User Guide Version 1.0 www.focusrite.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OVERVIEW Introduction Thank you for purchasing this Third Generation Scarlett Solo, one of the family of Focusrite professional computer audio interfaces incorporating high quality Focusrite analogue preamps. You now have a simple and compact solution for routing high quality audio to and from your computer and you will also be able to download some exciting new software plug-ins once you’ve registered the product.
Box Contents Along with your Scarlett Solo you should have: • USB cable, Type ‘A’ to Type ‘C’ • Getting Started Information (printed on inside of box lid) • Important Safety Information System Requirements The easiest way to check that your computer’s operating system (OS) is compatible with the Scarlett Solo is to use our online OS Checker at https://customer.focusrite.com/downloads/os.
GETTING STARTED With the Third Generation, Scarlett interfaces introduce a new, faster way of getting up and running, using the Scarlett Quick Start tool. All you need to do is connect your Scarlett Solo to your computer. Once connected, you will see that the device is recognised by your PC or Mac and the Quick Start tool will guide you through the process from there. IMPORTANT: The Scarlett Solo has a single USB 2.0 Type C port (on the rear panel): connect it to your computer using the USB cable provided.
Double-click on the icon to open the Finder window shown below: Double-click on the “Click Here to Get Started.url” icon. This will redirect you to the Focusrite website, where we recommend that you register your device: Click on “Let’s get you started”, and you’ll be presented with a form which will be partly prefilled for you automatically.
Windows users only: On connecting your Scarlett Solo to your PC, a Scarlett icon will appear on the desktop: (Note that the drive letter may be something other than D:, depending on what other devices you have connected to your PC.) Double-click on the pop-up message to open the dialogue box shown below: Double-click on “Open folder to view files”: this will open an Explorer window: Double-click “Click Here to Get Started”.
TClick on “Let’s get you started”, and you’ll be presented with a form which will be partly prefilled for you automatically. On submitting the form, options will be presented to either go straight to the downloads to get the software for your Scarlett, or to follow a step-by-step setup guide based on your choices.
All users: Note that a second file - “More Info & FAQs” - is also available during the initial set-up process. This file contains some additional information about the Focusrite Quick Start tool which you may find helpful if you have any issues with the procedure.
Audio Setup in your DAW The Scarlett Solo is compatible with any Windows-based DAW that supports ASIO or WDM or any Mac-based DAW that uses Core Audio. After following the Getting Started procedure described above, you can start using your Scarlett Solo with the DAW of your choice.
Once the Scarlett Solo is set as the preferred Audio Device* in your DAW, its inputs and outputs will appear in your DAW’s Audio I/O preferences. Depending on your DAW, you may need to enable certain inputs or outputs before use. The two examples below show two Inputs and two outputs enabled in the Ableton Lite Audio Preferences. *Typical name. Terminology may differ slightly between DAWs.
Examples of use Scarlett Solo is an ideal audio interface for many DAW applications running on a laptop or other computer, PC or Mac. A typical set of connections is illustrated below. Connecting a microphone/instrument RIGHT LEFT This setup illustrates a typical configuration for recording using DAW software on your Mac or PC. In this case, you would record vocals through Input 1 and guitar through Input 2 into your recording application, while monitoring the playback via headphones.
other types, e.g., dynamic or ribbon, will not be damaged by the inadvertent application of phantom power, but note that some older mics may be; if you have any doubt, please check the specification of your mic to ensure that it is safe to use. Input 2 uses a ¼” (6.35 mm) jack socket which is 2-pole when in instrument mode and 3-pole when used as a mono line input. It can accept signals from an electric or electroacoustic guitar or bass, a keyboard, and most other types of audio equipment.
Connecting Scarlett Solo to loudspeakers The ¼” jack outputs on the rear panel can be used to connect monitoring speakers. Self-powered monitors incorporate internal amplifiers with a volume control, and may be connected directly. Passive loudspeakers will require a separate stereo amplifier; in this case, the rear panel outputs should be connected to the amplifier’s inputs. RIGHT LEFT Connecting active speakers RIGHT LEFT Connecting passive speakers The line outputs are 3-pole (TRS) ¼” (6.
