of gain, and upgraded instrument inputs with additional
headroom for recording the loudest guitar parts without clipping. They are class compliant on Mac,
which means they are plug-and-play, so no need to install a driver if you are a Mac user. You will also
be able to download some exciting new software plug-ins once you’ve registered the product.
This User Guide provides a detailed explanation of the components to help you achieve a thorough
understanding of the Scarlett 2i2’s operational features. We recommend that whether you are new
to recording or a more experienced user, you should take the time to read through the User Guide so
that you are fully aware of all the possibilities that the Scarlett Studio components and accompanying
software has to offer. If the main User Guide sections do not provide the information you need, be sure
to consult https://support.focusrite.com/, which contains a comprehensive collection of answers to
common technical support queries.
Features
The Scarlett Studio package comprises a Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, a Scarlett Studio
CM25 MkII studio quality condenser microphone, a pair of Scarlett Studio HP60 MkII reference
quality headphones and all the necessary software to get you started with recording great audio on
your computer as quickly as possible.
The Scarlett 2i2 hardware interface is the key component in the Scarlett 2i2 Studio system; this
provides the means of connecting the CM25 MkII (or other) microphone, musical instruments
or line level audio signals to a computer running Mac OS or Windows. The signals applied at the
2i2’s physical inputs can be routed to your recording software via a USB connection. Similarly,
the recording software’s monitor or recorded output will appear at the 2i2’s physical outputs.
(Note - audio recording software is frequently referred to as a “Digital Audio Workstation”, or “DAW”,
and the term “DAW” is used throughout this user guide.)
Audio sources – mics, instruments, etc. - connected to the 2i2’s physical inputs can be recorded in
the DAW and then routed from your DAW to the physical outputs. The 2i2’s various physical outputs
can be connected to the HP60 MkII headphones, or if you wish, to an amplifier and speakers, powered
monitors, analogue mixer or any other analogue audio equipment that you wish to use. Although all
inputs and outputs on the Scarlett 2i2 are routed directly to and from your DAW for recording and
playback, you can configure the routing within your DAW in order to meet your needs.