User Manual

3
OVERVIEW
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Second Generation Scarlett 6i6, one of the family of Focusrite
professional audio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue pre-amplifiers. In
conjunction with the unit’s accompanying software application, Focusrite Control, you now have a
compact yet highly versatile solution for routing high quality audio to and from your computer. You
can also use the Scarlett 6i6 as a “stand-alone” interface to any other type of recording device, once
you have configured it using Focusrite Control.
Focusrite Control, and several other exciting and useful software applications, can be downloaded
free of charge once you have registered your product. Note that a separate Focusrite Control User
Guide is also available; we strongly recommend that you download this as well.
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.
Your Second Generation Scarlett interface is compatible with the new Focusrite Control software
application: this lets you control various hardware features, set up monitor mixes and configure
routings. There is a Focusrite Control installer for both Mac and Windows platforms, and no driver
is required for Macs. The Windows version of the installer contains the driver, so in either case, you
only need to install Focusrite Control to get up and running.
This User Guide provides a detailed explanation of the hardware to help you achieve a thorough
understanding of the product’s operational features. We recommend that you take the time to read
through the user guide, whether you’re new to computer-based recording or a more experienced
user, so that you are fully aware of all the possibilities that the Scarlett 6i6 and accompanying
software have 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 6i6 audio interface provides the means for connecting microphones, musical instruments,
line level audio signals and S/PDIF digital audio signals to a computer running compatible versions
of Mac OS X or Windows via one of the computer’s USB ports. The signals at the physical inputs
can be routed to your audio recording software / digital audio workstation (referred to throughout
this user guide as the “DAW”) at up to 24-bit, 192 kHz resolution; similarly, the DAW’s monitor or
recorded output signals can be configured to appear at the unit’s physical outputs.
The outputs can be connected to amplifiers and speakers, powered monitors, headphones, an audio
mixer or any other analogue or digital audio equipment that you wish to use. Although all inputs and
outputs on the Scarlett 6i6 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 precise needs.
The accompanying software application, Focusrite Control, provides further routing and monitoring
options, as well as the ability to control global hardware settings such as sample rate and
synchronisation.