Professional power amplifiers will generally have balanced inputs; we highly recommend using balanced cables to connect these to the outputs of the Scarlett Solo. NOTE: You run the risk of creating an audio feedback loop if loudspeakers are active at the same time as a microphone! We recommend that you always turn off (or turn down) monitoring loudspeakers while recording, and use headphones when overdubbing.
HARDWARE FEATURES Front Panel 1 2 3 5 7 4 6 8 9 10 11 The front panel includes the input connectors for mic and line/instrument signals, and the input gain and monitoring controls. 1. Input 1 – electronically balanced input via 3-pin XLR socket for microphones. 2. GAIN 1 – adjust the gain for the microphone signal at Input 1. The gain controls have concentric tri-colour LED ‘rings’ to confirm signal level: green indicates an input level of at least -24 dBFS (i.e.
Back Panel 12 RIGHT 13 LEFT 14 12. K (Kensington security lock) – secure your Scarlett Solo to a suitable structure if desired. 13. USB 2.0 port – Type C connector; connect to your laptop or computer with the USB cable supplied. 14. LINE OUTPUTS: LEFT and RIGHT – 2 x ¼” (6.35 mm) TRS jack sockets; +10 dBu output level (variable), electronically balanced. Either ¼” TRS (balanced connection) or TS (unbalanced connection) jack plugs can be used.
SPECIFICATIONS Performance Specifications NOTE: All performance figures measured in accordance with the provisions of AES17, as applicable. Clock Source Internal Supported sample rates Microphone Input Dynamic Range Frequency Response 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.
Physical and Electrical Characteristics Analogue Input 1 Connector Balanced, via female 3-pin XLR on front panel Phantom power 48 V phantom power switch AIR function Front panel switch or via Focusrite Control Analogue Input 2 Connector ¼” (6.
TROUBLESHOOTING Your Scarlett Solo has a two year warranty. Wherever you are in the world, you can rely on our warranty should any Focusrite hardware need repairing or replacing due to a manufacturing fault. For all troubleshooting queries, please visit the Focusrite Help Centre at http://support.focusrite.com/ where you will find articles covering numerous troubleshooting examples.
User Guide (Scarlett 3rd Gen. Edition) Version 1.0 www.focusrite.
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INTRODUCTION This is the User Guide for Focusrite Control, the software application that has been developed specifically for use with the Focusrite Scarlett 3rd Generation range of USB audio interfaces. If you’ve just become the owner of a Scarlett 3rd Generation interface, you’ll need both this User Guide and the User Guide for your hardware. You can download the hardware User Guide from http://uk.focusrite.com/downloads.
System Requirements IMPORTANT Please visit the following link for up-to-date information on computer and operating system compatibility for Focusrite Control and all Scarlett products: www.focusrite.com/downloads/os Software Installation All software required by the Scarlett – and several powerful and useful extras – are available for download from the Focusrite website (www.focusrite.com/register and www.focusrite.com/ downloads).
The Scarlett Mixer – basic principles Your Scarlett interface contains an internal audio mixer which allows you to create one or more mixes of the various audio sources in your system, and send them to the physical outputs of your interface. These sources include tracks that you have recorded on your DAW as well as the sources connected to the Scarlett’s various physical inputs. Before starting to use Focusrite Control, it is a good idea to gain an understanding of the basic principle of this mixer.
MIXING & ROUTING PAGE Installing Focusrite Control on your computer will place an FC icon on the desktop (Windows) or in the Applications folder (macOS). Click the icon to launch Focusrite Control. You should see a screen similar to that below: NOTE If instead you get a warning message stating No Hardware Connected, this means that the computer has been unable to establish communication with the Scarlett hardware.
Configuring and controlling the mixer NOTE To help you use the software effectively, Focusrite Control provides a comprehensive set of tool tips; when you hover the cursor over any of the controls, a description of what the control does appears in the status bar at the bottom of the window. Click File > Presets > Empty. There are other Presets available which load up pre-configured mixer configurations – these are often useful starting points for the task you’re performing.
