The Scarlett is compatible with any ASIO-supported DAW on Windows and any Core Audio-supported DAW on macOS. It is also compatible with non-ASIO applications but your channel count may be limited.
To help you get started, we've put together steps to set up your interface and start recording in the most common DAWs. If you need any more information, please see the user guide for your DAW.
If you don't already have a DAW installed on your computer to help get you started, the Scarlett comes with Ableton Live Lite and a version of Pro Tools. You can access these in Easy Start , or from your Focusrite account.
Tip
What is a DAW?
DAW stands for 'Digital Audio Workstation' and is the term given to any software you use to record arrange or make music.
To get set up in Logic Pro and GarageBand, follow these steps:
Video instructions:
-
Setting Scarlett as your audio device:
GarageBand:
Logic Pro:
-
Recording a track:
GarageBand:
Logic Pro:
Step-by-step instructions:
-
Open Logic Pro or GarageBand on your computer (you may be prompted to
a project, you can choose an or use a template). -
Select Choose a track type window.
in the -
Set the Audio Input to .
If you don't see any inputs, make sure the Device: is set to your Scarlett 2i2.
-
Click the arrow to the right of the
section. -
In the preferences window, set the Output Device and Input Device to Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen.
Logic Pro X
GarageBand
-
Click Apply (Logic Pro only).
-
Close the Preferences or Settings window.
-
-
Logic Pro: Tick Input Monitoring and Record Enable.
GarageBand: Tick I want to hear my instrument as I play and record.
This allows you to hear sound coming in from your Scarlett's input.
-
Click Create.
Logic Pro
GarageBand
-
When you're ready to record, click the record button at the top of Logic/GarageBand.
To get set up in Ableton Live, follow these steps:
Windows
|
-
Open Ableton Live on your computer.
-
Click
> . -
Go to the Audio tab on the left-hand side of the Preferences window.
-
Set the Driver Type to , and Audio Device to .
-
Click
.The next step is to make all the inputs on your device appear as input options in Ableton.
-
Click to highlight each set of Mono and Stereo Inputs to make sure they appear as selectable in Live.
-
Click OK.
-
Do the same for the Output Config, if you are using multiple outputs from your Scarlett 2i2.
-
Close the Preferences Window.
Mac
|
-
Open Ableton Live on your computer.
-
Click Live in the top menu bar.
-
Click Settings.
-
Go to the Audio tab on the left-hand side of the Preferences window.
-
Set the Audio Input Device and Audio Output Device to Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen.
-
Click Input Config.
The next step is to make all the inputs on your device appear as input options in Ableton.
-
Click to highlight each set of Mono and Stereo Inputs to make sure they appear as selectable in Live. You will see up to four channels.
-
Click OK.
-
Do the same for the Output Config, if you are using multiple outputs from your Scarlett 2i2.
-
Close the Preferences Window.
Getting sound into Ableton
|
-
Click to highlight an Audio Track in Live's main window. Live had two views (Session and Arrangement), so depending on which view you are in, please see the following screenshots.
-
Set the Audio From to Ext. In and the input drop-down to the interface input you are using, e.g. 1.
-
Set the Monitor to Auto.
This allows you to hear sound coming in from your Scarlett's input.
-
Click the record arm button beneath the track. It lights red when record arm is on.
Send a signal to the input on your Scarlett and you should see the meter in Ableton move.
-
When you're ready to record, click the record ⏺ button in Ableton's transport bar.
To get set up in Pro Tools, follow these steps:
Video instructions for Windows and macOS
-
Setting Scarlett as Pro Tool's audio device:
Windows:
macOS:
-
Recording to a track in Pro Tools:
Step-by-step instructions for Windows and macOS
-
Open Pro Tools on your computer.
-
Click
> in the top menu bar. -
Select Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen in the Playback Engine dropdown.
(Windows) orWindows
Mac
-
Click
> in the top menu bar. -
Set the number of tracks you need and set the type to
. -
Click
-
Click the record arm and input enable buttons on the track.
This allows you to hear sound coming in from your Scarlett's input.
-
Click the main Record Enable button at the top of the Pro Tools window, it turns red when enabled .
-
Click the Play button to begin recording.
To get set up in Reaper, follow these steps:
Windows
Setting Scarlett as Reaper's audio device: |
Recording to a track in Reaper: |
-
Open Reaper on your computer.
-
If you see a pop-up window, asking you to select your audio device driver, click Yes
If you don't see the pop-up, go to Options (top menu) > Preferences > Device
-
In the Audio device settings.
-
Click OK.
-
Click Track (top menu) > Insert New Track.
-
Click the red record-armed button.
-
Click the Input 1 box to select your input on your Scarlett 2i2.
-
When you're ready to record, click the record button in the bottom section of Reaper.
Mac
Setting Scarlett as Reaper's audio device: |
Recording to a track in Reaper: |
-
Open Reaper on your computer.
-
If you see a pop-up window, asking you to select your audio device driver, click Yes
If you don't see the pop-up, go to Options (top menu) > Settings > Device
-
Choose Scarlett 2i2 in the Audio Device dropdown menu.
-
Click OK.
-
Click Track (top menu) > Insert New Track.
-
Click the red record-armed button.
-
Click the Input 1 box to select your input on your Scarlett 2i2.
-
When you're ready to record, click the record button in the bottom section of Reaper.
To get set up in FL Studio, follow these steps:
Video instructions for Windows and macOS
-
Setting Scarlett as FL Studio's audio device:
Windows:
macOS:
-
Recording to a track in FL Studio:
Step-by-step instructions for Windows and macOS
-
Open FL Studio on your computer.
-
Go to Options > Audio Settings.
-
Set the Device to Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen (or on Windows) in the Input / output section.
-
Close the Settings window.
-
In the Mixer, click on the insert you want to record in to.
-
Set the external input drop-down from (none) to the interface input you are using, e.g. Input 1 for input mono, or Input 1 - Input 2 for both inputs 1 and 2 in stereo.
-
Click the main record button in the transport section.
-
When you're ready to record, press the play button in the transport section.
Windows
Setting Scarlett as Cubase's audio device: |
Recording to a track in Cubase: |
-
Open Cubase on your computer.
-
In the top menu bar, click
> -
Click
on the left-hand side. -
Set the ASIO Driver to .
-
Click
. -
Right-click in the MixConsole.
-
Click
. -
Configure the track type as and set the Audio Input to the channel you're using on your interface.
-
Click
. -
Click the Record Enable and Monitor buttons (off) on the Cubase channel to enable the track for recording and so you can hear it using input monitoring (on).
-
Click Transport Record in Cubase's transport to start recording.
Mac
Setting Scarlett as Cubase's audio device: |
Recording to a track in Cubase: |
-
Open Cubase on your computer.
-
In the top menu bar, click
> -
Change the ASIO Driver to Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen.
-
Click Switch.
-
Click
. -
Right-click in the MixConsole.
-
Click
. -
Configure the track type as Audio Input to the channel you're using on your interface.
and set the -
Click
. -
Click the Record Enable and Monitor buttons (off) on the Cubase channel to enable the track for recording and so you can hear it using input monitoring (on).
-
Click Transport Record in Cubase's transport to start recording.