The Output section Let’s look at the Output section first, as this is always fully visible while the Output Routing page is selected. OUTPUTS has a vertical scroll bar; if your hardware interface has more outputs than can be fitted on the screen, scroll down to see the rest. Each output (or pair of outputs if in stereo mode) has its own tab, each of which has the following features: Stereo Output Mono Outputs 4 7 5 3 2 6 1. Output identifier (e.g.
You’ll see that as you change the source selection for an output, the right hand side of the window displays a graphic illustrating the routing. For simple one-to-one routings, the graphic looks like this: 4. Fader – use this to adjust the signal level at the output. Note that all output levels are set to maximum as a default (unity gain). If the fader “knob” is green, it means that control of the output level is assigned to the physical MONITOR control on the Scarlett’s front panel.
The Mixer section The Input section is divided into two: HARDWARE INPUTS and SOFTWARE (DAW) PLAYBACK. The two halves of the Input area are where you control the inputs to your mix for the selected output. It is important to remember that you can create a different mix for each output, and you can have as many mixes as your Scarlett’s internal mixer allows.
You can now “build” the mixer that will feed the selected Output by clicking on the two ‘+’ tabs. Each will open a selection box: the HARDWARE INPUTS half of the area lists all the Scarlett’s physical inputs (see page 13 for details of available hardware inputs for your Scarlett device), while in the SOFTWARE (DAW) PLAYBACK area, the selection box lists the available DAW tracks. You can repeat this process as many times as you like, adding channels up to the maximum capacity of your Scarlett hardware.
Each input channel has the following features: 10 2 3 7 8 9 4 1 5 6 1. Input identifier – this is the actual physical input to the channel. 2. Custom name – you can click this field and enter a name – e.g., the instrument in question – of up to 11 characters. 3. Fader – use this to adjust the level of the signal in the mix. Note that the default setting for all faders is 0 dB, while “fader max” is at +6 dB. Double-clicking in the fader “slot” will set the fader at 0 dB. 4.
Hardware Inputs available on Scarlett devices Your Scarlett interface provides a wide range of audio inputs, however the number available depends on what operating sample rate it is set to (see page 30 for further details). Doubling the sample rate halves the number of ADAT channels available. The tables below provide details of what inputs are available to you when operating at different sample rates. 44.
88.
Using Output Presets Focusrite Control comes with some useful Output Presets, which have been designed to get you started on a recording task as quickly as possible. Selecting an Output Preset automatically configures output routing and the mixer for you, setting up various useful combinations of input channels. Output Presets are selected from the File menu; select Output Presets from the drop-down list.
Direct routing connections for the Scarlett range are as follows: 44.
88.
176.
2 Channel Analogue This is the Output Preset to use when using the Scarlett as your analogue recording “front end”. The Preset configures the Scarlett’s routing with Analogue Inputs 1 and 2 available as HARDWARE INPUTS and DAW tracks 1 and 2 available as a stereo channel in the SOFTWARE (DAW) PLAYBACK section. For example, on the Scarlett 18i20, the summed output of these input channels is routed to Monitor Outputs 1 and 2, and also to Line Outputs 7 and 8, and 9 and 10, as a stereo pair in all cases.
8 Channel Analogue Use this Output Preset as a starting point when recording a band. On the Scarlett 18i20, this Preset enables eight mixer channels, one for each of the hardware analogue inputs. DAW tracks 1 & 2 are also enabled as a stereo channel. As with the 2 Channel Analogue Preset, the summed output of the mixer is routed to Monitor Out 1 and 2, and Line Outs 7 to 10 as a stereo pair.
Digital This Output Preset is a useful starting point when using a separate ADAT-equipped microphone preamplifier such as the Scarlett OctoPre. When used with the Scarlett 18i20 it enables ten digital input channels, eight sourced from the ADAT input port and two from the S/PDIF input. DAW tracks 1 and 2 are also enabled as a stereo channel. The sum of the inputs is routed to the same pairs of outputs as with the analogue Presets described previously.
Examples of Use Recording and Tracking Recording a band or just recording yourself is basically the same process as far as Focusrite Control is concerned – the only difference is the number of mixer channels you’ll have on screen. Connect the instruments to be recorded to the Scarlett interface, either directly using the INST or LINE inputs, or - for acoustic instruments and vocals - with microphones connected to the MIC inputs.
Stand-alone mixer (8i6, 18i8 and 18i20 interfaces only) Once the Scarlett’s internal mixer has been configured by Focusrite Control, that configuration is retained by the hardware even after you remove the USB cable and switch the unit off. This means that you can make use of the Scarlett’s excellent analogue performance in a live situation, without necessarily needing to connect a computer. An example of this application would be as an on-stage keyboard mixer.
Using the Loopback feature Focusrite Control’s Loopback feature lets you record other audio sources from within your computer (e.g., the audio output from a web browser). Loopback uses the Scarlett’s “virtual” inputs, which have no physical connectors on the hardware interface itself, but may be selected in the DAW as signal sources for recording in the same way as any other.
Snapshots The mixer in your Scarlett interface retains the last Focusrite Control settings at all times. However, you may wish to save your session settings so that you can get back to them at a later time, perhaps when working on a similar project or with a different, compatible hardware device. Focusrite Control includes a Snapshot facility for this purpose, which does just that – it effectively takes a “snapshot” of the entire mixer and lets you save it on your computer for later recall.
The session file is saved with a *.ff file extension. To recall the session, click File > Load Snapshot, which opens a standard File Open box; navigate to the where you saved the file and open in the usual way.
INPUT SETTINGS Scarlett interfaces have a variety of hardware functions that are operated from Focusrite Control, rather than by physical controls on the unit itself. Clicking on Input Settings gives you access to these functions. The page for the Scarlett 18i20 looks this: If you have a different Scarlett model, most of the functionality will be the same, but fewer switches may be visible because your interface includes channels that require software to switch between settings, e.g.
All the channels on your interface are able to accept dynamic or condenser microphones. The Combo-type connectors sense either an XLR plug or a jack plug, and reconfigure the pre-amplifier for mic or line operation automatically. The channels which additionally have the INST function use the same connector. If you are connecting a microphone with an XLR plug, the INST/LINE switch will have no effect.
DEVICE SETTINGS Click on the cog icon to open the Device Settings pane, which slides out from the left of the screen; click the icon again to close it. The Device Settings pane lets you make various global settings to the hardware interface which will remain in force until you change them. The pane for the Scarlett 18i20 is shown below: Monitor Controls It is very convenient (and traditional!) to adjust your master monitoring volume with a conventional rotary control.
The options are: • 1-2 – Monitor Outputs 1 & 2 (default setting) • 1-4 – Monitor Outputs 1 & 2 and Line Outputs 3 & 4 • 1-6 - Monitor Outputs 1 to 4 and Line Outputs 5 & 6 – Scarlett 18i20 only • 1-8 - Monitor Outputs 1 to 4 and Line Outputs 5 to 8 – Scarlett 18i20 only • All – Monitor Outputs 1 to 4 and Line Outputs 5 to 10 – Scarlett 18i20 only • None – The rotary control is disabled; output levels may still be controlled from the software faders.
Clock Source Interconnected digital audio equipment must always use the same reference clock source. Your Scarlett interface is able to synchronise from three sources: • Internal – the internally generated reference clock. This is the default selection. • S/PDIF – the embedded clock signal in a signal at the S/PDIF IN connector. (Note that S/PDIF may be applied to either the RCA connector or an optical port on the Scarlett 18i8 or 18i20.
18i8 only – S/PDIF Source: this model accepts a S/PDIF signal at either the RCA connector or the optical ADAT input port. Note that when the optical port is used for an S/PDIF input, it cannot be used for ADAT inputs. Also note that the optical ports are disabled at sample rates of 176.4 and 192 kHz. 18i20 only – Digital I/O Mode: this model supports three different Digital I/O Modes, which determine how the interface’s S/PDIF input and output, and the four optical ports, function.
